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Information technology

The American Medical Association has released a new guidance promoting clinical mHealth apps that support patient-centered care delivery, care coordination and team-based communication. The AMA adopted them during its recent interim meeting.

Medical devices and equipment

Medical device reps are a little-known presence in many operating rooms, offering technical expertise to surgeons installing new knees, implanting cardiac defibrillators or performing delicate spine surgery. But how much influence do reps wield, how necessary and costly are their services and does their presence in the OR, which may not be disclosed to patients, raise ethical questions about informed consent?

Theranos Whistleblower Shook the Company—and His Family | The Wall Street Journal

Tyler Shultz, now 26 years old, was among several Theranos employees who tried to voice concerns inside the company about what they saw as troubling practices, and Mr. Shultz was the first to blow the whistle to a state regulator. He says he wanted to expose the problems to protect the health of patients and his grandfather’s reputation.

Pharmaceuticals

In hopes of reducing inappropriate opioid prescribing, the Chicago City Council on Wednesday passed an ordinance that requires all pharmaceutical sales reps to become licensed. The ordinance, which the pharmaceutical industry opposed, will require sales reps to undergo training for ethics, marketing regulations, and applicable laws.

Drug Prices Don’t Budge Even After Pressure from Congress | Associated Press

Congress's routine of publicly shaming drug company executives over high prices works no better than a placebo: It may make some people feel better, but it doesn't treat the problem.

Physicians

A new report suggests that we could substantially reduce the health and economic burden of trauma in the United States if we integrated insights from military care into civilian hospitals.