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Despite improvements, disparities in diagnosis and treatment of depression remain

Despite improvements to diagnostic tools and therapies in the two last decades, significant disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of depression remain, according to Rutgers research published online by the American Journal of Public Health; print, February 2012.

21 Dec 2011

Tips for people to lose weight, quit smoking and manage stress this New Year

As the New Year rolls in, many people will be looking to better themselves by resolving to lose weight, quit smoking and manage stress. Sticking to resolutions for more than a few weeks, however, is a lofty task that takes a great deal of motivation and even lifestyle changes.

21 Dec 2011

AUA, AIUM develop practice guideline for ultrasound imaging in urology

The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) and American Urological Association (AUA) are pleased to announce the collaborative development of the Practice Guideline for the Performance of an Ultrasound Examination in the Practice of Urology.

21 Dec 2011

Heart-related deaths, other emergencies peak in holiday season

Steven Polevoi, MD, has seen it all. During his 23-year career, the medical director of the UCSF Emergency Department has done everything from treat traumatic injuries to deliver babies. While medical emergencies occur throughout the year, Polevoi sees the winter season and its related overindulgence as a pivotal time for preventing emergencies by listening to our bodies.

21 Dec 2011

Opinion pieces address federal funding ban on domestic, global health spending for needle-exchange programs

The FY12 Appropriations Agreement recently passed by Congress includes reinstatements of bans on the domestic and international use of federal funds for needle-exchange programs, the Haiwai'i News Daily reports.

21 Dec 2011

Mental health survey shows patient woes

In a new survey of mental health patients in New South Wales it was found that many have struggled to gain access to a doctor. The state's Ministry of Health paid for the survey by an advocacy body, the NSW Consumer Advisory Group - Mental Health Inc. The group questioned 3,500 patients for the survey and will hand the results of the Action and Change in NSW Mental Health Services report to the State Government.

20 Dec 2011

etHIN chooses OptumInsight's health information exchange technology

The East Tennessee Health Information Network (etHIN) has selected OptumInsight's health information exchange (HIE) technology to help physicians, hospitals and other health care providers in the region improve patient care coordination and quality.

20 Dec 2011

Streamline Health announces two major developments for AccessAnyWare EHR module

Streamline Health Solutions, Inc., a leading provider of enterprise document management and revenue cycle solutions for healthcare organizations, today announced two major developments for its AccessAnyWare document management solution. The company made generally available its newly architected version, AccessAnyWare v5.1.

20 Dec 2011

BAHN to participate as Pioneer Accountable Care Organization

Montefiore Medical Center announced today that its Bronx Accountable Healthcare Network (BAHN), has been selected to participate as a Pioneer Accountable Care Organization (ACO), a transformative new initiative sponsored by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center.

20 Dec 2011

Sample list of attainable New Year's resolutions

New Year's resolutions are full of clichés and empty promises but a clinical psychologist at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center has some sound advice that might just help a little.

20 Dec 2011

MU Department of Surgery continues to secure research opportunities

The University of Maryland School of Medicine Department of Surgery is continuing to secure research opportunities to advance the science of medicine and improve patient outcomes, as evidenced by the grants awarded to the Department by the National Institutes of Health.

20 Dec 2011

Unrestricted family visitation in adult ICU provides wide-reaching benefits

The unrestricted presence and participation of patients' family members and friends provides wide-reaching benefits, both medically and emotionally, according to a new Practice Alert from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.

20 Dec 2011

Romney's Medicaid comments draw criticism that he is 'out of touch'

During a campaign appearance, GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney said that until he became involved in government services he didn't completely understand the differences between Medicare and Medicaid. Meanwhile, the aggressive ads being run in Iowa by another candidate, Ron Paul, may be making an impact.

20 Dec 2011

Congress passes FY12 spending bill, including funding for global health

"The Senate on Saturday passed the final spending bills for 2012, eliminating the risk of a government shutdown until next fall," National Journal reports. The House passed the measure on Friday, National Journal notes.

20 Dec 2011

Analysis: Many not-for-profit hospitals spend less than 2% on charity care

Media outlets ponder the financial status of not-for-profit hospitals, as well as the challenges facing those in rural communities. Also in the news, the hospice industry continues to fare well.

20 Dec 2011

ABC News' 20/20 examines maternal health, mortality worldwide

ABC News' 20/20 on Friday examined maternal health and mortality worldwide in a program titled "Giving Life: A Risky Proposition." The show was a sort of "sequel" to a series launched last year called "Be the Change: Save a Life," host Diane Sawyer said.

20 Dec 2011

U.S. to work with South Sudan on agriculture; Aid agencies warn of hunger threat

"Speaking at a two-day development and investment conference for South Sudan in Washington, D.C., [Secretary of State] Hillary Clinton said the newly independent country had the potential to be 'one of Africa's breadbaskets'" and said the U.S. would work with private sector partners to invest in the nation's agriculture system, the Guardian reports.

20 Dec 2011

Tips for sharing holidays in hospital

There are few holiday presents worse than a hospital stay. But if a loved one or friend must be hospitalized this season, University of Alabama at Birmingham experts say you can take steps to ensure their holiday is still merry and bright. "Being in the hospital can be distressing for anybody," says Joshua Klapow, Ph.D., a UAB clinical psychologist. "While the psychological impact may be short-lived, the bottom line is people would rather be well and home than sick and away.

20 Dec 2011

Even as it faces attack, health law implementation — and challenges — continue

The Hill and Reuters report on the health law's numerous 2012 battle fronts - starting with the Supreme Court's review of the law and moving toward the November elections. Meanwhile, however, other news outlets report on continuing implementation of the measure, including the creation of a federal health exchange and defense of its prevention fund.

20 Dec 2011

Payroll tax cut extension bill — which includes temporary 'doc fix' — stalls in House as GOP objects

The once-seemingly sure deal, which allowed the Senate to recess for the year, was for a $33 billion package of bills to keep the Social Security tax paid by most workers at 4.2 percent rather than 6.2 percent, extend unemployment benefits for those already receiving them, and avoid reductions in Medicare payments to doctors. The measure would be effective through February.

20 Dec 2011