The CDC updated its risk assessment on distant omicron relative BA.2.86 on Aug. 30, saying the strain — which has concerned experts over the large number of mutations it carries — has been detected in at least four states. 

Patients have been canceling appointments at Chillicothe, Ohio-based Adena Regional Medical Center over rumors and concerns about a Legionnaires' disease outbreak, which the health system has since described as "misinformation." 

Postpartum care nurses were ranked the least stressful job that paid the best, according to Nursing Process.

Health officials in Virginia are warning clinicians about an outbreak of meningococcal disease, according to an Aug. 30 news release from the state's department of health.

A Texas resident died after being exposed to Naegleria fowleri — the bacteria that causes a brain-eating amoeba infection — from swimming in a lake in Travis County near Austin, Texas, according to an Aug. 30 news release.

While the COVID-19 variant EG.5 accounts for more than 20 percent of cases across the U.S., according to CDC data, the emergence of a new subvariant, BA.2.86 is drawing close attention from health experts.

The CDC updated its annual flu shot recommendations Aug. 23, with experts noting one key change: People with egg allergies can now get any flu vaccine, egg-based or non-egg based. 

Researchers used a virus to treat patients with an antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection and found good clinical outcomes in 86.6 percent of patients.

Hurricane Idalia put Florida hospitals on high alert this week, preparing for potential flooding or power outages that could disrupt operations. Clinical leaders and health officials should also be vigilant for a separate threat in the coming weeks: infectious diseases. 

Bangor-based Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical is refuting patient safety claims made by a 15-year-old and his mother, once a physician at the facility, and has put the mother on notice for defamation.

A new study suggests hospitals should test all patients for COVID-19 upon admission as an infection control measure to prevent hospital-onset cases when community infection rates are high. 

COVID-19 admissions are increasing in 37 states — with more than half of states reporting a "substantial" jump — as new virus strains circulate nationwide, CDC data shows.

In the last month, The Joint Commission acquired the National Quality Forum, updated medication compounding requirements and more. 

At least eight hospitals in the U.S. have brought back mandatory mask rules as COVID-19 admissions tick up.

A difficult financial climate for health systems means not even registered nurses — in high demand amid a nationwide shortage — are immune from layoffs. 

California ranked among the top five states for nurses in three out of four categories, according to Forbes Advisor.

Nurse practitioner is the fastest growing occupation in the country, with employment in the profession expected to increase 46 percent within 10 years. The government has issued a fresh round of funding to support nursing schools in expanding training for students.

Melissa Kline, DNP, RN, did not intend to go into leadership when she started as a staff nurse at Cleveland-based MetroHealth. But over the last 20 years, she realized leadership is where she belonged.

Despite the emergence of the latest COVID-19 mutation-heavy variant, BA.2.86, and a recent uptick in hospital admissions due to the virus, some clinicians are still optimistic that this fall and winter will not become a 'tripledemic' repeat.

Early data and anecdotal evidence suggests some states may be rebounding from the nurse shortage, though concrete data on the topic is sparse, and more time is needed to confirm the trend.