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Study shows health care-associated invasive MRSA infections decrease among patients

An analysis of data from 2005 through 2008 of nine metropolitan areas in the U.S. indicates that health care-associated invasive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections decreased among patients with infections that began in the community or in the hospital, according to a study in the August 11 issue of JAMA.

11 Aug 2010

Omnicell announces co-marketing partnership agreement for Sentinel RCM application

Omnicell, Inc., a leading provider of system solutions to acute healthcare facilities, today announced a partnership agreement to co-market Sentry Data Systems' Sentinel RCM™ application, which has a sophisticated 340B solution component. Sentry specializes in providing solutions to address a variety of financial challenges found within hospitals and pharmacies while Omnicell's WorkflowRx™ software offers a complete inventory management system for hospital pharmacies.

From Omnicell, Inc. 11 Aug 2010

SAMHSA survey highlights extent of underage alcohol consumption

A new report released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) highlights the extent of the underage drinking problem in the nation through the lens of alcohol-related emergency department visits involving adolescents and young adults aged 12 to 20.

10 Aug 2010

Study: Training reduces occupational injuries among home health aides

Training can alleviate some of the pain that occupational injuries bring to the long-term care industry, according to Penn State researchers. The study looked at injuries among home health aides.

10 Aug 2010

HHS: $250 million in grants available for New Access Points for delivery of primary health care services

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today the availability of up to $250 million in grants for New Access Points for the delivery of primary health care services for underserved and vulnerable populations under the Health Center Program. The funds, made available by the Affordable Care Act, will be awarded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

10 Aug 2010

NIH begins human clinical testing for dengue virus vaccine

After more than a decade of development at the National Institutes of Health, a vaccine to prevent infection by the mosquito-borne dengue virus has begun human clinical testing. The vaccine was developed by scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and is undergoing clinical study at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore.

10 Aug 2010

Study: Catholic, other church-owned health systems show more efficient care than for-profit health systems

A study released today by Thomson Reuters found that Catholic and other church-owned health systems demonstrated significantly better, more efficient care than for-profit health systems.

9 Aug 2010

Obama: Health reform law boosts future of Medicare

The Washington Post: "President Obama on Saturday took credit for placing Medicare on a more certain fiscal path and pledged to American seniors that they would see more help soon paying for drug costs in a direct appeal to an important segment of the midterm electorate. Citing a report issued this week by the Medicare trustees, Obama said the health-care overhaul he pushed through Congress this year has added at least a dozen years to Medicare's solvency".

9 Aug 2010

Ingen reports 1,200% increase in sales for fiscal 2010

Ingen Technologies, Inc., an emerging medical device manufacturer developing innovative solutions for the respiratory market, with a new patented and proprietary medical product line targeting the $8 billion respiratory market, today announced that its Annual Report has been filed with the OTC Markets, while auditors have completed and filed required restatements needed to return to "fully reporting" status.

7 Aug 2010

Myths and realities of Medicare bidding program for durable medical equipment

Providers of home medical equipment and services across California are proposing a fiscally responsible alternative to the mislabeled "competitive" bidding scheme currently under way in Medicare that will actually discourage competition, reduce access to care for many of California's 4.6 million Medicare beneficiaries, and put thousands of California homecare providers out of business.

7 Aug 2010

President Obama issues Proclamation recognizing National Health Center Week

President Barack Obama today issued a Presidential Proclamation recognizing August 8 - 14, 2010 as National Health Center Week. "During National Health Center Week, we recognize the important work of Community Health Centers for their role in providing quality, accessible, and affordable patient care as we strive to build a health care system equipped for the 21st century," said the President.

7 Aug 2010

UnitedHealth Group launches new initiatives to enhance broad portfolio of EHR-related programs

UnitedHealth Group today launched new initiatives, which further enhance its broad portfolio of electronic health record -related programs. These initiatives support the Department of Health and Human Services' drive to increase physician adoption of Electronic Health Records and other health information technology that meet recently-released federal "Meaningful Use" criteria for EHRs.

7 Aug 2010

Text4baby messaging program wins HHSinnovates award

Text4baby, a program of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition, has been honored with a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services HHSinnovates award, presented by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius at a ceremony in Washington, DC. This week, Representatives from HMHB, Voxiva, Health Resources and Services Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the HHS Office on Women's Health accepted the award on behalf of the text4baby team.

7 Aug 2010

Obama Administration awards $159.1 million in grants for nurses, geriatric care workers

"The grants, which include new and continuing funding, build on multimillion dollar investments called for under the new health-care overhaul law in order to address a growing shortage of primary care workers." A 2008 report by the Council on Physician and Nurse Supply said schools would need to produce 30,000 nurses annually to offset the shortfall and the looming mass retirement of nurses, 45 percent of whom are 50 or older" (Aizenman, 8/5).

7 Aug 2010

College of Nursing awarded $753,817 grant to provide education in nursing leadership

The University of Colorado College of Nursing has been awarded a $753,817 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, to prepare advanced practice nurses with the expertise to provide leadership for high quality healthcare in rural and medically underserved urban areas.

7 Aug 2010

Forensic Laboratories' analytical test capable of detecting Ethyl Sulfate in saliva

Forensic Laboratories, a Denver-based laboratory specializing in toxicology services for drug and alcohol abuse, has announced the expansion of its oral fluid testing capabilities. The company is the first lab in the nation to develop an analytical test capable of detecting Ethyl Sulfate (EtS) in saliva, a chemical produced by the body after alcohol exposure. Forensic Laboratories' new test method will also simultaneously detect Ethyl Glucuronide (EtG).

6 Aug 2010

Penn. enrolls more than 1,000 in new state high-risk pool; Wisc. cuts $625M from Medicaid while increasing coverage

Pennsylvania begins enrolling residents in its new high-risk insurance program. Elsewhere, Wisconsin trims its Medicaid program and states regulate the use of medical marijuana.

6 Aug 2010

Medicare solvency still troubled, despite new health law

The annual trustees report on Medicare and Social Security found that the programs are "facing strains from an aging population and an economy that can't seem to get out of low gear," The Associated Press reports.

6 Aug 2010

Elusys awarded second contract to develop Anthim for treatment of anthrax infection

Elusys Therapeutics, Inc., a privately-held biopharmaceutical company, announced today that it has been awarded a second contract year of funding valued at $40.6 million for the advanced development of Anthim for the prevention and treatment of anthrax infection following a biowarfare attack. This funding is in addition to $16.8 million already received under this contract and is part of a potential five year contract award totaling up to $143 million if all options are exercised by the Government.

5 Aug 2010

ECRI Institute and Silverchair relaunch AHRQ's updated NGC, NQMC Web sites

ECRI Institute, an independent nonprofit that researches the best approaches to improving patient care, and its technology subcontractor, Silverchair, today announce the relaunch of two key healthcare Web sites they have developed for the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The National Guideline Clearinghouse™ (NGC™), www.guideline.gov, and the National Quality Measures Clearinghouse™ (NQMC™), www.qualitymeasures.ahrq.gov, now feature updated design elements, enhanced search functionality, and easier access to all content.

5 Aug 2010

Health and Human Services News and Research

Study shows health care-associated invasive MRSA infections decrease among patients

Omnicell announces co-marketing partnership agreement for Sentinel RCM application

SAMHSA survey highlights extent of underage alcohol consumption

Study: Training reduces occupational injuries among home health aides

HHS: $250 million in grants available for New Access Points for delivery of primary health care services

NIH begins human clinical testing for dengue virus vaccine

Study: Catholic, other church-owned health systems show more efficient care than for-profit health systems

Obama: Health reform law boosts future of Medicare

Ingen reports 1,200% increase in sales for fiscal 2010

Myths and realities of Medicare bidding program for durable medical equipment

President Obama issues Proclamation recognizing National Health Center Week

UnitedHealth Group launches new initiatives to enhance broad portfolio of EHR-related programs

Text4baby messaging program wins HHSinnovates award

Obama Administration awards $159.1 million in grants for nurses, geriatric care workers

College of Nursing awarded $753,817 grant to provide education in nursing leadership

Forensic Laboratories' analytical test capable of detecting Ethyl Sulfate in saliva

Penn. enrolls more than 1,000 in new state high-risk pool; Wisc. cuts $625M from Medicaid while increasing coverage

Medicare solvency still troubled, despite new health law

Elusys awarded second contract to develop Anthim for treatment of anthrax infection

ECRI Institute and Silverchair relaunch AHRQ's updated NGC, NQMC Web sites

Achieving and maintaining ISO 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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