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AAN names 30 neurologists to attend Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum

The American Academy of Neurology has named 30 neurologists from around the world to attend the esteemed Donald M. Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum, January 12-15, 2012, in Austin, Texas.

1 Nov 2011

European Congress on Osteoporosis & Osteoarthritis to be held March 21-24

The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) and the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis (ESCEO) have worked in partnership to develop a unique springtime meeting programme for healthcare professionals, researchers and young scientists. With over 5,500 participants, this has become the largest educational event and most vibrant clinical research forum for osteoporosis and osteoarthritis in Europe.

1 Nov 2011

Study looks into how family doctors' own drinking habits affect their advice to patients

Doctors who drink more themselves are more liberal in their advice to patients on alcohol consumption. They set higher thresholds for what is harmful, and while men who are heavy drinkers get to continue drinking, women are often advised to stop altogether, reveals a thesis from the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

1 Nov 2011

Legislation introduced to offer some legal protection to providers who use electronic medical records

The legislation, which would focus its legal protection on providers who participate in Medicare and Medicaid, is designed to encourage the adoption of health information technology.

1 Nov 2011

Radiologists remain the primary users of POC ultrasound

Although non-radiologist physicians have contributed to the widespread use of point-of-care (POC) ultrasound, radiologists remain the primary users, according to a study in the November issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology.

1 Nov 2011

State roundup: Public employee benefit controversy; Calif. hospital woes; Mass. medical homes

A centerpiece of Republican Gov. John Kasich's legislative agenda, the bill passed the Republican-dominated assembly in the spring. But opponents were able to gather 1.3 million signatures to halt the law's enactment and put it on the November 8 ballot for repeal. ... The bill allows bargaining on wages but bans it for health coverage, pensions or staffing levels. ... The law also requires firefighters, police officers and teachers to pay at least 15 percent of their health insurance premiums.

1 Nov 2011

Loneliness breaks up a normal night's sleep

Loneliness is not only heartbreaking, it breaks up a normal night's sleep, a new study shows. Researchers say compromised sleep may be one pathway by which feelings of loneliness adversely affect our health.

1 Nov 2011

Gates asks wealthy countries to continue foreign aid efforts in developing nations

"Despite [the] economic crisis rippling around the world," Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, "is pushing countries to continue foreign aid efforts to poor and developing nations, saying that every dollar of aid 'makes a huge difference,'" ABC News reports.

1 Nov 2011

Potential transmission of HBV, HCV and HIV infections in nail salons and barbershops

The risk of hepatitis transmission through non-single use instruments -- such as nail files, nail brushes, finger bowls, foot basins, buffers, razors, clippers, and scissors -- during nail salon and barbershop visits cannot be excluded, according to the results of a new report unveiled today at the American College of Gastroenterology's (ACG) 76th Annual Scientific meeting in Washington, DC.

1 Nov 2011

Even without depression, obesity raises health costs in Group Health study

Obesity and depression both dramatically increase health care costs, but they mainly act separately, according to a study published in the November 2011 Journal of General Internal Medicine by Group Health Research Institute scientists.

1 Nov 2011

Viewpoints: Judd Gregg on revamping entitlements and taxes; John Breaux on slashing Medicare fraud; Medicaid limits on hospital stays

Consider this. As of this year, every other household in America will have at least one person in it who is receiving an entitlement benefit, according to the Census Bureau. As of this year, fewer than half of the Americans who have earned income will pay income taxes on that income.

1 Nov 2011

PEPFAR and women's health in South Africa

This report, titled "Improving Women's Heath in South Africa: Opportunities for PEPFAR," by Janet Fleischman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, says that with "major change ... unfolding in health and HIV services in South Africa," "[t]he United States can find feasible, flexible ways to support" the decentralization of "HIV services to the primary care level ... even though its health program through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is scaling down.

31 Oct 2011

Child mortality declining in refugee camp in Ethiopia

In the clinic of Hilaweyn, one of four camps at Ethiopia's Dollo Ado complex for Somali refugees seeking relief from famine and poor security conditions, "[a] massive infusion of humanitarian resources ... appears to be turning the tide" against child mortality, according to Doctors Without Borders, which operates the clinic, VOA News reports.

31 Oct 2011

Obama to issue order to address medicine shortages

President Obama will issue an executive order on Monday that the administration hopes will help resolve a growing number of critical shortages of vital medicines used to treat life-threatening illnesses.

31 Oct 2011

Insurers look for opportunities for expansion

Big players such as Aetna and Cigna are snapping up smaller companies in an effort to keep earnings figures up.

31 Oct 2011

Medicare costs rise as hospice use increases

The Orlando Sentinel reports that this increase tracks with other increases in costs from for-profit hospice organizations.

31 Oct 2011

Nursing home residence may allow for 'on-admission' prediction model of C. difficile infection severity

Antibiotics may not be the only risk factor associated with community-acquired Clostridium difficile infection, indicating that other undefined causes of the potentially life-threatening infection may exist and could also predict whether or not a patient will require hospitalization, according to the results of the study, "Predictors of Hospitalization in Community-Acquired Clostridium difficile Infection."

31 Oct 2011

Focused training increases physician's ability to find potentially precancerous polyps

Just two extra hours of focused training significantly increased the ability of physicians to find potentially precancerous polyps, known as adenomas, in the colon, according to researchers at Mayo Clinic in Florida. These findings suggest that new methods to educate endoscopists, the physicians who examine the colon, could increase colorectal cancer detection rates and potentially reduce cancer deaths.

31 Oct 2011

Observer bias increases likelihood of GERD diagnosis

Patients who complain of upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms often face a diagnosis of either gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or functional dyspepsia. Because the two conditions often overlap, it can be difficult to distinguish between them and diagnose them properly. Yet ambulatory care facilities and hospitals have reported a dramatic increase in the number of GERD-related visits/discharges in recent years.

31 Oct 2011

Health insurers defend rate increases

In Maine and New Hampshire, insurance companies are challenging state regulation of rates.

31 Oct 2011

Healthcare News

AAN names 30 neurologists to attend Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum

European Congress on Osteoporosis & Osteoarthritis to be held March 21-24

Study looks into how family doctors' own drinking habits affect their advice to patients

Legislation introduced to offer some legal protection to providers who use electronic medical records

Radiologists remain the primary users of POC ultrasound

State roundup: Public employee benefit controversy; Calif. hospital woes; Mass. medical homes

Loneliness breaks up a normal night's sleep

Gates asks wealthy countries to continue foreign aid efforts in developing nations

Potential transmission of HBV, HCV and HIV infections in nail salons and barbershops

Even without depression, obesity raises health costs in Group Health study

Viewpoints: Judd Gregg on revamping entitlements and taxes; John Breaux on slashing Medicare fraud; Medicaid limits on hospital stays

PEPFAR and women's health in South Africa

Child mortality declining in refugee camp in Ethiopia

Obama to issue order to address medicine shortages

Insurers look for opportunities for expansion

Medicare costs rise as hospice use increases

Nursing home residence may allow for 'on-admission' prediction model of C. difficile infection severity

Focused training increases physician's ability to find potentially precancerous polyps

Observer bias increases likelihood of GERD diagnosis

Health insurers defend rate increases

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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