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First Edition: July 7, 2010

Today's biggest health policy news surrounds an announcement by the White House that President Obama will install a new Medicare and Medicaid chief with a recess appointment the bypasses the confirmation process.

7 Jul 2010

CREW calls for antitrust investigation into drug companies

Today, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) asking for an antitrust investigation into drug companies that offer significant discounts to doctors for providing patients with only that company's vaccines. CREW sent its letter after learning that Sanofi Pasteur and Merck require physician healthcare groups purchasing their vaccines to enter into contracts prohibiting them from purchasing vaccines made by other companies.

7 Jul 2010

Specialist medical training should retain flexibility to help trainee doctors make right career choices: Study

Specialist medical training programmes should retain some flexibility to help trainee doctors make the right career choices, according to a study published on bmj.com today.

7 Jul 2010

Codex Alimentarius Commission provides new guidance to help improve food safety

The maximum amount of melamine allowed in powdered infant formula is 1 mg/kg and the amount of the chemical allowed in other foods and animal feed is 2.5 mg/kg, according to new rulings from the United Nations' food standards body, Codex Alimentarius Commission.

7 Jul 2010

Nation's emergency physicians urge parents to be aware of playground injuries

Summer for many Americans is a time for outdoor activities, including trips to playgrounds with children. The nation's emergency physicians encourage everyone to have fun and stay active in parks and playgrounds throughout the summer, but urge parents and guardians of children to be aware of injuries that can occur in a matter of seconds if everyone's not careful.

7 Jul 2010

UK expatriates no longer entitled to medical treatment under normal NHS rules

Long term health insurance in another country is an area UK expatriates will often not have considered in any detail, particularly if they were used to the free care available in the UK. The NHS is a residence-based healthcare system. Therefore, once a person has moved permanently away from the UK they are no longer entitled to medical treatment under normal NHS rules.

7 Jul 2010

Interventions that help smokers quit before surgery can reduce risk of complications afterward: Review

It is well known that smokers are at an increased risk for post-surgical complications such as infections and poorly healing wounds. Likewise, smoking can contribute to lowered survival and delayed healing.

7 Jul 2010

American Lung Association welcomes U.S. EPA proposal to reduce power plant pollution

The cleanup of power plants is long overdue. Power plant pollution causes tens of thousands of premature deaths each year. These plants are major contributors to particulate pollution and ozone in the East and Midwest. The American Lung Association welcomes today's proposal by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reduce power plant pollution across 31 states.

7 Jul 2010

BCAN applauds Representative Rooney for resolution to recognize National Bladder Cancer Awareness Day

The Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN), the first national advocacy organization dedicated to improving public awareness of bladder cancer, applauds U.S. Representative Tom Rooney (R-Fla.) for introducing a resolution to recognize July 17, 2010 as "National Bladder Cancer Awareness Day."

7 Jul 2010

Thousands of people with disabilities expected to attend Abilities Expo

Thousands of people with disabilities, their families, caregivers, seniors, veterans and healthcare professionals are expected to attend Abilities Expo on Friday, July 9, through Sunday, July 11, 2010 at the Schaumburg Convention Center. Admission is free and show hours will be Friday 11 am to 5 pm, Saturday 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday 11 am to 4 pm.

7 Jul 2010

Predictable, preventable injuries occur in children during summer months, say doctors

It is a time most families look forward to every year - summertime. For parents, the warm summer months are often filled with family vacations and cookouts. For kids, it is a chance to play outdoors and enjoy a few months without homework. However, doctors at Nationwide Children's Hospital have recently noticed a trend in injuries that occur in children during the summer months that are both predictable and preventable.

7 Jul 2010

AUGIB patients more likely to suffer further bleeding with early red blood cell transfusion

Doctors have called for an urgent review of transfusion policies after a UK-wide study of over 200 hospitals found that patients admitted with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (AUGIB) are more than twice as likely to suffer further bleeding if they receive a red blood cell transfusion within 12 hours.

7 Jul 2010

OTN signs agreement to integrate PharmaTrust's technology into telemedicine service offering

PharmaTrust, makers of the world's leading remote prescription drug dispensing technology, has signed an agreement with the Ontario Telemedicine Network that will enable OTN's Members, including hospitals, to integrate PharmaTrust's technology into their telemedicine service offering. This new development will expand access to valuable pharmacy services for Ontarians.

7 Jul 2010

ASPREE study aims to assess health benefits of aspirin

In an effort to extend the length of a disability-free life for older adults, researchers from Rush University Medical Center are partnering with colleagues from across the U.S. and Australia in the largest international trial ever sponsored by the National Institute on Aging.

7 Jul 2010

New Center for Image-Guided Intervention opened at MSKCC

Image-guided interventions are revolutionizing cancer diagnosis and treatment. MSKCC's new Center for Image-Guided Intervention (CIGI), which opened in June, offers cancer patients the most advanced, minimally invasive diagnostic and treatment options in a unique multidisciplinary setting designed to foster rapid innovations in cancer care.

7 Jul 2010

Nation of Smiles, One Smile at a Time event to provide free dental care in New Orleans

This Thursday, July 8, 2010, the Academy of General Dentistry and the AGD Foundation will team up with the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry to hold its first outreach project, Nation of Smiles, One Smile at a Time. This event will provide upwards of 300 patients from local shelters, clinics and charities with free dental care from volunteer dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants from around the nation. LSU dental students also will be participating.

7 Jul 2010

Medicare reimbursement rates for outpatient repair of anal fistulas increased by 6%

Hospitals nationwide will receive six percent higher reimbursement payments for outpatient repair of anal fistulas using Cook Medical's Biodesign® Fistula Plug, a device designed specifically to treat this painful and embarrassing disorder of the lower GI tract. According to new Medicare payment schedules effective January 1st, hospital outpatient surgery departments will receive approximately $2,200 per procedure, while freestanding ambulatory surgery centers will be paid about $1,300 on average.

7 Jul 2010

MedClean Technologies signs Partnership Agreement with Bear Consulting

MedClean Technologies, the leading provider of on-site technology for the treatment and disposal of medical waste and the destruction of confidential documents and related media, today announced it has signed a Partnership Agreement with Bear Consulting aimed at implementing an expense reduction program that could save the Federal Government more than $100 million over the next decade.

7 Jul 2010

HHS Secretary releases $15M for operation of nurse managed health clinics

U. S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius recently announced the release of $15,000,000 for the operation of 10 nurse managed health clinics to support the education and training of nurse practitioners. Nurse managed health centers staffed by nurse practitioners provide comprehensive primary health care services to populations living in medically underserved communities.

7 Jul 2010

Carrots can help protect vision, not improve

In a recent survey among eyecare providers, nearly 30 percent hear the following question at least once a week: Will eating carrots really improve my vision?

7 Jul 2010

Healthcare News

First Edition: July 7, 2010

CREW calls for antitrust investigation into drug companies

Specialist medical training should retain flexibility to help trainee doctors make right career choices: Study

Codex Alimentarius Commission provides new guidance to help improve food safety

Nation's emergency physicians urge parents to be aware of playground injuries

UK expatriates no longer entitled to medical treatment under normal NHS rules

Interventions that help smokers quit before surgery can reduce risk of complications afterward: Review

American Lung Association welcomes U.S. EPA proposal to reduce power plant pollution

BCAN applauds Representative Rooney for resolution to recognize National Bladder Cancer Awareness Day

Thousands of people with disabilities expected to attend Abilities Expo

Predictable, preventable injuries occur in children during summer months, say doctors

AUGIB patients more likely to suffer further bleeding with early red blood cell transfusion

OTN signs agreement to integrate PharmaTrust's technology into telemedicine service offering

ASPREE study aims to assess health benefits of aspirin

New Center for Image-Guided Intervention opened at MSKCC

Nation of Smiles, One Smile at a Time event to provide free dental care in New Orleans

Medicare reimbursement rates for outpatient repair of anal fistulas increased by 6%

MedClean Technologies signs Partnership Agreement with Bear Consulting

HHS Secretary releases $15M for operation of nurse managed health clinics

Carrots can help protect vision, not improve

How industrial hygiene flow calibration supports defensible exposure data

How electrical engineering ensures accurate calibration and patient safety

The importance of ketones from a clinical and medical perspective

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