• District of Columbia: HHS has appointed Thomas Keane, a clinician and technology developer, as the new leader of the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy (ASTP) and National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. According to Healthcare IT News, Keane has previous experience with ASTP, having served there in addition to his work as a senior advisor to HHS' deputy secretary. Keane also helped administer the COVID-19 Provider Relief Fund and led the development of the AHRQ National Nursing Home COVID Action Network during the pandemic. "Dr. Keane brings important expertise in health policy to the role. We're pleased that his selection reflects HHS' commitment to putting leadership in place that both recognizes the criticality of the 'coordinator' responsibilities and understands from prior experience the many complex use cases related to health data interoperability that the agency is tasked with supporting," said Leigh Burchell, chair of the EHR Association's executive committee. "We look forward to collaborating with Dr. Keane and ASTP to further the digitization of healthcare and explore regulatory refinements." (Miliard, Healthcare IT News, 6/3)
• Illinois: According to a new report commissioned by the American Hospital Association, hospitals spent $18.3 billion to manage violence against both patients and staff members in 2023. For the report, researchers from the University of Washington analyzed data from CDC and other sources to identify costs of preventing and preparing for violence, treating patients affected by violence, and dealing with violence-related fallout, including staff turnover and post-traumatic stress disorder. Overall, hospitals spent $3.62 billion to prepare for workplace and community violence, which included training costs, violence prevention programs, and more. Responding to violent events cost hospitals $14.65 billion, with most going to healthcare costs for fatal and nonfatal injuries. According to the researchers, some ways hospitals can help reduce violence, both in the workplace and community, include bolstering their emergency management policies, building community partnerships and education campaigns, upgrading their security systems, and ensuring their facilities have adequate lighting and clear exit routes. (Kacik/Broderick, Modern Healthcare, 6/1)
• New York: According to a new study from researchers at the University of Rochester's Wilmot Cancer Institute, taurine, an amino acid made by the body and found in many foods, may be linked to the growth of blood and bone marrow cancers like leukemia. Taurine is naturally found in bone marrow, the brain, heart, and muscles. It is also found in many foods, including meat, fish, eggs, energy drinks, and protein powder. In the study, researchers found that when leukemia cells absorb taurine, it increases the breakdown of glucose for energy, which supports cancer growth. By blocking taurine from entering cancer cells, the researchers were able to stop leukemia growth in both mice and human cells. "Since taurine is a common ingredient in energy drinks and is often provided as a supplement to mitigate the side effects of chemotherapy, our work suggests that it may be of interest to carefully consider the benefits of supplemental taurine in leukemia patients," said the researchers. (Battaglia, The Hill, 5/22)

Violence in healthcare settings is a significant and growing concern. Learn five ways for healthcare organizations to proactively address safety threats and protect their staff.