Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

ThromboGenics, BioInvent International report positive results from Phase II trial of TB-402 for VTE

ThromboGenics NV and co-development partner BioInvent International announce today positive results from their Phase II trial of TB-402. TB-402 is a novel, long acting anticoagulant that is being developed as a single injection for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) following orthopaedic surgery.

6 May 2010

States face Medicaid losses, low-income patients struggle to find lasting health care sources

"Until now, stimulus money spared governors and state lawmakers from making some of the most brutal budget cuts. But with this lifeline running out, officials are looking at making significant cutbacks to public services, particularly schools and health programs.

6 May 2010

Bar-code eMAR combination of technologies reduce transcription, medication administration errors

Using bar-code technology with an electronic medication administration record (eMAR) substantially reduces transcription and medication administration errors, as well as potential drug-related adverse events, says a new study funded by HHS' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The study is published in the May 6 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

6 May 2010

Sebelius urges states to investigate Wellpoint math on rate hikes

Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, said states should investigate if WellPoint Inc. made math errors in how it justified rate hikes this year, The Wall Street Journal reports.

6 May 2010

Investigations on Tylenol recall from House Committee

Following the massive recall of children’s and infants’ fever medicine Tylenol and other over the counter drugs (like Motrin, Benadryl and Zyrtec) for children a congressional committee has urged an investigation into the problem.

6 May 2010

New HR Compliance solution simplifies healthcare database

HighRoads, an industry leader in employer health care database and benefits management, today announced the launch of HR Compliance™, a new solution designed to simplify and automate the creation and update of Medical Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs) so that they comply with new health care reform language.

6 May 2010

Omega Healthcare Investors reports $21.0 million net income for first-quarter 2010

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. today announced its results of operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2010. The Company also reported Funds From Operations ("FFO") available to common stockholders for the three months ended March 31, 2010 of $33.4 million or $0.38 per common share.

6 May 2010

Endo Pharmaceuticals to acquire all outstanding shares of HealthTronics common stock

HealthTronics, Inc., a leading provider of urological products and services, today announced that it has signed a definitive merger agreement with Endo Pharmaceuticals pursuant to which Endo will acquire HealthTronics.

6 May 2010

GOP's 'repeal health law' strategy may backfire in general election

Politico reports that several goals of Republicans -- including the repeal of the health care law -- "put them at odds with the majority of voters, according to a new survey by Resurgent Republic," a nonprofit polling and research group established by "GOP operative" Ed Gillespie to assist conservatives and Republicans.

6 May 2010

Endo Pharmaceuticals signs agreement to acquire HealthTronics

Continuing to diversify, move into new growth areas beyond pharmaceuticals, and strengthen its commitment to improved patient outcomes in urology, Endo Pharmaceuticals today announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire HealthTronics, Inc., a leading U.S. provider of urological products and services.

6 May 2010

Study finds medical homes help lower health care costs, maintain quality

Kaiser Health News: "Some health policy experts and clinicians have long maintained that, in the effort to reduce health care costs and improve patient outcomes, there's no place like (a medical) home. A new study in the May issue of the journal Health Affairs seems to validate that notion. Medical homes — where primary care doctors are held responsible for coordinating care for individual patients - are seen as a model for lowering costs without sacrificing quality.

6 May 2010

Democrat endorses GOP plan on hospital price disclosure

The Hill: Rep. Gene Green, D-Texas, is endorsing two Republican plans to require hospitals disclose their prices while other Democrats are pushing a much broader bill in the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Green "hopes to bring other Democrats with him, arguing a scaled-down approach stands a better chance of becoming law than the Democratic proposal, which would apply to all healthcare providers, including hospitals, physicians, pharmacies, drug makers and insurers."

6 May 2010

White House unveils subsidies to preserve early-retiree coverage

A federal program that was authorized in the new health law will help companies pay for as much as $5 billion worth of medical bills of early retirees that they continue to insure, The New York Times reports.

6 May 2010

Viking Systems' first-quarter 2010 sales up 26%

Viking Systems, Inc. today announced financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2010. The Company reported a 26% increase in sales to $1,915,073 for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 and a net loss of $295,450 or ($0.01) per share.

5 May 2010

First Edition: May 5, 2010

Today's health policy news ranges from additional analysis of specific provisions of the health overhaul bill to Capitol Hill action and developments in the insurance market.

5 May 2010

Emerson Ecologics announces expanded partnership with Gaia Herbs Professional Solutions

Emerson Ecologics, LLC announces an expanded partnership with Gaia Herbs Professional Solutions as one of their two select distributors. Effective May 1st, Gaia Herbs is asking all of its Professional Solutions customers to order products through a distributor. Gaia Herbs Professional Solutions will be sold through distribution in order to advance the company's commitment to sustainability practices and provide enhanced ordering benefits to their healthcare practitioner customers.

5 May 2010

BioClinica reports service revenues of $14,746,000 for first-quarter 2010

BioClinica, Inc., a global provider of clinical trial management services, today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010.

From Clario 5 May 2010

Clinical Solutions introduces 'Seven competencies for e-care'

Clinical Solutions, the leading provider of health-based customer relationship management (CRM) and clinical content solutions, is today launching the 'Seven competencies of e-care' as the focal point for its new market strategy and website http://www.clinicalsolutions.com.

5 May 2010

Decisive impact of informatics on nanomedicine

According to what researchers from Facultad de Informática and other institutions have advanced in an article just published in the prestigious medical journal Pediatric Research (Vol.6, No. 5, 2010), nanoparticles are poised to play a key role in medical research in the coming decades, when nanomedicine will become part of medical practice.

5 May 2010

Each year up to 85% of health center patients experience unmet legal needs: Study

Each year, between 50 and 85 percent of health center patients - or between ten and seventeen million people - experience unmet legal needs, many of which negatively impact their health, according to a new study from the Geiger Gibson/RCHN Community Health Foundation Research Collaborative at The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services.

5 May 2010