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Study looks at the feasibility of Xpert test for TB in real-life clinical setting in southern Africa

The first randomised trial to measure the impact of the rapid Xpert MTB/RIF test for tuberculosis in a real-life clinical setting finds that it can be accurately performed by a non-specialist with minimal training, improves same-day diagnosis and time to starting treatment, and increases the number of people who start treatment after testing positive on day 1 by 50%, compared with conventional TB diagnostics.

30 Oct 2013

Health plan cancellations create White House's next set of challenges

News coverage is focusing on the notion that a large percentage of people who currently have individual health coverage are receiving cancellation notices because their plans don't meet the standards created by the health law. Many of these people, according to reports, will face "sticker shock" with their new insurance. A critical emerging question is whether the Obama administration expected this scenario.

30 Oct 2013

Overweight men diagnosed with prostate cancer more likely to die from the disease

Men who are overweight or obese when they are diagnosed with prostate cancer are more likely to die from the disease than men who are of healthy weight, according to a Kaiser Permanente study published today in the journal Obesity Research & Clinical Practice. In patients with more aggressive forms of prostate cancer, the researchers also found an even stronger correlation between obesity and mortality.

30 Oct 2013

New pulmonary medicine list includes five recommendations to improve patient care and outcomes

A list released today identified five commonly performed tests and procedures in pulmonary medicine that may not always be necessary. The list, part of the ABIM Foundation’s Choosing Wisely campaign, was produced by a collaborative task force assembled by the American Thoracic Society and the American College of Chest Physicians.

30 Oct 2013

As mandate delay talk continues, examining what it means for insurers, larger health law

As talk continues over possibly putting off parts of the health law, news outlets look at what delaying the mandate that nearly all Americans have health insurance could do to insurers and just how smart the move really would be -- despite the seemingly good politics of a delay.

30 Oct 2013

The Joint Commission names HNMC as ‘Top Performer on Key Quality Measures for 2012’

Holy Name Medical Center (HNMC) was named one of the nation's Top Performers on Key Quality Measures for 2012 by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of healthcare organizations in America.

30 Oct 2013

Administration officially extends deadline for health insurance sign-up

The AP reports that "previously you had to sign up by the middle of February, guaranteeing that your coverage would take effect March 1, in order to avoid fines for being uninsured."

30 Oct 2013

Researchers identify new drug for treating irritable bowel syndrome with constipation

An international team led by University of Adelaide researchers has identified the mechanism of pain relief of a new drug for treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C), based on nonclinical studies, and quantified its effectiveness in pain relief in human trials.

30 Oct 2013

Exercise programs reduce rate of severe falls in old adults

Exercise programmes designed to prevent falls in older adults also appear to prevent injuries caused by falls, suggests a paper published today on bmj.com.

30 Oct 2013

First Edition: October 29, 2013

Today's headlines include previews of a Capitol Hill hearing that will feature Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Serivces Administrator Marilyn Tavenner.

29 Oct 2013

Aetna’s operating earnings increase 7% to $561.8M in third-quarter 2013

Aetna announced third-quarter 2013 operating earnings of $561.8 million, an increase of 7 percent over the third quarter of 2012. Third-quarter operating earnings per share were $1.50 in 2013 and $1.55 in 2012.

29 Oct 2013

Bending ethical norms to serve patients' interests

A survey among rheumatologists finds many face moral dilemmas when trying to do what's best for their patients in the current health care environment.

29 Oct 2013

Dermatologists provide list of specific treatments, procedures not required for medical care

The American Academy of Dermatology today released its list of specific treatments and procedures related to skin health and care that are not always necessary.

29 Oct 2013

Analyses: Tracking the development path for Healthcare.gov; analyzing the evolution of the insurance system

The Wall Street Journal reports that a "lack of direction" may have been in play as the federal health exchange was being developed while CBS News offers a long look at how the health insurance system became what it is today.

29 Oct 2013

University of Chicago professor helps assess results of India's health reform program

A University of Chicago professor in law and medicine is helping the nation of India assess the results of a massive health reform program targeting its poorest populations, as the government considers whether to extend the five-year-old effort.

29 Oct 2013

State highlights: Vt. readies universal health care launch; Fla. adds four contractors to Medicaid managed care

As states open insurance marketplaces amid uncertainty about whether they're a solution for health care, Vermont is eyeing a bigger goal, one that more fully embraces a government-funded model. The state has a planned 2017 launch of the nation's first universal health care system, a sort of modified Medicare-for-all that has long been a dream for many liberals (Gram, 10/26).

29 Oct 2013

State exchange updates: Football marketing, slow starts and Calif.'s litmus test

News outlets provide updates on state health insurance exchanges in Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota and California, the state that many believe will provide a litmus test on how, and if, the state-based exchanges can work elsewhere.

29 Oct 2013

ERs may begin to receive more reimbursement once Obamacare gets fully implemented

Emergency departments, which have suffered shortfalls in reimbursement for decades due to the high rate of uninsurance in the United States, may begin receiving "considerably more" reimbursement once the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare) is fully implemented.

29 Oct 2013

States report Medicaid surge as result of health law rollout

Several media outlets examine how some states are signing up tens of thousands of new Medicaid enrollees in the first month of the health law's rollout, while enrolling fewer people in private insurance policies. In addition, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett touts his alternative to Medicaid expansion using private insurance.

29 Oct 2013

Review on barriers to medical adherence among chronically ill adolescents

Teenagers with chronic illnesses face special barriers that may interfere with how well they adhere to their medical treatment, according to a new review in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

29 Oct 2013

Health Care News and Research

Study looks at the feasibility of Xpert test for TB in real-life clinical setting in southern Africa

Health plan cancellations create White House's next set of challenges

Overweight men diagnosed with prostate cancer more likely to die from the disease

New pulmonary medicine list includes five recommendations to improve patient care and outcomes

As mandate delay talk continues, examining what it means for insurers, larger health law

The Joint Commission names HNMC as ‘Top Performer on Key Quality Measures for 2012’

Administration officially extends deadline for health insurance sign-up

Researchers identify new drug for treating irritable bowel syndrome with constipation

Exercise programs reduce rate of severe falls in old adults

First Edition: October 29, 2013

Aetna’s operating earnings increase 7% to $561.8M in third-quarter 2013

Bending ethical norms to serve patients' interests

Dermatologists provide list of specific treatments, procedures not required for medical care

Analyses: Tracking the development path for Healthcare.gov; analyzing the evolution of the insurance system

University of Chicago professor helps assess results of India's health reform program

State highlights: Vt. readies universal health care launch; Fla. adds four contractors to Medicaid managed care

State exchange updates: Football marketing, slow starts and Calif.'s litmus test

ERs may begin to receive more reimbursement once Obamacare gets fully implemented

States report Medicaid surge as result of health law rollout

Review on barriers to medical adherence among chronically ill adolescents

Event guide: 3rd Measuring Patient Engagement Summit eBook

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

Expanding access to NMR with the Fourier 80 Duo

Advancing Intracellular Delivery with LumiPore®

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