Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

NTU and Imperial College to jointly establish Singapore's third medical school

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Imperial College London today signed an official agreement to jointly establish Singapore's third medical school. The initiative was previously announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the National Day Rally 2010, in August. Presently, the working name for the school is "Imperial College London-Nanyang Technological University Medical School" (ICNMS).

30 Oct 2010

Premier Purchasing awards new agreements for bandages, dressings and gauze

Premier Purchasing Partners, LP, today announced new agreements for bandages, dressings and gauze have been awarded to AMD-Ritmed Inc. of Tonawanda, N.Y. a small business enterprise; Medi-Tech International Corp. of Brooklyn, N.Y., a small and women business enterprise; Tetra Medical Supply Corp. of Niles, Ill., a women business enterprise; Tyco Healthcare Group, LP of Mansfield, Mass.; and Tytex, Inc. of Lincoln, R.I.

30 Oct 2010

Target joins American Cancer Society in 2010 Great American Smokeout

In connection with the American Cancer Society's 2010 Great American Smokeout®, Target is launching a month-long Celebrate Smoke-free campaign designed to support guests and team members in their efforts to quit smoking.

30 Oct 2010

HIMSS celebrates 50th anniversary year and formation of Central Pennsylvania chapter

During its 50th anniversary year, HIMSS celebrates another milestone in the organization's history with the formation of the Central Pennsylvania chapter of HIMSS, its 50th chapter. The chapter serves the Harrisburg/Reading area of the state.

30 Oct 2010

CONCERTA improves handwriting performance in children with ADHD: Study

Data presented today at a major medical meeting include findings that demonstrate improved handwriting performance in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) when taking CONCERTA® (OROS® methylphenidate HCl Extended-Release Tablets CII) compared to placebo.

30 Oct 2010

Anthem reaches long-term agreement with Hartford and Windham hospitals

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Hartford Healthcare Corporation announced today they have reached a long-term agreement on the continuation of their participating contracts for Hartford Hospital and Windham Community Memorial Hospital. As a result, the hospitals will continue as participating hospitals in Anthem's networks without interruption. Covered services provided by the hospitals to Anthem members will continue on an in-network basis.

30 Oct 2010

Memorial Healthcare System to implement ExactCost Cardiovascular Service Line

ExactCost, Inc., a technology company that provides activity-based costing and performance management software solutions for the healthcare industry, today announced that Memorial Healthcare System, headquartered in Hollywood, Florida, has signed a multi-year license agreement to implement the ExactCost® Cardiovascular Service Line.

30 Oct 2010

FDA classifies Medtronic's Octopus Nuvo Tissue Stabilizer recall as Class I

Medtronic, Inc. today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified the company's previous action related to the Octopus® Nuvo Tissue Stabilizer as a Class I recall. FDA classifies a recall as Class I when the agency believes that there is a reasonable probability that use of the recalled product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death. On Sept. 14, 2010, Medtronic proactively and voluntarily recalled the device from the market due to the potential that a component of the device could fracture during use.

30 Oct 2010

FDA approves Teflaro for treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia

Forest Laboratories, Inc. announced today that Teflaro(ceftaroline fosamil), a broad-spectrum bactericidal cephalosporin with activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP), including cases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteremia, and acute bacterial skin and skin structure infection (ABSSSI), including cases caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

30 Oct 2010

Races tighten over health overhaul issues as clock ticks down to midterm elections

Races around the nation are being scrutinized for what the outcomes might mean for the health overhaul after next week's midterm elections.

30 Oct 2010

Hikma to acquire Baxter's US generic injectables business

Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC ("Hikma"), the fast growing multinational pharmaceutical group, announces that it has signed an agreement to acquire Baxter Healthcare Corporation's US generic injectables business ("Multi-Source Injectables" or the "Business") for a cash consideration of $112 million.

30 Oct 2010

Health reform implementation: Insurance options, states and exchanges, ACOs

Provisions of the health law that have already been implemented will change next year's insurance offerings -- so employees should pay attention to their options during open season, U.S. News & World Report writes. "You may be able to take advantage of some benefits that kicked in over the past few months under the new health reform law.

30 Oct 2010

HHS approves hundreds more local Gov'ts, businesses, unions for early retiree health program

The federal Department of Health and Human Services is still accepting applications for the $5 billion program to help cover the cost of retiree health care, the National Journal reports. The agency says 700 more employers have joined the program, raising the total to 3,600.

30 Oct 2010

Enrollees in high-deductible plans may be forgoing care because of high costs

People enrolled in high-deductible plans may forgo care because of excessive out-of-pocket costs, according to a new report from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.

30 Oct 2010

FDA approves NUEDEXTA capsules for pseudobulbar affect

AVANIR Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved NUEDEXTA (dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate) capsules, as the first treatment for pseudobulbar affect.

30 Oct 2010

State Watch: R.I. group experiments with payment reform; Ariz. dispute over abortion; Vt. and Feds to end monitoring of caregivers

The Providence (R.I.) Journal: "The Lifespan hospital group and Blue Cross have reached an agreement intended to gradually overturn the way hospital care is financed, with the goal of promoting health, rather than episodes of treatment. The agreement is the first to meet unique-in-the-nation rules from state Health Insurance Commissioner Christopher F. Koller, who has identified hospital costs as the main reason for increases in health-insurance premiums.

30 Oct 2010

CURE Foundation orders for five Varian TrueBeam stereotactic radiosurgery and radiation therapy systems

Varian Medical Systems, Inc. today announced that CURE Foundation has placed an order for five Varian TrueBeam™ systems for stereotactic radiosurgery and radiation therapy.

29 Oct 2010

Practice Fusion receives ONC-ATCB 2011/2012 certification for EHR system

Practice Fusion, the fastest growing Electronic Health Record (EHR) community in the country, announced today that it is ONC-ATCB 2011/2012 compliant and is certified as an EHR Module in accordance with the applicable certification criteria adopted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).

29 Oct 2010

Beryl Institute releases White Paper on patient experience

The Beryl Institute released its latest White Paper, The Four Cornerstones of an Exceptional Patient Experience, focusing on two newly released studies on the importance of the patient experience and describing the necessary ingredients of a successful service culture.

29 Oct 2010

Life Technologies and BGI partner to offer whole human genome resequencing on SOLiD™ 4 System

Life Technologies Corporation and BGI (formerly Beijing Genomics Institute) announced today that they have partnered to offer whole human genome resequencing on the SOLiD™ 4 System. BGI, one of the world's largest genomic centers, has acquired 27 SOLiD 4 Systems, which will allow BGI to deliver 50 whole human genome sequences a month.

29 Oct 2010