Hospital News and Research

RSS

Republicans switch tact on Medicare for current health debate

Republicans, have switched sides, and now accuse Democrats of trying to cut Medicare. Meanwhile, Dems are vexed by the affordability issue.

29 Sep 2009

New York hospital system invests in digital patient records

The New York Times reports: "The nation's drive toward computerized medical records is getting a push from big hospitals, which hope not only to improve patient care but to gain an edge on competitors. And an effort to be announced on Monday by a big New York regional hospital group may be the most ambitious effort of this type yet — a sizable investment intended as a linchpin in the group's $400 million commitment to digitize patient records throughout its system, including 13 hospitals."

29 Sep 2009

Protection of front-line healthcare workers compromised

According to George Kappler, "If hospitals were subjected to the same protection standards as factories, many would have been shut down a long time ago." Those are tough words for healthcare workers to hear as they brace for an onslaught of H1N1 patients, but the CEO of Kappler, Inc., a 33-year veteran in the protective garment business, knows of what he speaks.

29 Sep 2009

Transient ischemic attack can trigger stroke

One out of every eight strokes is preceded by a "warning stroke," which is a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or mild stroke, according to research published in the September 29, 2009, print issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

29 Sep 2009

Estrogen withdrawal may play a significant role in joint pain during breast cancer treatment

Aromatase inhibitors, the same drugs that have buoyed long-term survival rates among breast cancer patients, also carry side effects including joint pain so severe that many patients discontinue these lifesaving medicines. New University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine research, however, has uncovered patterns that may help clinicians identify and help women at risk of these symptoms sooner in order to increase their chances of sticking with their treatment regimen.

29 Sep 2009

Proton therapy center to treat pediatric and adult cancer patients

The development of a proton therapy center in the Pacific Northwest has taken a significant step forward with the signing of a letter of intent between the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) and ProCure Treatment Centers Inc. (ProCure). SCCA and ProCure announced the agreement today and are moving the project forward to bring this advanced form of radiation therapy to adult and pediatric cancer patients.

29 Sep 2009

Poor kidney function can affect brain activities

A new study published in the medical journal Neurology suggests that impaired kidney function is a risk factor for cognitive decline in old age.

29 Sep 2009

CIGNA encourages people to prioritize their health care plans

How much time does the average person spend reviewing their health care insurance when it’s time to enroll or reenroll in a plan? A recent survey conducted for CIGNA shows that although 78 percent said they give it a lot or some consideration, almost half (46%) of those who say they’re responsible for the review spend less than 30 minutes on the task.

29 Sep 2009

Conditional IDE approval for Flexstent Femoropopliteal Self Expanding Stent System

Flexible Stenting Solutions Inc. (“FSS”), a leading developer of next generation peripheral arterial and biliary stents, announced today that it has received Conditional Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) approval for its FlexStent® Femoropopliteal Self Expanding Stent System.

29 Sep 2009

Hookworms can prevent asthma

A study conducted in Vietnam has added further weight to the view that parasitic gut worms, such as hookworm, could help in the prevention and treatment of asthma and other allergies.

29 Sep 2009

2009 International Society meeting to focus on hip arthroscopy

Recent advances in diagnostic imaging techniques and hip arthroscopy procedures are giving physicians and surgeons better tools with which to treat hip pain. The 2009 International Society for Hip Arthroscopy meeting, hosted by Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, brings together leading surgeons from all over the world to take an in-depth look at hip arthroscopy and its potential benefits.

29 Sep 2009

Hospital-at-home care favorable to traditional hospital care

Hospital-at-home care may be a practical alternative to traditional hospital inpatient care for patients with acutely decompensated (suddenly worsening) chronic heart failure, according to a report in the September 28 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

29 Sep 2009

Practical support important to achieve glycemic control in diabetic patients

For physicians treating patients with diabetes, practical support is important in improving glycemic control. Researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Public Health found that setting goals and pro-active follow-up helped patients achieve good glycemic control.

29 Sep 2009

Heparin-induced skin lesions may indicate platelets deficit

Heparin, a commonly used anticoagulant, can cause skin lesions, reports a study http://www.cmaj.ca/press/cmaj081729.pdf in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) www.cmaj.ca.

29 Sep 2009

Blood vessels in the retina may help predict risk of heart attack or stroke

For centuries eyes have been seen as windows to the soul. But medical researchers now believe the eyes may also offer vital clues to your risk of heart disease and stroke.

28 Sep 2009

Mercy Memorial implements CDW's disaster recovery solution to increase reliability of critical clinical applications

CDW Healthcare, part of the public sector subsidiary of CDW Corporation and a leading provider of technology products and services to healthcare organizations, today announced that Mercy Memorial Hospital of Monroe, Mich., launched an extensive server virtualization and disaster recovery solution acquired from CDW Healthcare.

28 Sep 2009

Nuance launches eScription version 9 for for computer aided medical transcription

Nuance Communications, Inc., a leading supplier of speech solutions, today announced the availability of version 9 of its eScription on-demand platform for computer aided medical transcription (CAMT), a solution used by healthcare organizations to increase productivity and save costs associated with medical transcription (MT).

28 Sep 2009

The CDH Proton Therapy Center announces arrival of a 220-ton cyclotron for treating cancer

A 220-ton cyclotron, the core of what will soon be Illinois’ most advanced radiation treatment center, has ended a 5,000-mile journey that began in Belgium, arriving at the construction site of the CDH Proton Therapy Center, a ProCure Center, located in suburban Warrenville. Capable of accelerating protons, the cyclotron is the core piece of equipment used in proton therapy, an alternative to X-ray radiation that spares healthy tissue and results in far fewer short- and long-term treatment side effects.

28 Sep 2009

The Children’s Hospital implements Eclipsys’ integrated decision support and analysis solution

Eclipsys Corporation®, The Outcomes Company®, today announced that pediatric hospitals are emerging as a key client base for its Sunrise EPSi™ integrated suite of business performance management solutions. In face of declining reimbursements, both acute and specialty care organizations are seeking the decision support solution as an effective means to become more efficient and improve productivity without sacrificing quality.

28 Sep 2009

Excelsior's SwabCap launched at the 23rd Association for Vascular Access conference

Excelsior Medical, one of the leading manufacturers of pre-filled catheter flush syringes and syringe pump systems, announced that it has launched a major new product: the SwabCap™ Luer Access Valve Disinfection Cap.

28 Sep 2009