Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

Scientists awarded $3.9M grant to study how XDR-TB transmitted in rural South Africa

The National Institutes of Health has awarded scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University a five-year, $3.9 million grant to study how extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis is transmitted in rural South Africa. The findings could alter public health approaches for controlling the XDR-TB epidemic in the developing world.

3 Jun 2010

Beacon Partners study uncovers how healthcare organizations impacted by economy

Healthcare management consulting firm Beacon Partners recently conducted a study of healthcare executives nationwide resulting in over 200 responding to a survey uncovering how their healthcare organizations have been impacted by the economy.

3 Jun 2010

NICE updates recommendations on diagnosis, treatment of low risk BCCs

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has updated its recommendations on the diagnosis and treatment of 'low risk' basal cell carcinomas.

3 Jun 2010

The Beryl Institute establishes grant program to improve patient experience in healthcare

As part of its commitment to support research and learning around customer service and the patient experience in healthcare, The Beryl Institute, based in Bedford, Texas, has established The Beryl Institute Patient Experience Grant Program.

3 Jun 2010

ZELTIQ raises $25M in Series D funding

ZELTIQ, a California-based developer of ground-breaking non-invasive fat reduction technology, today announces that it has raised $25 million in Series D funding. Aisling Capital led the round and was joined by returning investors Advanced Technology Ventures, Frazier Healthcare Ventures and Venrock. Since being formed in 2005, ZELTIQ has raised approximately $50 million.

3 Jun 2010

ARRA awards stimulus grants to AMIA members

Numerous grants funded by the U.S. economic stimulus program (ARRA) Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, to advance the use of health information technology (HIT) and to ready a professional informatics work force, have been awarded to leading members of the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA), a growing professional society that for the last two decades has advocated for informatics as a health care specialty.

3 Jun 2010

Regulators miss deadline on medical loss ratios: Other implementation developments continue to emerge

Insurance regulators have missed an early deadline to set specific rules meant to ensure that insurers devote 80 to 85 percent of premium dollars to medical care, the so-called "medical loss ratio."

3 Jun 2010

Canadian researchers: Probiotic found in breast milk reduces painful cramping in gut

Here's another reason to breast feed your baby: Canadian researchers have discovered how a probiotic found in breast milk reduces or eliminates painful cramping in the gut. In a new research report published online in the FASEB Journal, these scientists use mice to show that a specific strain of Lactobacillus reuteri decreases the force of muscle contractions in the gut within minutes of exposure.

3 Jun 2010

New book proposes engineering approach to US health care reform

The current problems of access, affordability and quality in the US healthcare system won't be solved by providing health insurance to all. The editors of the new book Engineering the System of Healthcare Delivery (ISBN: 978-1-60750-532-7) propose an engineering approach to healthcare. In this publication by IOS Press, editors William B. Rouse and Denis A. Cortese and a team of highly regarded thought leaders in the field explain their vision.

3 Jun 2010

IDC to provide new software package for Orthopaedic DR Customers

IDC, today announced that it has signed an agreement with Merge Healthcare Inc. to provide their ProPlanner software package to IDC's growing number of Orthopaedic digital radiography (DR) customers.

3 Jun 2010

Experts call on EU Parliament to ensure widespread benefits of nanomedicine

Experts from key EU projects united in Brussels at Nanomedicine in Europe today to deliver a strong message to the European Parliament that concerted and coordinated action is needed to ensure the widespread benefits offered by advances in nanomedicine are not squandered.

3 Jun 2010

BD Diagnostics receives 510(k) clearance to market GBS assay on BD MAX System

BD Diagnostics, a segment of BD, announced today that it has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to market the BD MAX™ GBS Assay for Group B Streptococcus on the BD MAX System. The BD MAX System is a next-generation automated workstation for molecular testing designed to streamline workflow and offer full walkaway automation to accommodate varying workloads for maximum lab efficiency and flexibility.

From BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) 3 Jun 2010

CompCare joins Peoples Health network as exclusive managed behavioral healthcare provider

Comprehensive Care Corporation today announced that it has signed a multi-year contract to provide behavioral health services for Peoples Health. Based in Metairie, Louisiana, Peoples Health is an entirely physician-owned and operated local organization that provides benefits exclusively to Medicare recipients in southeast Louisiana.

2 Jun 2010

Bangalore INDIA BIO 2010 inaugurated

Bangalore INDIA BIO 2010, India's premier Biotechnology event organized by the Department of Information Technology, Biotechnology and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka, Vision Group on Biotechnology and MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications Co was inaugurated today by Shri B.S. Yeddyurappa, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Karnataka, and Shri Katta Subramanya Naidu - Hon'ble Minister for IT & BT, Information, Excise and BWSSB, Government of Karnataka.

2 Jun 2010

Oculus launches Microcyn Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy Solution

Oculus Innovative Sciences, Inc., a commercial medical technology company that designs, produces and markets safe and effective tissue care products based upon the Microcyn® Technology platform, today introduced the Microcyn Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy Solution™ for the U.S. professional healthcare market. Within the pH ranges of 6-7.8 desired for optimum negative-pressure wound therapy, Microcyn is intended for the irrigation and management of wounds via these advanced systems.

2 Jun 2010

Holon announces entree into healthcare information technology vertical

Holon, the new standard for healthcare interoperability, today announced its entree into the healthcare information technology vertical. Signaling our new direction is the Holon Brand. Holon: (Greek: holos, "whole") is something that is simultaneously a whole and a part, a system that is itself a part of a larger system and signifies the blending of proven technologies with actionable intelligence to measurably improve care.

2 Jun 2010

Constellation Pharmaceuticals raises $22 million in Series B financing round

Constellation Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the leading biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing new drugs targeting epigenetic regulation of the human genome, today announced that it has raised $22 million in a Series B financing round.

2 Jun 2010

First Edition: June 2, 2010

In today's news, insurance regulators fail to meet an early deadline for setting standards on premium spending rules within the new health law.

2 Jun 2010

Park Place International to unveil new website in conjunction with MUSE 2010 conference

Park Place International, a provider of comprehensive professional services for MEDITECH clients, is pleased to unveil its new company website in conjunction with the MUSE 2010 conference. Park Place International has been delivering accredited technology lifecycle services to the MEDITECH community for 20 years.

2 Jun 2010

Alexion Pharmaceuticals plans to launch Soliris in Japan for patients with PNH

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Alexion Pharma International Sàrl today announced that the launch of Soliris (eculizumab) as a treatment for patients with PNH in Japan will begin in the third quarter of 2010, approximately three months earlier than previously expected.

2 Jun 2010