7 Million Errors a Year in the ED; Corpses May Spread COVID; Lead in Dark Chocolate

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An estimated 5.7% patients are misdiagnosed in the emergency department (ED) each year, representing about 7.4 million errors, 2.6 million harms, and more than 370,000 patients suffering permanent disability or death, according to a systematic review from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

The FDA will hold an advisory committee meeting early next year in part to discuss whether to alter the COVID vaccine composition for primary doses.

The Senate passed a defense bill that would eliminate the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for troops. (AP)

A federal judge ruled the NIH violated the law when former research chimpanzees in New Mexico were not moved to a sanctuary known as Chimp Haven. (NPR)

Only 14% of all diagnosed cancers were picked up by recommended screenings, a report from NORC at the University of Chicago indicated. (CNN)

Out-of-pocket healthcare costs hit an all-time high in 2021, reaching an average of nearly $13,000 per person. (The Hill)

Meanwhile, average medical costs for long COVID patients reach an estimated $9,500 in the first 6 months alone. (CNBC)

Dead bodies may spread the coronavirus. (New York Times)

In the wake of Roe v. Wade, new federal legislation proposed by Senate Democrats would legally protect the right to use in vitro fertilization. (USA Today)

A novel DNA blood test showed high accuracy for detecting colorectal cancer, developer Guardant Health announced.

A majority of people living in nursing homes have not received an Omicron booster. (CNBC)

Most nursing homes saw COVID outbreaks lasting about 4 weeks, with the strongest predictor being community spread, data from the U.S. Government Accountability Office showed.

Is this year’s rough influenza season already peaking? (Axios)

“Vaccine fatigue” may be leaving many unprotected against the flu this winter. (CNN)

Two people were wounded in a shooting at a Pennsylvania medical clinic on Thursday before the suspect turned the gun on himself, local police said. (Reuters)

Drugmaker AbbVie cut ties with the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), a leading lobbying group for the industry. (Endpoints News)

A study of over 80,000 pregnancies suggested benzodiazepines and z-hypnotics exposure in utero was not associated with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) risk in offspring. (JAMA Network Open)

Philadelphia schools will have students mask up for the 2 weeks after they return from winter break. (WHYY)

Parents of 12 students with disabilities in Virginia won a legal battle for the right to request mask-wearing by teachers and students to help protect them against COVID. (Washington Post)

Alaska violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, according to the Department of Justice, after failing to provide community-based services to children with behavioral health disabilities, instead isolating many in institutions like psychiatric hospitals.

The Montana Supreme Court is slated to decide whether or not advanced practice registered nurses can legally provide abortions. (NBC Montana)

A Consumer Reports investigation found several popular brands of dark chocolate contained dangerous heavy metals like lead and cadmium.

Lost your sense of smell and taste from COVID? Silver lining could be more reinfection-fighting antibodies. (PLOS One)

The U.S. should have moved quicker to gather intelligence coming out of China in the early days of COVID, said a recently declassified report released by Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee. (Politico)

Global emergency stockpiles of the cholera vaccine have been completely exhausted, the World Health Organization said. (Reuters)