Johns Hopkins interns will no longer wear short coats
First year residents at Johns Hopkins Hospital's Medical Training Program traditionally wear short, white coats to symbolize that they're less-seasoned than other physicians. However, these young docs will not be required to do so beginning with the July resident class.
First-year residents said that the shorter coats were an unnecessary distinction from other residents. Johns Hopkins has canceled other resident traditions in the past—residents used to be all men, who had to stay unmarried and live in the hospital. (Associated Press)
27 more providers join Apple's health records platform
Apple launched a beta version of its Health Records program two months ago, and since then nearly 40 health systems have gotten involved. Twenty-seven providers jumped in recently, including NYU Langone Health and Stanford Medicine.
Shez Partovi, M.D., the chief digital officer at Dignity Health, the system involved at launch, said the new tech—which allows patients to access their medical records through an app—is a "pretty awesome experience." (FierceHealthcare)
Hospitals chart their own paths to interoperability
As the push for increased interoperability in healthcare continues, hospitals are taking different routes to reach their goal—and are sometimes experimenting with different approaches at one time. Collaboration with electronic health record vendors is crucial to success. (FierceHealthcare)
UK public health officials studying first case of drug-resistant gonorrhea
Public Health England is investigating the first known case of drug-resistant gonorrhea. A British man sought out sexual health services last year, and his infection is highly resistant to first-line gonorrhea treatments. The man is currently being treated with an intravenous course of the antibiotic ertapenem, which appears to be effective, and he will be tested again this month. (CNN)
Report: NIH rejected a study on negative impacts of alcohol marketing while seeking alcohol industry funding for other studies
The National Institutes of Health's Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism rejected a study from Boston University researchers that dived into the impact of alcohol marketing on underage drinking in 2015, at the same time it was trying to secure funding from the alcohol industry for studies into whether "moderate" drinking is good for the heart.
Emails from that time show that the institute's director, George Koob, had assured the alcohol industry's trade group that it would not publish the marketing study. Koob said that the study was rejected as it was not of high scientific quality. (STAT)
Medical schools, teaching hospitals support 6.3M jobs: report
In addition to training the country's next doctors, medical schools and teaching hospitals are responsible for 3.1% of the U.S. gross domestic product, according to a study from the Association of American Medical Colleges. These facilities support 6.3 million U.S. jobs, according to the report. (FierceHealthcare)
To ease administrative burdens, take a cue from the airline industry, researchers say
Clinicians should be provided with a "manageable cockpit" to work in, much like airline pilots, according to a new study. A team of engineers protects pilots from information overload while flying, and that same principle can be applied to physician workstations, that often have an abundance of pop-ups, notifications, mandatory documentation and other distractions (FierceHealthcare)
Massachusetts' price comparison site to launch this spring
Massachusetts health officials are finally read to unveil the state's long-awaited healthcare cost comparison site. Industry insiders have been testing the site over the past two months, and it promises to offer information on payments to physicians and other providers for dozens of outpatient healthcare services. (Boston Globe)
How to reduce malpractice claims against nurse practitioners
A new study from The Doctor's Company, the country's largest doctor-owned malpractice insurer, outlines several steps providers can take to cut down on malpractice claims against nurse practitioners. It's crucial that doctors are aware of what exactly a NPs scope of practice is and that practices spell out what they can and cannot do. (FierceHealthcare)