Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

Innovative health text messaging applications launched

Health Txts assists people in changing unhealthy behaviors by sending text messages that encourage specific self-improvement goals at the times and in the places people need it most. For example, someone may receive a message at 10pm saying "only floss the teeth you want to keep." Health Txts can be used for nearly any self-improvement goal such as reducing drinking, eating healthier or even becoming more environmentally conscious.

6 Feb 2010

EuroHOPE study: Performance evaluation of the European healthcare system

The performance of the European healthcare system will be evaluated in the EuroHOPE study (European Health Care Outcomes, Performance and Effectiveness) coordinated by the Finnish National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) and funded by the EU.

6 Feb 2010

AMIA members lead authorship of articles on global e-health

Five articles, whose lead or senior authors are nationally known informatics leaders and members of the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA), appear in the Feb. 2010 issue of Health Affairs and provide a glimpse into the future of health care delivery in an increasingly information-driven era of health care in the developing world.

6 Feb 2010

Valentine's Day designated as National Organ Donor Day, drive for registration

While many commemorate Valentine's Day with cards, candy and flowers, Pennsylvanians are encouraged to give the ultimate gift of love by signing up to become organ and tissue donors. With the support of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Valentine's Day has been designated as National Organ Donor Day to raise awareness of the lives that can be touched -- potentially more than 50 at a time --through one person becoming an organ and tissue donor.

6 Feb 2010

Combination of Motrin and Robitussin drugs is safe for adults and children

A viral e-mail currently making the rounds between private accounts and public message boards warning of a danger posed by mixing over-the-counter medications Motrin and Robitussin is unfounded.

6 Feb 2010

About 8% of Americans report difficulty in accessing specialty care

Among the 36 percent of U.S. adults age 18 and older who needed to see a specialist in 2007, about 8 percent reported that getting to see one was a big problem, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

6 Feb 2010

Breakthrough research could lead to new potential treatments for malaria

Groundbreaking research done at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University's (NTU) School of Biological Sciences (SBS) could lead to the development of more potent drugs or a vaccine for malaria, which is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes and kills up to three million people each year.

6 Feb 2010

In jobs bill, Democrats push to include extension of COBRA benefits, Medicare 'doc fix'

The New York Times reports that Democrats are trying to address some health coverage considerations in their jobs bill even as they grasp "for ideas to keep alive their health care legislation." Negotiators on the Senate Finance Committee may be close to a jobs agreement. "Democrats were also pushing to include an extension of unemployment benefits and of health care coverage for those out of work." Also under discussion was the possibility of "attaching other initiatives, including a provision to prevent a steep cut in Medicare payment rates for doctors" (Hulse and Zeleny, 2/4).

6 Feb 2010

2010 AACP Interim Meeting focuses on patient-centered, team-based care

The 2010 AACP Interim Meeting, Patient-centered, Team-based Care: Setting the Standard, will provide attendees the opportunity to contemplate a healthcare system reorganized around the needs of patients and populations.

6 Feb 2010

Local organizations team up to support Haiti's healthcare system

Injured Haitians desperately in need of medical treatment will soon have advanced technology available to the medical professionals providing their care. Through a partnership of Stamford Hospital, FUJIFILM Medical Systems USA (Fujifilm), and AmeriCares, a portable digital x-ray system is being donated to the Haitian relief effort and will be sent to a hospital where currently x-ray capabilities are simply non-existent.

6 Feb 2010

Obama: 'Take time' on health reform, Democrats haggle on next steps

ABC News: "Summoning the message back that once mobilized his grass-roots campaign, the president spoke tonight in front of the same people - Organizing for America and DNC members - whose poll show some are feeling somewhat discouraged by the first year of the Obama administration. ... The president outlined in broad strokes what he'd like to see happen [on health reform]. 'What I'd like to do is have a meeting where I'm sitting with the Republicans, sitting with the Democrats.

5 Feb 2010

Centerphase Solutions and Mayo Clinic collaborate to speed up clinical trials for new medical treatments

Centerphase has entered into a collaboration with Mayo Clinic to speed the introduction of new medical treatments developed by the biopharmaceutical industry. The Company addressed the root causes historically plaguing the clinical trials process: the lack of a systematic, structured approach for evaluating and optimizing protocols and the tremendous burdens associated with trial start-up administration.

5 Feb 2010

Third-quarter fiscal 2010 results announced by Arcadia Resources

Arcadia Resources, Inc., a leading provider of innovative consumer health care services under the Arcadia HealthCare(SM) brand, today announced net revenues of $26.1 million and a net loss of $3.2 million, or $0.02 per share for the fiscal third quarter ended December 31, 2009.

5 Feb 2010

IntegraMed America reports solid revenue growth for fourth-quarter and full-year 2009

IntegraMed America, Inc., the nation’s leading manager of specialty outpatient healthcare facilities in the emerging, technology-focused medical niches of fertility and vein care, today announced improved results for the fourth quarter and full-year periods ended December 31, 2009.

5 Feb 2010

First Edition: February 5, 2010

Today's headlines reflect Democrats' continuing efforts to regroup and advance a legislative strategy that includes health reforms.

5 Feb 2010

Prestige Brands Holdings announces results for third fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2009

Prestige Brands Holdings, Inc. today announced results for the third fiscal quarter and nine months ending December 31, 2009.

5 Feb 2010

'Doctor Shopping': Data from California's prescription monitoring program

Research presented at the American Academy of Pain Medicine's 26th Annual Meeting provides early published data analyzing information gathered from California's prescription monitoring program, known as the Controlled Substances Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES). The analysis found a two-fold increase in the likelihood of individuals receiving opioids from multiple providers or "doctor shopping" when they were also being simultaneously prescribed a single additional class of a controlled substances, such as benzodiazepines or amphetamines.

5 Feb 2010

Epocrates' clinical reference application to be customized for new iPad computer tablet

Epocrates, Inc., today announced its top-ranked clinical reference application for the iPhone® and iPod® touch devices will be customized for the new iPad™ computer tablet. The iPad is already receiving a warm reception from the healthcare industry with nearly 20 percent of clinicians expressing plans to purchase in an Epocrates survey conducted days after the Apple announcement.

5 Feb 2010

Jerry Hill and Nathan Fletcher receive CHI Advancing California Biomedical Research and Innovation Award

CHI-California Healthcare Institute, a non-profit public policy research organization, honored Assembly Members Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo) and Nathan Fletcher (R-San Diego) with the CHI Advancing California Biomedical Research and Innovation Award at a biomedical industry dinner on Feb. 2 in Sacramento.

5 Feb 2010

Humana Military introduces first-ever online community center for military families

Humana Military Healthcare Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM), proudly announces the launch of TRIWORLD, a first-ever online virtual world designed exclusively for military families.

5 Feb 2010