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New guidelines feature various key updates for stroke or TIA survivors

Treating metabolic syndrome and undergoing carotid angioplasty may prevent recurrent stroke or transient ischemic attack, according to revised American Heart Association/American Stroke Association guidelines.

22 Oct 2010

HFMA reviews 3M DRG Assurance Program using Peer Review Process

The Healthcare Financial Management Association recently reviewed the 3M DRG Assurance Program using the Peer Review Process. After undergoing the rigorous review, 3M DRG Assurance Program from 3M Health Information Systems has been granted the "Peer Reviewed by HFMA" designation.

22 Oct 2010

Canadian hospitals' contracts with consultants scrutinized

Cerberus Capital Management is poised to purchase Caritas Christi Health Care. This morning, at a Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court hearing, Caritas and Cerberus face the final hurdle in an approval process that began in the spring.

22 Oct 2010

Electronic Medicaid data goes missing; New report says med-tech companies 'under siege'

"A computer flash drive containing the names, addresses, and personal health information of 280,000 people," primarily Medicaid recipients, "is missing - one of the largest recent security breaches of personal health data in the nation." The "security failure" involved nearly two-thirds of subscribers to the Philadelphia-based companies Keystone Mercy Health Plan and AmeriHealth Mercy Health Plan, and as of Tuesday, "there had been no reports of anyone trying to use the information stored on the drive."

22 Oct 2010

Health Plan One introduces web-based Medicare Quick Quotes Tool

Health Plan One, a general agent in the online health insurance market, has launched a new online product called the Medicare Quick Quotes Tool. This web-based tool helps insurance agents compare Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage plans more efficiently and effectively than in the past.

22 Oct 2010

Dems and GOP each find something to cheer about in health care polls; Justice Thomas' wife against law

An AP-GfK poll has found that the GOP is now leading Democrats on virtually every measure except health care and social security, which is split nearly evenly.

22 Oct 2010

Parent-only treatments for childhood obesity work effectively: Researchers

A study led by a researcher at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine indicates that parent-only treatments for childhood obesity work equally as well as plans that include parents and child, while at the same time more cost effective and potentially easier for families. The results were published today in the advanced online edition of the journal Obesity.

22 Oct 2010

Medicare beneficiaries will find fewer advantage and prescription drug plans

Private Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plan options are fewer for 2011, and some Nashville-area seniors may face higher out-of-pocket expenses for the private insurance.

22 Oct 2010

LA. drops plans for quickly setting up new health plan for poor; national health insurer accused on providing "junk insurance" in Calif

In the face of mounting opposition, the Jindal administration dropped plans late Wednesday to expedite approval of rules needed to implement a new health-care delivery system for the poor.

22 Oct 2010

Rising cost of long-term care threatens state, federal budgets

The Fiscal Times reports on the surging costs of long-term care, "which amount to a fiscal time bomb for states and the federal government."

22 Oct 2010

Clinical research scholar receives grant to promote lifestyle changes for HIV patients

Between the demands of work, family and friends, many women find health takes a back seat. Women with HIV are no exception. "Many women with the HIV face challenges from sleepless nights to little personal time-all activities that can negatively impact health," says Allison Webel, a clinical research scholar and instructor at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University.

22 Oct 2010

Malaria deaths in India 13 times higher than WHO estimate, study says

"Malaria kills around 205,000 people in India each year, more than 13 times the estimate made by the World Health Organization, researchers said on Thursday," Reuters reports.

22 Oct 2010

State races take on health care tone as candidates talk overhaul

The health overhaul is making itself felt in political races around the country.

22 Oct 2010

Insurance commissioners to vote on spending requirements

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners will make a final vote on its recommendations for regulating how much insurers must spend on medical services, a key health law provision, Kaiser Health News reports.

22 Oct 2010

Today's OpEds: Orszag on malpractice reform; debate over individual mandate; insurers' hard-ball tactics

Opponents of the act are generally off base in criticizing investments in improved care. In complaining about the missed opportunity to reform medical malpractice laws to promote evidence-based medical practice, on the other hand, the critics are entirely on target.

22 Oct 2010

First Edition: October 21, 2010

Today's headlines include news about how opponents of the health law are steering the educational efforts that surround it, as well as poll results that suggest continued Republican inroads at the polls.

21 Oct 2010

UHCMC improves workflow using Toshiba's suite of systems

One of the top priorities for healthcare facilities today is improving operational efficiency. To help address this issue, University Hospitals Case Medical Center (UHCMC) in Cleveland, Ohio, rated among the best hospitals in the nation, recently purchased a suite of systems from Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc., including an Aplio MX, two Xario XGs and two Aplio XG systems.

21 Oct 2010

Cord Blood to explain queries on VoiceAmerica Radio Network

Cord Blood America, Inc. the umbilical cord blood stem cell preservation company focused on bringing the life-saving potential of stem cells to families nationwide and internationally, is pleased to announce that Chairman, CEO and co-founder Matthew Schissler and Dr. Geoffrey O'Neill, Vice President, Operations, will appear for one hour live on "Go Rogue & Get Rich" on The VoiceAmerica Radio Network.

21 Oct 2010

NBER project identifies and analyzes African successes

Conventional wisdom has long been negative on Africa. Historically, it has been seen as a failing continent, plagued by deep-rooted problems - poverty, corruption, war, and disease. But after four decades of relative stagnation, Africa has been growing rapidly. Since the 1990s, many African countries have seen economic and political improvements, more transparent elections, increased democracy and freedom of press. But these successes are not well understood.

21 Oct 2010

Major companies phase out BPA from food and beverage packaging

Major brand name companies including Hain Celestial, H.J. Heinz, ConAgra, and General Mills are taking a leadership role in responding to consumer market shifts as awareness about health hazards of the endocrine disrupting chemical bisphenol A (BPA) in food can linings rises.

21 Oct 2010