{"success":true,"data":{"pressRelease":{"id":"166329","rtpr_id":"nPn5VZfGLa-20261012","ticker":"BHC","exchange":"NYSE","all_tickers":["BHC"],"title":"Six-Month Pilot Study Demonstrates Improved Guideline Adherence Following Implementation of Standardized Cirrhosis Clinical Pathway","author":"PR Newswire","published_at":"2026-10-12T12:00:03.647Z","article_body":"Six-Month Pilot Study Demonstrates Improved Guideline Adherence Following Implementation of Standardized Cirrhosis Clinical Pathway\nPR Newswire\n\nLAVAL, QC, Oct. 12, 2026\n\nLAVAL, QC, Oct. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Bausch Health Companies Inc.\n(NYSE:BHC)(TSX:BHC) and its gastroenterology (GI) business, Salix\nPharmaceuticals (\"Salix\"), announced results from a multicenter pilot study\nevaluating a standardized clinical pathway for cirrhosis management\ndemonstrated improved adherence to evidence-based monitoring and treatment\npractices across community gastroenterology settings. The findings will be\npresented as a poster at the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Annual\nScientific Meeting & Postgraduate Course, taking place October 9-14, 2026,\nin Nashville, Tennessee.\n\nThe study, \"Development and Implementation of a Cirrhosis Clinical Pathway:\nOutcomes of a 6-Month Pilot Study,\" assessed the feasibility and impact of a\nmultidisciplinary clinical pathway designed to reduce variability in cirrhosis\ncare and improve adherence to guideline-recommended management practices.\n\nCirrhosis is associated with significant morbidity and healthcare utilization,\nyet management approaches often vary across clinical settings. To address this\nchallenge, investigators developed a standardized pathway informed by current\nclinical guidelines and evidence-based practices, with contributions from both\nacademic and community-based healthcare providers.\n\nThe pathway was implemented across five community gastroenterology practices\nas part of a six-month quality improvement initiative. Using population health\nanalytics, investigators monitored adherence to five key performance\nindicators, including follow-up office visit, laboratory testing, nonselective\nbeta-blocker use in patients with varices, hepatic encephalopathy treatment,\nand enrollment in chronic care management programs.\n\nThe analysis included 4,251 patients with cirrhosis and demonstrated\nmeasurable improvements across several care metrics during the six-month pilot\nperiod:\n\n * Office visit adherence increased from 46.9% at baseline to 51.1%, representing\na 9.0% relative improvement.\n * Recommended laboratory monitoring adherence increased from 61.5% to 63.5%, a\n3.2% relative improvement.\n * Non-selective beta-blocker treatment rates among patients with varices\nincreased from 47.2% to 48.8%, a 3.4% relative improvement.\n * Medication treatment rates for reducing hepatic encephalopathy recurrence\nincreased from 60.2% to 64.9%, a 7.8% relative improvement.\n * Enrollment in chronic care management/principal care management programs\nincreased from 11.7% to 12.8%, representing a 9.4% relative improvement.\nThe investigators concluded that implementation of a standardized cirrhosis\nclinical pathway, supported by population health analytics, was feasible in\ncommunity practice and resulted in improved adherence to guideline-based\nmonitoring and treatment recommendations.\n\n\"These results highlight the value of a clinical pathway in helping providers\ndeliver more consistent, guideline-based care for patients with cirrhosis,\"\nsaid Peng-Sheng (Brian) Ting, MD, principal investigator of the pilot\ninitiative. \"As the burden of liver disease continues to grow, broader\nadoption of proven care pathways may help close gaps in care, improve\ntreatment adherence, and support better patient outcomes.\"\n\nAbout the Study\nThe study leveraged the Cardinal Health PPS Analytics platform to identify\ngaps in care and monitor adherence to predefined clinical pathway benchmarks.\nInvestigators believe the approach may serve as a scalable model for improving\ncirrhosis management in community practice settings and supporting delivery of\nguideline-concordant care.\n\nThe data presented in this release reflect findings submitted to and accepted\nfor presentation at the American College of Gastroenterology Annual Scientific\nMeeting & Postgraduate Course 2026. Findings should be considered\npreliminary until presented and further evaluated in peer-reviewed\npublications.\n\nAbout Bausch Health\nBausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE:BHC)(TSX:BHC) is a global diversified\npharmaceutical company enriching lives through our relentless drive to deliver\nbetter health care outcomes. We develop, manufacture and market a range of\nproducts primarily in gastroenterology, hepatology, neuroscience, dermatology,\ninternational pharmaceuticals and eye health, through our controlling interest\nin Bausch + Lomb Corporation. Our ambition is to be a globally integrated\nhealthcare company, trusted and valued by patients, HCPs, employees and\ninvestors. Our gastroenterology business, Salix Pharmaceuticals, is one of the\nlargest specialty pharmaceutical businesses in the world and has licensed,\ndeveloped and marketed innovative products for the treatment of\ngastrointestinal diseases for more than 30 years. For more information about\nSalix, visit www.Salix.com\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4791213-1&h=680934146&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.salix.com%2F&a=www.Salix.com)\n and connect with us on LinkedIn.\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4791213-1&h=449178909&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fcompany%2Fsalix-pharmaceuticals%2Fposts%2F%3FfeedView%3Dall&a=LinkedIn.)\n For more information about Bausch Health, visit www.bauschhealth.com\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4791213-1&h=579666815&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bauschhealth.com%2F&a=www.bauschhealth.com)\n and connect with us on LinkedIn.\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4791213-1&h=847837890&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fcompany%2Fbausch-health-companies&a=LinkedIn.)\n\n©2026 Salix Pharmaceuticals or its affiliates.\n BHC-PRODUCTS\n\n Investor Contact:                                 Media Contacts:\n Garen Sarafian                                    Alexis Navratil\n ir@bauschhealth.com (mailto:ir@bauschhealth.com)  corporate.communications@bauschhealth.com\n                                                   (mailto:corporate.communications@bauschhealth.com)\n 877-281-6642 (toll-free)                          (848) 264-0934\n\nView original content to download\nmultimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/six-month-pilot-study-demonstrates-improved-guideline-adherence-following-implementation-of-standardized-cirrhosis-clinical-pathway-302905573.html\n(https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/six-month-pilot-study-demonstrates-improved-guideline-adherence-following-implementation-of-standardized-cirrhosis-clinical-pathway-302905573.html)\n\nSOURCE Bausch Health Companies Inc.\n\n\n\nPhoto: \nhttps://mmx.prnewswire.com/media/MS1775016/Bausch-Health-Logo.jpg?id=OA2991025\n\nCopyright (c) 2026 PR Newswire Association,LLC. All Rights Reserved.","article_body_html":"","raw_payload":{"data":{"id":"nPn5VZfGLa-20261012","title":"Six-Month Pilot Study Demonstrates Improved Guideline Adherence Following Implementation of Standardized Cirrhosis Clinical Pathway","author":"PR Newswire","ticker":"BHC","created":"2026-10-12T12:00:03.647Z","tickers":["BHC"],"exchange":"NYSE","article_body":"Six-Month Pilot Study Demonstrates Improved Guideline Adherence Following Implementation of Standardized Cirrhosis Clinical Pathway\nPR Newswire\n\nLAVAL, QC, Oct. 12, 2026\n\nLAVAL, QC, Oct. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Bausch Health Companies Inc.\n(NYSE:BHC)(TSX:BHC) and its gastroenterology (GI) business, Salix\nPharmaceuticals (\"Salix\"), announced results from a multicenter pilot study\nevaluating a standardized clinical pathway for cirrhosis management\ndemonstrated improved adherence to evidence-based monitoring and treatment\npractices across community gastroenterology settings. The findings will be\npresented as a poster at the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Annual\nScientific Meeting & Postgraduate Course, taking place October 9-14, 2026,\nin Nashville, Tennessee.\n\nThe study, \"Development and Implementation of a Cirrhosis Clinical Pathway:\nOutcomes of a 6-Month Pilot Study,\" assessed the feasibility and impact of a\nmultidisciplinary clinical pathway designed to reduce variability in cirrhosis\ncare and improve adherence to guideline-recommended management practices.\n\nCirrhosis is associated with significant morbidity and healthcare utilization,\nyet management approaches often vary across clinical settings. To address this\nchallenge, investigators developed a standardized pathway informed by current\nclinical guidelines and evidence-based practices, with contributions from both\nacademic and community-based healthcare providers.\n\nThe pathway was implemented across five community gastroenterology practices\nas part of a six-month quality improvement initiative. Using population health\nanalytics, investigators monitored adherence to five key performance\nindicators, including follow-up office visit, laboratory testing, nonselective\nbeta-blocker use in patients with varices, hepatic encephalopathy treatment,\nand enrollment in chronic care management programs.\n\nThe analysis included 4,251 patients with cirrhosis and demonstrated\nmeasurable improvements across several care metrics during the six-month pilot\nperiod:\n\n * Office visit adherence increased from 46.9% at baseline to 51.1%, representing\na 9.0% relative improvement.\n * Recommended laboratory monitoring adherence increased from 61.5% to 63.5%, a\n3.2% relative improvement.\n * Non-selective beta-blocker treatment rates among patients with varices\nincreased from 47.2% to 48.8%, a 3.4% relative improvement.\n * Medication treatment rates for reducing hepatic encephalopathy recurrence\nincreased from 60.2% to 64.9%, a 7.8% relative improvement.\n * Enrollment in chronic care management/principal care management programs\nincreased from 11.7% to 12.8%, representing a 9.4% relative improvement.\nThe investigators concluded that implementation of a standardized cirrhosis\nclinical pathway, supported by population health analytics, was feasible in\ncommunity practice and resulted in improved adherence to guideline-based\nmonitoring and treatment recommendations.\n\n\"These results highlight the value of a clinical pathway in helping providers\ndeliver more consistent, guideline-based care for patients with cirrhosis,\"\nsaid Peng-Sheng (Brian) Ting, MD, principal investigator of the pilot\ninitiative. \"As the burden of liver disease continues to grow, broader\nadoption of proven care pathways may help close gaps in care, improve\ntreatment adherence, and support better patient outcomes.\"\n\nAbout the Study\nThe study leveraged the Cardinal Health PPS Analytics platform to identify\ngaps in care and monitor adherence to predefined clinical pathway benchmarks.\nInvestigators believe the approach may serve as a scalable model for improving\ncirrhosis management in community practice settings and supporting delivery of\nguideline-concordant care.\n\nThe data presented in this release reflect findings submitted to and accepted\nfor presentation at the American College of Gastroenterology Annual Scientific\nMeeting & Postgraduate Course 2026. Findings should be considered\npreliminary until presented and further evaluated in peer-reviewed\npublications.\n\nAbout Bausch Health\nBausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE:BHC)(TSX:BHC) is a global diversified\npharmaceutical company enriching lives through our relentless drive to deliver\nbetter health care outcomes. We develop, manufacture and market a range of\nproducts primarily in gastroenterology, hepatology, neuroscience, dermatology,\ninternational pharmaceuticals and eye health, through our controlling interest\nin Bausch + Lomb Corporation. Our ambition is to be a globally integrated\nhealthcare company, trusted and valued by patients, HCPs, employees and\ninvestors. Our gastroenterology business, Salix Pharmaceuticals, is one of the\nlargest specialty pharmaceutical businesses in the world and has licensed,\ndeveloped and marketed innovative products for the treatment of\ngastrointestinal diseases for more than 30 years. For more information about\nSalix, visit www.Salix.com\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4791213-1&h=680934146&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.salix.com%2F&a=www.Salix.com)\n and connect with us on LinkedIn.\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4791213-1&h=449178909&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fcompany%2Fsalix-pharmaceuticals%2Fposts%2F%3FfeedView%3Dall&a=LinkedIn.)\n For more information about Bausch Health, visit www.bauschhealth.com\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4791213-1&h=579666815&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bauschhealth.com%2F&a=www.bauschhealth.com)\n and connect with us on LinkedIn.\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4791213-1&h=847837890&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fcompany%2Fbausch-health-companies&a=LinkedIn.)\n\n©2026 Salix Pharmaceuticals or its affiliates.\n BHC-PRODUCTS\n\n Investor Contact:                                 Media Contacts:\n Garen Sarafian                                    Alexis Navratil\n ir@bauschhealth.com (mailto:ir@bauschhealth.com)  corporate.communications@bauschhealth.com\n                                                   (mailto:corporate.communications@bauschhealth.com)\n 877-281-6642 (toll-free)                          (848) 264-0934\n\nView original content to download\nmultimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/six-month-pilot-study-demonstrates-improved-guideline-adherence-following-implementation-of-standardized-cirrhosis-clinical-pathway-302905573.html\n(https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/six-month-pilot-study-demonstrates-improved-guideline-adherence-following-implementation-of-standardized-cirrhosis-clinical-pathway-302905573.html)\n\nSOURCE Bausch Health Companies Inc.\n\n\n\nPhoto: \nhttps://mmx.prnewswire.com/media/MS1775016/Bausch-Health-Logo.jpg?id=OA2991025\n\nCopyright (c) 2026 PR Newswire Association,LLC. All Rights Reserved."},"type":"article","timestamp":"2026-10-12T12:00:03.694849948Z","server_sent_at_ms":1791806403694},"received_at":"2026-10-12T12:00:03.744Z","source_url":"https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/six-month-pilot-study-demonstrates-improved-guideline-adherence-following-implementation-of-standardized-cirrhosis-clinical-pathway-302905573.html"},"analysis":{"id":"154692","press_release_id":"166329","analysis_json":{"industry":{"label":"Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences","sector":"Health Care"},"redFlags":["findings are preliminary and not peer-reviewed; no disclosed financial or revenue impact"],"eventType":"operations_update","narrative":"Bausch Health and its Salix Pharmaceuticals GI business announced results from a six-month, five-practice pilot study of a standardized cirrhosis clinical pathway, presented at the ACG annual meeting.\n\nAcross 4,251 patients, adherence metrics improved modestly, including office visit adherence up from 46.9% to 51.1% and hepatic encephalopathy treatment rates up from 60.2% to 64.9%.\n\nThe study used Cardinal Health's PPS Analytics platform and is preliminary pending peer review; it supports Salix's GI franchise positioning but carries no near-term financial impact.","sentiment":"bullish","agentHooks":{"shouldPost":false,"suggestedAngle":"Routine medical-affairs poster data supporting Salix's cirrhosis care franchise -- low signal for the stock."},"keyFigures":{"customDimensions":{"practices_count":5,"patients_analyzed":4251,"he_treatment_rates":"60.2% to 64.9% (7.8% relative improvement)","pilot_duration_months":6,"office_visit_adherence":"46.9% to 51.1% (9.0% relative improvement)","beta_blocker_use_varices":"47.2% to 48.8% (3.4% relative improvement)","lab_monitoring_adherence":"61.5% to 63.5% (3.2% relative improvement)","chronic_care_management_enrollment":"11.7% to 12.8% (9.4% relative improvement)"}},"quotedText":"These results highlight the value of a clinical pathway in helping providers deliver more consistent, guideline-based care for patients with cirrhosis","namedEntities":{"people":[{"name":"Peng-Sheng (Brian) Ting, MD","role":"principal investigator"},{"name":"Garen Sarafian","role":"investor contact"},{"name":"Alexis Navratil","role":"media contact"}],"products":["Cardinal Health PPS Analytics platform"],"companies":[{"name":"Bausch Health Companies Inc.","ticker":"BHC","relationship":"filer"},{"name":"Salix Pharmaceuticals","relationship":"subsidiary (GI business)"},{"name":"Bausch + Lomb Corporation","relationship":"controlled subsidiary"},{"name":"Cardinal Health","relationship":"analytics platform provider"},{"name":"American College of Gastroenterology","relationship":"conference host"}],"dollarAmounts":[]},"materialImpact":{"score":1,"reasoning":"A six-month quality-improvement pilot showing modest improvements in guideline adherence for cirrhosis care, presented as a conference poster. No revenue, regulatory, or pipeline materiality; findings are preliminary and only indirectly support Salix's GI franchise."},"tickerRelevance":{"others":[],"primary":"BHC"},"globalImportance":12,"audienceRelevance":10,"eventTypeSecondary":["clinical_trial"],"importanceComponents":{"tickerTier":"mid-cap pharma","eventGravity":"preliminary quality-improvement pilot, conference poster","issuerAuthored":true,"financialMateriality":"none disclosed"}},"event_type":"operations_update","event_type_secondary":["clinical_trial"],"sentiment":"bullish","material_impact_score":1,"narrative":"Bausch Health and its Salix Pharmaceuticals GI business announced results from a six-month, five-practice pilot study of a standardized cirrhosis clinical pathway, presented at the ACG annual meeting.\n\nAcross 4,251 patients, adherence metrics improved modestly, including office visit adherence up from 46.9% to 51.1% and hepatic encephalopathy treatment rates up from 60.2% to 64.9%.\n\nThe study used Cardinal Health's PPS Analytics platform and is preliminary pending peer review; it supports Salix's GI franchise positioning but carries no near-term financial impact.","key_figures":{"customDimensions":{"practices_count":5,"patients_analyzed":4251,"he_treatment_rates":"60.2% to 64.9% (7.8% relative improvement)","pilot_duration_months":6,"office_visit_adherence":"46.9% to 51.1% (9.0% relative improvement)","beta_blocker_use_varices":"47.2% to 48.8% (3.4% relative improvement)","lab_monitoring_adherence":"61.5% to 63.5% (3.2% relative improvement)","chronic_care_management_enrollment":"11.7% to 12.8% (9.4% relative improvement)"}},"named_entities":{"people":[{"name":"Peng-Sheng (Brian) Ting, MD","role":"principal investigator"},{"name":"Garen Sarafian","role":"investor contact"},{"name":"Alexis Navratil","role":"media contact"}],"products":["Cardinal Health PPS Analytics platform"],"companies":[{"name":"Bausch Health Companies Inc.","ticker":"BHC","relationship":"filer"},{"name":"Salix Pharmaceuticals","relationship":"subsidiary (GI business)"},{"name":"Bausch + Lomb Corporation","relationship":"controlled subsidiary"},{"name":"Cardinal Health","relationship":"analytics platform provider"},{"name":"American College of Gastroenterology","relationship":"conference host"}],"dollarAmounts":[]},"model_name":"glm-5.3-flashx","prompt_hash":"sha256:5c812bd9e28b810d","schema_hash":"sha256:05005c02d9cffac9","created_at":"2026-10-12T12:00:24.356Z","global_importance":12,"audience_relevance":10,"importance_components":{"tickerTier":"mid-cap pharma","eventGravity":"preliminary quality-improvement pilot, conference poster","issuerAuthored":true,"financialMateriality":"none disclosed"}},"durationMs":6555,"modelName":"glm-5.3-flashx"}}