Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

Masimo lifts voluntary product recall of Pronto-7 noninvasive finger sensor

Masimo announced today that it has lifted the voluntary product recall the company imposed on the noninvasive finger sensor of its Pronto-7 handheld device to improve the product's performance in low ambient temperatures. The Pronto-7 and new finger sensors are pending FDA 510(k) clearance in the U.S.

8 Aug 2011

Health care sector shows muscle in job report

The health care industry added 31,300 jobs last month, higher than its average monthly increase since 2007.

8 Aug 2011

Most leading health plans see enrollment gains in first quarter 2011

Most of the nation's leading health plans saw enrollment gains in the first quarter of 2011 and all saw improved profit margins both year-over-year and for the quarter, a promising start for 2011. Between December 2010 and March 2011 top plans saw an aggregate increase of more than 2.0 million members. While aggregated fully-insured business continued to experience losses, the administrative services only (ASO) segment gained over 2.2 million members during the primary 2011 open enrollment season.

8 Aug 2011

FDA accepts Teva's NDA for BDP Nasal HFA to treat allergic rhinitis

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has accepted for filing Teva's New Drug Application (NDA) for beclomethasone dipropionate hydrofluoroalkane (BDP Nasal HFA), a nasal aerosol corticosteroid in development for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) and perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR).

8 Aug 2011

SAIC acquires Vitalize Consulting Solutions

Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) today announced that it has completed the acquisition of Vitalize Consulting Solutions (VCS), Inc., a leading provider of clinical, business and information technology (IT) services for healthcare enterprises.

8 Aug 2011

Dell, NextGen to market and deliver advanced health IT solutions for hospitals

NextGen Healthcare Information Systems, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Quality Systems, Inc. and a leading provider of healthcare information systems and connectivity solutions, announced today an agreement with Dell to market and deliver advanced technology solutions and services to medical practices of all sizes, rural and community hospitals and physician networks.

8 Aug 2011

Smoking figures show decrease in heavy smokers but rise in teenage and light smokers

A new study reveals that American high school students are unlikely to be heavy smokers, but casual and occasional smoking is on the rise. The study warns that even light smoking may be injurious to health.

8 Aug 2011

Bladder cancer patients can benefit from radical cystectomy surgery

Bladder cancer patients who have radical surgery at university hospitals can benefit from excellent local control of the disease, acceptable clinical outcomes and low death rates, according to research in the August issue of the urology journal BJUI.

8 Aug 2011

Medicare prescriptions premiums expected to decrease for seniors

According to an Obama administration announcement last Thursday as the health costs continue to rise, Medicare beneficiaries will see the average price of a Part D drug plan decline slightly next year. This is expected to offer some relief amid pressure to cut the federal health insurance program for the elderly.

8 Aug 2011

Zuellig Pharma, ADEC Solutions enter new KPO joint venture

ADEC Solutions, an end-to-end business process outsourcing (BPO) global market provider of customized outsourcing solutions, announced a partnership agreement with Zuellig Pharma, uniting the two companies to create a global pharmaceutical and healthcare-focused knowledge process outsourcing (KPO) and BPO powerhouse.

8 Aug 2011

Proact supplies storage systems to Sint Franciscus hospital

The Sint Franciscus Gasthuis is a major hospital with a rich history and offers care covering a wide range of specialisms. As a team its 100 medical specialists and 2000 staff aim to respond positively to the needs of the patient, with high-quality care and a service-oriented attitude.

8 Aug 2011

Turning from debt debate, some GOP House members renew health law attack

Healthcare reform still loomed large in voters' minds last week as members of Congress began their traditional series of recess town hall meetings. The issue had drifted down the political agenda after the 2010 midterm elections.

8 Aug 2011

Medicaid changes rile advocacy groups in Calif., N.C. and Fla.

As states seek to find ways to curb costs in their Medicaid programs, many are getting opposition from patients and providers.

6 Aug 2011

Mass. hospitals get Medicare funding lift, lots of criticism

The state's hospitals will get $275 million more a year in Medicare payments because of a special provision inserted in the health law. Critical reactions are coming from both inside and outside of Massachusetts.

6 Aug 2011

Congressional heavy-hitters back Michigan's MLR waiver request

Michigan Republican lawmakers Dave Camp and Fred Upton endorsed their home state's request for a temporary waiver from the health law's medical-loss ratio requirement. Meanwhile, The Miami Herald asks if ACOs will be the next health care revolution.

6 Aug 2011

Sebelius, Berwick tout drop in Medicare Rx costs

Even as health costs continue to rise, Medicare beneficiaries will see the average price of a Part D drug plan decline slightly next year, the Obama administration announced Thursday, offering some relief amid pressure to cut the federal health insurance program for the elderly.

6 Aug 2011

AHRQ: Arizona and Maryland see great drop in hospital deaths from pneumonia

Deaths of Americans age 18 and over hospitalized for pneumonia plummeted by 45 percent between 2000 and 2007 regardless of who paid for their care, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

6 Aug 2011

Debt-ceiling legislation could reduce Medicare payments to hospitals

MedeAnalytics, a leading provider of healthcare performance management solutions, today released an estimate of the impact on Medicare payments to hospitals by recently enacted debt-ceiling legislation. Bottom line: over the next 10 years, individual hospitals could see Medicare payments reduced by $1.1 to $1.4 million per year.

5 Aug 2011

Merge Healthcare acquires Ophthalmic Imaging Systems

Merge Healthcare, a leading provider of enterprise imaging and interoperability solutions, and Ophthalmic Imaging Systems, one of the country's top providers of digital imaging and informatics solutions for ophthalmology and other medical specialties, announced today the completion of Merge's acquisition of Ophthalmic Imaging Systems.

5 Aug 2011

First Edition: August 5, 2011

In the news today... The cost of premiums for Medicare's prescription drug program won't rise in 2012. Meanwhile, Medicare data reveal a gap in hospital performance and perception.

5 Aug 2011