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Pharmacy technician certification associated with reduction in medication errors, survey finds

Results from a recent Pharmacy Technician Certification Board sponsored survey find that lead pharmacists perceive pharmacy technician certification as an essential component in reducing medication errors, ensuring patient safety, and increasing positive health outcomes. The results, unveiled at the American Pharmacists Association Annual Meeting in March 2010 by researcher Shane Desselle, R.Ph., PhD, FAPhA, Associate Dean for Tulsa Programs, Chair, and Professor of the Department of Pharmacy: Clinical and Administrative Sciences at University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy, were gathered from a random sample of over 3,250 pharmacists serving in a variety of practice settings across the United States.

28 Jun 2010

Quick-Med Technologies announces application for EPA registration of Stay Fresh technology

Quick-Med Technologies, Inc., a leader in developing innovative antimicrobial technologies for the healthcare and consumer markets, today announced its application for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency registration of the Company's proprietary Stay Fresh antimicrobial textiles technology.

28 Jun 2010

First Edition: June 28, 2010

Today's health policy headlines continue to track the tax package difficulties faced by Senate Democrats in their efforts to extend the COBRA benefit subsidy and enhanced Medicaid funding for states.

28 Jun 2010

Increased follow-up care proves key to helping depressed patients feel better

New data released by two non-profit health care organizations, MN Community Measurement and the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement, indicate that Minnesota providers only slightly improved their quality of care for patients with depression from a year ago, but that new programs that increase clinic contact with the patient demonstrate the potential for much better results moving forward.

28 Jun 2010

CDC fails to implement official HIV testing guidelines, AHF criticizes

As health departments, community organizations and AIDS advocates around the country observe National HIV Testing Day today, AIDS Healthcare Foundation criticized the Centers for Disease Control's for its failure to implement its own landmark 2006 change it its official HIV testing guidelines that included the recommendation for routine testing of all individuals ages 13-64 for HIV as they visit or encounter routine healthcare settings.

28 Jun 2010

Loyola University Hospital awarded Joint Commission's certification as Advanced Primary Stroke Center

The Joint Commission has recertified Loyola University Hospital as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center.

28 Jun 2010

VA secretary breaks ground for new 1.5 million-square-foot medical center in New Orleans

Fulfilling President Obama's commitment to rebuild New Orleans, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki joined state and local officials for a ground-breaking ceremony for a new 1.5 million-square-foot medical center for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

28 Jun 2010

Saint Thomas Chest Pain Network awarded HRSA grant for placement of AEDs in 14 rural communities

The Saint Thomas Chest Pain Network, a network service provided by Saint Thomas Health Services, was recently awarded a $100,000 Health Resources and Services Administration grant from the United States Department of Health and Human Services for the placement of full-rescue Automated External Defibrillators in 14 rural communities throughout the network.

28 Jun 2010

St. Mary Medical Center opens new outpatient center for chronic wound treatment

High Desert residents suffering from hard-to-heal wounds now have greater resources to help heal their wounds and get their lives back. St. Mary Medical Center, a 190-bed acute care hospital in the High Desert of Southern California, announced today the opening of its Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine.

28 Jun 2010

Report: Health information technology could result in harm to patients without proper monitoring

Health information technology could inadvertently result in harm to patients without proper monitoring, according to a new report by The Leapfrog Group, an employer-backed health advocacy organization.

28 Jun 2010

Cardiac MRI helps avoid hospital admissions for chest pain patients

A new study done by researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center indicates that chest pain may no longer have to mean a hospital stay - there is another option for diagnosing heart-related chest pain that costs less and, in some cases, allows the patient to return home the same day.

28 Jun 2010

WellPoint research leads to limits on use of Boniva; FDA spars with tobacco company

"WellPoint Inc. (WLP), the largest U.S. managed-care concern by membership, made it harder last year for its members to gain approval for use of the Boniva osteoporosis drug after internal research linked it to higher fracture rates, lower patient compliance and higher total costs of care than two other drugs, a WellPoint executive said Thursday," Dow Jones Newswires/The Wall Street Journal reports.

28 Jun 2010

Florida Hospital Zephyrhills achieves Heart Failure Institute accreditation

The Healthcare Accreditation Colloquium announced today that the Heart Institute at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills has achieved status as the state's first accredited Heart Failure Institute.

28 Jun 2010

OPQC Scheduled Birth Initiative reduces unnecessary planned late pre-term, near-term deliveries in Ohio

A statewide Ohio program significantly reduced the monthly rate of inappropriately scheduled births before 39 weeks gestation, helping to avoid expensive neonatal intensive care unit admissions and decrease the risk of infant deaths, according to two studies by the Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative recently published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

28 Jun 2010

Mass. bill would lift gift ban; Workers rally in Md., Minn.

"A two-year-old state ban on gifts in the medical and pharmaceutical industries would be repealed under an economic development bill that the House budget committee began polling its members on yesterday. The ban, which prohibits drug firms from giving gifts and meals to health care professionals, has cut back on local business profits, a summary of the bill states. When it passed as part of a broader health care bill in 2008, supporters called it a way of curbing pharmaceutical companies' influence" (O'Sullivan, 6/25).

28 Jun 2010

New center opens for vets with traumatic brain injuries and psychological issues

"The $65 million medical center, which opened Thursday, is devoted exclusively to helping members of the military who suffer from traumatic brain injuries, PTSD and other psychological issues. Its opening comes on the heels of a flurry of congressional criticism and reports claiming that soldiers with traumatic brain injuries often do not have their conditions diagnosed and are forced to wade through the vast bureaucracy of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Help and Traumatic Brain Injury, which is charged with their treatment."

28 Jun 2010

Hospital for Special Surgery announces receipt of $5M commitment from CA Technologies

Hospital for Special Surgery announced the receipt of a $5 million commitment from CA Technologies, an IT management software and solutions company, at its 27th Annual Tribute Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria on June 21, 2010.

28 Jun 2010

National Intrepid Center of Excellence to treat veterans with traumatic brain injury

The U.S. Department of Defense and the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund on June 24 officially dedicated the National Intrepid Center of Excellence, a new 72,000-square-foot medical facility in Bethesda, Md., dedicated to researching, diagnosing and treating traumatic brain injury in U.S. military personnel.

28 Jun 2010

Senate fails to pass 'extenders' bill, state Medicaid funding

After a bill to extend jobs and economic relief programs failed for the third time in the Senate Thursday, Majority Leader Harry Reid announced he would withdraw the bill, Politico reports. The legislation included financial relief for states, including billions to support Medicaid programs.

28 Jun 2010

Authorities unsure of Queensland health staff pay woes

The payment woes of Queensland health staff continue and there is no clear indication from authorities as to when problems will stop. Since March this year tens of thousands of health care staff are being over, under or unpaid after the introduction of a new computerized pay system. After repeated assurances there are still people who are facing problems with their pay.

28 Jun 2010

Healthcare News

Pharmacy technician certification associated with reduction in medication errors, survey finds

Quick-Med Technologies announces application for EPA registration of Stay Fresh technology

First Edition: June 28, 2010

Increased follow-up care proves key to helping depressed patients feel better

CDC fails to implement official HIV testing guidelines, AHF criticizes

Loyola University Hospital awarded Joint Commission's certification as Advanced Primary Stroke Center

VA secretary breaks ground for new 1.5 million-square-foot medical center in New Orleans

Saint Thomas Chest Pain Network awarded HRSA grant for placement of AEDs in 14 rural communities

St. Mary Medical Center opens new outpatient center for chronic wound treatment

Report: Health information technology could result in harm to patients without proper monitoring

Cardiac MRI helps avoid hospital admissions for chest pain patients

WellPoint research leads to limits on use of Boniva; FDA spars with tobacco company

Florida Hospital Zephyrhills achieves Heart Failure Institute accreditation

OPQC Scheduled Birth Initiative reduces unnecessary planned late pre-term, near-term deliveries in Ohio

Mass. bill would lift gift ban; Workers rally in Md., Minn.

New center opens for vets with traumatic brain injuries and psychological issues

Hospital for Special Surgery announces receipt of $5M commitment from CA Technologies

National Intrepid Center of Excellence to treat veterans with traumatic brain injury

Senate fails to pass 'extenders' bill, state Medicaid funding

Authorities unsure of Queensland health staff pay woes

How the Vutara VXL simplifies single-molecule imaging

How cohesin mechanics and nanotracker tech are redefining DNA research

Todd Bauman and Chris Povich

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