Register now for Nursing Consortium conference on November 5th

Early-bird registration rates extended through 8/15!

Join the more than 90 colleagues who have registered to attend Recovering from the Challenges of COVID-19; Revitalizing Nursing for the Post-pandemic Era the Nursing Consortium of South Florida's first in-person educational conference in two years, while you can still take advantage of the best rates through this weekend! "The conference planning committee has been busy organizing a program that addresses the challenges endured in the era of COVID and explores best practices for healing and strengthening a workforce that has been stretched and stressed as never before," remarked committee chair Jean Seaver who is also the Consortium's new president-elect.  Seaver added, "We are truly grateful to the Memorial Healthcare System for agreeing to be the conference presenting sponsor." Please click here for additional sponsor and exhibitor opportunities. 

Don’t miss what is certain to be a truly exceptional educational conference and networking opportunity. Register today and purchase your tickets at the best price! Our last in-person conference set an attendance record and this one will surely sell out early. You can register now for as little as $75.00.  Click here to make sure you don't get left out!  This conference will also be presented live via Zoom with the assistance of Creative Particle to those not able to attend in person.

McKinsey reports on role of personalized care to reduce readmissions

A recent article by McKinsey & Company discusses how a personalized care approach to patient engagement can reduce readmissions. Engaging healthcare consumers in a highly personalized way—and the value it brings to all healthcare system stakeholders—is increasingly important, the report says. In order to better understand how personalization could improve healthcare outcomes and patient experience, McKinsey conducted consumer research to examine the practical applications of personalization in discharge planning. This investigation included how post-admission engagement could potentially reduce unnecessary healthcare costs and readmission experiences. This research builds on two decades of work that posits how transitions of care and supported discharge programs after an acute exacerbation can reduce avoidable readmissions. Good follow-up care (such as ensuring medication adherence, adherence to the right rehabilitation and physical therapy, remote monitoring of symptoms, and timely follow-up checkups) may lead to better outcomes. When this follow-up care fails (for example, due to a lack of access, a lack of health literacy, or other factors) a patient is more likely to end up back in a hospital or with a need for additional care. Please click here to read more.

Boca Raton Regional Hospital expands its Cancer Institute to Bethesda Health City in Boynton Beach

The Eugene M. & Christine E. Lynn Cancer Institute at Consortium member Boca Raton Regional Hospital has expanded its life-saving cancer diagnosis and treatment services in Palm Beach County to Bethesda Health City located at 10301 Hagen Ranch Road in Boynton Beach. “We look forward to this partnership that will help us bring state-of-the-art comprehensive oncology care closer to our patients and community,” says Nelson Lazo, CEO of Bethesda Hospital East and Bethesda Hospital West.  Boca Raton Regional Hospital, Bethesda Hospital East and Bethesda Hospital West are all part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest not-for-profit medical provider in the region. Baptist Health also operates Miami Cancer Institute and is in the process of integrating their complementary services to give patients increased and expedited access to expert care. Lynn Cancer Institute has one of the largest comprehensive oncology programs in Florida, offering top medical and surgical experts as well as the latest in diagnostics and therapeutic cancer treatments. The Institute which receives about 150,000 patient visits yearly, takes a multidisciplinary approach to cancer care and has access to groundbreaking research trials from nationally recognized programs. Please click here to read more.

Study: Pfizer vaccine strongly protects against symptomatic COVID from Delta Variant

A recent article from Consortium member Baptist Health South Florida reports on the growing research on the currently available, two-dose mRNA vaccines – from Pfizer-BioN Tech and Moderna – which provide broad protection against severe illness from the delta variant. The newest study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, found that the full two doses of the Pfizer-BioN Tech vaccine offered strong protection against variants. The research involved more than 19,000 teens and adults across the United Kingdom. When fully vaccinated, with two shots given at least two weeks to take effect, Pfizer’s vaccine became about 88 percent effective against symptomatic COVID-19 from the delta variant. Researchers said the study’s results nearly reflect the vaccine’s excellent performance in clinical trials leading to its emergency use approval. However, they add that “breakthrough” infections for those vaccinated are more likely with the delta variant — although severe illness is very unlikely. The study stressed that Pfizer’s two shots are necessary for the full protection to take effect against the delta variant.  Please click here to read more.

Cyber theft of customer data a growing risk for US Health Industry

FDA awards Breakthrough Designation to Altoida for development of world’s first precision neurology device for prediction of Alzheimer's disease

Altoida, Inc., a pioneer in brain health and digital biomarker science has been awarded Breakthrough Device Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for their precision neurology device planned for use in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia diagnosis. It is the industry’s first predictive diagnostic device for conversion to Alzheimer’s disease. The non-invasive software device which measures and monitors neurocognitive function is backed by two decades of global research, and is now being evaluated to predict conversion from Mild Cognitive Impairment to Alzheimer’s disease with artificial intelligence. The FDA Breakthrough Program is designed to accelerate patients’ access to innovative technologies that could provide more effective treatment or diagnosis. Under the program, Altoida will receive priority review and interactive communication regarding product development and clinical trial protocols, through to commercialization decisions. Please click here to read more.

UM reports Miami is Hot Spot for Colorectal Cancer among younger women

A recent article by Consortium member University of Miami reveals that Miami-Dade is considered one of about 190 hot spots across the nation for Colorectal Cancer among women under 50. Colorectal cancers are usually considered a risk for older adults, yet experts have noticed a troubling trend: While rates have dropped among those 50 and older, they’re going up in the younger set. Reports show that these cancers have inched up 2% every year for the latter age group, with 11% of colon cancers and 18% of rectal cancers diagnosed in younger people. Now, a study published in the Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology Journal drills down on those statistics by location. It is the first study to look at rates by geography, and the news is not good for the South Florida area. Please click here to read this incisive report.

Hagar gets new funding to advance “GWave” non-invasive blood test for diabetes

Hagar, an Israel company, the developer of GWave, the world's first non-invasive continuous glucose monitoring technology has secured $11.7M additional funding to be used for upcoming trials for FDA approval and for completing international patents. The revolutionary technology uses radio frequency waves to monitor glucose levels in the blood – continuously, painlessly, and easily. GWave 2.0, currently under development, is a sensor that can be directly integrated into a smartwatch. It will seamlessly connect to the GWave smartphone application that enables users to receive glucose readings on their phones to easily share with their healthcare providers. GWave First Generation is a third of the size of a smartphone and uses less radio frequency than a smartphone. It detects blood glucose levels, which is essential for anyone with diabetes. GWave can also be used for preventive care, as it can measure glucose levels that are elevated but not high enough for diagnosis. Those early measures, if acted upon, can help prevent type 2 diabetes, which constitutes most of the diabetes cases in the world. Please click here to read more.

Jackson West Medical Center now open

Jackson West Medical Center– the first state-of-the-art medical campus in City of Doral opened to patients on the 2nd of August.  The new facility is the latest expansion for Consortium member Jackson Health Systems serving the South Florida area. Jackson West will combine consumer-centered inpatient and outpatient facilities with the latest surgical and medical programs. The new medical center, designed by the architectural firm Perkins + Will, sits on a 27-acre property just west of the Palmetto Expressway on Northwest 25th Street. The medical campus will feature José Milton Memorial Hospital – a 100-bed all private acute care hospital – adult and pediatric emergency room, state-of-the-art surgical facilities, diagnostic and imaging services, maternity care services, and specialty physician clinics. The total cost of the project is $336.4 million. The new medical campus will allow Jackson Health System to expand its world-class medical care into some of the county’s fastest-growing residential and commercial communities. Residents in these neighborhoods, which include Doral, Westchester, Sweetwater, Hialeah and Miami Lakes will now have access to Jackson’s services closer to where they live, work, and play. Please click here to read more.

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