Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

Kinetic Concepts launches Skin IQ 1000 MCM to help prevent and treat stage I-IV pressure ulcers

Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (KCI) announced today the U.S. launch of the Skin IQ 1000 Microclimate Manager (MCM) by its Therapeutic Support Systems (TSS) business.

6 Sep 2012

Roundup: Cancer drug cost equity bill sitting on Calif. Gov's desk; Mass. cost-containment law could harm provider credit ratings

Out-of-pocket costs for cancer drugs can vary dramatically depending on whether the medications are administered through pill form or intravenous infusion. Newer oral drugs, which can be taken at home and often have fewer side effects than older drugs, can cost patients thousands of dollars a month, while receiving chemotherapy through an IV in an infusion center typically amounts to a standard co-payment for an office visit.

6 Sep 2012

Unemployment barrier to antidiabetic medication adherence

People with diabetes are less likely to adhere to their oral antidiabetic medication if they are unemployed, report researchers.

5 Sep 2012

Sacral neuromodulation cost-effective for fecal incontinence

Sacral neuromodulation is less costly than dynamic graciloplasty and artificial bowel sphincter for the treatment of fecal incontinence, show the results of a Dutch health economics study.

5 Sep 2012

Long-term cardiac impact of Japan quake revealed

The 2011 earthquake and tsunami that devastated parts of north-eastern Japan led to a significantly increased weekly occurrence of cardiovascular disease in the months after the event, study findings show.

5 Sep 2012

Texas hospitals under scrutiny: Parkland's record penalty, how Houston treats heart attacks

Texas officials fined Dallas' Parkland Memorial Hospital a record $1 million for patient safety violations in the wake of intense federal oversight that could cost hundreds of millions of dollars if errors aren't corrected.

5 Sep 2012

Exposure to natural disasters can prompt people to start smoking

The prevalence of smoking in Christchurch, New Zealand, increased following the 2010 earthquake, according to a new study.

5 Sep 2012

First Edition: September 5, 2012

Today's headlines include reports on how health reform is playing a role in presidential politics, both during the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., and in a new GOP campaign ad.

5 Sep 2012

Children's asthma symptoms could be worse due to chaotic home environment

Parental problems and a chaotic home environment could be preventing children from taking their prescribed asthma medication.

5 Sep 2012

Roundup: Texas probes Xerox in Medicaid overbilling; Miss. abortion clinic fights to stay open

Texas authorities are investigating whether Xerox Corp. played a role in allowing dentists to allegedly overbill the state's Medicaid system by millions of dollars.

5 Sep 2012

Exposure to volcanic ash increases respiratory symptoms

Exposure to volcanic ash can increase respiratory symptoms such as an extreme cough, or phlegm, according to a new study.

5 Sep 2012

First global benchmarks for assessing lung function across entire life span

New research has established the first global benchmarks for assessing lung function across the entire life span. The lung growth charts will help healthcare professionals better understand lung disease progression and help raise awareness of lung disease, which is the world's leading cause of death.

5 Sep 2012

President orders additional mental health help for Vets

Obama signed an executive order on Friday, directing the Veterans Administration to hire 1,600 new mental health professionals and to expand the capacity of its crisis line so those who are in crisis can see a counselor within 24 hours. ... The White House says money for the additional mental health care will come from existing resources, though the president sought a 10-percent increase in overall VA funding next year.

5 Sep 2012

Medicare at center of tug-of-war between campaigns

Both parties are casting themselves as protectors of the program, leaving voters to decide which of their plans will best slow the program's cost growth while also protecting seniors.

5 Sep 2012

FDA clears Roche's automated type-specific herpes tests

Roche announced today that it has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its IgG Antibody to herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 assays for use on cobas modular platforms. The tests are intended for use with sexually active individuals and expectant mothers as an aid in the presumptive diagnosis of HSV-1 and HSV-2 infection.

From Roche Sequencing and Life Science 5 Sep 2012