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New concept: Hotel 'medical-concierge' program

The Ritz-Carlton's medical-concierge program, now expanded after a trial run to include hospitals and medical facilities throughout the Philadelphia area, aims to provide a pampering bridge between the hospital room and the patient's home. The concierge does not perform medical procedures or administer drugs.

3 Jun 2010

Medicare: Both doctors and patients are looking for private options

Although people may believe that their insurance worries are over once they qualify for Medicare, both doctors and patients are looking for a private option—especially with Medicare's looming bankruptcy, and ObamaCare's promise to cut half a trillion dollars from it to help fund universal coverage.

3 Jun 2010

Judge denies extension for federal response to health lawsuit

"A federal judge in Florida is not granting the federal government an extension of time to respond to a challenge to health care reform made by 20 states. U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson said there is no need for a delay, considering the federal government has already responded to Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli's challenge in a Virginia federal court. Seven states joined in an amended complaint filed May 14. The federal government has 33 days after that date to file a motion to dismiss the complaint, which it has done in Virginia" (O'Brien, 6/1).

3 Jun 2010

New book proposes engineering approach to US health care reform

The current problems of access, affordability and quality in the US healthcare system won't be solved by providing health insurance to all. The editors of the new book Engineering the System of Healthcare Delivery (ISBN: 978-1-60750-532-7) propose an engineering approach to healthcare. In this publication by IOS Press, editors William B. Rouse and Denis A. Cortese and a team of highly regarded thought leaders in the field explain their vision.

3 Jun 2010

California examines 'never events' at hospitals; La. seeks funding for primary care clinics; Texas trims children's health program

San Francisco Chronicle: "Drill bits, screws, sponges, clamps, needles, catheters, electrodes. These are some of the things accidentally left inside patients after surgery at California hospitals.

3 Jun 2010

Academic detailing technique may help doctors follow treatment guidelines

Researchers often get frustrated when doctors fail to adopt treatment guidelines backed by the best evidence-based research.

3 Jun 2010

Today's opinions: Virginia suit leads opposition to health law; Help for 9/11 responders; Blue Dogs' support for doctors

There are about a half-dozen constitutional lawsuits underway already against parts of President Obama's health care law. Most eyes are on the multistate case filed in Florida, joined by 20 states across America. But a parallel suit is progressing in the Old Dominion, in the Commonwealth of Virginia. ... [T]his will be the first legal battle in Obamacare, and one that will move forward much more quickly than the constitutional fight. The first battle in what will be a long war (Ken Klukowski, 6/1).

3 Jun 2010

IDC to provide new software package for Orthopaedic DR Customers

IDC, today announced that it has signed an agreement with Merge Healthcare Inc. to provide their ProPlanner software package to IDC's growing number of Orthopaedic digital radiography (DR) customers.

3 Jun 2010

Experts call on EU Parliament to ensure widespread benefits of nanomedicine

Experts from key EU projects united in Brussels at Nanomedicine in Europe today to deliver a strong message to the European Parliament that concerted and coordinated action is needed to ensure the widespread benefits offered by advances in nanomedicine are not squandered.

3 Jun 2010

Egg donation is not a simple process

Jennifer was a junior in college when she decided to donate her eggs to a couple undergoing fertility treatments. Like most donors, she was primarily motivated by altruism. But she admits that the compensation -- $7,000 – didn't hurt.

3 Jun 2010

Fraud roundup: LA hospital workers investigated; Guilty pleas in Texas and N.J. cases; Fla. candidate defends his actions

Los Angeles County officials are investigating allegations that Olive View-UCLA Medical Center staff accepted gifts from nursing home employees in exchange for placing Medi-Cal and Medicare patients at their facilities, a possible violation of the county's code of ethics, as well as state and federal anti-kickback laws.

3 Jun 2010

FTC delays 'red flags' rule; doctors' lawsuit continues

The rule, which have been delayed several times already, "requires businesses offering credit to come up with a written policy for finding, preventing and dealing with identity theft." The rule is now scheduled to be implemented Dec. 31.

3 Jun 2010

AP: Asking questions can save patients money

Doing some simple homework before receiving medical treatment may help consumers save money, The Associated Press reports. "Here are some things to consider before checking in to a hospital or outpatient surgery center for non-emergency care. Be prepared to ask your doctor or insurer questions."

3 Jun 2010

Queensland Health pay bungle continues into June

The new payroll system for Queensland health care staff introduced this March is still not fixed even at the end of the sixth fortnightly pay cycle. Many have been over, under or not paid after the system was introduced. More to the “shame” of the authorities two dead nurses have been paid and one dead nurse’s name reappeared in the duty rosters.

2 Jun 2010

Companies offer cash to employees to lose weight

Companies are betting that cash incentives will make employees want to lose weight and get healthier in other ways, The Associated Press reports. A third of companies in the U.S. offer such incentives. "Take OhioHealth, a hospital chain whose workforce is mostly overweight. The company last year embarked on a program that paid employees to wear pedometers and get paid for walking.

2 Jun 2010

Rural hospitals: Does the health law help or hurt?

Some politicians and hospital administrators worry that the new health law will cause rural facilities to lose revenue, bucking the trend of Washington's political establishment's long support for rural hospitals, the Omaha World-Herald reports. The law does have "pro-rural provisions" that received bipartisan support. But as the federal government writes rules for the law, partisan interpretations of the true impact on rural hospitals has continued.

2 Jun 2010

AMA to campaign for Medicare payment 'doc fix,' physicians increasingly frustrated

The American Medical Association is launching an ad campaign urging Congress to end a 21 percent cut to Medicare doctor reimbursement rates as physicians consider opting out the federal health care program.

2 Jun 2010

3.5 million FC2 Female Condoms ordered for distribution at 2010 World Cup

The Female Health Company announced that it has fulfilled an order for 3.5 million FC2 Female Condoms to be distributed for HIV/AIDS prevention to attendees at the 2010 World Cup. The 2010 World Cup will take place in The Republic of South Africa from June 11, 2010 to July 11, 2010.

2 Jun 2010

CompCare joins Peoples Health network as exclusive managed behavioral healthcare provider

Comprehensive Care Corporation today announced that it has signed a multi-year contract to provide behavioral health services for Peoples Health. Based in Metairie, Louisiana, Peoples Health is an entirely physician-owned and operated local organization that provides benefits exclusively to Medicare recipients in southeast Louisiana.

2 Jun 2010

CCAC applauds Quebec Ministry of Health's colorectal cancer screening pilot

The Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada (CCAC) applauds the decision of the Quebec Ministry of Health and its Minister Yves Bolduc to implement a colorectal cancer screening pilot in anticipation of launching a province wide colorectal cancer screening program.

2 Jun 2010