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Johns Hopkins-led safety checklist program appears to reduce hospital deaths by 10%

A Johns Hopkins-led safety checklist program that virtually eliminated bloodstream infections in hospital intensive-care units throughout Michigan appears to have also reduced deaths by 10 percent, a new study suggests.

1 Feb 2011

PCMA finds Ohio's Medicaid program can save $135 million over the next decade

Ohio's Medicaid program could cost taxpayers an additional $1.6 billion next year, a 49 percent jump in the state's share of costs for the health care program covering more than 2 million poor and disabled Ohioans, according to new information released by the Governor's Office of Health Transformation.

1 Feb 2011

High-risk pools, hospital readmissions among health law topics in the news

Health reform's high-risk pools, so far plagued with lackluster enrollment, are showing signs that they are starting to turn around - just as House Republicans are launching an investigation into the program (Kliff, 1/31).

1 Feb 2011

AVANIR's NUEDEXTA for pseudobulbar affect now available by prescription

AVANIR Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that NUEDEXTA™ (dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate) is now available by prescription in the United States. NUEDEXTA is the first and only treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for pseudobulbar affect (PBA).

1 Feb 2011

Efforts to repeal Medicare advisory board could attract Dem support

This week, a half-dozen House Republicans unveiled a one-paragraph piece of legislation to dismantle the [Independent Payment Advisory Board], well before it ever gets going.

1 Feb 2011

KCI announces agreement to license Wright Medical Group's GRAFTJACKET for wound care

Kinetic Concepts, announced today an agreement to license Wright Medical Group, GRAFTJACKET brand for use in marketing the LifeCell™ acellular human dermal-based regenerative tissue matrix for wound applications such as diabetic foot ulcers and venous stasis ulcers.

31 Jan 2011

Disabled American Veterans calls VA health care funding cut as ill-advised proposal

If Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) wanted to make a name for herself by proposing to cut funding for veterans health care and disability compensation, she has succeeded. "Such an ill-advised proposal is nothing short of heartless," according to Disabled American Veterans Washington Headquarters Executive Director David W. Gorman.

29 Jan 2011

EA receives CLIA certification for clinical laboratory testing

Expression Analysis, a leading provider of genomic services for clinical trials and research, announced today it has received CLIA certification. This milestone comes as the company enters its tenth year of providing genomic expertise; something the company refers to as "Genomic Know-How.

29 Jan 2011

Elderly Americans most likely to have one or more cognitive disorders: AHRQ

Slightly over 5 percent of the nearly 39 million Americans age 65 and older in 2007 reported one or more cognitive disorders, such as senility or dementia, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

29 Jan 2011

Senate GOP ready to question CMS chief

The White House decision to mount a fresh effort to get Medicare's top administrator, Donald M. Berwick, confirmed will again inject the volatile issue of rationing into a health care law debate already dominated by the Republican drive for repeal.

29 Jan 2011

Disparities in limb salvage procedures may be driven by SES, access to high-volume hospitals

Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital at Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA have published a study in the February Journal of Vascular Surgery stating that disparities in limb salvage procedures may be driven by socioeconomic status and access to high-volume hospitals.

29 Jan 2011

Research roundup: Barriers to trauma care, immunizations; Small business tax credit; Medicare coverage of preventive care

Possible Geographical Barriers To Trauma Center Access For Vulnerable Patients In The United States - This study analyzes disparities in geographic access to trauma centers in 2005, drawing from data from the 2005 American Hospital Association annual survey.

29 Jan 2011

Reid standing firm in opposition to Senate health law repeal vote

Across the Hill, House Republicans have renewed their interest in proposals to privatize Medicare, leading Democrats to jump to the defense of the health insurance program for seniors.

29 Jan 2011

Justice Dept. sues Guidant over 'faulty' heart devices

The suit alleges that Guidant, a subsidiary of Boston Scientific Corp., knowingly sold defective defibrillators.

29 Jan 2011

Budget woes lead states to seek ways to ease Medicaid's requirements

While The Hill reports that CMS administrator Donald Berwick says his agency is trying to help states find solutions, National Journal notes that mounting budgetary pressure has put the program in "dire fiscal straits."

29 Jan 2011

First Edition: January 28, 2011

Today's headlines include reports that President Obama is expected to really the health reform troops in a speech today.

28 Jan 2011

PHM updates customer pipeline for investors and research analysts

Patient Home Monitoring, a company focused on in-home cardiology healthcare services, today announced an update to their customer pipeline. Ed Berenblum, CEO of PHM, will be conducting meetings in and around Toronto to provide an update to investors and research analysts.

28 Jan 2011

Viewpoints: Is Obama abandoning his health victory?

Did Obama say enough about health care reform last night? I suppose I'm one of the very few people who would even ask that question. Most Americans would probably think, "More health care? Lord no." And I think Obama and his speechwriters sensed as much. Although his defense of the Affordable Care Act was clear -- he's not going to sign a bill repealing the law -- it was also short. That portion of the speech was just two brief paragraphs, by my count (Jonathan Cohn, 1/26).

28 Jan 2011

White House renominates Berwick as Medicare chief

Six months after installing Dr. Don Berwick to direct the Center of Medicare & Medicaid Services with a recess appointment, the Obama administration has renominated him.

28 Jan 2011