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PolyMedix awarded $150,000 grant to support development of antimicrobial sutures to reduce SSIs

A new discovery may help curb surgical site infections through the use of a novel antibiotic agent that can be incorporated into sutures. SSIs are the third most common hospital-acquired infection and may be associated with severe morbidity and mortality. Since more than 60% of SSIs occur in the area of the incision, the use of sutures coated with an antibacterial agent called PolyCides, created by Radnor, PA-based PolyMedix Inc., may reduce infection rates.

14 Jun 2010

State round-up: Tenn. lawmakers fail to pass bill to opt out of health care law; Mass. officials continue to study hospital sale

Tennessee lawmakers adjourned the 106th General Assembly early Thursday after failing to pass a bill to opt out of the new federal health care law. ... Both chambers passed the budget -- the only piece of legislation they are constitutionally required to adopt -- last week, but spent the last few days wrangling over issues like the federal health care overhaul.

14 Jun 2010

President Obama calls on Congress to avert 21% cut in payments to physicians

President Obama called on Congress today to avert a 21 percent cut in payments to physicians who treat Medicare patients in his weekly radio address. He also reiterated his commitment to permanent reform of the Medicare physician payment formula.

14 Jun 2010

U.S. judge approves $712.5 million settlement for 9/11 responders' health problems

"Thousands of first responders, firefighters and construction workers sickened by toxic rubble at Ground Zero could share in a settlement of up to $712.5 million announced Thursday, three months after a federal judge said a previous deal did not pay victims enough. U.S. District Court Judge Alvin Hellerstein gave preliminary approval to the settlement of a 7-year-old lawsuit against the city by nearly 10,000 people who suffered illnesses from exposure to dust and debris at the World Trade Center site after the Sept. 11 attacks."

14 Jun 2010

TWI launches new educational module to understand role of biofilms in chronic wound infections

The Wound Institute today announced the launch of a new educational module "Exploring Biofilms," an accredited, online course designed to help practicing wound care specialists better understand the role that biofilms play in chronic wound infections.

14 Jun 2010

Allied Telesis to provide integrated network solutions for TAF hospital system

Allied Telesis, Inc., a global provider of secure IP/Ethernet switching solutions and an industry leader in the deployment of converged multi-play networks, was selected by the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF), the second-largest standing force in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), as the network solutions provider for improvements to 34 military medical facilities as part of an ongoing technology modernization effort driven by the Turkish Ministry of Defense.

14 Jun 2010

New research project to identify tactics, strategies for working with patient advocacy groups

In the biopharma sector, collaborating with patient advocacy groups is a critical part of educating patients and physicians. Patient advocacy groups are a trusted resource for consumers as they seek out information on new therapies, especially novel therapies. Using an online research survey and deep-dive interviews with selected participants, Best Practices, LLC conducted a research project to identify winning practices in patient advocacy group collaboration and relationship management.

14 Jun 2010

Florida GOP gov. candidate surges despite questions about involvement in Medicare fraud case

Opponents of Florida GOP gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott are questioning Scott's involvement in a health care fraud case when he was the CEO for Columbia/HCA hospital.

14 Jun 2010

Cancer survivors forego medical care because of financial concerns

A new analysis has found that two million cancer survivors did not get needed medical services in the previous year because of concerns about cost. Published early online in Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the study raises the concern that the long-term health and well-being of cancer survivors could suffer because patients have financial worries about their care.

14 Jun 2010

Obama, GOP spar on Medicare 'doc fix'

"President Barack Obama Saturday accused Senate Republicans of standing in the way of important legislation that would block deep pay cuts for doctors who care for Medicare patients. Mr. Obama said the majority of the U.S. Congress is ready and willing to prevent a pay cut of 21%. But he used his weekly radio and Internet address to express concern that some Republicans are seeking to block a vote on the issue. If they do, doctors could see the cut in their Medicare payments this week, the president said" (Randall, 6/12).

14 Jun 2010

Trauma patients without insurance more likely to die of injuries than privately insured patients: Study

Trauma patients without insurance are more likely to die of their injuries from auto accidents and gunshot wounds than privately insured patients with similar injuries, according to findings of an analysis of 193,804 patients from 649 facilities conducted by University Buffalo emergency medicine physicians.

14 Jun 2010

Capitol Hill briefing addresses neglected tropical diseases

At a Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) briefing, held in conjunction with the Congressional Malaria and NTD Caucus in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, "U.S. researchers, pharmaceutical companies and government officials [said] they are making progress in an effort to curb [NTDs], but that they need more money and outside help," VOA News.

14 Jun 2010

States worry about whether Congress will extend extra Medicaid funding

"The Massachusetts delegation sent letters yesterday to House and Senate leaders urging them to support an extension of Medicaid funding that officials in Massachusetts and other states say is vital to prevent drastic cuts in services and increases in layoffs." Newly elected Republican Sen. Scott Brown did not sign the letter because the proposal would add to the federal deficit. But the 11 Democrats in the delegation were adamant that the extension be approved.

14 Jun 2010

New hip exposes conflicts of interests for doctors

A baseball umpire's broken hip has shed light on doctors' conflicts of interest in recommending certain devices over others and the growth, despite efforts to rein it in, of such practices, Bloomberg Businessweek reports.

14 Jun 2010

BIOTECanada congratulates CPHA on 100 years of leadership in public health

As a community partner of the Canadian Public Health Association, BIOTECanada, on behalf of Canada's biotechnology industry, congratulates the CPHA on 100 years of leadership in public health.

11 Jun 2010

Scammers use promise of Medicare rebate checks to steal personal info

The Illinois Attorney General is warning that scammers are trying to trick Medicare-eligible seniors into revealing personal information in order to get a rebate check, The Associated Press reports.

11 Jun 2010

PAF launches CINV CareLine to assist patients with cancer, CINV

Patient Advocate Foundation – a national non-profit organization that seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation assuring access to care, maintenance of employment and preservation of their financial stability relative to their diagnosis of life threatening or debilitating diseases – is pleased to announce that it has launched a new program, the CINV CareLine.

11 Jun 2010

Equatorial Guinea advances public health services with ultramodern hospital in Bata

Equatorial Guinea (Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial) is advancing its public health services with an ultramodern hospital in Bata, the country's most populous city. One of the most sophisticated hospitals in West Africa, La Paz Medical Center operates in complete compliance with international standards and employs highly advanced technology systems.

11 Jun 2010

White House urged to promote health care innovation; Feds prepare $25 million in malpractice grants

A medical device trade group and former lawmaker separately called on the White House to do more to promote life-saving medical innovation this week. "In separate events Wednesday and Thursday, former House Majority Leader Dick Gephardt (D-Mo.) and Stephen Ubl, the head of the medical device trade group AdvaMed, called on the Obama administration to task a federal office with promoting U.S. innovation."

11 Jun 2010

Start-up seeks to provide consumers with health care comparison shopping guide

The New York Times: In the U.S., people generally compare prices on everything from groceries to cars, but not in regard to their health care. And even if patients wanted to be health care comparison shoppers, getting the necessary information is not easy.

11 Jun 2010

Healthcare News

PolyMedix awarded $150,000 grant to support development of antimicrobial sutures to reduce SSIs

State round-up: Tenn. lawmakers fail to pass bill to opt out of health care law; Mass. officials continue to study hospital sale

President Obama calls on Congress to avert 21% cut in payments to physicians

U.S. judge approves $712.5 million settlement for 9/11 responders' health problems

TWI launches new educational module to understand role of biofilms in chronic wound infections

Allied Telesis to provide integrated network solutions for TAF hospital system

New research project to identify tactics, strategies for working with patient advocacy groups

Florida GOP gov. candidate surges despite questions about involvement in Medicare fraud case

Cancer survivors forego medical care because of financial concerns

Obama, GOP spar on Medicare 'doc fix'

Trauma patients without insurance more likely to die of injuries than privately insured patients: Study

Capitol Hill briefing addresses neglected tropical diseases

States worry about whether Congress will extend extra Medicaid funding

New hip exposes conflicts of interests for doctors

BIOTECanada congratulates CPHA on 100 years of leadership in public health

Scammers use promise of Medicare rebate checks to steal personal info

PAF launches CINV CareLine to assist patients with cancer, CINV

Equatorial Guinea advances public health services with ultramodern hospital in Bata

White House urged to promote health care innovation; Feds prepare $25 million in malpractice grants

Start-up seeks to provide consumers with health care comparison shopping guide

Flow chemistry, AI, and NMR: A next-gen approach to scalable API production

Digital pathology and the PathoVerse: A conversation with Dr. Singh

Bioprocess Efficiency with Cell Density Monitoring

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