Recent content from Jeremy Olson
Measles threat detected in Twin Cities, troubling public health officials
Experts say unvaccinated people are at risk after three unrelated cases were diagnosed.
July 4th was a COVID spreader in Minnesota, though illnesses far below pandemic peaks
Positivity rates of COVID-19 tests at urgent-care clinics in the east metro rise from 3% in May to 10% in June to nearly 30% now.
Essentia clinic and hospital providers vote to unionize across northeast Minnesota
Nurse practitioners and others celebrate unionization in attempt to gain control over medical practice, even as Essentia appeals federal ruling that permitted the vote.
Minnesota mental health patients stay 25 hours longer than necessary in ER because of shortages
More treatment beds will help in short term, but advocates hope for more services that prevent mental health crises in the first place.
Hennepin EMS seeks paramedic diversity to boost outcomes for minority patients
Foster child-turned first responder-turned breast cancer survivor-turned paramedic is payoff from Hennepin Healthcare's efforts to increase diversity, fix racial disparities in patient care.
Leaving surgical objects in patients rare but growing problem in Minnesota
A lawsuit over a sponge left inside a patient at a Duluth hospital underscores the consequences of an error that is deemed preventable.
Most patients quit GLP-1 drugs in two years, jeopardizing their weight loss
Update by Eagan-based Prime Therapeutics finds more patients quitting the popular weight-loss medications because of cost, access or short-term success.
COVID on the rise everywhere else — is Minnesota next?
Viral variants driving infections in other states are present in Minnesota, creating potential for another post-holiday bump in illnesses.
Minnesotans now need only doctor's OK for medical cannabis
Legislative changes took effect Monday that remove barriers from Minnesota's medical cannabis program after nine years of cautious expansion.
Demand for magnetic therapy in Minnesota prompts expansion of the depression treatment
Transcranial magnetic stimulation gained little attention for years, but emerged in the post-pandemic era as more Minnesotans grappled with depression.
Nineteen rural Minnesota hospitals band together to survive and thrive
The Headwaters Network will give small hospitals opportunities to gain efficiencies without joining large health systems.
Pharma industry has some explaining to do in Minnesota over 10 costly drug classes
State releases its first list of drugs of substantial public interest, focusing on those that are being sold well above their list prices.
Landmark University of Minnesota papers on Alzheimer's and stem cells retracted
Discoveries elevated the profile of the University of Minnesota, which took years to investigate claims of errors and misconduct.
Money pressures, decline in births, prompt North Memorial to shutter special nursery
Research has found more complications when fragile preemies are transferred to other hospitals, but North Memorial leaders said they are equipped to prevent them.
Tularemia infection surge prompts warning, especially for Minnesota cat owners
The infectious disease remains rare, but 21 cases in animals last year tripled the usual total and increased human transmission risks.
Charges link five Minnesotans to phony Medicaid billing, lavish spending
Accusations are latest results of two ongoing state-federal investigations related to billing for medical transportation and home care services.
Genetic discoveries map out your health risks, if you can keep up with them
HealthPartners is testing a new tool that keeps patients in Minnesota and Wisconsin informed of their changing risk profiles and helps doctors identify the right screening needs.
Teen pregnancies decline again in Minnesota after pandemic bump
Loss of access to birth control and sex education were blamed for the increase in teen pregnancies in 2021, but the disruption only lasted one year.
Minnesota's long-term care insurance industry is in crisis
Companies are raising premiums, capping benefits and sometimes denying payouts, while elderly Minnesotans are struggling to afford payments and access their benefits.
Preventable errors double in Minnesota hospitals in past decade
Medication errors and disabling assaults in Minnesota hospitals contribute to rise in rare but troubling reportable events in the post-pandemic era.
Hennepin medics will no longer handcuff combative patients
Change to alternative restraints is part of movement to get paramedics out of unsafe situations, recognition that handcuffs can be traumatic.
Three Anoka children infected with measles may have exposed others at HCMC
The siblings, all younger than 10, contracted measles after visiting Europe, where the fast-spreading viral disease is common.
Its finances and facility in shambles, Red Wing nursing home will close in July
Lawmakers offered special funding to try to keep Bay View open, but debts and disrepair now appear too severe.
Minnesota legislation targets health insurers' power to block medical care, medications
House bill would prevent redundant insurance red-tape for treatment of chronic diseases. The fate of prior authorization will be decided in the session's final days.
Wildfire smoke is linked to more emergency room visits for heart attacks
Short-term health impacts of poor air quality have been apparent in Minnesota. Research is trying to assess the long-term consequences as well.
Minnesota eyes 'sprint' paramedics to ease rural shortages, lagging emergency response
Legislature considers $6 million to test the use of chase vehicles that would respond to medical emergencies on the Iron Range and in the northwest lakes region.
University of Minnesota strengthens case to treat COVID with metformin, not ivermectin
The common anti-diabetes drug lowered viral loads and reduced risks of a second wave of COVID-19 illness in patients.
To the chagrin of surviving spouses, medical debts in Minnesota can outlive patients
Senator who enabled spousal liability for medical debts of deceased loved ones calls practice "repulsive" and wants state law repealed.
Minimum wage proposed for Minnesota's nursing home workers
Recommendation by union-backed state standards board seeks to stabilize staffing at nursing homes that are in rising demand in Minnesota.
One day in the frantic life of a Children's Minnesota emergency room nurse
The pediatric provider revealed life in its St. Paul emergency department as part of a hiring campaign to beat other Minnesota hospitals to scarce nurses and caregivers.
Sexually transmitted diseases in Minnesota are down, but HIV and newborn syphilis cases are up
Rises in HIV cases among Hispanic Minnesotans, and syphilis cases among women, suggest an emerging front in fight against sexually transmitted diseases.
Medical debt shuffle: Allina sells bills to itself to sue patients
Minnesota lawmaker wants to ban the practice of selling medical debt and incentivizing collectors to aggressively pursue patients.
Mahnomen hospital shutters inpatient beds to survive, a first in Minnesota
The northwest Minnesota hospital is converting to a rural emergency center that stabilizes patients but offers no inpatient beds for prolonged care.
Hospitals too busy to train Minnesota paramedic students, exacerbating shortage
Students must observe many patients with emergency or traumatic injuries before they can become paramedics, but a lack of access to hospitals since the pandemic is delaying their progress.
Minnesota pharmacies want permission, funding to administer vaccines
More than a third of Minnesota's standalone independent pharmacies have closed amid financial struggles since 2018, and only 156 remain in business across the state.
Showdown set between Minnesota and drug industry over rising costs
Affordability board is one of the most powerful in the nation, but drug industry says it's not the solution for lowering prescription costs for Minnesotans.
Doctors, nurses speak out against closure of intensive care unit at Unity hospital campus
Providers fear the move will result in delays and longer ambulance rides to Mercy's main campus in Coon Rapids.
Fairview clinic responds to post-COVID rise in fatiguing disorder in kids
The immune system's overreaction, common in severe COVID-19 cases, appears to play a role in development of POTS, which often emerges in children.
Lawmakers spent big to keep Minnesota nursing home in private hands. It didn't work.
Legislation proposes more transparent ownership and financial information so Minnesota can be sure its investments in nursing homes actually improved facilities, care.
After losing 60 pounds, Minn. woman wants to shed the meds
Hattie Cronk challenges the theory that popular, costly GLP-1 weight loss drugs must be taken forever to maintain benefits.
Lawmakers should block a planned for-profit rehab hospital in Roseville, state says
Concerns included low staffing ratio, low usage of existing rehab facilities and opening Minnesota to more for-profit hospital care.
Minneapolis VA's custom prosthetic legs for women embrace style and function
VA researchers lead national study of female amputee population to prove that more style and variety in prosthetic designs have clinical benefits.
Workers announce one-day strike at 7 Twin Cities nursing homes over pay, staffing
Almost half of nursing home workers make less than $20 per hour, a rate that union leaders believe is driving understaffing and compromising the care of frail and elderly residents.
First responder's killing an extreme example of growing dangers for Minnesota's paramedics
Deaths rare, but injuries and violent incidents are becoming more common in a profession that is starting to run short of trained first-responders.
U study: Most 'excess deaths' during pandemic were COVID
Results refute theories that pandemic numbers were inflated, highlight problems with the nation's fragmented reporting of causes of death.
Legionnaires outbreak traced to Minnesota city's water supply
Only link among 14 infected people was exposure to drinking water in a small section of Grand Rapids.
Walz: Ban hospitals, clinics from cutting off patients with unpaid medical bills
Legislation would end controversial practice by some medical providers to deny non-emergency care to patients with substantial unpaid bills.
Settlement caps monthly insulin price at $35 for Minnesotans with diabetes
The five-year deal with Eli Lilly seeks to keep insulin prices affordable in Minnesota until federal or marketplace solutions take effect.
New public health insurance could reach 100,000 Minnesotans, state estimates
DFL leaders want a new public option. But Republicans, hospitals and insurers have concerns.
Minnesota hospitals say care backlog becoming a permanent problem
A chronically ill woman said she waited for hours at a Minneapolis emergency room for an inpatient bed that never opened up.
Fosston mayor says city will take back hospital if Essentia halts baby deliveries
Local leaders in the small northwest Minnesota community say they can keep labor and delivery services going.
COVID infections decline despite viral variant in Minnesota
Why the JN.1 variant hasn't been more of a nuisance in Minnesota is a mystery, along with the state's unusually low influenza rate.
Fosston hospital latest in rural Minnesota to stop delivering babies
Rising insurance and staffing costs have fueled the trend among rural Minnesota hospitals, along with competition from larger OB centers.
Minnesota emergency rooms get creative to meet ongoing patient overcrowding
The end of the pandemic has offered no respite for emergency departments.
Smoking deaths increase in Minnesota despite tobacco usage decline
Steady rate of adult tobacco usage maintained number of smoking-related deaths, despite declines among youth.
Minnesota takeover of Red Wing nursing home is latest sign of industry trouble
Three receiverships in two years reflect the financial strains of the state's shrinking nursing home industry, even as demand for care grows.
Bemidji hospital unit closure will further reduce Minnesota's rehab supply
A hearing on Wednesday will give public notice about the hospital change amid the state's growing need for more post-hospital care options.
Allina relents on Mercy Hospital doctor unionization
The ruling against the health system's appeal clears the way for Allina doctors at the north metro hospital to organize.
Be The Match changes name because 'perfect' match no longer as necessary for transplants
The switch to NMDP reflects a future in which partial genetic matches of donors and recipients could dramatically increase blood and bone marrow transplants.
Minnesota seniors seeking vaccines again as COVID-19 lingers
More than 50% of seniors are back to being up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations, but progress varies across Minnesota.
Beltrami County restricts Upper Red Lake access after people found themselves stranded on the ice
Two ice fishermen were rescued Friday in Sherburne County after falling into a lake thinly covered with ice.
Metro Transit extends light-rail hours on its New Year's Eve free rides
The agency added later light-rail times after business leaders and others questioned why train service was scheduled to end at or before midnight.
Three fatal accidents reported on Minnesota roads this weekend
The dead included an 18-year-old Rochester man, a 21-year-old man from Madison Lake and and a 37-year-old man from Anchorage, Alaska.
Minnesotans who survive heart attacks are skipping rehab, risking their lives
While outperforming the nation, Minnesota still reports that the majority of eligible patients skip cardiac rehab.
Lawsuit: Minnesota's free training hurt nursing assistant schools
Small providers seek injunction to program that has hurt their enrollment but ushered more than 2,000 nursing assistants into the job market.
Allina will start charging patients $49 for certain doctor emails
Patients have been notified in advance that messages could result in bills if they prompt doctors to treat new medical problems.
COVID hospitalizations in Minnesota rise to last winter's level
Minnesota expert points to viral variants, not seasonality, as driver of post-pandemic wave of illness
Access barriers loom in Minnesota for blockbuster sickle cell therapy
The high cost of therapy could inhibit its use to improve health equity, given the heavier burden of sickle cell disease on Black Minnesotans.
Minnesota reprimands physician assistant for secret use of ivermectin to treat COVID
Practitioner must review established evidence on how to treat the disease and write a paper on what he learned.
Diabetes patients recruited to answer whether blood sugar monitors are worth it
Clinic trial in Minnesota evaluates whether pricy glucose monitors pay off compared with old-school finger-stick tests.
Minnesota expands forms of medical cannabis, but not what it treats
Minnesota's legalization of recreational marijuana this year did not result in more liberal standards for its medical cannabis program.
Minnesota is nation's hot spot in deadly cantaloupe salmonella outbreak
Two Minnesotans have died from an outbreak linked to tainted cantaloupe and fresh-cut fruit medleys.
Insured Minnesotans' health care cost $581 more per person last year
Prescription drugs drove increase, but variations in clinic care and charges played a role as well.
$5 billion redo of Mayo Clinic's campus will reshape skyline of Rochester
The project will demolish existing buildings to make way for five others that will offer seamless care for patients.
ER doctor's dismissal fuels anger in Grand Marais
North Shore Hospital blames a staffing company, but local residents want to hold its leaders and board members accountable.
