Health Information Technology Commons^™

October 2026, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

SWOSU Rural Health Center Highlights Innovation at Oklahoma Rural Health Conference

Rural Health. Community Strength

Adverse Events Linked to Injectable Glutathione Compounded with Dietary Supplement Grade Ingredient: Current Situation | HAIs | CDC

Epic shifts focus to cybersecurity while AI, interoperability agenda still on track, company says

UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Centene sign on to CertifyOS' new provider credentialing model

Hospitals' use of AI coding tools cost BCBSA plans $942M more for similar care: analysis

Why Prime Therapeutics is betting on bridging the gaps between medical, pharmacy benefits

HRSA names 10 drugmakers for revised 340B rebate pilot ahead of 2027 launch

HRSA …

September 2026, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

Introducing Hilltop Health: Connecting Campus, Community & Care

This fall marks an exciting new chapter for SWOSU Hilltop Health as services and partnerships continue to grow within the Jerry & Margaret Hodge College of Pharmacy and Rural Health Center. Designed to create a more connected approach to health and wellness, Hilltop Health brings together healthcare access, prevention, education, and community resources while creating new opportunities for collaboration across SWOSU and western Oklahoma.

Unique Pharmaceutical Laboratories (A Div. of J. B. Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd.) Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets USP 5 mg Due to Potential Cross Contamination …

August 2026, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

It's been an exciting season at the SWOSU Rural Health Center!

We are thrilled to share that SWOSU Rural Health has been awarded a second grant through Oklahoma's Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), building on the momentum of our Community-Led Wellness Microgrant. This week, we also have the privilege of welcoming representatives from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Oklahoma Rural Health Transformation Program to SWOSU as they visit our Jerry & Margaret Hodge College of Pharmacy and Rural Health Center to highlight the innovative work happening across our region.

• Feds push back HIPAA security rule …

July 2026, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

Rural Health Center

As we prepare to kick off our first semester in the new Jerry & Margaret Hodge College of Pharmacy and Rural Health Center, there is a lot to be excited about! It has been incredible to watch this vision become a reality, and we can't wait to welcome students, faculty, healthcare partners, and community members into a space designed to strengthen rural healthcare across western Oklahoma. The opportunities for collaboration, education, and innovation are endless, and we are especially looking forward to creating more hands-on learning experiences for our students while continuing to build strong partnerships that …

June 2026, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

Rural Rocks

Second Generation Antipsychotics in the Treatment of Depression

Dr. Debra L. Stevens, Pharm.D., BCPP 

Major depressive disorder (MDD), also known as depression, affects 1 in 5 individuals in their lifetime.¹ Worldwide approximately 246 to 286 million individuals are afflicted with MDD.² MDD may cause significant morbidity and disability. The World Health Organization estimates that MDD will be one of the leading causes of disease burden by 2030.²

A significant number of patients diagnosed with MDD do not respond adequately despite appropriate treatment with antidepressants.² Treatment resistance may occur in up to one-third of patients …

Ai×Life 2026: Advances In Computational Biology Across Scales For Life & Health Sciences, Suma Mohan S., Devika N. T., Pranavathiyani G.

Conference Proceedings

Book of Abstracts of the International Conference, AIxLife 2026: Advances in Computational Biology Across Scales for Life & Health Sciences, held on 17–18 April 2026, SASTRA Deemed to be University, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, INDIA 

About the Conference

Conventional computational biology laid the foundation for biological data analysis through statistical models, algorithms, and curated databases, enabling insights into genes, proteins, and pathways. Today, the integration of artificial intelligence, spanning machine learning, deep learning, and large language models (LLMs) is driving a transformative shift across biological scales, from atomic and molecular interactions to pathways, cellular systems, organisms, and populations.

AI-powered approaches …

May 2026, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

Rural Rocks

Helping to build a better community by building each part of Rural Health Services

As we look ahead to an exciting summer, preparations are well underway for the transition into the new Jerry and Margaret Hodge Pharmacy & Rural Health Center. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a hub for innovation, education, and expanded access to care across rural Oklahoma. Within the Jerry and Margaret Hodge Building will be the College of Pharmacy, the Rural Health Department, the Center for Health and Well being, as well as the Doctorate of Community Health Program. The Custer County Health …

April 2026, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

• Oklahoma Rural Health Transformation Program
• State Immunization Websites
• Tracking Measles Cases in the U.S.
• FDA to Address Unused Opioids in American Homes
• Immune cells may underlie sex differences in chronic pain
• STRESS AWARENESS MONTH

March 2026, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

• Understanding the PREVENT Calculator in the 2025 AHA Hypertension Guidelines
• CMS Releases Medicaid and CHIP Beneficiary Profile and Infographic
• FDA Requests Removal of Suicidal Behavior and Ideation Warning from Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist (GLP-1 RA) Medications
• Walgreens: Flu reaches highest level in U.S. in 25 years
• Walmart boosts pay potential for pharmacy technicians, elevates 3,000 roles
• FDA Launches PreCheck Pilot Program to Strengthen Domestic Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
• Pharmacy undergoes a tech takeover
• President Trump signs landmark PBM reforms into law
• Pharmacy through generations

A Study Of Awareness Of Antiseptics And Disinfectant Use Among Allied Health Sciences Students And Interns Of A Tertiary Care Hospital, Pooja M, Puneeth A, Sharmi Nm

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Background:

Antiseptics and disinfectants are among the most vital tools in infection prevention and control (IPC), especially in healthcare settings where the risk of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) remains a significant concern. This study aims to assess the awareness and knowledge of antiseptics and disinfectants among Allied Health Sciences (AHS) students and interns, identify knowledge gaps at different stages of training, and recommend educational interventions.

Methods:

This was a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study conducted among 1st to 3rd-year AHS students and interns at a tertiary care hospital. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire via a Google form after obtaining approval from …

February 2026, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

• Current Indications for Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) Inhibitors
• CMS unveils LEAD, its new 10-year accountable care model
• UnitedHealthcare pauses effort to cut RPM coverage after stating the tech has 'no evidence'
• Walgreens unveils PharmStart to strengthen tech-to-pharmacist pipeline
• Rural Health Transformation Program awards announced—Here's who's getting the most in FY2026
• FDA Grants Two National Priority Vouchers
• 2026 Outlook: Hybrid care companies poised for growth driven by economic, policy tailwinds
• Brain Drain: Retail pharmacy struggles to retain pharmacists, pharmacy technicians
• The 5 biggest challenges facing retail pharmacy
• Retail pharmacy must mine the gaps
• CMS Establishes Office of Rural Health Transformation Nationwide …

January 2026, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

• Age-Friendly Requirements for Hospital Quality Reporting
• APhA secures key congressional win allowing pharmacists to prescribe buprenorphine with specialized training
• "When the hospital leaves town"
• Med Spa Illicit GLP-1s | Supply Chain Safety
• CMS unveils new model aimed at functional, lifestyle medicine

From Controversy To Comeback: The Renewed Role Of Pralidoxime In Op Poisoning, Dr Sanaa Jain, Dr Savitha V, Dr . Shashidhara K C

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Organophosphorus compounds are commonly used as pesticides in agriculture, but they are responsible for approximately one-third of suicide deaths in Asian countries.The symptoms of organophosphate (OP) poisoning vary over time and are categorized into three phases: Acute Cholinergic Crisis (minutes to 24 hours), Delayed Phase (24 hours to 2 weeks), which may include intermediate syndrome, coma, and extrapyramidal symptoms, and Late Phase (OPIDP). Treatment typically involves Atropine, Pralidoxime, and symptomatic management, including airway support and mechanical ventilation.

A Unified Automated And Explainable Ai Framework For Drug Discovery, Clinical Diagnostics, And Public Health Data Prediction, Lord Coffie

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This thesis investigates the development of automated, explainable artificial intelligence systems to improve automated scientific discovery, clinical diagnostic support, and public health decision-making. Three independent yet thematically aligned studies were conducted across cheminformatics, radiology, and population health. Study A introduces an automated and explainable machine learning pipeline for Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationship (QSAR) modeling using RDKit-derived molecular descriptors. The pipeline performs systematic preprocessing, consensus-based feature selection (mutual information, random forest importance, RFECV), and benchmarks six supervised models—Random Forest, XGBoost, Support Vector Machine, Balanced Random Forest, EasyEnsembleClassifier, and a blended meta-ensemble, achieving AUC = 0.90 and accuracy = 0.83, while ensuring interpretability …

December 2025, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

• FDA MedWatch - 20 mEq Potassium Chloride Injection by Otsuka ICU Medical
• Plan to expand Medicare Coverage of GLP-1s
• Pharmacist Interventions in The US Oncology Network Cut Cancer Care Costs by Nearly $9 Million

November 2025, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

• FDA's actions to protect children from contaminated cough medicine

• Measles cases and outbreaks (CDC)

• CDC immunization schedule adopts individual-based decision-making for COVID-19 and standalone vaccination for chickenpox in toddlers

• Hypertension pharmacy toolkit--FIP non-communicable diseases

October 2025, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

• SWOSU Doctor in Community Health (DCH)

• Hospitals with highest price markups for elective surgeries have worse outcomes, researchers find

• HHS Final Rule Expands Real-Time Prescription Access, Eases Prior Authorization Burdens

• Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Treatments for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: An Update of the PTSD Repository Evidence Base

• Retail pharmacy is adapting to meet local needs

• IZ Express Sept 24, 2025

September 2025, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

• The 5 biggest challenges facing retail pharmacy
• FDA Launches Green List to Protect Americans from Illegal Imported GLP-1 Drug Ingredients
• From Dispensing to Decision-Making: How Pharmacists Are Redefining Leadership in Oncology Care
• Check out our virtual tour video of the Hodge Center

Enhancing Cataract Surgery Outcomes: Optimal Use Of Pre- And Post-Operative Eye Drops, Keith Skolnick M.D., Anu Valiaveedu

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

Many preoperative and postoperative cataract patients struggle with comprehending the use of prescription medication as directed. Language barriers and low health literacy levels are major factors contributing to improper use of prescriptions. To increase patients comprehension, the Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute employed an educational intervention consisting of a live presentation and an instructional video. Results found that 44% of patients were hesitant to ask questions to clinical staff, 32% felt overwhelmed, and nearly 70% lacked confidence in using their prescribed eye drops. Following the intervention, 91% of patients reported increased confidence in their medications, and most indicated that the video …

August 2025, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

• Natural Probiotics: 7 Foods to Eat for Better Gut Health
• The Overlooked Link Between Vitamin D and GI Health

• Colorectal Cancer by Stephen Drinnon, Pharm.D.

• PHARMACIST’S IMMUNIZATION TRAINING PROGRAM

• PHARMACY TECHNICIAN IMMUNIZATION TRAINING PROGRAM

• How Pharmacies Can Address Social Drivers of Health

July 2025, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

July 2025 Rural Rocks

• Three Ways Tech Can Help
• Can a Face Mask Diagnose Kidney Disease?
• EXTRA - Chronic Kidney Disease
• Pharmacy Technicians as Community Health Workers Pilot Program in Oklahoma

June 2025, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

• PBM Reform Takes Off in 2025
• Tirzepatide as Compared with Semaglutide for the Treatment of Obesity | New England Journal of Medicine
• Know the ABCs of Diabetic Skin Care
• Updated Recommendations for Pneumococcal Vaccination

Reducing The Percentage Of Intubation Time On Continuous Infusion Midazolam, Arsemen Brown, Emily Highsmith, Michelle Horng

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

This quality improvement study was conducted at a comprehensive cancer care center with the aim to decrease the percentage of on continuous infusion (CI) midazolam by 30% by May 5, 2023. The pre-intervention and post-intervention data collection phases occurred from January 1, 2022, to October 31, 2022, and March 7, 2023, to May 5, 2023, respectively. Sedation was assessed utilizing the Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale (RASS), and delirium was assessed utilizing the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC). A sedation pathway and associated educational materials were developed by a multidisciplinary team and frontline staff. Interventions in the sedation pathway …

Integrating Positive Psychology And Spirituality To Foster Meaning And Well-Being In Older Adults, Crystal Morris

Adultspan Journal

This perspective article explores the integration of positive psychology interventions (PPIs) and spirituality in therapy to foster meaning and well-being in older adults. It highlights exercises such as the positive introduction, positive legacy, character strengths, mindfulness, mindful-based yoga, and a manifestation prayer journaling. The interventions presented are tools to support older adults that may experience depression, difficult life transitions, and the search for renewed meaning. Therapists who integrate PPIs and spirituality into therapy can promote a holistic, non-pathological approach to treatment.

May 2025, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

This is the May 2025 issue of Rural Rocks from the SWOSU College of Pharmacy.

April 2025, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

This is the April 2025 issue of Rural Rocks from the SWOSU College of Pharmacy.

March 2025, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

This is the March 2025 issue of Rural Rocks from the SWOSU College of Pharmacy.

February 2025, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

This is the February 2025 issue of Rural Rocks from the SWOSU College of Pharmacy.

January 2025, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

This is the January 2025 issue of Rural Rocks from the SWOSU College of Pharmacy.

Mobile Health Intervention Tools Promoting Hiv Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Among Adolescent Girls And Young Women In Sub-Saharan Africa: Scoping Review, Alex Emilio Fischer, Homaira Hanif, Jacob B. Stocks, Aimee E. Rochelle, Karen Dominguez, Eliana Gabriela Armora Langoni, H. Luz Mcnaughton Reyes, Gustavo F. Doncel, Kathryn E. Muessig

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Background:

In 2022, 3100 adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa experienced new HIV infections each week. HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective at preventing HIV but has limited uptake and persistence. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions can improve medication adherence; however, their utility to improve PrEP adherence among adolescent girls and young women is not well established.

Objective:

This scoping review synthesizes evidence supporting mHealth for PrEP among adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa and identifies strategies for further evaluation.

Methods:

We searched PubMed and Google Scholar databases, expert referrals, and reference lists using the following eligibility …