Hospice News and Research

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ASA's recommendations to help patients avoid unnecessary tests for chronic pain

Not prescribing opioids first or as a long-term therapy for chronic, non-cancer pain and avoiding MRIs, CTs and X-rays for low-back pain are among the tests and treatments identified by ASA that are commonly ordered but not always necessary.

22 Jan 2014

Brain imaging via MRI scans may be useful biomarker for early detection of subtle developmental abnormalities

Researchers at Penn Medicine have generated a brain development index from MRI scans that captures the complex patterns of maturation during normal brain development.

22 Jan 2014

Scripps CEO wins ACHE Gold Medal Award for significant contributions to health care field

Scripps Health President and CEO Chris Van Gorder will be honored by the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) with a Gold Medal Award at the opening session of the ACHE's 57th Congress on Healthcare Leadership in Chicago on March 24.

21 Jan 2014

Researcher finds possible way to unravel misfolded proteins by reprogramming yeast protein

At the heart of brain diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease is protein misfolding, in which distorted proteins are unable to perform their normal functions. At present, there is no known way to reverse protein misfolding.

17 Jan 2014

Researchers managed to replicate human pancreatic beta cells in mouse model

Klaus Kaestner, PhD, professor of Genetics and postdoctoral fellow Dana Avrahami, PhD, from the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, published a study this week in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, with colleague Benjamin Glaser, MD, from the Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, and colleagues. In this study, they were able to replicate human pancreatic beta cells - the cells in our body that produce the critical hormone insulin - in a mouse model in which donor cells were transplanted. The newly replicated cells retained features of mature beta cells and showed a physiological response to glucose.

17 Jan 2014

Researchers discover key step to stem bleeding, reduce obstruction in blood flow during clot formation

Red blood cells are the body's true shape shifters, perhaps the most malleable of all cell types, transforming - among many other forms -- into compressed discs capable of going through capillaries with diameters smaller than the blood cell itself.

10 Jan 2014

Longer reads: Hospice drains Medicare; false Obamacare 'horror stories;' growing up without vaccines

Hospice patients are expected to die: The treatment focuses on providing comfort to the terminally ill, not finding a cure. To enroll a patient, two doctors certify a life expectancy of six months or less. But over the past decade, the number of "hospice survivors" in the United States has risen dramatically, in part because hospice companies earn more by recruiting patients who aren't actually dying, a Washington Post investigation has found. Healthier patients are more profitable because they require fewer visits and stay enrolled longer (Peter Whoriskey and Dan Keating, 12/26).

9 Jan 2014

Porter Adventist Hospital first in Colorado to receive full Atrial Fibrillation Certification status from SCPC

On January 2, Porter Adventist Hospital was notified that it is now the first and only health care facility in Colorado to receive full Atrial Fibrillation Certification status from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care.

7 Jan 2014

Parkinson's disease patients from lower socioeconomic status less likely to receive DBS

Among Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, female, black, Asian and patients are substantially less likely to receive proven deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery to improve tremors and motor symptoms, according to a new report by a Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania researcher who identified considerable disparities among Medicare recipients receiving DBS for Parkinson's disease.

5 Jan 2014

Study explores safety and efficacy of scoop and run approach in Philadelphia

A new study from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania has found no significant difference in adjusted overall survival rates between gunshot and stabbing (so-called penetrating trauma injuries) victims in Philadelphia whether they were transported to the emergency department by the police department or the emergency medical services division of the fire department.

3 Jan 2014

STSI researchers develop a small wireless device that detects abnormal, dangerous heart rhythms

Research by the Scripps Translational Science Institute (STSI) has found that a small adhesive wireless device worn on the chest for up to two weeks does a better job detecting abnormal and potentially dangerous heart rhythms than the Holter monitor, which is typically used for 24 hours and has been the standard of care for more than 50 years.

3 Jan 2014

Medicare shapes what others pay for health care

Because of Medicare's huge scale, the prices it pays for procedures often shape what others pay for similar care, economist are finding. In the meantime, the program continues to look for ways to prevent inappropriate prescribing by its doctors.

2 Jan 2014

First Edition: Jan. 2, 2014

The early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about what to expect of the health law in 2014.

2 Jan 2014

Penn researchers receive PCORI awards to develop, expand health data network for patients, researchers

Two teams led by researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania have been approved for funding awards by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI).

31 Dec 2013

Preoperative tests increasing for Medicare patients undergoing cataract surgery, despite lack of benefits

The elimination of extensive routine preoperative tests and consultations represents an area of potentially large health care savings across many disciplines, particularly for low-risk patients being evaluated for cataract surgery. It is also a major theme of the Choosing Wisely campaign from the American Board of Internal Medicine.

28 Dec 2013

Prolonged exposure therapy shows greater success for treating adolescent PTSD patients

Researchers at Penn Medicine report in the December 25 issue of JAMA that a modified form of prolonged exposure therapy - in which patients revisit and recount aloud their trauma-related thoughts, feelings and situations - shows greater success than supportive counseling for treating adolescent PTSD patients who have been sexually abused.

25 Dec 2013

Big Bend Hospice chooses Allscripts Homecare software solution to improve patient outcomes

Big Bend Hospice, Inc., a leading hospice agency located in Tallahassee, Fla., has chosen Allscripts Homecare software solution to improve the delivery of critical clinical information in the home, enabling the agency to focus on patient needs and better patient outcomes.

24 Dec 2013

Research roundup: ACA 'can survive' low enrollment; rural/urban differences in O.B. Care; teaching residents cost consciousness

The Health Reform Monitoring Survey (HRMS) was launched in 2013 as a mechanism to obtain timely information on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) ... HRMS data from summer 2013 show that more than 60 percent of those targeted by the health insurance exchanges struggle with understanding key health insurance concepts.

23 Dec 2013

State highlights: Calif. midwives prepare for new independence; Minn. gov supports nurse board changes; Colo. Medicaid dental care

California licensed midwives will have increased independence and authority in attending births, potentially giving more pregnant women access to their services under a new law that goes into effect in January. Assembly Bill 1308 removes an unworkable clause that required all licensed midwives to be supervised by a physician. Licensed midwives had been unable to fulfill that requirement since it went into effect 20 years ago because physicians' malpractice insurance prohibited them from filling that role. In addition, licensed midwives will now be authorized to operate birth centers without physician supervision and will have increased access to drugs, tests and medical devices used in their practice (Renner, 12/18).

20 Dec 2013

Elekta to launch MOSAIQ oncology information system throughout McLaren's cancer network

The ability to effectively manage data across disparate health systems to help drive quality care will be a cornerstone for health systems of the future. Elekta is proud to announce today that it has joined forces with Michigan-based McLaren Health Care to launch MOSAIQ oncology information system throughout McLaren's cancer network.

From Elekta 18 Dec 2013