Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

Task force identifies key themes and challenges in critical care research

To reduce mortality and improve patient care in the nation's ICUs, a task force formed by the Critical Care Societies Collaborative (CCSC), in conjunction with the US Critical Illness and Injury Trials Group (USCIITG) has recommended that research in the field become less fragmented and better account for patient heterogeneity and the complexity of critical illness.

4 Jan 2012

Yale study questions accuracy of relying on patient death rates to compare hospital quality

Hospitals, health insurers and patients often rely on patient death rates in hospitals to compare hospital quality. Now a new study by researchers at Yale School of Medicine questions the accuracy of that widely used approach and supports measuring patient deaths over a period of 30 days from admission even after they have left the hospital.

4 Jan 2012

CMS delays two anti-fraud projects

Modern Healthcare reports that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has put on hold its initiative targeting fraud related to power wheelchairs and its expansion of the Recovery Audit Contractors. Georgia Health News reports on how health care fraud has taken root in Georgia.

4 Jan 2012

States find flexibility with essential benefits

Stateline offers an explanation of how the Obama administration's approach to the health law's essential benefits package will work. In California, a push to extend health coverage to people with preexisting medical conditions has led to more than 6,000 patients gaining insurance. Also, some new health regulations take effect.

4 Jan 2012

Study: In-hospital mortality rates questioned as measure of quality

Tracking the number of patients who die in the hospital might not be the best way to gauge a hospital's quality, researchers reported on Monday.

4 Jan 2012

Big picture: ACO progress report; Evaluating new laws based on job creation

Modern Healthcare takes a look at the 32 medical groups that were named late last year to be the accountable care organization "pioneers" and how their planning is taking shape. Meanwhile, The New York Times examines how job creation has become the buzz word for lobbyists.

4 Jan 2012

Non-invasive test for early detection of fetal gender

A new research study published in the January 2012 edition of The FASEB Journal describes findings that could lead to a non-invasive test that would let expecting mothers know the sex of their baby as early as the first trimester.

4 Jan 2012

In-your-face advertisements target childhood obesity

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta is hearing strong criticism from some camps for its in-your-face advertising campaign designed to attack Georgia's childhood obesity epidemic. But the pediatric health system stands firmly by its approach, saying the grim advertisements featuring overweight kids are necessary to get families to recognize the widespread public health problem.

4 Jan 2012

Vioguard self-sanitizing computer keyboard receives FDA clearance

Vioguard today announced the U.S. Food & Drug Administration has cleared the company's first product, the Vioguard self-sanitizing computer keyboard, for use in healthcare settings.

4 Jan 2012

ARC Healthcare closes acquisition of medical office building in Willingboro

American Realty Capital Healthcare Trust, Inc. announced that on December 29, 2011, the Company closed its acquisition of a fee simple interest in a medical office building located in Willingboro, New Jersey, for a purchase price of approximately $3.3 million, exclusive of closing costs.

4 Jan 2012

Ensign acquires real estate assets of Orem Rehabilitation & Nursing Center

The Ensign Group, Inc., announced today that it has acquired the underlying real estate and other operating assets of Orem Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, a 108-bed skilled nursing facility in Orem, Utah.

4 Jan 2012

As the health law goes on trial, Supreme Court justices' recusal questions continue to grab headlines

While the Wall Street Journal takes a look at how the individual mandate could be viewed by specific justices, news services report on the chief justice's view of the health care recusal issue.

4 Jan 2012

Quest Diagnostics to acquire S.E.D. Medical Labs

S.E.D. Medical Laboratories will soon become part of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, the world leader in diagnostic testing, information and services, through a definitive agreement signed today by Lovelace Health System and Quest Diagnostics.

From Quest Diagnostics 4 Jan 2012

State roundup: Texas health assistance program closing; Florida's dangerous assisted living facilities

A reduction in prescription drug coverage under last year's state budget cuts means 292,000 New Yorkers will now be paying more at the pharmacy.

4 Jan 2012

CMS assigns J-code for Eisai's Halaven Injection to treat breast cancer

Eisai Inc. announced today that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has assigned a unique, permanent Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) J-code for Halaven (eribulin mesylate) Injection.

4 Jan 2012

Viewpoints: Giving states responsibility for 'essential benefits'; The cost of proton beam treatment; Health spending in 2012

The Obama administration surprised supporters and critics when it decided to let states define the "essential health benefits" that must be provided to their citizens under health care reform. ... Federal health officials will need to monitor developments during the transition period to make sure consumers and employers can easily compare the benefit packages offered by private insurers.

3 Jan 2012

iCAD enters $15M debt facility agreement with Deerfield Management

iCAD, Inc., an industry-leading provider of advanced image analysis, workflow solutions and radiation therapy for the early identification and treatment of cancer, today announced that it has entered into a five year, $15 million debt facility agreement with Deerfield Management Company LP, a leading healthcare investment fund.

3 Jan 2012

HP, GlobalMed partner to launch tablet PC, three new mobile telemedicine carts

GlobalMed today announced it is partnering with HP to introduce three new mobile telemedicine carts and a tablet PC solution powered by HP Workstations and EliteBook PCs that will bring doctors and patients together for clinical healthcare at a distance.

3 Jan 2012

Researchers evaluate sexual activity and satisfaction in older women

A new study of sexually active older women has found that sexual satisfaction in women increases with age and those not engaging in sex are satisfied with their sex lives. A majority of study participants report frequent arousal and orgasm that continue into old age, despite low sexual desire.

3 Jan 2012

AirStrip's mobile patient monitoring applications receive CE Mark

AirStrip Technologies, Inc. has received CE Mark certification to market its innovative mobile patient monitoring applications in the European Community as well as other international territories outside Europe, company officials announced today.

3 Jan 2012