Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

Lack of doctors accepting Medicaid could complicate health overhaul

As pressure mounts on state Medicaid budgets, the New York Times examines whether the programs can handle the influx expected under the new health law. And The Hill looks at the latest waivers awarded by the administration for insurance plans that don't meet the requirements of the law.

4 Apr 2011

QIAGEN to acquire Cellestis

QIAGEN N.V. has reached an agreement to acquire Cellestis Limited for approximately A$341 million in cash, providing QIAGEN with access to a novel "pre-molecular" technology that offers a new dimension in disease detection not currently possible with other diagnostic methods.

From QIAGEN Manchester Limited 4 Apr 2011

New ‘nanotech’ weapon against drug-resistant superbugs

Scientists at the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) and IBM Research – Almaden have developed the first biodegradable polymer nanoparticles to combat drug-resistant superbugs, such as Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). These nanoparticles can selectively kill the bacteria without destroying healthy red blood cells, and being biodegradable, have great potential to treat infectious diseases in the body. This was reported today in the leading scientific journal, Nature Chemistry [(2011) DOI: 10.1038/nchem.1012].

3 Apr 2011

Discovery of 4 new genes associated with Alzheimer's

In the largest study of its kind, researchers from a consortium led by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine and the University of Miami identified four new genes linked to Alzheimer's disease. Each gene individually adds to the risk of having this common form of dementia later in life. These new genes offer a portal into what causes Alzheimer's disease and is a major advance in the field.

3 Apr 2011

AHF launches public tribute to Hollywood legend with billboards around Los Angeles

This week, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the largest global AIDS organization, launched a public tribute to Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor with a number of billboards around Los Angeles commemorating her contribution to the AIDS fight.

2 Apr 2011

U.S. News ranks Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center as No. 1 hospital in Philadelphia

Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center has been ranked highest in southern New Jersey - placing above all other southern New Jersey hospitals in the Philadelphia Metropolitan area of U.S. News & World Report's first-ever Best regional hospitals.

2 Apr 2011

Faculty member of Capella University co-authors new book that focuses on healthcare leadership

Nick Coppola, PhD, MHA, FACHE, a faculty member in the Harold Abel School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Capella University, an accredited online university that has built its reputation by providing high quality online degree programs for working adults, has co-authored a book that focuses on healthcare leadership.

2 Apr 2011

Eli Lilly to launch Connecting Hearts Abroad program

Eli Lilly and Company's new global service program, Connecting Hearts Abroad, is set to launch. Through the program, the company is sending 200 Lilly Ambassadors to assist people and communities that often lack basic resources.

2 Apr 2011

Skilled Healthcare Group's RCO signs operating lease for Lindenwood Nursing Home in Omaha

Skilled Healthcare Group, Inc. today announced that its wholly owned company, The Rehabilitation Center of Omaha, LLC has signed an operating lease for 10 years for Lindenwood Nursing Home in Omaha, Nebraska with two additional five-year extensions. The lease also provides RCO with a purchase option and the landlord with a sale option, beginning in year six of the lease.

2 Apr 2011

University of Miami Hospital selects ADP solution for human capital management

ADP, a leading provider of human resources, payroll and benefits administration services, today announced that the University of Miami Hospital, the flagship hospital of UHealth – University of Miami Health System, has selected an integrated, outsourced solution from ADP to more efficiently manage the majority of its critical human capital management needs.

2 Apr 2011

Diabetes testing among poor adults plunged 23% in 2007: AHRQ

The proportion of poor adults age 40 and over with diabetes who had their blood sugar, eyes and feet examined at least once a year dropped from 39 percent to 23 percent between 2002 and 2007, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

2 Apr 2011

Recent releases in Global Health

A Lancet Infectious Diseases editorial describes the growing public concerns over a global rise in antimicrobial resistance. "Bearing in mind that our objective is to contain antibiotic resistance rather than eradicate it, several policies could be adopted to help guarantee a future for antibiotics," the editorial states, adding, "We need reliable data to tackle antibiotic resistance.

2 Apr 2011

Eliza to participate in moderated discussion at 2011 World Health Care Congress

Eliza Corporation, the leading provider of integrated healthcare communication strategies, will participate in a moderated discussion at the 2011 World Health Care Congress.

2 Apr 2011

Ariz. Governor announces plan to cut Medicaid but restore some transplant funding

Gov. Jan Brewer asks HHS to approve proposal that would cut some enrollees and increase their cost sharing.

2 Apr 2011

PDHI adds Risky Drinking and Depression health action plan to its online library

Protocol Driven Healthcare, Inc. has added Risky Drinking and Depression to its online health action plan library, a component of the ConXus Steps product.

2 Apr 2011

CarePoint Partners launches "Got Food?" campaign

CarePoint Partners, one of the largest, fastest growing independent home infusion therapy companies in the United States, launched a food drive today throughout its twenty-one locations in eight states to help the less fortunate in the communities where it operates.

2 Apr 2011

Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare chooses Merge Cardio, Merge Hemo for new facility

Merge Healthcare Incorporated, a global corporation dedicated to health IT interoperability solutions, today announced that Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare, a 600-physician healthcare system based in Elmhurst, Illinois, selected Merge Cardio and Merge Hemo for their new 259-bed hospital.

2 Apr 2011

Long-awaited federal rule for accountable care organizations outlines 'gains and risks' for doctors, hospitals

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Donald Berwick announced the release of the proposed rule Thursday, offering insights into how the administration hopes to encourage doctors and hospitals to collaborate more closely to improve patient care.

2 Apr 2011

House panel approves bills to limit health law funding

The House Energy and Commerce's Health Subcommittee has approved five bills that aim to limit the HHS secretary's spending authority under the health reform law and also subject some of the statute's mandatory spending to the annual appropriations process.

2 Apr 2011

Researcher to host live experiment to show effectiveness of antimicrobial copper in preventing MRSA

Following research by Professor Bill Keevil at the University of Southampton showing that copper can significantly reduce the presence of MRSA, the University, in partnership with the Copper Development Association, is hosting a live experiment that will show the effectiveness of antimicrobial copper in preventing MRSA infections.

2 Apr 2011