Category Archives: In the News

Demand, Supply, and COVID Vaccination

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The United States is behind its stated goals of vaccinating the population. This has inspired conversations about how and whether to stretch the vaccine supply to reach more people more quickly. In an opinion piece for STAT, MSK’s Dr. Peter B. Bach presents these questions as opportunities for further research.

Dr. Peter Bach

Dr. Peter B. Bach, Director, Center for Health Policy and Outcomes.

Dr. Bach proposes that non-profit academic health centers administer the first dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines to staff members, then give them the opportunity to opt into a randomized study. Participants would either receive the second dose as scheduled or a placebo. Researchers would follow the participants to see whether rates of infection differed starting one week after the second injection. Participants who received the placebo would get the second dose once the infection rates differed, allowing further data on the effectiveness of delaying the second dose.

Have questions about COVID vaccines? Dr. Elizabeth Robilotti offers answers on the MSK website.

Oncologic Hospital Readmissions

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Cancer patients are at a higher risk of hospital readmissions than the general population. A recent study conducted by a team at the Boston University School of Medicine (Boston, MA) identified avoidable oncologic readmissions and their causes. The researchers conducted a retrospective chart review over a six-month period, during which 203 patients were discharged. While 68.7% of readmissions could not have been avoided, the authors found that 31.3% were potentially avoidable. Most of those potentially avoidable readmissions were due to ascitic or pleural fluid reaccumulation. Based on those findings, the researchers offer solutions such as performing supervised procedures in the outpatient setting. Addressing the issues could decrease readmissions in an oncology service. The study was published in JCO oncology practice.

Saliva Sample Equivalent to Nasal Swabs for SARS-CoV-2 Detection

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N. Esther Babady, PhD

N. Esther Babady, PhD

A recent study by MSK’s Dr. N. Esther Babady and colleagues found saliva samples to be comparable to nasal swabs when testing for SARS-CoV-2. Between April and May, the researchers compared screening methods in MSK employees who were either showing COVID-19 symptoms or who had known disease exposure.

They found SARS-CoV-2 detection from posterior oropharyngeal saliva, but not from oral rinses or mouthwashes, equivalent to detection from nasopharyngeal swabs. Unlike nasal swab samples, saliva can be self-collected. This reduces potential disease exposure of medical staff and reduces the strain on the swab supply chain.

Learn more:
HealthDay
HospiMedica