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Group B streptococci continues to increase risk of sepsis in newborns

Bloodstream infections in newborns can lead to serious complications with substantial morbidity and mortality. What's more, the pathogens responsible for neonatal infections have changed over time. In recent years, however, antibiotic prophylaxis given to at-risk mothers has reduced the incidence of early-onset group B streptococcal infections among their babies.

25 Apr 2011

Parties sparring over Medicare as Sen. Collins vows 'no' vote on Ryan budget

News outlets are covering the increasing politicization of Medicare.

25 Apr 2011

AP reports on Global Fund malaria drug thefts, issues correction

The Associated Press on Wednesday published an article reporting that hundreds of millions of dollars of malaria medication had been stolen from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, but later issued a correction.

25 Apr 2011

Recent releases in Global Health

When health ministers gather for the World Health Assembly in May they will try to come up with a solution to "a dilemma that has dogged decision-makers for decades - whether and when to destroy the last remaining stocks of the smallpox virus," David Heymann and Emma Ross, both of the Global Health Security Centre at Chatham House, write in an article in The World Today.

25 Apr 2011

JVIR articles highlight SIR's commitment to patient safety in medical imaging

The Society of Interventional Radiology has a long-term commitment to radiation safety, taking a leading role in measuring and assessing radiation dosage; developing educational programs on radiation safety, radiation protection and reduction of skin dosage; and promoting the safety of patients and health care professionals.

22 Apr 2011

Novation adds BIOTRONIK to Cardiac Rhythm Management Devices portfolio

Novation, the leading health care supply contracting company, announced today the addition of BIOTRONIK (Lake Oswego, OR) to its Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices portfolio. This new 30-month agreement represents the first collaboration between the respective organizations.

22 Apr 2011

U.S. healthcare costs continue to increase at a declining rate

Data released today by S&P Indices for the S&P Healthcare Economic Composite Index indicate that the average per capita cost of healthcare services covered by commercial insurance and Medicare programs increased by 6.19% over the 12-months ending February 2011. This is a drop from the 6.31% increase in annual growth rate posted in January 2011 for this index.

22 Apr 2011

Close wins in sporting events linked to more traffic fatalities

When your team wins a close one, you may be in danger driving home after the game, according to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research. The study shows that traffic fatalities rise near the hometowns of winning teams on game days.

22 Apr 2011

Now campaigning, Obama to ask voters to give health law a chance

Meanwhile, The Hill reports that health lobbying has dropped off compared to the level a year ago when Congress was in the midst of the health reform debate.

22 Apr 2011

Politics swirl around plans for Medicare's future, the deficit

At home in their districts, Republicans are taking positions — and heat — on the Ryan budget plan, which would make significant changes to the Medicare program. Meanwhile, President Barack Obama is taking his message — and his budget framework — on the road.

22 Apr 2011

Research roundup: New hips, Medicare & hospital stays; Medicaid update

JAMA: Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Medicare Patients Undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty, 1991-2008 - "Total hip arthroplasty is a common surgical procedure but little is known about longitudinal trends," according to this study which found that "Between 1991 and 2008, the mean age for patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty increased from 74.1 to 75.1 years and for revision total hip arthroplasty from 75.8 to 77.3 years (P < .001)."

22 Apr 2011

Screening for home health care is subject of new Medicare rules

When Congress passed the federal health care law, it included a provision designed to cut down on Medicare fraud and improve care for patients.

22 Apr 2011

Viewpoints: Gov. Walker on 'obsolete' Medicaid; Are patients consumers?; The Onion pokes fun at Romney

What does Medicaid have in common with "I Dream of Jeannie," "Lost in Space" and "Get Smart"? They all made their debut in 1965. ... the television networks have updated their programming.

22 Apr 2011

Federal judge in N.J. dismisses health overhaul challenge

According to press reports, U.S. District Judge Freda Wolfson ruled that Nicholas Purpura and Donald R. Laster Jr., who filed their lawsuit without a lawyer, lack legal standing to challenge the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

22 Apr 2011

Giffords' office: Close gap in traumatic brain-injury care

Staff members for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, R-Ariz., have become key advocates in a campaign to ensure that the health law guarantees high levels of care for people who suffer traumatic brain injuries.

22 Apr 2011

State news: Calif. report faults screening of in-home care providers

Two of the state's largest private medical practices are in talks to merge into a giant doctor-run group that would care for nearly a million Massachusetts patients and significantly escalate the pace of health care consolidation throughout the state. Atrius Health, which runs the Harvard Vanguard system and four other doctors practices, is in advanced talks with Fallon Clinic, the Worcester-based medical group.

22 Apr 2011

Study suggests flaw in methods used to measure racial health disparities

Just weeks after HHS released the first national strategy to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities, a new study published in the journal Demography suggests there is a flaw in the method used to measure racial health differences: it does not adequately account for people of mixed race.

22 Apr 2011

UNITAID has raised $2B through airline tax since 2006, could be model for G20 development funding, UNITAID chair says

UNITAID, an international drug financing program established to help fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in developing countries, has raised about $2 billion since 2006 through taxes on airline tickets in 15 countries, Philippe Douste-Blazy, chair of the UNITAID executive board, told reporters in Washington on Wednesday, Agence France-Presse reports. According to Douste-Blazy, UNITAID's experience could provide a model for G20 development funding efforts.

22 Apr 2011

Clinton says U.S. will continue to back Haiti's quake recovery after meeting with Haitian President-elect

After meeting with Haitian President-elect Michel Martelly on Wednesday, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said the U.S. would back Haiti's efforts to recover from the January 2010 earthquake "all the way," VOA News reports. "Martelly is in Washington for key meetings in advance of his May 14 inauguration," the news service notes (Gollust, 4/20).

22 Apr 2011

HHS unveils new national patient safety initiative

Health and Human Services Regional Director Marguerite Salazar unveiled today a new national patient safety initiative, Partnership for Patients, on behalf of the Obama Administration at The Children's Hospital. Partnership for Patients will help save 60,000 lives across the country by stopping millions of preventable injuries and complications in patient care over the next three years.

22 Apr 2011