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Lung volume reduction surgery could improve lung function in emphysema patients

Emphysema is a chronic, progressive, obstructive lung disease in which the small sacs of the lung (alveoli) are destroyed, leading to air pockets and severe breathing difficulties. In 2011, 4.7 million Americans reported being diagnosed with emphysema, and in 2013 more than 8200 patients died from emphysema.

30 Apr 2015

81% of Kaiser Permanente hospitals receive 'A' grade for safety

Surgical errors are a fact of life – and death -- in operating rooms and hospitals around the country. According to a major university study, foreign objects are left inside a patient 39 times a week, and surgeries are performed on the wrong side or site of a patient another 20 times a week. While all U.S. hospitals are working diligently to eliminate these events – called "never events" or "serious reportable adverse events" – some, like Kaiser Permanente, have had much more success than others.

30 Apr 2015

ICD-10 Clinical Modification: an interview with Dr. Jon Elion, Founder, ChartWise Medical Systems

ICD-10 is the tenth revision to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Classification of Diseases. ICD-10, like its predecessor, ICD-9, is based on a set of unique alphanumeric codes to identify known diseases and other health problems...

29 Apr 2015

Imprimis has exclusive US commercial rights for patented Hep-Lido-A formulation

Imprimis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of proprietary compounded drug formulations, today announced it now has the exclusive US commercial rights to the patented compounded alkalinized lidocaine and heparin formulation ("Hep-Lido-A" or "HLA") for the treatment of interstitial cystitis ("IC"), commonly referred to as painful bladder syndrome ("PBS").

28 Apr 2015

NeoGenomics' revenue increases 27% to $23.0 million in first quarter 2015

NeoGenomics, Inc., a leading provider of cancer-focused genetic testing services today reported its results for the first quarter of 2015.

28 Apr 2015

High-dose flu vaccine more effective than standard dose for elders

If you're age 65 or older and go to your doctor or pharmacy for a flu shot, you may be offered two options: the standard vaccine, or a high-dose version that packs a stronger wallop to activate the immune system, which is weaker in seniors. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says either vaccine is appropriate for this age group.

28 Apr 2015

Universal Health Services announces net income of $174.3 million for first quarter 2015

Universal Health Services, Inc. announced today that its reported net income attributable to UHS was $174.3 million, or $1.73 per diluted share, during the first quarter of 2015 as compared to $138.1 million, or $1.38 per diluted share, during the comparable quarter of 2014.

28 Apr 2015

MiMedx Group's revenue increases 108% to $40.8 million in first quarter 2015

MiMedx Group, Inc., the leading regenerative medicine company utilizing human amniotic tissue and patent-protected processes to develop and market advanced products and therapies for the Wound Care, Surgical, Orthopedic, Spine, Sports Medicine, Ophthalmic and Dental sectors of healthcare, announced today its record results for the first quarter of 2015.

28 Apr 2015

Hartford Foundation grant to support evaluation of long-term nursing home resident care model

Approximately 1.4 million older adults in America live in nursing homes. A new grant from the John A. Hartford Foundation will enable clinician-researchers from the Indiana University Center for Aging Research and the Regenstrief Institute and their partners, to prepare for the expansion of OPTIMISTIC, their long-term nursing home resident care model.

25 Apr 2015

iCAD announces adoption of Xoft Axxent Electronic Brachytherapy System in Spain

iCAD, Inc., an industry-leading provider of advanced image analysis, workflow solutions and radiation therapy for the early identification and treatment of cancer, today announced the first Xoft Axxent Electronic Brachytherapy (eBx) System in Spain is now available at the Hospital Miguel Servet for the treatment of early-stage breast cancer, non-melanoma skin cancer and gynecological cancers.

25 Apr 2015

U-M study: Nearly half of American hospitals not taking key steps to prevent C. diff infections

Nearly half of American hospitals aren't taking key steps to prevent a kind of gut infection that kills nearly 30,000 people annually and sickens hundreds of thousands more - despite strong evidence that such steps work, according to a new study.

25 Apr 2015

PCMH care model gaining acceptance in primary care, specialist practices

Primary-care physicians play a pivotal role in assuring that patients who require specialized care are transitioned properly from one clinical environment to another to help lower the risks for adverse events and repeat hospitalizations, according to a health quality management expert who spoke today at the National Quality Summit sponsored by the National Association for Healthcare Quality.

25 Apr 2015

UTMB study highlights current use of oxygen therapy in patents with COPD

A new study about the use of oxygen to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston found that the majority of patients receiving oxygen therapy were low-income, non-Hispanic white females about 75 years old with two or more other health conditions.

24 Apr 2015

Catasys to offer OnTrak Program to Health Alliance members in Illinois

Catasys, Inc. and Health Alliance Medical Plans today announced a multi-year agreement to offer Catasys' OnTrak Program to Health Alliance members in need in Illinois. OnTrak provides support and guidance to commercial, Medicaid and Medicare Advantage members struggling with both medical and behavioral conditions.

22 Apr 2015

BCBSIL announces four new ACO agreements to improve patient care

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois announces four new, strategic agreements aimed at improving patient care while slowing health care cost trends. Accountable Care Organizations are a value-based care model that seeks to move the healthcare industry's payment structure from one based on fee-for-service, or volume, to one that reimburses based on the quality of patient outcomes and patient care. In an ACO, both the payer and provider share financial risk, and in return, shared savings, while improving the care that is delivered.

22 Apr 2015

Acacia Pharma begins APD421 Phase 3 study in combination with standard anti-emetics for PONV

Acacia Pharma Ltd, the supportive care company developing products for US and international markets, announces the initiation of a Phase 3 study investigating APD421 in combination with standard anti-emetics, in the prevention of post-operative nausea & vomiting (PONV) in high-risk patients. PONV remains a clinically significant problem in patients undergoing surgery, despite the availability of a range of anti-emetic medications.

21 Apr 2015

ASA QCDR adds new quality reporting measures

Physician anesthesiologists can now choose from 36 reporting measures when participating in the ASA QCDR, the American Society of Anesthesiologists Qualified Clinical Data Registry.

17 Apr 2015

Many Medicare patients undergo unnecessary routine preoperative tests before cataract surgery

More than half of all Medicare patients who have cataract surgery undergo unnecessary routine preoperative testing, despite strong evidence that these tests are usually not beneficial and increase national health care costs, reports a study published on April 16 in The New England Journal of Medicine.

17 Apr 2015

Precision for Medicine announces acquisition of Precision Health Economics

Precision for Medicine, a specialized services company supporting next-generation approaches to drug development and commercialization, today announced the acquisition of Precision Health Economics.

16 Apr 2015

Veracyte launches new genomic test to improve lung cancer diagnosis

Veracyte, Inc., a molecular diagnostic company pioneering the field of molecular cytology, today announced the launch of its Percepta Bronchial Genomic Classifier, a new genomic test to resolve ambiguity in lung cancer diagnosis. The company will soon begin testing patient samples in its CLIA-certified laboratory, with the Percepta test now available to a limited number of institutions around the country.

16 Apr 2015