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Tech News: Feds name health IT certifiers; IBM seeks to crack China's health sector

Federal health officials gave two firms -- the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology in Chicago, Ill., and the Drummond Group in Austin, Texas, -- the power to certify electronic medical record vendors effective immediately, The Hill reports. "As providers move toward mandatory adoption of EHR systems, HHS created an incentive program designed to encourage the transition." Hospitals and doctors can receive payments for achieving "meaningful use," a set of requirements laid out by federal officials.

2 Sep 2010

Also in Global Health News: China's first HIV discrimination case; Congo mass rape; S. Sudan flooding; Kenya's population growth; Family planning in the Philippines

"A municipal court in central China has accepted the country's first lawsuit alleging work discrimination because of HIV status, state media reported Tuesday," the Associated Press reports (8/31). "The lawsuit alleges city officials denied the plaintiff, a recent college graduate, a teaching job after a medical screening revealed he had HIV, the virus that causes AIDS," Agence-France-Presse reports (8/31).

2 Sep 2010

Today's Opinions: Pawlenty's order against the health overhaul, repealing the health law and more about health care costs

The move can be explained in no other way than in being a totally partisan decision, intended to shore up his conservatism in what will be a 2012 battle of who is more conservative to wear the Republican mantle for president (9/1).

2 Sep 2010

Overflowing petitions to save local GP from deregistration

General Practitioner Dr Rajendra Moodley has helped hundreds of people in his care during his tenure. After being deregistered by the Medical Board of Australia last Friday, his patients are rising to appeal the deregistration decision.

1 Sep 2010

Doctor depression on the rise: Review

According to a review of Australian and international research released by Beyondblue this week, doctors use more prescription drugs and have a higher rate of suicide than the general population. General Practitioner Naomi Harris says doctors are less inclined to seek help for their own mental illness, resulting in some disturbing trends and she is urging doctors to come out for help being a member of an advisory committee formed to deal with the problem.

1 Sep 2010

World Bank calls for more integrated approach to global water management

"We can't properly tackle global priorities of food security, renewable energy, adaptation to climate change, public health and urbanization unless we manage water better," Julia Bucknall, water sector manager for the World Bank, said, according to a World Bank press release.

1 Sep 2010

Federal domestic spending increased a record 16%

The Census Bureau reported Thursday that federal "domestic spending increased a record 16 percent, to $3.2 trillion, in 2009 … largely because of a boost in aid to the unemployed and the huge economic stimulus package enacted to rescue the sinking economy," The Washington Post reports.

1 Sep 2010

Unpleasant short term side-effects of sunburn dont put off sun-seeking Brits

The research - commissioned by Superdrug and Cancer Research UK as part of their joint campaign to encourage people to enjoy the sun safely this summer - highlights the worrying lengths sun-seeking Brits are prepared to go to in search of a tan.

31 Aug 2010

Emergency department visits for concussions in young athletes on the rise

A new study from Hasbro Children's Hospital finds visits to emergency departments for concussions that occurred during organized team sports have increased dramatically over a 10-year period, and appear to be highest in ice hockey and football. The number of sports-related concussions is highest in high school-aged athletes, but the number in younger athletes is significant and rising.

31 Aug 2010

GP training may accelerate improvement in physical functioning for patients with somatoform disorder

In this pragmatic cluster-randomised controlled trial the investigators aimed to test the effect of a training programme for general practitioners (GPs) in the treatment of functional somatic symptoms (FSS). Results indicate that GP training may accelerate improvement in physical functioning for patients with somatoform disorder. However, the effect is small and may not be clinically significant.

31 Aug 2010

Henry Schein to deliver health care supplies to victims of devastating floods in Pakistan

Henry Schein, Inc., the largest provider of health care products and services to office-based practitioners, is working with its non-governmental organization partners – Direct Relief, International Medical Corps, Americares, and Heart to Heart – to deliver essential health care supplies to victims of the devastating floods in Pakistan, which left more than a thousand dead, an estimated four million homeless, and more than 15 million people affected.

31 Aug 2010

Over one-half of babies in poverty raised by mothers living with depression

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has raised added concern about a study released by The Urban Institute that shows more than one-half of babies in poverty are being raised by mothers living with depression - creating parenting and child development challenges.

31 Aug 2010

Seredor acquires South Florida-based operator of sleep diagnostic centers

Continucare Corporation announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary Seredor Corporation has expanded its sleep center operations through the acquisition of a South Florida-based operator of sleep diagnostic centers. The acquired business currently operates two independent diagnostic testing facilities.

31 Aug 2010

Study shows DERMACYTE Oxygen Concentrate improves skin appearance

Oxygen Biotherapeutics, Inc. today announced that results from an 8-week cosmetic study showed that the topical application of DERMACYTE Oxygen Concentrate, an oxygen-rich skin care lotion, appears to improve the appearance of fine lines and the perception of skin appearance.

31 Aug 2010

CPA and Nightingale launch interactive Personal Health Record portal

Canadian Patient Access Inc. and Nightingale Informatix Corporation today announce the launch of myPatientAccess.ca, Canada's first interactive patient portal to be fully integrated with an electronic medical records (EMR) system. A breakthrough offering in consumer healthcare, Canadian patients will, for the first time, have full, web-based, real-time access to their Personal Health Record (PHR), with information that has been validated by their physician.

31 Aug 2010

UCI receives grant to promote patient-centered care

UC Irvine's Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Care has been awarded a Picker Institute/Gold Foundation Challenge Grant to change how anesthesiologists are trained, emphasizing the skills necessary to treat patients with compassion and empathy under difficult conditions.

31 Aug 2010

First Edition: August 31, 2010

"These days, you may leave your dentist's office with more than a toothbrush and dental floss in your bag. Thousands of dentists are offering patients health-care credit cards to cover the work that needs to be done, with seemingly hard-to-resist repayment terms. If you need care and don't have insurance to cover it or cash in hand, it's tempting to sign up" (Kaiser Health News).

31 Aug 2010

New book explores history, benefits of tomato

A new history of the tomato in Italy by a University of Leicester historian throws some surprising insights on an item of food that we have been accustomed to think of as intrinsically Italian.

31 Aug 2010

Nutritional recommendations for management of sarcopenia published

Nutritional recommendations for the management of sarcopenia -- also described as age-related muscle and functional loss -- were published this past week in the clinical publication, Journal of American Medical Directors Association.

31 Aug 2010

Outpatient prevention programme by nurses reduces risk of recurrent complications in heart patients

A six-month outpatient prevention programme conducted by nurses has resulted in significant and sustained improvements in the control of cardiovascular risk factors, including high cholesterol or high blood pressure, in patients hospitalised for a heart attack or impending heart attack.

31 Aug 2010