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Gene-based method for selecting doses of warfarin no better than standardized dosing methods

A new study led by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania has determined that a gene-based method for selecting patients' doses of the popular heart medication warfarin is no better than standardized dosing methods. The study was presented today at the 2013 Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association and published simultaneously in the New England Journal of Medicine.

20 Nov 2013

New biomarker predicts that concussion victims may have cognitive dysfunction following mTBI

A new blood biomarker correctly predicted which concussion victims went on to have white matter tract structural damage and persistent cognitive dysfunction following a mild traumatic brain injury.

20 Nov 2013

Kindred Healthcare to acquire Synergy Home Care

Synergy Home Care, a premier home health care provider that operates through 17 locations in Louisiana, has signed a definitive agreement to be acquired by Kindred Healthcare, Inc. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2013, pending regulatory approvals and other customary conditions.

16 Nov 2013

Two health care providers argue about making flu vaccination mandatory for health care workers

Should flu vaccines be mandatory for health care workers? That's the question raised this week in the British Medical Journal to two health care providers, including Penn Medicine's Amy J. Behrman, MD, in a "Head to Head" piece that argues both sides of the debate.

15 Nov 2013

Victory Media names Penn Medicine as 2014 Military Friendly Employer

This Veteran's Day, Penn Medicine was named a 2014 Military Friendly Employer by Victory Media, publisher of G.I. Jobs and Military Spouse magazines. Companies competed for the elite Military Friendly Employer title via a data-driven survey of over 5,000 companies with resulting survey data independently tested by Ernst & Young LLP.

15 Nov 2013

Porter Breast Center becomes one of the only NAPBC-accredited programs in Colorado

Porter Adventist Hospital is happy to announce that the Porter Breast Center, a regional destination for comprehensive breast care and part of the Centura Health Cancer Network, has been reaccredited by the American College of Surgeons, National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers with a three-year full accreditation.

14 Nov 2013

Novel study explores effects of meditation on the heart and vascular system

Demystifying meditation with science, researchers at the Scripps Translational Science Institute have teamed with The Chopra Foundation and The Chopra Center for Wellbeing in a novel study of the ancient practice that uses wireless health sensors to collect physiological data from meditators.

14 Nov 2013

Gene mutations responsible for persistent AD in African American children

Two specific genetic variations in people of African descent are responsible for persistent atopic dermatitis (AD), an itchy, inflammatory form of the skin disorder eczema. A new report by researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania found that loss-of-function mutations to Filaggrin-2 (FLG2), a gene that creates a protein responsible for retaining moisture and protecting the skin from environmental irritants, were associated with atopic dermatitis in African American children.

12 Nov 2013

Pregnant women may transmit effects of stress to child by way of bacteria in vagina and placenta

Pregnant women may transmit the damaging effects of stress to their unborn child by way of the bacteria in their vagina and through the placenta, suggest new findings from two animal studies presented by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania at Neuroscience 2013, the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience.

12 Nov 2013

Many elderly patients who start dialysis after age 75 die within one year

New research from Mayo Clinic finds that half of elderly patients who start dialysis after age 75 will die within one year. The findings are being presented this week at the American Society of Nephrology's Kidney Week 2013 in Atlanta.

11 Nov 2013

Brookdale Senior Living's total revenue increases $32.9 million in third quarter 2013

Brookdale Senior Living Inc. today reported financial and operating results for the third quarter of 2013.

6 Nov 2013

Gentiva Health Services third quarter 2013 net revenues decrease 3.3% to $410.5 million

Gentiva Health Services, Inc., the largest provider of home health and hospice services in the United States based on revenue, today reported third quarter 2013 results.

5 Nov 2013

Women with poorest quality of sexual function saw greatest improvements after bariatric surgery

The first study to look extensively at sexual function in women who underwent bariatric surgery found that significant improvements in overall sexual function, most reproductive hormones and in psychological status were maintained over two years following surgery.

5 Nov 2013

CME Medical helps healthcare professionals to gain confidence in end of life and palliative care

CME Medical, is helping healthcare professionals to gain confidence in caring for patients at the end of their lives. Managing end of life care is a challenge for all health staff, as it often involves dealing with complex and emotional communication with patients and relatives and managing patient symptoms. But now highly sophisticated mannequins – which can talk and simulate signs and symptoms of advanced illness – are being used in a pioneering and unique training programme in Birmingham.

30 Oct 2013

Penn Medicine-led panel reports that noise exposure is a serious public health threat

The combined toll of occupational, recreational and environmental noise exposure poses a serious public health threat going far beyond hearing damage, according to an international team of researchers writing today in The Lancet.

30 Oct 2013

Penn Medicine researchers show predictive power of overlooked lymph nodes

For the first time, researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania have shown the predictive power of a group of overlooked lymph nodes--known as the posterior intercostal lymph nodes--that could serve as a better tool to stage and ultimately treat patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.

29 Oct 2013

UL research aims to improve diagnosis and management of delirium among palliative care patients

University of Limerick researchers have been awarded €175,000 to undertake research which aims to improve diagnosis and management of delirium, dementia and depression among palliative care patients.

28 Oct 2013

EvergreenHealth named one of America's 100 Best Hospitals in three specialty areas

EvergreenHealth today announced it has earned several distinctions for 2014 across many of the health care system's specialties from Healthgrades, the nation's leading independent provider of information to help consumers make informed decisions about a physician or hospital.

23 Oct 2013

RWJF president receives 2013 Gustav O. Lienhard Award for pioneering efforts to control tobacco use

The Institute of Medicine today presented the 2013 Gustav O. Lienhard Award to Steven A. Schroeder, whose pioneering efforts to control tobacco use have helped save millions from premature, smoking-related deaths. The award also recognizes Schroeder's leadership in general medicine as well as his work to improve end-of-life care.

22 Oct 2013

Gentiva Health Services completes acquisition of Harden Healthcare Holdings

Gentiva Health Services, Inc., the largest provider of home health and hospice services in the United States based on revenue, announced the closing of its acquisition of Harden Healthcare Holdings, Inc..

18 Oct 2013