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Study shows neutralizing antibodies to C5a protein may prevent heart failure

New research published online in The FASEB Journal details research in rats and mice that offers hope for stopping the devastating, and often fatal, effects of sepsis in humans. In the study, University of Michigan researchers show how neutralizing the effects of a key protein fragment, called C5a, used by the immune system to attract white blood cells may ultimately prevent heart failure.

12 Apr 2011

Marking World Health Day, WHO warns misuse of antibiotics undermining global fight against infectious diseases

U.N. officials on Thursday marked World Health Day with a warning that "the misuse and irrational use of antibiotics has undermined the global fight against tuberculosis and malaria, warning of a possible return to the days before the drugs were developed," and called for urgent action to control the spread of drug resistance, Reuters reports.

8 Apr 2011

Two new studies on Veterans Affairs health care system

As recently as the 1990s, the Veterans Affairs health care system had a subpar reputation for quality, but two new studies of standard quality metrics, both led by Amal Trivedi, assistant professor of community health at Brown University and a physician at the Providence VA Medical Center, show that the system that cares for more than 5 million patients has improved markedly in the last decade.

8 Apr 2011

Conifer to present 'how to implement clinical denials management strategy' at NICM/ACMA

Conifer Health Solutions, a leader in revenue cycle and business process solutions for healthcare providers, announced the company will present "How to Implement an Effective Clinical Denials Management Strategy" at the 2011 NICM/ACMA Case Management conference on Saturday, April 9, at 12:15 p.m. EDT. The conference will be held at the World Marriot Hotel in Orlando, Fla.

8 Apr 2011

House subcommittee plans hearings on ACOs

In related news, Politico Pro reports that five leading health systems announced a plan to partner in sharing electronic health records. These systems note that the ability to share patient data with EHRs is key to success in creating ACOs.

8 Apr 2011

World Health Day 2011 highlights problem of antimicrobial resistance

On the eve of World Health Day 2011, Inter Press Service examines the growing global challenge of antibimicrobial resistance.

7 Apr 2011

Loyola's graduate nursing program earns recognition from U.S. News

U.S. News & World Report has ranked Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing's graduate program in the top 50 nationwide.

7 Apr 2011

Caliper's CDAS unit enters cancer research collaboration with Denver-based CHI

Caliper Life Sciences, Inc., a leading provider of tools and services for drug discovery and life-sciences research, today announced that its Caliper Discovery Alliances and Services unit has formed a research collaboration with Denver-based Catholic Health Initiatives, one of the nation's largest health systems.

6 Apr 2011

SBHCS selects McKesson to replace its multiple legacy medical imaging solutions

Saint Barnabas Health Care System, New Jersey's largest healthcare delivery system, has selected McKesson to replace its multiple legacy medical imaging solutions.

5 Apr 2011

The Economist examines factors contributing to antimicrobial resistance

"Antibiotic resistance has now become a costly and dangerous problem," The Economist writes in an article examining the factors that have contributed to the global rise of antibiotic resistant bacteria, ahead of next week's World Health Day dedicated to the issue.

2 Apr 2011

Prevalence of NAFLD in US expected to increase by 50% in 2030: Study

According to new data presented today at the International Liver CongressTM, the United States could soon be faced with an epidemic of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, one of the major contributing factors of chronic liver disease, considered as one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide.

2 Apr 2011

Long-awaited federal rule for accountable care organizations outlines 'gains and risks' for doctors, hospitals

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Donald Berwick announced the release of the proposed rule Thursday, offering insights into how the administration hopes to encourage doctors and hospitals to collaborate more closely to improve patient care.

2 Apr 2011

In Calif., nurses to take greater role in providing primary care

While the LA Times reports that nurses are poised to help meet the requirements of the health law, The Chicago Sun-Times reports that more young doctors are choosing primary care careers.

30 Mar 2011

HighRoads survey provides insights into how acute health systems respond to ACA

A HighRoads survey of hospital industry employers shows 2011 health care costs for both hospital employers and employees are increasing, and hospitals are looking at leaner budgets and further cost control, as a result.

24 Mar 2011

Reports highlight global state of TB epidemic, concerns over drug-resistant TB

Increasing rates of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis "are hampering world health programs aimed at tackling TB and threaten to wipe out progress made against the disease, scientists said on Friday," Reuters reports (Kelland, 3/18).

19 Mar 2011

African delegates call on countries to do more to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV

Delegates from 15 African countries this week concluded a three-day workshop held in Nairobi, Kenya, examining how countries can improve their efforts to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV, VOA News reports.

19 Mar 2011

EU project to study health of migrants from North Africa

The Centre for Primary Health Care Research aims to improve the conditions for immigrants to the EU through research and by providing recommendations for health policy measures.

19 Mar 2011

Research roundup: Successful medical homes; shortage of HIV doctors; boosting use of $4 generic drugs

Every Friday, Jennifer Evans compiles this selection of recently-released health policy studies and briefs.

19 Mar 2011

St. John Providence Health System selects Intuit Health Patient Portal

St. John Providence Health System, a 3,200 provider health system serving the Metro Detroit area, has selected Intuit Health, the nation's leader in patient-to-provider communication solutions, to provide its physician practices with a patient portal. With the Intuit Health Patient Portal, employed and private practices can now connect with data from multiple electronic health record and practice management systems to offer patients a single view of data for their personal health record.

17 Mar 2011

Experts to discuss work directions for fight against TB at ITM conference in Antwerp

On occasion of the World TB Day, leading experts from 12 countries will take stock of the fight against tuberculosis, during a conference at the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp.

17 Mar 2011