Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

CREW calls for antitrust investigation into drug companies

Today, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) asking for an antitrust investigation into drug companies that offer significant discounts to doctors for providing patients with only that company's vaccines. CREW sent its letter after learning that Sanofi Pasteur and Merck require physician healthcare groups purchasing their vaccines to enter into contracts prohibiting them from purchasing vaccines made by other companies.

7 Jul 2010

CME announces conference on mind-body connection in psychiatric disorders

CME LLC announces Treating the Whole Patient: The Mind-Body Connection in Psychiatric Disorders, a one-day educational conference for professionals to be held on August 14, 2010, at The Island Hotel in Newport Beach, California. Leading mental health experts Rakesh Jain, MD, MPH, Jon W. Draud, MD, MS, Vladimir Maletic, MD, and Charles Raison, MD will review the most recent developments concerning the relationship between mental and physical health conditions and explore the concept of Wellness.

7 Jul 2010

UK expatriates no longer entitled to medical treatment under normal NHS rules

Long term health insurance in another country is an area UK expatriates will often not have considered in any detail, particularly if they were used to the free care available in the UK. The NHS is a residence-based healthcare system. Therefore, once a person has moved permanently away from the UK they are no longer entitled to medical treatment under normal NHS rules.

7 Jul 2010

If you witness rudeness you are more likely to make mistakes, says Professor of Applied Psychology

If someone is rude to you at work or if you witness rudeness you are more likely to make mistakes, says Rhona Flin, Professor of Applied Psychology at the University of Aberdeen, in an editorial published in this week's BMJ.

7 Jul 2010

Thousands of people with disabilities expected to attend Abilities Expo

Thousands of people with disabilities, their families, caregivers, seniors, veterans and healthcare professionals are expected to attend Abilities Expo on Friday, July 9, through Sunday, July 11, 2010 at the Schaumburg Convention Center. Admission is free and show hours will be Friday 11 am to 5 pm, Saturday 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday 11 am to 4 pm.

7 Jul 2010

Severe trauma to head and spine from ATV accidents on the rise: Research

Severe trauma to the head and spine resulting from all-terrain vehicle accidents are increasing dramatically according to research released today from the University of Utah Department of Neurosurgery. The research, to be published in the journal Neurosurgery, highlights the need for efforts to improve ATV stability, increase helmet use, and greater efforts to train riders in safe operation of the vehicles.

7 Jul 2010

Stand-By Systems now eligible to sell products to federal government

Emerging Healthcare Solutions, Inc. disclosed today that Stand-By Systems has favorably completed their US Government Central Contractor Registration and is now eligible to sell their breakthrough products to the federal government. EHSI has verified the federal eligibility as part of their due diligence related to an option with Stand-By Systems (SBS), owner of the FDA approved SBS 1615 catalytic oxygen generator and associated systems. The option agreement allows EHSI management to perform due diligence prior to finalizing a definitive agreement.

7 Jul 2010

OTN signs agreement to integrate PharmaTrust's technology into telemedicine service offering

PharmaTrust, makers of the world's leading remote prescription drug dispensing technology, has signed an agreement with the Ontario Telemedicine Network that will enable OTN's Members, including hospitals, to integrate PharmaTrust's technology into their telemedicine service offering. This new development will expand access to valuable pharmacy services for Ontarians.

7 Jul 2010

Virginia Hospital Center selects CredenceHealth to provide best quality of care for patients

CredenceHealth, a provider of real-time clinical intelligence for hospitals and health plans, announced today that Virginia Hospital Center , a 342-bed not-for-profit hospital in Arlington, Virginia, has selected CredenceHealth for the hospital's latest patient quality improvement initiative.

7 Jul 2010

HTA acquires $13.5M medical office portfolio in Texas

Healthcare Trust of America, Inc., a self-managed, non-traded real estate investment trust, announced the purchase of a medical office portfolio located in Denton, Texas and Lewisville, Texas for approximately $13,500,000.

7 Jul 2010

QIAGEN receives CE conformity marking for careHPV Test

QIAGEN has completed European certification of its careHPV™ Test to bring human papillomavirus (HPV) testing to public-health programs in low-resource, developing countries, the company announced today at the International Papillomavirus Conference in Montreal, Canada. The CE conformity marking ("Conformite Europeenne") certifies that the careHPV Test has met European Union consumer safety and health requirements, allowing the test to be distributed in developing countries that recognize the CE mark.

From QIAGEN Manchester Limited 7 Jul 2010

FDA grants Fougera first generic approval for Adapalene Cream 0.1%

E. Fougera & Co., a leading specialty pharmaceutical manufacturer, announced it has received first generic approval from the FDA for Adapalene Cream 0.1% (Rx). Fougera's Adapalene Cream 0.1% is rated AB, generically equivalent to Differin® by Galderma Pharmaceuticals. According to industry data, U.S. sales of the brand named product in 2009 exceeded $55 million. This approval also marks the fourth product approval that the FDA has granted to Fougera this year.

7 Jul 2010

Cymetrix announces expanded partnership with Torrance Memorial Medical Center

Cymetrix, a leader in providing hospitals and healthcare networks with revenue cycle management solutions, today announced an expanded partnership with Torrance Memorial Medical Center to provide self-pay accounts receivable management services. Cymetrix's outstanding performance, and its ability to help the medical center increase its payments from managed care organizations during an earlier contract, contributed to Torrance Memorial's decision to expand its partnership.

7 Jul 2010

Hologic enters definitive agreement to acquire Sentinelle Medical

Hologic, Inc., a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of premium diagnostics, medical imaging systems and surgical products dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of women, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Sentinelle Medical Inc., a leading provider of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) breast coils, tables and visualization software.

From Hologic, Inc. 7 Jul 2010

Labor pushes in Mass. and Minn.; Nurses struggle with job hunt despite shortage

Massachusetts's largest health care union is going to try to pull workers at Boston's leading medical centers: Massachusetts General, Brigham and Women's, Beth Israel Deaconess and Tufts hospitals, The Boston Globe reports. The union, led by Veronica Turner since last month, forged a deal in 2009 with Caritas Christi Health Care that gave 3,000 employees raises and bonuses.

7 Jul 2010

Redwood Healthcare Staffing opens new territories for sale

Redwood Healthcare Staffing, a provider of temporary nurse staffing and travel nursing, has announced the offering of new franchise opportunities. The staffing firm has open territories for sale in Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Colorado. Redwood Healthcare Staffing, a Los Angeles based temporary healthcare staffing company, was formed in 2010 by CEO Veerpal Brar to address the growing demand for healthcare professionals by providing prospective franchisees a guided way into understanding how to create a competitive advantage in the medical staffing industry.

7 Jul 2010

Questions surround Republican leaders' level of support for health reform repeal efforts

The Hill: Some Republican leaders may not be fully embracing a Senate bill aimed at repealing the health reform overhaul despite other GOP endorsements. "Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.), GOP Conference Chair Lamar Alexander (Tenn.) and Conference Vice Chair Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) have all argued that the reforms — passed in March without Republican support — will hike costs and erode services, and therefore should be scrapped.

7 Jul 2010

Obama and High Court at odds; Health law could be at stake

The Los Angeles Times explores the "deep divide" between President Barack Obama's administration and the Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Roberts. "The president and congressional Democrats have embarked on an ambitious drive to regulate corporations, banks, health insurers and the energy industry.

7 Jul 2010

AIDS Healthcare Foundation presses Obama Administration on PEPFAR funding

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), "[t]he largest global AIDS organization[,] accused the Obama administration and Congress on Friday of falling short on promised funding and oversight in the worldwide fight against the epidemic," The Hill's "Healthwatch" blog reports.

7 Jul 2010

IRIS wins Premier healthcare alliance's fifth annual Pinnacle Award

IRIS International, Inc., a leading manufacturer of urinalysis systems and consumables for use in hospitals and commercial laboratories worldwide, announced today that it is the winner of the fifth annual Pinnacle Award presented by the Premier healthcare alliance.

6 Jul 2010