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Australian medical devices market to grow at 9% CAGR in 2009-2012

The consequences as a result of the major Australian healthcare reform plan will impact the outlook of the medical devices industry, and possibly precipitate a series of rapid changes for the market.

27 Jul 2010

Medical device complications send more than 70,000 kids to ER annually

The Associated Press: The first detailed national estimate on complications in medical device use by children says that more than 70,000 kids a year have to go to emergency rooms because of complications from medical devices, with contact lenses the leading culprit. "About one-fourth of the problems were things like infections and eye abrasions in contact lens wearers.

27 Jul 2010

Safety-net hospitals fear fiscal effects of health overhaul

"The hard-fought health reforms slowly taking shape across the country are intended to help provide better access to care -- but they could mean financial trouble for so-called 'safety-net' hospitals that take care of the poor," The Fresno Bee reports. "Already, hospital officials say millions in payments have been cut this year for Medicare patients in California, and they expect billions of dollars in cuts over the next 10 years for Medicare and Medi-Cal, as government tightens spending to help cover more people.

27 Jul 2010

Britain plans to decentralize NHS, tranfer budget to general practitioners

British officials are proposing a plan to decentralize the National Health Service, news outlets report.

27 Jul 2010

AU leaders summit kicks off, focus on maternal and child health

Heads of state from the African Union (AU) started a three-day meeting in Kampala, Uganda, on Sunday as part of the 15th AU Summit, People's Daily Online reports. Leaders will focus on maternal and child health and will discuss several other issues, including agricultural development, food security, infrastructure development and economic integration (7/26).

27 Jul 2010

Some small businesses expect continued increases in health costs

The (Florence, Ala.) Times Daily: Some small business owners are worried about the continuing rise of health care costs. "Business owners say they offer health care benefits to attract employees and retain workers. But providing health care to employees is the second highest cost for business owners behind payroll and many owners fear costs will only increase, according to a non-scientific survey taken by the Shoals Chamber of Commerce of 33 small local businesses" (Stokes, 7/26).

27 Jul 2010

UHS second-quarter net revenues increase 3% to $1.34 billion

Universal Health Services, Inc. announced today that its reported net income attributable to UHS was $65.6 million, or $.67 per diluted share, during the second quarter of 2010 as compared to $80.9 million, or $.82 per diluted share, during the comparable prior year quarter. Net revenues increased 3% to $1.34 billion during the second quarter of 2010 as compared to $1.30 billion during the second quarter of 2009.

27 Jul 2010

Lack of dental insurance a problem for millions

The Philadelphia Inquirer: Lack of dental insurance is an "endemic problem" that affects millions of people, largely those without jobs, health coverage or solid incomes. "It began with a toothache. Tori Pence, 23, could feel the hole that had suddenly developed on her tooth, and she couldn't stand either hot or cold food.

27 Jul 2010

Consumers struggle to sort out many stem cell claims

NPR reports on the confusion among consumers about stem cell therapy. It's easy to find on websites and other advertisements claims of cures for practically every medical condition, but traditional American medical doctors say that so far stem cell therapy has been proven to work in only a few blood disorders.

27 Jul 2010

Alcon second-quarter global sales increase 12.5% to $1.89 billion

Alcon, Inc. reported that global sales rose 12.5 percent to $1.89 billion for the second quarter of 2010, or 11.3 percent excluding the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations and acquisitions. Revenue from acquisitions added 40 basis points to sales growth in the quarter, while foreign currency fluctuations added 80 basis points of growth.

27 Jul 2010

'Ultra Rice' piloted as way to tackle malnutrition

Ultra Rice, a rice-shaped pasta fortified with vitamins and minerals is "being produced and tested around the world as a potential solution to malnutrition," according to the Seattle Times. Produced by the nonprofit PATH, Ultra Rice is currently being piloted by the Indian and Brazilian governments in lunch programs and by the U.N. World Food Program in Cambodia. Each grain of Ultra Rice is combined with approximately 100 grains of ordinary rice.

27 Jul 2010

Americans with Disabilities Act turns 20

Several news outlets note the 20th anniversary Monday of the Americans With Disabilities Act.

27 Jul 2010

Racial, ethnic disparities remain a challenge for patients in the U.S. health care system: ACP

Racial and ethnic disparities remain a challenge for patients in the U.S. health care system, the American College of Physicians said in an updated paper released today. Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care, Updated 2010, an update to a policy paper that was originally released in 2003, outlines recommendations on how to close the gap between racial and ethnic minority patients and their white counterparts.

27 Jul 2010

AIDS 2010 opinions: U.S. funding for global HIV/AIDS programs; Empowering women, girls in fight against HIV/AIDS

The first letter, Ambassador Eric Goosby, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, addresses an opinion piece by Desmond Tutu, archbishop emeritus of Cape Town and honorary chairman of the Global AIDS Alliance. Goosby writes, "The United States has been and continues to be the global leader on HIV/AIDS. The best metric of our success is lives saved." Goosby cites an increased number of people on antiretrovirals financed by the United States and a commitment to treat 4 million more as part of the Global Health Initiative.

27 Jul 2010

Healthcare Labor Update 2010: A year of critical opportunity for employers

When labor unions, particularly the Service Employee International Union (SEIU), spent hundreds of millions during the last presidential election cycle - resulting in a labor-friendly Democratic Administration and Congressional majority for the first time in a decade - it appeared the labor movement was poised to make a swift resurgence.

26 Jul 2010

Anti-vaccination group declared unsafe

A Bangalow, NSW based group known as the Australian Vaccination Network (AVN) had earlier maligned the nation’s immunization campaign calling vaccines unsafe on their website. The New South Wales Health Care Complaints Commission had then issued a warning to them to include a disclaimer that the contents of the sites webpages should not be taken as medical advice. AVN failed to heed to the warnings and now the HCCC has issued a safety warning against the group.

26 Jul 2010

Adventist Hinsdale Hospital, Marianjoy announce partnership

Patients with acute physical rehabilitation needs now can undergo inpatient treatment close to home thanks to a new partnership between Adventist Hinsdale Hospital and Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital. Announced today, the cooperative effort unites two organizations with similar holistic approaches to rehabilitative patient care for a variety of conditions in multiple settings.

26 Jul 2010

Bill giving malpractice coverage to doctors volunteering in community health centers faces stiff Senate resistance

The Hill: A bill aimed to appeal to physicians to work in medically underserved areas by shielding them from paying for malpractice coverage is facing stiff opposition. "The bill, passed Thursday by the House Energy and Commerce Health subcommittee, would offer free malpractice coverage to doctors volunteering at community health centers (CHCs) — private facilities receiving federal funds to treat patients where care is lacking."

26 Jul 2010

CPC partners with CU School of Medicine on stem cell research

A major research company with expertise in managing clinical trials is partnering with the University of Colorado's Anschutz Medical Campus to more efficiently bring the latest stem cell discoveries from the laboratory to the patient.

26 Jul 2010

Aurora Health Care ranked among top 20% of top U.S. health systems

Aurora Health Care has been named among the top health systems in the U.S. by Thomson Reuters. Announced recently in Modern Healthcare, Aurora ranked in the top 20 percent of the list, which was based on clinical performance.

26 Jul 2010