People who reach their 80s without cardiovascular disease are more likely to suffer from the effects of dementia than a heart attack or stroke, according to a study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC). In a small group of participants, an association was also found between zero or low levels of artery-clogging calcium deposits and a low risk of dementia and cardiovascular events, suggesting that the cardiovascular risk factors that lead to coronary heart disease could also affect the brain.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC HIT) announced a new initiative to improve interoperability between Medicaid providers. The initiative, announced by CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt and ONC Karen DeSalvo, is designed to improve patient care by distributing information and best practices to provide a better experience of care for individuals in the health system.

As the healthcare industry evolves from a volume- to a value-based payment system, clinical information technology (IT) executives are expected to play an increasingly significant role in ensuring health IT is appropriately leveraged to positively impact care outcomes. Evidence from the 2016 HIMSS Leadership Survey, released at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) annual conference and exhibition in Las Vegas, clearly support these expectations.

Teleflex Inc. announced the worldwide recall of Arrow International intra-aortic balloon catheter kits and percutaneous insertion kits.