Giving patients immediate access to their medical test results can empower them and prevent the anxiety of anticipating medical results, but it can also cause confusion and anxiety if test results are misunderstood. Some clinicians have hidden or delayed access to reports that could mislead patients in the absence of context. The practice may prevent needless worry, but it may also be seen as paternalistic.

SGLT2 inhibitors offer significant benefits for patients with type 2 diabetes, particularly when initiated within three months after a urinary tract infection, according to a study in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. The study revealed a 41% reduction in mortality risk and decreased likelihood of major adverse kidney events and infection-related outcomes, compared to DPP-4 inhibitors. Additionally, SGLT2 inhibitors were linked to lower risks of all-cause hospitalization, sepsis and dialysis dependence.

A study presented at the ASHP Pharmacy Futures 2025 meeting found that 91% of patients remained on an adalimumab biosimilar or transitioned to an alternative three months after being switched from Humira, with stable or improved quality-of-life scores and no hospitalizations reported. Experts noted the findings support interchangeability but cautioned that insurance barriers, treatment gaps and patient perceptions may still drive some to revert to the originator drug.

Hospital margins improved from 1.9% in May to 3.7% in June, according to a Kaufman Hall report based on data from 1,300 hospitals. Per-patient and outpatient revenue rose, but nonlabor expenses and bad debt also rose, undercutting gains. Kaufman Hall Managing Director Erik Swanson says small hospitals should ensure they accurately capture all owed revenue and focus on day-to-day operations.

New Medicaid funding and eligibility policies may decrease the number of enrollees, increase the number of uninsured people and take a toll on hospital finances, putting additional pressure on clinical documentation integrity professionals, writes certified documentation integrity practitioner Cheryl Ericson. CDI departments may need to expand their review populations to include Medicaid and uninsured patients, even as financial pressures mount.

A study in the journal Circulation found that the FonoCheck smartphone app can screen effectively for atrial fibrillation in community settings, showing a positive predictive value of 94%. Researchers from Southeast University in China enrolled 5,312 participants, using the app to record heart sounds for 30 seconds. The app identified 39 suspected AFib cases, with 34 confirmed by ECG. Its performance is comparable to wearable devices, but researchers note the prevalence of AFib might be underestimated.

An analysis of more than 13 million EHR notes found Black patients were more likely than white patients to have language in their records undermining their credibility, such as terms implying doubt about symptoms or suspected drug-seeking behavior. The study in PLOS One found such language was not common, but could indicate broader racial disparities that could affect trust and lead to medical errors.

Pop-up screening stations at pharmacies and sporting events could significantly improve detection of cardiovascular risk factors, potentially reducing early deaths from heart disease, according to a study in JACC. The Shane Warne Legacy Health Check initiative screened more than 83,000 people, finding that nearly 70% had at least one uncontrolled risk factor such as high blood pressure or elevated BMI. The study highlights the effectiveness of community-based screenings in identifying and managing cardiovascular risk.

A study in JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging found a poor correlation between changes in 99mTc-DPD uptake and established biomarkers in patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy. The study involved 66 patients and showed a mean reduction of 1.5% in 99mTc-DPD uptake over a median of 27.5 months, but this change did not align with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, echocardiographic or biochemical markers. The authors urge caution in interpreting 99mTc-DPD changes as indicators of treatment response.