Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

New computer-based system can distinguish similar secondary tumours

A new computer-based system discussed in the International Journal of Healthcare Technology and Management can distinguish between apparently similar secondary tumours and allow a cancer specialist to trace the metastases back to the site of the original cancer in the patient's body.

5 Apr 2011

Risperdal Consta can reduce risk of hospitalisation in patients with schizophrenia

New data from an independent prospective study presented last week at the 19th European Congress of Psychiatry shows treatment with Risperdal Consta is associated with a lower risk of hospitalisation in patients with schizophrenia compared to treatment with other antipsychotics over a 12-month period.

5 Apr 2011

Children with ASDs benefit from certain medical and behavioral treatments

Some medical and behavioral treatments show promise for reducing certain behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorders, but more research is needed to assess the potential benefits and harms, according to a new report funded by HHS' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The research results were published online in the journal Pediatrics.

5 Apr 2011

Gilead's increase of HIV drugs price unreasonable, says AHF

Today AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, blasted the news that Gilead Sciences Inc. increased the prices of several of its top selling products at the beginning of the month. The California-based drug maker increased the price of its biggest seller, HIV treatment Atripla, by 5.1%. Gilead also raised the price of HIV drugs Truvada and Emtriva by 7.9%.

5 Apr 2011

Antimicrobial copper can effectively prevent MRSA in hospitals

A live broadcast from the University of Southampton today highlighted the effectiveness of antimicrobial copper in preventing the spread of antibiotic-resistant organisms, such as MRSA, in hospitals.

5 Apr 2011

Health Care REIT acquires $2.4 billion Genesis real estate assets

Health Care REIT, Inc. announced today that it has completed the $2.4 billion acquisition of substantially all of the real estate assets of privately-owned Genesis HealthCare, which was previously announced on February 28, 2011.

5 Apr 2011

Boehringer Ingelheim receives FDA approval for Viramune XR to treat HIV-1 infection

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Viramune XR extended-release tablets, a one-pill, once-daily formulation of nevirapine for use in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults.

5 Apr 2011

Medical industry veteran set to play key role as Microvisk gears up to launch Smartstrip®

Microvisk Technologies, the developer of a handheld system to monitor the blood clotting status of patients taking the drug Warfarin, today announced that it has strengthened its Board with the appointment of medical industry veteran, Bill Moffitt, as Chairman and Peter Whitehouse as CFO.

4 Apr 2011

Data on hospital-acquired conditions now available

The CMS has published an electronic file of raw data on its website containing facility-specific information on eight hospital-acquired conditions, including blood incompatibility, air embolisms and two types of healthcare-associated infections.

4 Apr 2011

Southern Home Medical reports 6.6% increase in 2010 revenues

Southern Home Medical Equipment, Inc., a Holding Company providing healthcare services, healthcare professionals and equipment to medical institutions, announced today that the unaudited results from operations for fiscal year 2010 reflects a 6.6% increase in revenues with profitability over previous 2009 year-end.

4 Apr 2011

Coronary computed tomographic angiography to evaluate acute chest pain reduces hospital admissions

Hospital admissions at Stony Brook University Medical Center on Long Island were significantly reduced when using coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) to evaluate patients presenting in the emergency department (ED) with acute chest pain (ACP), according to research results presented during a scientific session at the American College of Cardiology's 60th Annual Scientific Session and Expo in New Orleans on April 3.

4 Apr 2011

NCI acquires AdvanceMed

NCI, Inc., a leading provider of information technology (IT), engineering, logistics, and professional services and solutions to U.S. Federal Government agencies, announced today that it has acquired the outstanding capital stock of AdvanceMed Corporation, an affiliate of CSC.

4 Apr 2011

More waivers issued for insurance plans

Obama administration officials released new information on the number of businesses and other organizations that have received waivers on their insurance plans. Meanwhile, Republicans criticize the law's high risk pools.

4 Apr 2011

AtlantiCare to implement MEDai's Risk Navigator predictive analytic solution

AtlantiCare, the largest health system in southeastern New Jersey, will allow its healthcare providers to better manage patient populations and track clinical and financial objectives with quality-focused tools from Elsevier/MEDai, a leading provider of predictive analytic solutions.

4 Apr 2011

Quest Diagnostics completes Athena Diagnostics acquisition

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, today announced it has completed its previously announced acquisition of Athena Diagnostics, an esoteric laboratory specializing in genetic testing for neurological disorders, from Thermo Fisher Scientific.

From Quest Diagnostics 4 Apr 2011

First Edition: April 4, 2011

Today's health policy news coverage includes reports about Republican lawmakers' plans to make dramatic changes to Medicare and Medicaid as they seek to cut $4 trillion from the budget over the next 10 years.

4 Apr 2011

Esaote acquires 3mensio

Esaote International NV and 3mensio Medical Imaging BV have entered into an agreement pursuant to which Esaote acquires 3mensio in order to expand its leading role in healthcare information technology.

4 Apr 2011

Optimer study highlights economic burden of acute and recurrent CDI in hospital patients

Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today the presentation of information from insurance claims and survey databases highlighting the unmet need for targeted therapies to treat subpopulations at high risk of recurrence of Clostridium difficile infection.

4 Apr 2011

AtlantiCare to use MEDai's Risk Navigator solutions for patient management

4 Apr 2011

Experts to discuss on healthcare-associated infection at SHEA Annual Meeting

A special media phone briefing with leading infectious disease scientists and healthcare-associated infection experts who will headline the 2011 Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America's Annual Meeting

4 Apr 2011