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Lowell PHO implements MedVentive's technology to manage risk, quality performance

Lowell General Physician-Hospital Organization, a 280-physician integrated delivery system providing outstanding quality care to patients in the Greater Lowell (Massachusetts) area, has implemented MedVentive's award-winning technology platform to manage risk and quality performance. To effectively manage its capitated and incentive-based quality contracts with multiple payers, Lowell PHO sought a comprehensive, flexible technology platform to manage risk, identify improvement opportunities, and proactively outreach to its physicians and patients.

9 Aug 2010

BioVentrix announces First-in-Man milestone for PliCath heart failure system

BioVentrix, developer of the PliCath HF™ System for use in Epicardial Catheter-based Ventricular Reconstruction (ECVR), today announced achievement of its First-in-Man milestone, performed on a 52-year-old male heart failure patient in Krakow, Poland. The PliCath HF System is designed to treat heart failure (HF) by reducing the enlarged Left Ventricle (LV) through an anchoring system that is delivered across the cardiac chambers with the use of a catheter.

9 Aug 2010

First Edition: August 9, 2010

Today's health policy headlines include dispatches from the campaign trail, news of the President's weekly address and developments from the health care marketplace.

9 Aug 2010

Chindex first-quarter revenue from Healthcare Services division increases 12.3% to $24.7 million

Chindex International, Inc., a leading independent American provider of Western healthcare products and services in the People's Republic of China, today announced financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2011, which reflects the three month period ended June 30, 2010.

9 Aug 2010

Aquilion ONE 320-detector row CT system reduces radiation exposure

When pediatric patients are imaged using CT, reducing sedation and radiation dose while maintaining the best possible image quality is paramount in delivering care. To provide patients with high-quality CT exams and a reduction in sedation and radiation dose, leading children's hospitals are installing Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc.'s Aquilion ONE 320-detector row CT system.

9 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

Magnetic relaxometry with heat treatment improves treatment of tumours by nanoparticles

Those who have to fight a powerful enemy must look for allies. This is why physicists from different scientific fields have decided to cooperate with biomedical physicians in order to place the fight against cancer through heat treatment by means of magnetic nanoparticles on a solid, scientific basis. It is the objective of the cooperation to improve the success of the therapy.

9 Aug 2010

Remote monitoring of chronic heart failure patients can reduce pressure on resources

Providing patients with chronic heart failure access to remote monitoring, for example by telephone or telemonitoring using wireless technology, reduces deaths and hospitalisations and may provide benefits on health care costs and quality of life. These are the conclusions of a new Cochrane Systematic Review by an international team of researchers.

9 Aug 2010

Allergy shots can cause systemic side effects: Study

Allergy shots can reduce symptoms of asthma, use of inhaled medications and allergy-related asthma attacks, confirms an updated review of studies. Yet, the treatment can also cause systemic side effects that range from a stuffy nose to fatal anaphylactic shock.About 30 percent of asthma patients experience improved breathing after receiving a series of injections that desensitize their immune systems to specific irritants, according to the review. The medical term for this treatment protocol is allergen immunotherapy.

9 Aug 2010

Scientists induce nerve tissue regeneration in patients with spinal cord injury

Researchers for the first time have induced robust regeneration of nerve tissue connections in injured adult spinal cord sites that control voluntary movement. These findings provide hope that it may be possible to design therapies for paralysis and other impairments of motor function arising from spinal cord injury.

9 Aug 2010

Study finds selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors not beneficial for autistic children

Antidepressants commonly prescribed to people with autistic spectrum disorders cannot be recommended based on current evidence, a new study by Cochrane Researchers concludes. Despite some evidence of benefits in adults diagnosed with autism, they say there is no evidence for any benefits associated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in children, who may suffer serious adverse effects as a result of taking the drugs.

9 Aug 2010

Genetic factors lead to meningitis development: Study

Genetic differences that make some people susceptible to developing meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia, and others naturally immune, are revealed in a new study of over 6,000 people, published today in Nature Genetics.The research, led by Imperial College London and the Genome Institute of Singapore, is the largest ever genetic study of meningitis and septicaemia caused by meningococcal bacteria. It suggests that people who develop these diseases have innate differences in their natural defences that leave them unable to attack meningococcal bacteria successfully.

9 Aug 2010

Antidepressants cannot be recommended in children with autism: Study

According to a thorough review published by Cochrane Researchers, commonly prescribed antidepressant drugs cannot be recommended for those suffering from autistic spectrum disorders based on current evidence. They say that there may be benefits of antidepressants in adults diagnosed with autism but similar benefits are not seen in children. These children may suffer extremely adverse effects if they consume selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

8 Aug 2010

Mental health debate continues

According to Australian of the Year Professor Patrick McGorry the federal government’s failure to aid mental health resources is a “national obscenity.” He said in an interview, “It's a national obscenity that we're neglecting this issue. We have the solutions in our hands, and we need to put them on deck tomorrow.”

8 Aug 2010

Hospital revenue cycle leaders establish protocols for responding to RACs

Most hospital revenue cycle leaders have established protocols for responding to Revenue Audit Contractors, as well as post-payment audits targeting Medicaid and commercial claims. Mindful of the dollars at stake, these leaders have employed a number of technology and process-related improvements to mitigate risk and solidify overall revenue integrity.

7 Aug 2010

Affordable Care Act improves strength of Medicare, Social Security: Report

Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement on the report released today by the Social Security and Medicare Boards of Trustees, http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/TRSUM/index.html. The report shows that the Affordable Care Act has improved the strength of both Medicare and Social Security.

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

Chicago's mold count increases to 49,789, says allergist

Chicago's mold count is 49,789 - just a few spores away from the 50,000 threshold that signals a dangerous air quality warning. Today's mold count is the highest of the season, and the highest in five years. "Headaches, sinus congestion, runny noses and fatigue will be common among Chicagoans," says Dr Joseph Leija, allergist at Loyola's Gottlieb Memorial Hospital

7 Aug 2010

Ideasbynet to lend support for World Mental Health Day

Ideasbynet has announced it is to lend its support to the UK Mental Health Foundation as part of World Mental Health Day, taking place on the 10th October.

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