Clinicians at the University of Mississippi Medical Center turned to asynchronous telehealth for clinical genetic consultations for patients in the neonatal intensive care unit. The study was driven by the reduction of genetic services.

A study in JAMA Network Open found that emergency department visits for febrile young infants dropped by 66.3% between March 2020 and March 2021, compared with previous years, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the findings also showed that among those brought to the ED, the prevalence of invasive bacterial infections tripled and the prevalence of serious bacterial infections doubled during the same period.

The American Medical Association, American Nurses Association and more than 50 other health care organizations are asking for a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all US health care workers in an effort to bolster vaccination levels and reduce spread of the Delta variant. "This is the logical fulfillment of the ethical commitment of all health care workers to put patients as well as residents of long-term care facilities first and take all steps necessary to ensure their health and well-being," the groups said in a statement.

The Advanced Safe Testing at Residence Telehealth Act of 2021, which aims to expand the use of remote patient monitoring, telehealth, digital therapeutics and other connected health programs, was introduced by Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz. The bill would create value-based demonstration programs in Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Women who have cardiovascular risks such as obesity or high blood pressure have a greater probability for pregnancy complications when compared to women with no risk factors, according to a study in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. Neonatal morbidity and mortality risk were linked to the mother's cardiovascular health.

After falling 4% in 2020, some US hosbitals are experiencing baby booms, with overall delivers up by 11% in June at Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center-Fort Worth compared to last year. Chicago's Rush University Medical Center has also experienced a rise in deliveries starting in May, according to nurse Denise Banton, unit director of labor and delivery.

Individuals who were born small for gestational age exhibited limited exercise capacity and minor differences in right ventricular geometry at rest, compared with controls, researchers reported in JAMA Cardiology. The findings were based on data from 158 young adults.

Tower Health's Reading Hospital has improved nurse staffing with a new staffing model driven by predictive analytics and a commitment to gathering data. The plan has led to significant savings and greater nurse job satisfaction.