Medical Journal August 2021 Digital Edition
August 18, 20211 min
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Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital welcomes endocrinologist Travis Goodale, M.D.
August 18, 20212 min
Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is pleased to announce that board-certified endocrinologist Travis Goodale, M.D., has joined Houston Methodist Endocrinology Associates. Goodale earned his medical degree at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston and completed his internal medicine residency at Houston Methodist Hospital. Goodale also completed a fellowship in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism at Houston Methodist Hospital. “I am proud to join Houston Methodist Endocrinology Associates,” said Goodale. “After completing my residency and...
Vaccine mandates: Considerations for employers
August 18, 202110 min
By Ehsan Tabesh, Partner, Fisher Phillips President Joe Biden announced sweeping new mandates that will require all federal employees and onsite contractors to be vaccinated against the coronavirus or to submit to regular testing, social distancing, mask-wearing, and travel restrictions. The new directive is part of a larger push to increase vaccination rates as the Delta variant of the coronavirus fuels a new wave of infections nationwide. Although the mandate is limited to federal workers,...
HIPAA and the age of voice-activated technology
August 18, 20219 min
By Rossanna Howard and Beth Anne Jackson, Brown & Fortunato, P.C. In July, it was revealed that four healthcare workers filed a class-action lawsuit, Terpening v. Amazon.com Inc., alleging that Amazon’s voice-activated virtual assistant technology, “Alexa,” recorded private conversations without the individual users’ intent. Those conversations may have included protected health information (PHI), which is protected by HIPAA. Generally, the suit seeks to hold Amazon liable for the Alexa functionality in certain devices, arguing that...
Three ways to improve your revenue cycle: The pandemic version
August 18, 20219 min
By Catherine Lightfoot, CPA, CHBC, Director of Healthcare at EEPB We have all had to adapt to the way business is being done during COVID times. Here are three ways in which revenue cycles were disrupted over the last year and a half, and some adjustments that can be made to improve profitability. Automate Appointment Scheduling Missed appointments equal missed revenue. Front office staff should be made aware of the minimum amount of information needed...
Yoga and its use for depression
August 18, 20218 min
By Amulya Sajja, MS4 and Samuel Mathis, M.D. Depression is a common diagnosis that is seen in almost all medical practices. It is characterized by feelings of sadness or guilt and changes in sleep, energy, appetite, concentration. In severe cases, it can also cause psychomotor symptoms and suicidal ideations. Prompt and appropriate treatment is vital to improving patient quality of life and for safety. With the increased stress of Covid-19, cases of depression and anxiety...
Delta prompts a doubled-down defense
August 18, 20215 min
By Ted Shaw, President/CEO, Texas Hospital Association As the rate of COVID-19 hospitalization increases, the impact of the delta variant is in clear focus. Transmission of the delta variant poses an incredible risk to our communities. With that challenge, however, comes an important opportunity to strengthen and sharpen the defenses that we know work. Wearing a face mask, practicing social distancing, and adhering to health experts’ guidance are critical to mitigate disease spread. But vaccination...
Researchers discover new factor in preventing phenylketonuria, offering new treatment strategy
August 18, 20216 min
Researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have discovered a critical new factor in regulating phenylalanine metabolism and, therefore, in preventing the inherited metabolic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU). The research also suggests a possible avenue for new treatments that may be effective for certain patients with PKU. The study demonstrates that the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) HULC directly regulates the metabolic enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH). Loss of the lncRNA resulted in excess phenylalanine and symptoms consist with...
Statins can save lives only if patients take them
August 18, 20216 min
When John Davis collapsed on the basketball court, he knew he could have prevented it. He could have avoided the heart attack, the trip to the ER, and the need for a stent to allow blood to once again flow freely from his heart to the rest of his body. Davis was healthy and, in his twenties when doctors diagnosed him with a genetic condition that required him to take medication to lower his cholesterol....
Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital welcomes palliative care specialist Dr. Phuc Vo
August 18, 20212 min
Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is pleased to welcome Phuc Vo, D.O., a palliative care specialist, to the medical staff. Vo joins Channon Hudgins, M.D., and Asha Wurdeman, M.D., as hospital palliative care specialists at Houston Methodist Sugar Land. Palliative care specialists work with patients to help relieve the pain, discomfort, and stress of serious, chronic illnesses. They also serve as liaisons between medical specialists and family members – explaining difficult concepts, answering questions, and...