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Pilot program to confront major eDiscovery challenges in life sciences

eDiscovery for Pharma, Biotech and Medical Device Industries will be the key meeting of the year for eDiscovery experts in the life science space. This event will bring together leading eDiscovery experts to confront the major eDiscovery challenges specific to pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device industries.Attendees will learn best eDiscovery practices to help prepare organizations for FDA inquiries, patent litigation, HIPAA compliance and data security issues; plus CLE credits are available.

27 Jul 2010

Britain plans to decentralize NHS, tranfer budget to general practitioners

British officials are proposing a plan to decentralize the National Health Service, news outlets report.

27 Jul 2010

AHF denies BMS sales reprepresentatives access to healthcare centers

Today AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) announced that it has banned pharmaceutical sales representatives from Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) from calling on AHF's medical providers and staff in its sixteen U.S. healthcare centers. The decision is based on BMS' refusal to lower the price of its key AIDS drug Reyataz for cash-strapped AIDS Drug Assistance Programs.

27 Jul 2010

AU leaders summit kicks off, focus on maternal and child health

Heads of state from the African Union (AU) started a three-day meeting in Kampala, Uganda, on Sunday as part of the 15th AU Summit, People's Daily Online reports. Leaders will focus on maternal and child health and will discuss several other issues, including agricultural development, food security, infrastructure development and economic integration (7/26).

27 Jul 2010

Later sunset, extended daylight exposure delays bedtimes in teenagers

In the spring, later sunset and extended daylight exposure delay bedtimes in teenagers, according to researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Lighting Research Center (LRC).Biologically, this increased exposure to early evening light in the spring delays the onset of nocturnal melatonin, a hormone that indicates to the body when it's nighttime, explains Mariana Figueiro, Ph.D., associate professor. This extended exposure adds to the difficulties teens have falling asleep at a reasonable hour.

27 Jul 2010

Some small businesses expect continued increases in health costs

The (Florence, Ala.) Times Daily: Some small business owners are worried about the continuing rise of health care costs. "Business owners say they offer health care benefits to attract employees and retain workers. But providing health care to employees is the second highest cost for business owners behind payroll and many owners fear costs will only increase, according to a non-scientific survey taken by the Shoals Chamber of Commerce of 33 small local businesses" (Stokes, 7/26).

27 Jul 2010

Lack of dental insurance a problem for millions

The Philadelphia Inquirer: Lack of dental insurance is an "endemic problem" that affects millions of people, largely those without jobs, health coverage or solid incomes. "It began with a toothache. Tori Pence, 23, could feel the hole that had suddenly developed on her tooth, and she couldn't stand either hot or cold food.

27 Jul 2010

'Ultra Rice' piloted as way to tackle malnutrition

Ultra Rice, a rice-shaped pasta fortified with vitamins and minerals is "being produced and tested around the world as a potential solution to malnutrition," according to the Seattle Times. Produced by the nonprofit PATH, Ultra Rice is currently being piloted by the Indian and Brazilian governments in lunch programs and by the U.N. World Food Program in Cambodia. Each grain of Ultra Rice is combined with approximately 100 grains of ordinary rice.

27 Jul 2010

Americans with Disabilities Act turns 20

Several news outlets note the 20th anniversary Monday of the Americans With Disabilities Act.

27 Jul 2010

UCLA Health System launches hand transplantation program

The UCLA Health System has launched the new UCLA Hand Transplantation Program, the first of its kind on the West Coast and only the fourth such center in the United States. The program will help those who have suffered the traumatic loss of a hand or forearm and allow them to regain function and improve their quality of life. Qualified candidates are now being sought for a clinical study of the procedure.

27 Jul 2010

Racial, ethnic disparities remain a challenge for patients in the U.S. health care system: ACP

Racial and ethnic disparities remain a challenge for patients in the U.S. health care system, the American College of Physicians said in an updated paper released today. Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care, Updated 2010, an update to a policy paper that was originally released in 2003, outlines recommendations on how to close the gap between racial and ethnic minority patients and their white counterparts.

27 Jul 2010

Healthcare Labor Update 2010: A year of critical opportunity for employers

When labor unions, particularly the Service Employee International Union (SEIU), spent hundreds of millions during the last presidential election cycle - resulting in a labor-friendly Democratic Administration and Congressional majority for the first time in a decade - it appeared the labor movement was poised to make a swift resurgence.

26 Jul 2010

Adventist Hinsdale Hospital, Marianjoy announce partnership

Patients with acute physical rehabilitation needs now can undergo inpatient treatment close to home thanks to a new partnership between Adventist Hinsdale Hospital and Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital. Announced today, the cooperative effort unites two organizations with similar holistic approaches to rehabilitative patient care for a variety of conditions in multiple settings.

26 Jul 2010

Bill giving malpractice coverage to doctors volunteering in community health centers faces stiff Senate resistance

The Hill: A bill aimed to appeal to physicians to work in medically underserved areas by shielding them from paying for malpractice coverage is facing stiff opposition. "The bill, passed Thursday by the House Energy and Commerce Health subcommittee, would offer free malpractice coverage to doctors volunteering at community health centers (CHCs) — private facilities receiving federal funds to treat patients where care is lacking."

26 Jul 2010

East Tennessee Children's Hospital selects ProVation Order Sets, powered by UpToDate Decision Support

Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading global provider of information for healthcare professionals and students, announced today that East Tennessee Children's Hospital has selected ProVation® Order Sets, powered by UpToDate® Decision Support, to automate the creation, deployment and maintenance of order sets.

26 Jul 2010

Aurora Health Care ranked among top 20% of top U.S. health systems

Aurora Health Care has been named among the top health systems in the U.S. by Thomson Reuters. Announced recently in Modern Healthcare, Aurora ranked in the top 20 percent of the list, which was based on clinical performance.

26 Jul 2010

Today's OpEds: Health reform and long-term care; Health care incentives; Reasons for optimism or repeal and replace?

Our system of long-term care does not provide adequate or coordinated human services and medical treatment for our growing aging population. … Thanks to a provision of the new health care law known as the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports program, tomorrow's continuum of care does not have to be so unforgiving. For the first time, a voluntary public insurance program will be available to help adults and families pay for long-term care services (Bruce Chernof, 7/23).

26 Jul 2010

St. John Providence Health System to migrate to eClinicalWorks comprehensive EHR solution

eClinicalWorks®, a market leader in ambulatory clinical systems, today announced that St. John Providence Health System, the largest provider of inpatient care in southeast Michigan, will be offering eClinicalWorks comprehensive electronic health record (EHR) solution for its approximately 3,000 employed and affiliated physicians.

26 Jul 2010

KHN column: Where are the innovators in health care delivery?

In his latest Kaiser Health News column, John Goodman writes: "Almost everyone believes there is an enormous amount of waste and inefficiency in health care.

26 Jul 2010