A septic shock study published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine found that the timing of vasopressor initiation after the first hypotensive episode was not associated with increased 90-day mortality rates or with the number of vasopressor-free days. The retrospective cohort study involved 4,699 patients with septic shock. Predictors of 90-day mortality were age, use of mechanical ventilation, lactate level, lab Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, liver disease and chronic hypertension.

A Phase 2b randomized trial published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that adding precision immunotherapy to standard sepsis care may improve organ dysfunction by the ninth day, although it did not significantly affect 28-day mortality. The ImmunoSep trial, involving 276 patients, targeted macrophage activation-like syndrome and sepsis-induced immunoparalysis, with 35.1% of patients receiving precision immunotherapy showing improvement in their Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores, compared with 17.9% in the placebo group.

IV iron infusions were associated with improved survival and hemoglobin levels in patients with anemia and acute bacterial infections, according to a study of more than 85,000 patients that was presented at the American Society of Hematology annual meeting. Benefits were seen in all groups except those with meningitis, and the biggest mortality decreases were in patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus  bacteremia and pneumonia. "[The clinical implications] are massive, not just for the field of hematology, but also for infectious disease, hospital medicine and even critical care medicine," said researcher Dr. Haris Sohail.

A meta-analysis published in the journal Cureus suggested that early administration of norepinephrine -- within one hour of septic shock recognition or ICU admission -- may reduce mortality, compared with delayed use. "Combining early vasopressor therapy with careful fluid resuscitation optimizes hemodynamic stability and minimizes complications such as fluid overload," the researchers wrote.

A Gallup poll found that the Affordable Care Act has reached a record high approval rating of 57%, with 35% disapproval. This surge is primarily driven by independents, 63% of whom now support the ACA. While Democratic and Republican support has slightly declined, the issue has gained prominence amid a government shutdown, with discussions on extending ACA subsidies at the forefront.

Vibra Specialty Hospital in Portland, Ore., will close Feb. 1 due to financial challenges, resulting in 310 layoffs. The critical care hospital specializes in extended recovery for patients with critical illness and complex medical needs.

Clinical informatics leaders are focusing on enhancing patient safety and expanding AI capabilities in 2026. At Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, new IV pump interoperability is being closely monitored to ensure patient safety. Summa Health is emphasizing safe staffing and reducing administrative burdens to improve care. AI is moving from pilot projects to infrastructure, with systems like VHC Health and LCMC Health expanding ambient documentation to reduce workload. Main Line Health is integrating virtual nursing to streamline inpatient care. The overarching goal is to create safer care environments and support health care teams.

Air in hospitals and airplanes is generally free of harmful germs, with most microbes found being harmless and associated with human skin, according to a study in the journal Microbiome. Researchers analyzed microbes found on the outside of face masks worn by air travelers and health care workers, as well as an airplane filter, finding 407 species of microbes. "Indoor air looks like indoor air, which also looks like human skin," said researcher Erica Hartmann.

A pilot program in Forsyth County, N.C., led by Duke Health and first responders is testing the use of drones to deliver automated external defibrillators during emergencies to improve survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. James City County, Va., is also implementing a drone-based AED delivery program.