Pfizer pill becomes 1st US-authorized home COVID treatment
U.S. health regulators on Wednesday authorized the first pill against COVID-19, a Pfizer drug that Americans will be able to take at home to head off the worst effects of the virus.
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COVID-19 omicron variant confirmed in 1st Indiana patient
Tests have confirmed Indiana’s first known case of the COVID-19 omicron variant, state health officials announced Sunday.
Indiana lawmakers take up vaccine limits amid COVID-19 surge
Some Indiana doctors and health experts warned Thursday that a Republican-backed proposal aimed at limiting workplace COVID-19 vaccination requirements would hurt efforts to stem the illness as the state’s hospitals are strained with their highest-ever overall patient counts.
Health worker vaccine mandate blocked in half the states
A federal appeals court panel on Wednesday lifted a nationwide ban against President Joe Biden’s vaccine mandate for health care workers, instead blocking the requirement in only certain states and creating the potential for patchwork enforcement across the country.
Methodist Sports Medicine changes name in wake of lawsuit
Physician group Methodist Sports Medicine announced Tuesday that it has changed it to Forte Sports Medicine and Orthopedics following a lawsuit filed against it last month by Indiana University Health claiming trademark infringement and unfair competition.
Data indicate omicron is milder, better at evading vaccines
The omicron variant appears to cause less severe disease than previous versions of the coronavirus, and the Pfizer vaccine seems to offer less defense against infection from it but still good protection from hospitalization, according to an analysis of data from South Africa, where the new variant is driving a surge in infections.
Hospitalizations from COVID-19 reach highest mark since last year
Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 in Indiana have reached their highest level since late last year, according to the latest figures from the Indiana State Department of Health.
National Guard helping virus-sapped states, hospitals
More U.S. states desperate to defend against COVID-19 are calling on the National Guard and other military personnel to assist virus-weary medical staffs at hospitals and other care centers.
Overwhelmed by latest surge, hospitals again delay elective surgeries
Hospitals across Indiana are once again delaying elective surgeries and procedures, and some warn they are operating near full capacity due to the latest COVID-19 surge.
Ex-hospital employee’s unauthorized access to patient info leaves genuine questions of fact, COA rules
A hospital group and its former employee at odds over her unauthorized access of confidential patient records aren’t quite finished with their legal battle, the Court of Appeals of Indiana ruled Wednesday.
Hospitals set new pandemic record, with 70% of staffed beds in use
The latest surge in COVID-19 cases is taking its toll on Indiana hospitals, which set a new record over the weekend with 70% of all staffed hospital beds currently in use.
State loses bid to depose hospital in abortion lawsuit
The state will not get to depose a Philadelphia hospital as part of one of Indiana’s multiple abortion-related lawsuits after a federal judge overruled the state’s objection to the grant of the hospital’s motion to quash.
House GOP again tries to expedite bill to limit vaccine mandates, will hold hearing on Dec. 16
Efforts to advance state legislation that would restrict employer COVID-19 vaccine mandates took another unusual turn Friday as Republican leaders scheduled a House committee hearing on the bill for later this month, more than two weeks before the formal legislative session kicks off.
COA: Hospitals not entitled to summary judgment in mental-heath slaying case
The Court of Appeals of Indiana has affirmed the denial of summary judgment for several hospital defendants sued by a woman whose husband was murdered by their mentally ill grandson soon after he was discharged.
Brown: New COVID-19 global travel requirements
After almost 20 months of historic restrictions, travelers are once again being welcomed into the United States with proof of vaccination and a negative COVID test.
IU Health sues Methodist Sports Medicine, claiming trademark infringement
IU Health has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis, claiming trademark infringement and unfair competition. It is asking a judge to order Methodist Sports Medicine to change its name.
Indiana filing three lawsuits over federal vaccine mandate
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb on Thursday called for a lawsuit challenging vaccine requirements, directing the Indiana Department of Labor to work with Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita on a lawsuit against the federal government regarding OSHA’s issued ETS.
Community Health must face Justice Department’s false claims lawsuit, judge rules
A federal judge in Indianapolis has tossed out Community Health Network’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit by the U.S. Justice Department that alleges the hospital system engaged in a fraudulent scheme to keep patient referrals in its network.
Indiana’s COVID-19 vaccination pace falls to lowest level
Indiana’s pace of COVID-19 vaccination shots has fallen to its lowest level since the shots became available last winter.
Retzner and Nichols: Indiana’s new advance health care directive
On July 1, Indiana significantly broadened the options for an individual to make health care wishes known through an “Advance Directive for Health Care Decisions.”