8 Sentara hospitals earn ‘A’ grades for patient safety for spring 2026
(Sentara Health – May 5, 2026)

Eight Sentara hospitals in Virginia have earned a prestigious “A” grade for patient safety from The Leapfrog Group for spring 2026, placing them among the safest hospitals in the nation for preventing medical errors and patient harm. The Leapfrog Group is a national, independent nonprofit organization that evaluates hospitals on patient safety, quality, and transparency, using publicly available data. The twice-yearly hospital safety grade assesses performance across 22 evidence based measures, including hospital acquired infections, medication safety, readmissions, length of stay, and mortality.

A Sacred Presence: The Powerful Impact of Hospice Vigil Volunteers
(Mary Washington Healthcare – May 6, 2026)

The final moments of life are often the most sacred and emotional, not just for the patient, but for their loved ones as well. Hospice care provides a dignified approach to end-of-life, offering physical, emotional, and spiritual support. But one special group of individuals offer something that words cannot describe: our vigil volunteers. Hospice volunteers are an integral part of the hospice team. Those who volunteer “to sit vigil” provide a compassionate, quiet presence at a time when patients and families need it most. These volunteers are by the sides of actively dying patients, ensuring they are not alone at the end of life.

Ashland mom Sam Edall survives breast cancer and heart failure after childbirth
(WTVR – May 6, 2026)

Sam Edall is surrounded by her family, nature, and lots of animals on her 15-acre farm in Ashland. But the life she enjoys today came after years of serious medical crises that began in 2023, when she was expecting her first child. “I ended up having to have an emergency C-section. While the C-section didn’t cut the bowel, the blood supply to that part of it just completely stopped because I had lost so much blood from the C-section and from pushing for so long. So I ended up with a perforated bowel,” Edall said. After spending two months in the hospital and welcoming her daughter, Lucy, Edall and her husband were finally closing on their dream home when her health took another turn.

Augusta Health Earns An ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group
(Augusta Health – May 6, 2026)

Augusta Health earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. Leapfrog assigns an “A”, “B”, “C”, “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country using evidence-based measures of patient safety focused exclusively on errors, accidents, injuries and infections. “Receiving an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group is something we’re very proud of,” said Crystal Farmer, MBA, MSN, RN, FACHE, Chief Operating Officer of Augusta Health. “It reflects the deep commitment our entire team shares in keeping patients safe and delivering thoughtful, high-quality care. Every member of our organization plays a role in creating a safe environment, and I’m grateful for the passion and dedication they bring to our community each day.”

Born at 23 weeks, this Virginia micropremie graduates from NICU after 193-day stay: ‘Truly amazing’
(WTVR – May 2, 2026)

A Virginia toddler born at 23 weeks is celebrating a major milestone after spending 193 days in the neonatal intensive care unit at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. Doctors gave Levi Rice only a 20% chance of survival when his mother, Mary Arthur, went into early labor. Mary and her husband, Lamont Rice, live in the Northern Neck and raced to Richmond, where Levi was delivered via emergency C-section. “They brought him by, and I just lost it, because I knew it wasn’t good from what I could see,” Arthur said. “You see your baby in a bag and a little one-pound baby with a tube in his mouth. You couldn’t see anything, but his little head. And the doctor had told me that the first 24 hours were going to be critical, but they were gonna do everything they could do to save him.”

Centra opens behavioral health hospital in Lynchburg
(WDBJ7 – May 5, 2026)

Centra is opening a new behavior health hospital in Lynchburg, a partnership with Lifepoint Behavior Health to expand access to mental health care. The new hospital will hold 72 beds and provide specialized psychiatric care. The rooms are designed to be open and full of light with flexible clinical and community areas. An outdoor courtyard also allows patients to get some fresh air while still getting treatment.

Commonwealth Midwifery at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital expands patient-centered care in Central Virginia
(HCA Virginia – May 6, 2026)

Coinciding with International Day of the Midwife, HCA Virginia today announced the launch of Commonwealth Midwifery, a new practice at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital that expands access to connected, patient-centered care for families across Central Virginia. The practice joins Commonwealth OB/GYN Specialists and OB/GYN Associates in offering comprehensive obstetrics and gynecological care for HCA Virginia patients. Commonwealth Midwifery provides care across every stage of the journey — from preconception and prenatal visits to labor and delivery and postpartum support. The practice also provides pelvic healthcare, including wellness education and treatment for gynecologic conditions.

Inova hospitals Earn ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grades from The Leapfrog Group
(Inova – May 6, 2026)

Inova is proud to announce that Inova Alexandria Hospital, Inova Fair Oaks Hospital, Inova Fairfax Hospital and Inova Loudoun Hospital have all earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade for the spring term from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. Leapfrog assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country using evidence-based measures of patient safety focused exclusively on errors, accidents, injuries and infections.

Just 1 in 5 Gunshot Patients Are Accessing the Intervention Programs Designed to Help Them
(The Trace – May 6, 2026)

Afirst-of-its-kind research study found that nearly two-thirds of firearm injury patients are treated in hospitals with violence intervention programs, but only about 20 percent of those patients participate in those programs. The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons last month, analyzed firearm injuries to adults between March 2021 and February 2022. The researchers found that of the more than 15,000 patients with firearm injuries, nearly 65 percent were treated at a hospital with a prevention program, and of those, only 18 percent received care from such programs. Hospital violence intervention programs (HVIPs) provide mental health care and try to stop further violence by connecting gunshot victims with local intervention specialists, according to experts. HVIP workers and patients work on emotional and social recovery in tandem with medical treatment.

Nursing shortage continues as demand grows
(WHSV – May 5, 2026)

A nursing shortage is forcing hospitals across the country to do more with less as health leaders work to recruit and retain nurses and expand training pipelines. Health leaders in Richmond say Virginia is no exception to the shortage, and hospitals are working through staffing challenges while continuing to care for every patient who comes through their doors. A George Mason University study found Virginia is down about 17,000 nurses. Local officials say several factors are contributing. “Things like lack of faculty, lack of preceptors, burnout is a real thing that our staff is dealing with and challenged with. Workplace violence is something that is near and dear to all of our hearts that we definitely are trying to tackle here within Bon Secours,” said Cassie Lewis, chief nursing officer at Bon Secours Richmond.

Three UVA Health Community Medical Centers Receive “A” from the Leapfrog Group
(UVA Health – May 6, 2026)

UVA Health today announced its three community medical centers in Culpeper, Haymarket, and Prince William received ‘A’ grade from The Leapfrog Group’s spring 2026 Hospital Safety Grades.  Notably, UVA Health Haymarket and Prince William Medical Centers have maintained “Straight A” designations for more than 15 consecutive grading periods. “Every day, our teams demonstrate what it means to put patients first, with exceptional skill, compassion, and a commitment to safety,” said Erik Shannon, the chief executive officer for UVA Health’s community medical centers and clinics in northern Virginia and Culpeper. “Earning an ‘A’ from The Leapfrog Group represents our dedication to continuous improvement, accountability, and delivering the highest standard of care. This recognition underscores the relentless focus of our teams to advance our mission of transforming health and inspiring hope for all Virginians and beyond, ensuring every patient in the communities we serve receives safe, high-quality care, and an exceptional patient experience.”

Trading cosmetics for compounding, career-switcher puts on a new professional face
(VCU Health – May 5, 2026)

When it comes to higher education, sometimes the untraditional route is the path forward. For Erika Nixon-Lambert, the long journey was rooted in cosmetics. Nixon-Lambert spent years working in retail as a professional makeup artist before enrolling in Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Pharmacy, from which she earns her Pharm.D. degree with a certificate in aging studies this spring.  She earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from VCU in 2002, but she then faced a decision: Begin a new career in the lab, or continue one in retail. Nixon-Lambert picked the latter and worked with a cosmetics company for more than 17 years, rising to the role of retail manager. But the lure of academics never stopped.

VCU Health hospitals get ‘A’s’ for patient safety from The Leapfrog Group
(VCU Health – May 6, 2026)

Are my doctors and nurses sure this is safe? It’s a question many people think about while sitting in a hospital bed or visiting a loved one who is admitted. For VCU Health’s three hospitals, the answer to that question is “yes.” And we have the grades to prove it. For the second time in a row, all three VCU Health locations – VCU Medical Center, VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital and VCU Health Tappahannock Hospital – received “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety.  “A second consecutive season of ‘A’ grades in patient safety for all our hospitals exemplifies not only our unwavering commitment to high-quality care and positive health outcomes at VCU Health,” said Marlon Levy, M.D., MBA, senior vice president for VCU Health Sciences and CEO of VCU Health, “they also help us foster trusting relationships with the communities we serve, because no matter the location or reason for seeking care, you know you’re in good hands at VCU Health. I am so grateful to our teams for this wonderful accomplishment.”

Wythe County Community Hospital Earns an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from the Leap Frog Group for Spring 2026
(Wythe County Community Hospital – May 6, 2026)

WCCH received an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. Leapfrog assigns an “A”, “B”, “C”, “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country using evidence-based measures of patient safety focused exclusively on errors, accidents, injuries and infections. “Receiving an ‘A’ from The Leapfrog Group is a meaningful recognition of our ongoing commitment to patient safety,” said Theresa Dix, CEO of WCCH. “This achievement reflects the dedication of our entire team—staff, physicians, board members, and volunteers—who work every day to maintain the safest possible environment for our patients. I am incredibly proud of their efforts and grateful for their continued focus on delivering high‑quality care to our community.”

California: Hospitals sue Anthem over policy prohibiting use of out-of-network radiologists
(Radiology Business – May 6, 2026)

California hospitals are suing health insurer Anthem over its policy that punishes facilities for using out-of-network physicians. The state hospital association officially filed the complaint on Monday in a Los Angeles County Superior Court, hoping to prevent the changes from going into effect. This comes after Anthem (also known as Elevance) announced in March that it was expanding the controversial “nonparticipating care providers” policy into California, the 12th state impacted. Beginning June 1, Anthem will charge hospitals a 10% administrative penalty of the allowed amount for hospital claims involving radiologists and other physicians outside of the insurer’s networks. California hospitals claim the policy change is unlawful and are now asking a judge to agree.

Michigan may force hospitals to disclose savings from drug cost program
(Bridge Michigan – May 5, 2026)

Against surging health care costs, some Michigan lawmakers want to force hospitals to disclose savings from a federal drug program intended to help the poor — but one that critics say brings big profits for some hospitals and large providers. “We need to know where the dollars are going,” said state Rep. Curt VanderWall, R-Ludington, who chairs the House Health Policy Committee. Hospitals argue that drugmakers are making it more difficult for them to get the discounts, while drugmakers counter that hospitals are  “building a brand new wing” with the savings or otherwise diverting savings from patients, VanderWall said.

Wisconsin agencies release collaborative plan to improve mental health access
(Wisconsin Public Radio – May 6, 2026)

The heads of Wisconsin’s state agencies hope increased collaboration will make it easier for residents to access mental health support. The Governor’s Interagency Council on Mental Health on Tuesday released a new statewide action plan, identifying both current efforts to improve state programs as well as future goals around increasing access to support. The council was created by Gov. Tony Evers in 2024 and includes the heads of 10 state departments including Health Services, Workforce Development and Veterans Affairs. Speaking to reporters, DHS Secretary Kirsten Johnson acknowledged that a new Wisconsin governor will soon be steering the agencies involved. Evers declined to run for a third term, leaving an open field for the state’s gubernatorial election this fall.

A new Medicare option for weight loss drugs is coming: Here’s what to know
(NPR – May 6, 2026)

Starting in July, Medicare beneficiaries may be able to get a GLP-1 prescription for weight loss for $50 a month. It’s a notable shift for Medicare, which has long been barred from covering weight loss treatments. The drugs, such as Wegovy and Zepbound, are effective but can be expensive without insurance coverage. They’re available in injection or pill form. Even with discounts, current cash prices typically range from $149 to $699 per month. About half of GLP-1 users say these drugs were difficult for them to afford, according to KFF polling. A quarter said they were “very difficult” to afford.

CVS execs say company on track to meet MA margin goals by 2028
(Fierce Healthcare – May 6, 2026)

CVS Health executives said Wednesday that while the final 2027 Medicare Advantage rate notice falls short of the realities of the program, it’s still on track for planned margin improvements by 2028. CVS has put a focus over the past several quarters in improving operations at Aetna, and saw that work bear fruit in Q1 as the insurance arm was a major factor in its rising revenue. Shares in the company jumped Wednesday morning, and were up by 7.4% at about 12:30 p.m. ET. CEO David Joyner said on the company’s earnings call that while the Aetna team has buckled down, rates from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have not kept pace.

Frictionless data flow streamlines Medicaid enrollment
(Healthcare Finance News – May 5, 2026)

Making clinical data available to Medicaid agencies eliminates the need for multiple manual record searches to determine whether residents can access Medicaid services, according to Melissa Kotrys, Contexture CEO.

1K steps daily after surgery can cut readmissions by 16%: 3 study notes
(Becker’s Hospital Review – May 6, 2026)

Each additional 1,000 steps per day a patient walks after surgery is linked to 18% lower odds of complications, 16% lower readmission rates and 6% shorter hospital stays, researchers found. The study, conducted by researchers at Columbus-based Ohio State University and published May 6 in Journal of the American College of Surgeons, analyzed data from the National Institutes of Health’s All of Us Research Program and included 1,965 adult patients who underwent inpatient surgery. Researchers used EHRs with data from wearable devices.

CNOs, here are 3 virtual nursing program expansion strategies you need to know
(HealthLeaders Media – May 6, 2026)

Virtual nursing has already demonstrated its capabilities in the healthcare workforce and solidified its place in the industry as a key strategy for nursing care going forward. The name of the game now is expansion. In the 2025 Virtual Nursing Mastermind report, HealthLeaders found that some popular expansions to virtual nursing strategies include consults, family and friend visits, sitting and safety, patient education, and post-discharge programs. However, as CNOs move throughout the expansion process, there are several challenges they need to be prepared to handle. The Winning Edge for Expanding Your Virtual Nursing Program webinar included three experts on the subject: Erica DeBoer, SVP and CNO at Sanford Health; Andrea Hauser, CNO and VP of the Gundersen Region, Emplify Health; and Amber Price, SVP and CNO at Sentara Health.

Developing a Learning Health System Approach to Sepsis
(Healthcare Innovation Group – May 6, 2026)

Stephanie Taylor, M.D., M.S., led  development of the STAR program at Wake Forest, focusing on telehealth and navigator-led strategies for high-risk sepsis survivors. Her current work at the University of Michigan involves creating a sepsis learning health system that integrates data, research, and clinical practice. The approach emphasizes implementation science to increase the adoption of evidence-based interventions and improve long-term patient outcomes.

Evidence review finds HPV vaccines to be safe, extremely effective
(CIDRAP – May 5, 2026)

Twenty years after the approval of vaccines that prevent infection with the cancer-causing human papillomavirus (HPV), data continue to find that the shots are safe and extremely effective. HPV vaccines reduce the risk of cervical cancer by 80% in women vaccinated by age 16 years and 66% in those vaccinated after 16, and aren’t associated with serious side effects, according to an evidence review published today by the Vaccine Integrity Project (VIP), an initiative of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), which publishes CIDRAP News.

GLP-1s driving healthcare cost hikes, employers say
(Healthcare Dive – May 6, 2026)

Nearly 8 in 10 employers report GLP-1 drugs are driving heightened healthcare costs at their companies, pushing some to consider dropping coverage of the pricey weight loss medications, according to a survey released Tuesday by the Business Group on Health. Only 72% of employers that cover GLP-1s for weight management said they’d likely maintain that coverage next year, while 10% reported they likely wouldn’t, according to the group, which represents employers that provide health coverage. Additionally, 87% of respondents said new oral versions of GLP-1 drugs would result in higher demand for the medications, but only 9% predicted prices would decrease.

Hospital shootings rose 8.4% annually from 2012 to 2024: Study
(Becker’s Hospital Review – May 6, 2026)

The rate of hospital-based shootings in the U.S. has grown steadily since 2012, with researchers warning that nearly a third of incidents could be prevented with weapons screening, according to a study published May 4 in JAMA Network Open. Researchers from Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic conducted a systematic review of acute care hospital shooting events in the U.S. from 2012 through 2024, incorporating previously published data from 2000 to 2011 to assess trends over a 25-year span. Events were identified through news database searches and the Gun Violence Archive, and were included only if they resulted in at least one injury and occurred within or on the immediate property of a hospital.

Nurses unprepared for cyber-related downtime: Survey
(Becker’s Hospital Review – May 6, 2026)

Hospital nurses feel unprepared to safely manage patient care during prolonged cyber-related technology outages, a May 6 report from Black Book Research found. The report, titled “The Nurse Cyber-Downtime Gap,” surveyed 480 registered nurses and examined hospital cyber-downtime readiness from the bedside perspective. Here are four findings from the survey: Among surveyed nurses, 78% said they experienced at least one unplanned clinical technology outage or disruption in the last year, while 64% reported they had not participated in a realistic downtime drill during that period.

The risk of keeping humans in healthcare AI’s loop
(Healthcare Finance News – May 6, 2026)

Regulators are pushing for human oversight before, rather than after, AI decisions, but Blue x Blue CEO and founder Julia Zarb warns that this may leave clinicians and organizations increasingly open to liability.

US ‘highly likely’ to lose measles elimination status this fall, analysis warns
(CIDRAP – May 6, 2026)

The United States is at high risk of losing its measles elimination status in November as rising case counts and sustained transmission undermine one of the country’s major public health achievements, according to a letter published late last week in The Lancet. Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, meaning there was no continuous transmission for at least 12 months. The milestone was achieved following years of nationwide vaccination efforts, including the adoption of a two-dose measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) immunization schedule. The current resurgence threatens that status. With 2,288 confirmed cases in 2025 and 1,814 confirmed cases as of last week, the country is experiencing its largest measles outbreak in decades.

What a U.S. Study Found About the Shingles Vaccine and Dementia
(MedPage Today – May 5, 2026)

Older adults in the U.S. were less likely to develop dementia if they received the recombinant subunit zoster (shingles) vaccine (Shingrix), an analysis of 1.5 million Medicare beneficiaries showed. The incidence of any type of dementia was 10.45 (95% CI 10.29-10.62) per 1,000 person-years for older adults who received the two-dose shingles vaccine and 15.73 (95% CI 15.57-15.89) per 1,000 person-years for contemporary comparators who were unvaccinated, reported Susan dos Reis, PhD, of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy in Baltimore, and co-authors. Over follow-up periods of 3 years or less, people who received the recombinant shingles vaccine had 33% less risk of any dementia type (HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.65-0.68), 28% less risk of Alzheimer’s disease (HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.69-0.74), and 33% less risk of vascular dementia (HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.64-0.70), dos Reis and colleagues wrote in Alzheimer’s & Dementia.

HHS Launches Plan to Curb Psychiatric Overprescribing
(Healthcare Innovation Group – May 5, 2026)

On Monday, May 4, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced efforts to curb what it identifies as psychiatric overprescribing during a MAHA Institute summit on mental health and overmedicalization. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., outlined a new action plan to “promote appropriate psychiatric prescribing and to drive deprescribing when clinically indicated.” In a Dear Colleague Letter, HHS encourages providers to prioritize informed consent and shared decision-making, and to regularly review the risks and benefits of psychiatric medications with patients. The letter highlights non-medication approaches, such as family support, psychotherapy, nutrition, and physical activity, when clinically appropriate.

KFF Health Tracking Poll: MAHA and the Midterms
(KFF – May 6, 2026)

About four in ten (41%) U.S. adults say they support the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement – a group largely made up of Republicans and supporters of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement. Yet, many of the concerns elevated by the MAHA movement about food safety and corporate influence resonate with a larger share of the public beyond those who identify as supporters. Majorities of the public say there is not enough regulation of chemical additives in food (75%) or of pesticides used in agriculture (64%) in the U.S., and most adults express distrust in agricultural, food, and pharmaceutical companies to act in the public’s best interest. At the same time, confidence in the government agencies that are tasked with regulating these industries is low across partisans; about a third of the public express confidence in the FDA (36%) and the EPA (36%) to act independently without outside interference.

Trump’s Drug Strategy Aims To Bolster Addiction Services — Despite Gutting of Government Support
(KFF Health News – May 6, 2026)

The White House’s newly released strategy for tackling the nation’s drug and addiction crisis calls for a number of ambitious public health approaches that some experts say are laudable but will be hampered by the administration’s own actions. The sweeping 195-page National Drug Control Strategy, published May 4, advocates for making access to treatment easier than getting drugs, preventing young people from developing addictions in the first place, increasing support for people in recovery, and reducing overdose deaths. Those broad goals are widely supported by public health researchers, addiction treatment clinicians, and recovery advocates.