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IMRT minimizes gastrointestinal side effects of prostate cancer treatment

Men with prostate cancer treated with a specialized type of radiation called intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) have fewer gastrointestinal complications compared to patients treated with conventional three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT), according to a study presented November 1, 2010, at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

26 Oct 2010

Chemed third quarter revenue increases 8.0% to $320.5 million

Chemed Corporation which operates VITAS Healthcare Corporation (VITAS), the nation's largest provider of end-of-life care, and Roto-Rooter, the nation's largest commercial and residential plumbing and drain cleaning services provider, reported financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2010, versus the comparable prior-year period.

26 Oct 2010

Dueling letters on Medicare Part D changes

Kaiser Health News staff writer Jessica Marcy reports on reactions to changes in Medicare's Part D program as open enrollment season approaches, and offers - as examples - letters from Republican lawmakers and advocacy groups (Marcy, 10/25).

25 Oct 2010

Emdeon Clinician receives Meaningful Use of EHR Technology certification

Emdeon Inc., a leading provider of healthcare revenue and payment cycle management solutions, today announced that Emdeon Clinician™ has been certified to meet Stage 1 Certification Criteria for Meaningful Use of Electronic Health Record (EHR) Technology by the Drummond Group Inc. Emdeon Clinician is a component of Emdeon Office Suite™, which allows healthcare providers to tap into Emdeon's vast network of payers, providers, labs and pharmacies for clinical, financial and administrative healthcare transactions.

25 Oct 2010

First Edition: October 25, 2010

Today's headlines include the latest on health overhaul policies and politics as the mid-term election grows closer.

25 Oct 2010

Research Roundup: U.S. life expectancy ratings; Medicare Advantage outlook; Should advanced cancer patients have routine screening tests?

Health Affairs: What Changes In Survival Rates Tell Us About US Health Care -- Proponents of changes in the U.S. health system have often pointed to studies that find health outcomes in this country are worse than other developed nations, even though the United States "spends well over twice the median expenditure of industrialized nations on health care, and far more than any other country as a percentage of its gross domestic product." Others point to high rates of smoking, obesity and traffic fatalities.

25 Oct 2010

Sen. Grassley asks HHS to probe doctors using excessive prescriptions

The Miami Herald: "Based on the huge numbers of prescriptions written by a Miami psychiatrist, Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, is continuing to pressure federal officials to investigate why some doctors write stunning numbers of scripts for tax-funded Medicare and Medicaid programs.

25 Oct 2010

Joint Commission: Medical errors in hospitals tied to 'handoffs' of patients

The Joint Commission, which accredits hospitals, released an update on a collaborative project with 10 health systems tragetting the frequent errors that happen in hospitals when a patient is handed off from one provider to another.

25 Oct 2010

Massive Medicare fraud operation nets millions in Miami

Federal agents crack down on a massive Medicare fraud operation in Miami.

25 Oct 2010

GE Healthcare signs definitive agreement to acquire Clarient

GE Healthcare, a unit of General Electric Company and Clarient, Inc. announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement for GE Healthcare to acquire Clarient, a leading player in the fast-growing molecular diagnostics sector.

25 Oct 2010

First Edition: October 22, 2010

Today's headlines detail the National Association of Insurance Commissioners vote on recommendations regarding a key provision of the health law.

22 Oct 2010

Health care fraud roundup: 30-year sentence for doctor upheld; KY. cracks down

An appeals court has upheld a 30-year prison term for a Medicare fraudster in Florida. Dr. Ana Alvarez-Jacinto, a Miami endocrinologist, was convicted of health care fraud and sentenced to 30 years behind bars.

22 Oct 2010

Talecris announces publication of PROLASTIN-C study results for AAT deficiency in BML journal

Talecris Biotherapeutics today announced the publication of results from a study showing that PROLASTIN-C (Alpha1-Proteinase Inhibitor [Human]) (A1PI) is as effective as PROLASTIN (Alpha1-Proteinase Inhibitor [Human]) in raising levels of alpha-1 protein in patients with alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency.

22 Oct 2010

Health Plan One introduces web-based Medicare Quick Quotes Tool

Health Plan One, a general agent in the online health insurance market, has launched a new online product called the Medicare Quick Quotes Tool. This web-based tool helps insurance agents compare Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage plans more efficiently and effectively than in the past.

22 Oct 2010

Dems and GOP each find something to cheer about in health care polls; Justice Thomas' wife against law

An AP-GfK poll has found that the GOP is now leading Democrats on virtually every measure except health care and social security, which is split nearly evenly.

22 Oct 2010

$Medtronic's Xpander II receives FDA clearance for vertebral compression fractures$

Medtronic's Xpander II receives FDA clearance for vertebral compression fractures

Medtronic Inc. today announced Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance of the Kyphon Xpander II Inflatable Bone Tamp (IBT) for the treatment of vertebral compression fractures with minimally invasive Kyphon Balloon Kyphoplasty

22 Oct 2010

Medicare beneficiaries will find fewer advantage and prescription drug plans

Private Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plan options are fewer for 2011, and some Nashville-area seniors may face higher out-of-pocket expenses for the private insurance.

22 Oct 2010

State races take on health care tone as candidates talk overhaul

The health overhaul is making itself felt in political races around the country.

22 Oct 2010

Atherotech to present VAP Cholesterol Test at OMED 2010

Atherotech Diagnostics Lab will showcase its VAP Cholesterol Test in booth 324 at the American Osteopathic Association's 115th Annual Osteopathic Medical Conference & Exposition (OMED 2010). The gathering of DOs, residents, interns, students, researchers and health care professionals will be held October 24-28 at Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco.

22 Oct 2010

DynaVox releases new additions to Vmax line of communication devices

DynaVox, the leading provider of speech generating devices and symbol-adapted special education software used to assist individuals in overcoming speech, language and learning challenges, today announced the release of two new additions to the Vmax™ line of communication devices, the Vmax+ High Performance and the Vmax+ Battery Efficiency.

21 Oct 2010