Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

New ultrasound technique can measure blood pressure at many points in the body

Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology, together with the Italian company Esaote, have developed a new technique to measure the blood pressure.

15 Jun 2011

InstaMed, Superior Vision partner to offer electronic healthcare payments solution

Superior Vision, a leader in managed vision care benefits, has partnered with InstaMed, the leading Healthcare Payments Network, to offer Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) and Electronic Remittance Advice (ERA) to its eye care providers through InstaMed's Claims Settlement solution with Integrated ERA/EFT transactions.

14 Jun 2011

First Edition: June 14, 2011

In her latest Kaiser Health News consumer column, Michelle Andrews writes: "When you're calling for an ambulance, chances are good that you won't think to ask for one that's in your health plan's provider network. And in most cases, you wouldn't have much control over who it is anyway. That could leave you with hassles and extra charges for an out-of-network ride".

14 Jun 2011

Republican candidates bash health reform law in first debate

Republican White House hopefuls assailed President Barack Obama's handling of the economy from the opening moments of their first major debate of the campaign season Monday night and pledged emphatically to repeal the administration's year-old health care law.

14 Jun 2011

B. Braun receives FDA approval to use 1g and 2g Ceftazidime in DUPLEX Drug Delivery System

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved B. Braun Medical Inc.'s application for 1g and 2g Ceftazidime for Injection USP and Dextrose Injection USP in the DUPLEX Drug Delivery System.

From B. Braun Melsungen AG 14 Jun 2011

GE Healthcare announces results of Optison heart ultrasound contrast agent presented at ASE

Today, GE Healthcare Medical Diagnostics announced results of a study that evaluated the cardiopulmonary safety of Optison- (Perflutren Protein-Type A Microspheres Injectable Suspension, USP), a diagnostic ultrasound contrast agent for use in improving suboptimal echocardiograms.

14 Jun 2011

Enox to receive European patent for 'Device and Method for Administering Therapeutic Agents'

Enox Biopharma, Inc., a leader in the development of innovative solutions for infections associated with medical devices, today announced that it has received notification from the European Patent Office that its patent application entitled "Device and Method for Administering Therapeutic Agents" has been approved and a patent will be granted.

14 Jun 2011

Viewpoints: Private vs. public Medicare; N.J. Medicaid tough choices; IPAB's cost controls

Every once in a while a politician comes up with an idea that's so bad, so wrongheaded, that you're almost grateful. For really bad ideas can help illustrate the extent to which policy discourse has gone off the rails. And so it was with Senator Joseph Lieberman's proposal, released last week, to raise the age for Medicare eligibility from 65 to 67.

14 Jun 2011

Cypress receives FDA approval for ZUTRIPRO, REZIRA NDA to treat cough and common cold

Cypress Pharmaceutical announced today that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new drug application (NDA) for ZUTRIPRO Oral Solution (CIII) and REZIRA Oral Solution.

14 Jun 2011

Tiotropium Respimat inhalers can increase risk of death in patients with bronchitis, emphysema

An inhaler designed to help chronic bronchitis and emphysema sufferers breathe could be significantly increasing their risk of dying, according to new research by the University of East Anglia (UEA) and three US universities.

14 Jun 2011

Smoking ban in NSW prison

In a new directive, prisoners at the Lithgow jail in central western New South Wales will be banned from smoking in their cells as part of a six-month trial to begin next year.

13 Jun 2011

Hospital trends mark changes in employment, admission patterns

Meanwhile, in Oregon, hospital profit margins were down in 2010, according to the state Association of Hospitals and Health Systems.

13 Jun 2011

HHS offers Medicaid guidance for same-sex couples

Late last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services clarified that same-sex couples are entitled to the same protections that exist for heterosexual couples when one member enters a nursing home.

13 Jun 2011

Milestone completes $13 million round of equity financing

Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc., a cardiovascular drug development company, announces the completion of a $13 million round of equity financing.

13 Jun 2011

Some Democrats may not hold steady against Medicaid cuts

There may be more to read from what wasn't included in Sen. Jay Rockefeller's letter to the White House on Thursday than what was in it.

13 Jun 2011

inVentiv Health acquires i3 CRO

inVentiv Health, Inc., offering best-in-class clinical, consulting and commercial services to the healthcare industry, today announced it has completed the acquisition of i3, a top-tier contract research organization (CRO) to the pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device industries. i3 was previously owned by Ingenix, a UnitedHealth Group company.

13 Jun 2011

HHS: Enrollment in high-risk pools tops 20,000

Figures released Friday reflect the number of participants in the health overhaul's high-risk pools as of April. Meanwhile, Modern Healthcare reports that Kansas has widened it's high-risk pool to allow child-only plans.

13 Jun 2011

First Edition: June 13, 2011

Reporting for Kaiser Health News, in collaboration with The Washington Post, Lawrence Lindner writes: "The Obama administration's bid to slash funding for training pediatricians at children's hospitals is provoking intense protests from medical educators and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle".

13 Jun 2011

Toshiba to highlight cardiac ultrasound applications at ASE annual meeting

Ultrasound is often used as a first-line diagnostic exam to quickly and safely diagnose a range of patient conditions. At this year's American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) annual meeting in Montreal, June 11-14, 2011, Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc., will highlight cardiac and shared service ultrasound applications designed to improve cardiac ultrasound imaging.

13 Jun 2011

FDA approves Valeant's Potiga Tablets for treatment of partial-onset seizures

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. and GlaxoSmithKline announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Potiga Tablets, a potassium channel opener, as adjunctive treatment of partial-onset seizures in patients aged 18 years and older.

13 Jun 2011