Thomas J. Bryant, ARM

@MITSloanExecEd InnovationTrack///President, ACTUATE INSURANCE at MassMedicalSociety/former Adjunct Clinical Asst Prof., BRYANT U. Health Sciences

[Anish Moonka @anishmoonka]

A 17-year-old in Iowa boiled beets in her chemistry class and turned them into stitches that change color when your wound gets infected. Her name is Dasia Taylor. It started as a science fair project.

She wanted a low-tech version of the "smart stitches" Tufts researchers built in 2016. Those used thread wired up with sensors and a tiny chip that pinged your phone if something went wrong. Cool, but useless without a phone or a hospital that can afford it.

Her version doesn't need any of that. Healthy skin is slightly acidic, like lemon juice but much milder. When bacteria grow in a wound, the chemistry flips and turns more like soap or baking soda.

Beet juice has a quirk. The same red pigment that stains your fingers when you cook it shifts color based on what it touches. Bright red on healthy skin. Dark purple on infected skin. The switch lines up with infection almost exactly.

She tested ten threads before finding a cotton-polyester blend that soaked up the dye and changed color within five minutes. That was the prototype.

Around 1 in 40 American surgeries end in an infection at the cut, costing hospitals more than $3 billion a year. In poorer countries the rate is closer to 1 in 9. In parts of Africa it's 1 in 6. In some Ethiopian hospitals, up to a quarter of surgery patients leave with an infection.

The whole game is catching it early. Spot it in time and antibiotics handle it. Miss the window and the patient is back on the operating table.

Dasia filed a patent in 2021 and started a medical device company called VariegateHealth in 2022. The stitches haven't been tested on real patients yet. New medical device patents can take a decade. She's also looking into a side benefit: the beet pigment kills bugs like E. coli and Klebsiella in lab tests.

Smart stitches need a phone to read them. Hers just need eyes.

[Thomas J. Bryant, ARM @HCRiskRethought]

@CarstenStroud Just finished reading the final chapter (and as a history buff the fascinating timeline of the families) at the end of this deeply satisfying trilogy. Much respect.
And again I can see these characters come vividly to life. Better turn up my Chopin.

[Thomas J. Bryant, ARM @HCRiskRethought]

@Farzad_MD Thank you for this Dr. Mostashari. Illuminating. We stand with you.

[Thomas J. Bryant, ARM @HCRiskRethought]

@PreetBharara Happiest of birthdays to
Dr. Jagdish Bharara!

[Andrew Weissmann (weissmann11 on Threads/Insta)🌻 @AWeissmann_]

When Biden said he wd not pardon his own son, he was a patriot.
When Biden denounced the Supreme Court for giving the presidency MORE power and criminal immunity, he was a patriot.
And he is again today.
Service to country first.

[Neal Katyal @neal_katyal]

Such a contrast to Trump, who (so implausibly) claims to be running not for himself but for the country. This is how it’s done.

[Sally Yates @SallyQYates]

President Biden’s unprecedented act of selfless patriotism demands that we, as Americans, honor his example and elect a president who calls on the best in each of us.

[maddie @mmend_med]

Just a new intern popping in to say after day 6 of being a doctor, I’m so so grateful to all of the nurses who are constantly helping us new docs and looking out for us. So many popped into the workroom just to hype me up and give me tips. Y’all are incredible and so appreciated.

[Thomas J. Bryant, ARM @HCRiskRethought]

@fasc1nate That is situational awareness… and impact. So much heroism in the face of evil that day. ❤️‍🩹

[Larry Hunter @ProfLHunter]

This is an outstanding description of what a medical clearinghouse is, why the ransomware attack on #ChangeHealthcare was so devastating, and what can be done to reduce the risk of worse in the future. https://t.co/vk7zzd7dly

[Thomas J. Bryant, ARM @HCRiskRethought]

#NEJM #NEJMAI New toque @MassMedicalSociety sent their employees today to kick off their new journal.
NEJM AI is a new monthly journal which explores the cutting-edge applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning in clinical medicine.

[Thomas J. Bryant, ARM @HCRiskRethought]

Truth…still

[Eddie S. Glaude Jr. @esglaude]

“Let him be a fugitive in a strange land…where he is every moment subjected to the terrible liability of being seized upon by his fellow men…let him place himself…among fellow men, yet feeling in the midst of wild beasts…”

Frederick Douglass

[Thomas J. Bryant, ARM @HCRiskRethought]

@DrJenGunter One atmosphere is approximately equal to 33 feet of sea water or 14.7 psi, which gives 4.9/11 or about 0.445 psi per foot. Atmospheric pressure at the depth of Titanic would be above 5500 Ibs per sq inch.

[Mark Hertling @MarkHertling]

A former President is being indicted - for the 2d time - & there's non-stop coverage.

Some good analysis, some not so good.

Many keep bringing up how "those in the military are likely the most upset about Trump absconding with intel secrets."

Yes, but there's more. 1/

[Thomas J. Bryant, ARM @HCRiskRethought]

@Dr_DeanS Just be glad the event didn’t start with your wife’s favorite red leather reading chair. Hugo’s did -though in fairness he was neutered early that week so his protest was understandable…

[Thomas J. Bryant, ARM @HCRiskRethought]

See the @medmalinsure team at the inaugural https://t.co/WE5o0tXl5z event at @MassMedical tomorrow either in person or online. #theinformedpractice

[Thomas J. Bryant, ARM @HCRiskRethought]

@madison_healey Carry on Dr. Healey- you are a credit to your specialty! And to your country of origin, and the one you’ve served ably in for the past few years.

[Thomas J. Bryant, ARM @HCRiskRethought]

@ericswalwell Gang that can’t shoot straight