Arizona could have the worst nursing shortage crisis in the nation by 2025 with nearly 28,100 vacancies in roles needed to maintain normal levels of care, according to data from the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis.

In early 2024, clusters of measles outbreaks have appeared in at least six states. Here is a quick timeline of events:

The Joint Commission and the National Quality Forum have selected three hospitals and health systems for stand-out patient safety efforts, the organizations jointly announced Feb. 13.

Advanced practice nurses in Mississippi could see their roles expand, allowing for full scope of practice authority as soon as July if lawmakers there back the proposal. 

The CDC plans to do away with its five-day COVID isolation guidance, aiming to put the recommendations more in line with those for flu and respiratory syncytial virus, officials familiar with the matter told The Washington Post.

Simple assaults against healthcare workers increased from 17.7 incidents per 100 beds to 22 incidents, and 65% of hospitals said it was difficult or very difficult to retain full, qualified security staff, according to the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety Foundation's 2023 Healthcare Crime survey.

The U.S. is now monitoring BA.2.87.1, a new SARS-CoV-2 variant with more than 30 changes in the coronavirus spike protein. 

Acute care hospitals have until July 1 to join the National Healthcare Safety Network. Membership with the network will now be required for acute care hospitals to receive federal funding from CMS. 

Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire (Wis.) and University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire teamed up Feb. 12 to create a medical academy program free to students. 

MaineHealth plans to demolish its century-old nursing school, the Portland-based system said Feb. 12. 

An older adult in Alaska died after contracting 'Alaskapox' — a form of orthopox virus which was discovered in 2015. It is the first reported death due to the virus, according to a Feb. 9 news release from the Alaska Division of Public Health.

Oregon confirmed its first bubonic plague case since 2015.

Arkansas Children's named Heather Cherry, DNP, RN, the John Boyd Family Endowed Chair in Pediatric Nursing.

The CDC's latest update shows flu activity increased in Central and Midwestern states in the week ending Feb. 3. 

The quantity and risk of fungal infections continues to grow worldwide, particularly as global temperatures warm, creating new environments for fungus to thrive, but drugs to treat these new and emerging infections haven't kept the same pace.

CMS is proposing rules that would tighten oversight and accountability of its accrediting organizations, saying it believes not all are issuing accreditation properly during site visits.

 Lawmakers in California have introduced a bill to create a pilot program that would allow up to 15 community colleges in the state to offer a Bachelor of Science in nursing — a measure meant to address limited capacity within nursing schools and expand access to affordable programs. 

Artificial or natural nails that extend more than one-fourth of an inch beyond the fingertip can harbor more pathogens than short nails, leading to more outbreaks, according to a Feb. 8 article published on Nurse.org.

HCA Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C., has submitted a plan of correction to address deficiencies and remove its immediate jeopardy status, a CMS spokesperson confirmed to Becker's Feb 8. 

Respiratory syncytial virus is the leading pathogen for infant hospitalizations, but a second contender is close behind in prevalence: human rhinovirus.