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HHS 2009 quality report shows increase in hospital-acquired infections

The Associated Press: "The Health and Human Services department's 2009 quality report to Congress found 'very little progress' on eliminating hospital-acquired infections and called for 'urgent attention' to address the shortcomings — first brought to light a decade ago."

15 Apr 2010

Florida to enact health care legislation to improve access to ARV therapy

Florida is poised to enact health care legislation that would add clarity to existing state statutes by requiring that all state-regulated health plans include lifesaving antiretroviral (ARV) HIV/AIDS drugs on their drug formularies or preferred drug lists.

15 Apr 2010

COBRA health insurance subsidies waiting for Senate action

Kaiser Health News staff writer Andrew Villegas writes: "People recently laid off are waiting -- once again -- to hear if they will be eligible to get subsidies to stay on their employer's health insurance.

15 Apr 2010

Jury ill and further adjournment in Dr Patel manslaughter trial

There has been yet another jury issue that will delay the manslaughter case trial against surgeon Dr. Jayant Patel. Dr. Patel had pleaded not guilty in case of manslaughter against three patients Mervyn John Morris, James Edward Phillips and Gerry Kemps.

15 Apr 2010

Medical schools scramble to address doctor shortage

The Wall Street Journal: "Proponents of the new health-care law say it does attempt to address the physician shortage. The law offers sweeteners to encourage more people to enter medical professions, and a 10% Medicare pay boost for primary-care doctors. … Meanwhile, a number of new medical schools have opened around the country recently."

15 Apr 2010

Queensland Health payroll stuff up – blame game on

In a huge error in the payroll system more than 3,000 Queensland Health (QH) staff remained underpaid or missed out on their pay in the last fortnight and many continued to face such problems this week.

15 Apr 2010

Financial concerns can delay heart attack treatment

A study published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association reports that financial concerns can lead people having heart attacks to delay treatment.

15 Apr 2010

Comparative effectiveness funds spur changes, but not without critics

The new health law will infuse $3 billion into health research that compares treatments to gauge which are most effective, building on an earlier federal investment of $1.1 billion from the stimulus package, Bloomberg BusinessWeek reports.

15 Apr 2010

Drug company payments to doctors: Continuing controversy

The New York Times has two stories on pharmaceutical industry payments to physicians and experts.

15 Apr 2010

One in five Idaho physicians are not accepting new Medicare patients

Already fighting one of the lowest doctor-to-patient ratios in the nation (ranking 49th), Idaho's problems are growing worse. According to a new AARP survey released today, doctors in the state are increasingly closing their doors to new patients, especially those using Medicare and Medicaid

15 Apr 2010

Hospital acquired infections on the increase

Despite being reported over a decade ago, little has been done in America to reduce hospital born infections as per a Health and Human Services department quality report for 2009 to Congress. Hospital acquired infections seem to be on the increase according to the report when compared with statistics available for 2007. The situation is being seen as critical by many health care experts.

14 Apr 2010

Healthcare reform debate at its peak before the COAG meeting on Monday

Following the fall out between Premiers on Prime Minister Rudd’s health care reforms more debates have come up. South Australian Premier Mike Rann also urged Victorian Premier John Brumby to come to an agreement with the Prime Minister’s plans. Earlier Mr. Brumby had suggested a 50-50 sharing model in healthcare compared to the model suggested by the PM. He has said that that the federal government's grab for 30 per cent of the states' GST would damage co-operative federalism. Mr. Brumby is expected to outline his reasons at a National Press Club address on Wednesday, April 14th 2010.

14 Apr 2010

AssistMed's Duet data capture technology integrated with HealthPac's HPlus Pro patient accounting system

AssistMed, Inc. and HealthPac Computer Systems, Inc. today announced the integration of AssistMed's Duet™ data capture technology with HealthPac's HPlus Pro™ patient accounting and control system to enhance professional healthcare services.

13 Apr 2010

SRI/Surgical Express announces sponsorship of Practice Greenhealth's Greening the OR Symposium

SRI/Surgical Express, Inc., a leading provider of reusable surgical device reprocessing services supporting the healthcare industry, is pleased to announce their sponsorship of Practice Greenhealth's Greening the OR Symposium, scheduled for April 27, 2010 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

13 Apr 2010

Noncompetitive ''win-win'' relationship between gynecologist and radiologist benefits patients

Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology (JMIG) has published a study in its March/April issue which concluded that establishing a referral relationship with an interventional radiologist for comprehensive uterine myoma (fibroid) treatment supports a trusting, collaborative, long-term, noncompetitive ''win-win'' relationship between the gynecologist and radiologist.

13 Apr 2010

Provista, ARMSRx form partnership to provide pharmacy benefit services

Provista, LLC announced today that it has partnered with Administered Risk Management Services Rx, LLC (ARMSRx), a pharmacy benefit consulting firm that specializes in delivering superior results and ongoing support to the administration and management of prescription drug benefit programs and afford Provista members with the highest-quality pharmaceutical care at the lowest possible cost.

13 Apr 2010

First Edition: April 13, 2010

Today's headlines highlight the Senate's procedural vote to extend COBRA subsidies, a ruling by a Massachusetts court rejecting a bid by health insurers to raise premiums and how some states are fretting over health insurance scams.

13 Apr 2010

Woodford Reserve $1,000 Mint Julep Cup: The Barnstable Brown Kentucky Diabetes & Obesity Center beneficiary

Woodford Reserve bourbon will celebrate the glamour and glitz of the Kentucky Derby® with the Ultimate Kentucky Derby Luxury: the world's most exclusive mint julep cup. The Woodford Reserve $1,000 Mint Julep Cup Experience will feature a collection of 73 silver cups designed by Tiffany & Co. exclusively for Woodford Reserve. Proceeds from the cups will benefit The Barnstable Brown Kentucky Diabetes & Obesity Center.

13 Apr 2010

Common sense gun laws needed to stem crippling costs of gun violence

After a spate of random shootings and gun homicides, Illinois Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, along with doctors and medical professionals, convened at Children's Memorial Hospital to send an urgent plea to state lawmakers to require background checks on all handgun sales in order save lives and reduce escalating health care costs related to gun violence.

13 Apr 2010

Hospital quality needs significant improvement: 2009 Leapfrog Hospital Survey

According to new results from the 2009 Leapfrog Hospital Survey released today at the World Health Congress in Washington, DC, hospital quality needs significant improvement and waste remains rampant. One encouraging sign: steady improvements over time, supporting the value of hundreds of purchasers' growing efforts to use Leapfrog performance data in decision-making, contracting, pay for performance, and benefits design.

13 Apr 2010