Inpatient Care
Mortality in U.S. hospitals drops with gains in infection control
New data from the American Hospital Association found that survival rates for hospitalized patients were nearly 30% higher this year than in 2019. Healthcare Innovation reported that between April 2024 and March 2025, 300,000 more American inpatients survived hospital care than would have in 2019. The report found that during that period, central line-associated bloodstream infections dropped 24% and catheter-associated urinary tract infections fell by 25%. Hospitals also expanded cancer screening efforts during that same time frame. The report was based on AHA data analyzed by the Texas-based health care performance improvement company Vizient.
OUD
Study: Primary care successfully incorporates methadone treatment
A new randomized trial found that primary care providers can deliver methadone to patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) as successfully as specialty addiction clinics. The trial, which was conducted in Ukraine with researchers from Yale University, found that integrating methadone treatment into primary care with telemonitoring boosted adherence to guideline-recommended care while maintaining methadone retention rates. The study in Annals of Internal Medicine found that patients receiving methadone in primary care over two years also accessed many more health care services, including screenings for cancer, hepatitis and HIV. At 24 months, the methadone retention rate in primary care was 67.2% compared to 64.7% in specialty clinics. In MedPage Today coverage of the study, one of the co-authors noted that the findings have “profound implications” for being able to treat OUD while expanding preventive and chronic disease management to a vulnerable population.
Health Insurance
Senate showdown over ACA subsidies ends in gridlock
In a deal that has Britain’s national health system paying more for certain drugs, the Trump administration will exempt U.K. drug imports from tariffs for the rest of its term. Axios reported that in exchange for the health service paying about 25% more for certain medicines, the U.S. will exempt U.K. pharmaceuticals and medical technology from tariffs. The agreement also said that the U.S. won’t target drug prices in the U.K. for the duration of this administration’s term. President Trump has complained that wealthy countries like Britain pay too little for medicines, which he claims forces the U.S. to pay more. The Axios report noted that two U.K.-based pharmaceuticals—
Vaccines
Advisory group narrows hep B vaccine guidance for newborns
The CDC vaccine advisory group handpicked by HHS secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. voted last week to roll back the universal recommendation to immunize American babies at birth against hepatitis B. That guidance has been in place for more than 30 years and has been credited with a sharp decrease in liver disease, NPR reported. Instead, the advisory group voted to recommend hep B immunization at birth only for babies born to mothers who test positive or whose status is unknown. For women giving birth who are negative for hep B, the guidance now says they should discuss immunization with their physician. While the standard hep B series has consisted of three shots, the advisory group also voted to instead recommend testing babies’ antibody level after each shot to see if additional doses are needed. Major physician groups including the American Academy of Pediatrics, ACOG, the IDSA and the ACP have come out against the new guidance, CIDRAP reported. According to CNN, major health insurer groups have committed to covering the costs of hep B immunizations at birth, at least through 2026.
Medical Education
For first time, med school enrollment tops 100,000
The U.S. has set a record for medical school enrollment, with more than 100,000 students enrolled for the 2025-2026 academic year. Data from the AAMC found that applications rose 5.3% for the current academic year, reversing a three-year decline. Applications for this year’s class were also the highest since 2015-16, with the exception of 2021-22. For the seventh year in a row, women made up the majority of applicants (57.2%), matriculants (55.0%) and total enrollment (55.0%). AAMC data found that 2.6% of matriculants are over age 30, and 163 are military veterans.
In Case You Missed It
What factors help (or hurt) career satisfaction for hospitalists?
What are the top factors that contribute to hospitalist career satisfaction—and dissatisfaction? In our latest survey, we asked respondents to rank a list of factors that make them satisfied (or not) with their careers. The most important factor in boosting career satisfaction for hospitalists who treat adults was compensation, which two-thirds of respondents ranked as their top factor. For more information about satisfiers and dissatisfiers for hospitalists,see Today’s Hospitalist survey coverage.
End-of-life talk vs. “serious illness discussions”
End-of-life conversations in the hospital are much easier when they start as “serious illness discussions” and patients are still stable. In a new Today’s Hospitalist report, two palliative care experts talk about how and when to initiate that discussion. They also share tips on how to make a prognosis and manage end-of-life symptoms..
