Recently, a Seattle-area plastic surgery provider, Allure Esthetic, and its owner, Javad Sajan, were accused of engaging in unethical practices such as posting fake positive reviews and threatening patients over negative ones. This led to a lawsuit being brought against them by Attorney General Bob Ferguson, resulting in a federal consent decree that requires Allure
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Recent headlines have shed light on some disturbing incidents within the healthcare industry that have left many questioning the integrity of medical professionals. From accusations of patient harm to fraudulent practices, these cases have sparked outrage and concern among the public. One such case involves the death of a young nurse from Ohio, Carrissa Stevenson,
A recent study conducted by Elyse Kharbanda, MD, MPH, and colleagues at the HealthPartners Institute in Bloomington, Minnesota, found that receiving an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine during the first trimester of pregnancy did not increase the risk of major structural birth defects. The researchers reported that there was no significant difference in the occurrence of major
Medical professionals across the country are expressing frustration with the long waiting times for insurers to respond to prior authorization requests. Dr. Sabin Dang from the Retina Institute in Missouri has bluntly stated that these delays are a waste of everybody’s time. This issue is causing delays in patient care and treatment plans, leading to
The Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, MBA, recently brought attention to the dangers of social media in a powerful New York Times op-ed by calling for warning labels on social media platforms. His concerns about social media contributing to anxiety, depression, and social isolation among adolescents struck a chord with many. However, it is crucial
Recently, the Justice Department has made headlines with a sweeping nationwide crackdown on healthcare fraud schemes, resulting in charges against nearly 200 individuals. These individuals, including doctors and nurse practitioners, face accusations of various scams which amount to over $2.7 billion in false claims. The Attorney General, Merrick Garland, emphasized the importance of holding individuals
The recent FDA approval of the first point-of-care test for hepatitis C virus (HCV) marks a significant milestone in the fight against this potentially deadly infection. This innovative test, known as the Xpert HCV test and GeneXpert Xpress System, allows at-risk adults to be rapidly diagnosed and linked to care if necessary. Unlike traditional tests
The recent study presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting delves into the tumor immune microenvironments of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) at both primary and metastatic sites. The purpose of this study is to explore how the immune composition within the tumor may influence the effectiveness of checkpoint inhibitors. Yuan Yuan, MD,
The concept of “Dayenu,” originating from a religious context, holds valuable secular lessons that can be applied in various settings, including healthcare. In patient care, healthcare providers can encourage patients to adopt an attitude of gratitude for any progress they make in their health journey, no matter how small. This approach can contribute to patient
Recent research has shown a potential link between disrupted circadian rhythms in cognitively normal adults and higher subsequent amyloid-beta levels. This relationship has been reported to be even stronger in APOE4 carriers. The findings from a prospective study indicated that higher daily variability at baseline, which is an indicator of fragmented 24-hour activity rhythms, was
