Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

Verizon launches telehealth services

Time, distance and cost often hamper efforts to link patients with the right health care expert, causing further concern for those needing to consult with faraway doctors. Verizon is answering this need with new services for physicians, hospitals, clinics and insurers that enable providers to "see" patients through video consultations, as well as other collaboration services.

23 Nov 2009

First Edition: November 23, 2009

Today's headlines indicate that even after Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid found victory Saturday night with the first health bill test vote, his measure is likely to be the subject of an even more intense debate as the measure moves forward.

23 Nov 2009

MedPro Safety Products updates on its recent progress

MedPro Safety Products, Inc., a pioneer in the development and marketing of passive needlestick injury prevention technology, today reported on the Company’s recent progress.

23 Nov 2009

Online tool launched to improve the assessment of sick children

Paediatricians at the University of Leicester and the University Hospitals, Leicester have recently launched a unique online tool to improve the assessment of sick children.

23 Nov 2009

EPIC to acquire a preferential 50% interest in to be formed Master company

EPIC Corporation, a healthcare financial services company, announced it has entered into an agreement with Senior Care Holdings, Inc. (“Holdings”), a Florida corporation, to acquire a preferential 50% interest in a to be formed master limited liability company (“Master”). Master is to be the parent company of 10 to 25 operating and management companies, presently owned by Holdings, of skilled nursing and assisted living healthcare facilities.

23 Nov 2009

Renal transplant nurses can play a key role in enhancing patients' quality of life

People who have kidney transplants need longer-term support than most friends, relatives or even healthcare professionals realise, according to a study of 160 patients published in the December issue of the UK-based Journal of Advanced Nursing.

23 Nov 2009

ASP's French affiliate acquires Gloster Europe

Advanced Sterilization Products (ASP), a leading global infection prevention solution provider, announced today the acquisition by its French affiliate, Apsis S.A.S., of Gloster Europe, a privately held developer of innovative disinfection processes and technologies to prevent healthcare-acquired infections. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

23 Nov 2009

EraGen Biosciences to have access to Illumina’s BeadXpress platform

EraGen Biosciences Inc., a developer of novel molecular reagents for the in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) market, and Illumina Inc., a global company that develops, manufactures and markets integrated systems for analysis of genetic variation and biological function, today announced the formation of a strategic partnership and the execution of non-exclusive licensing agreements.

From Illumina, Inc. 23 Nov 2009

RSV found to cause more emergency department visits and hospitalizations than seasonal flu

Influenza, particularly H1N1, has understandably captured the attention of public health officials, the media and the public. However, an analysis from Children's Hospital Boston, based on patients seen in its emergency department (ED) during several recent flu seasons, shows that another virus - respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) - takes a substantially greater disease toll among young children than does seasonal flu.

23 Nov 2009

Bacteria help in preventing inflammation after skin injury

On the skin's surface, bacteria are abundant, diverse and constant, but inflammation is undesirable. Research at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine now shows that the normal bacteria living on the skin surface trigger a pathway that prevents excessive inflammation after injury.

22 Nov 2009

Senate health reform bill passes first key floor test

Roll Call: "Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) scored a major victory Saturday night by persuading all 60 members of the Democratic Conference to vote to bring his $848 billion health care reform bill up for debate.

22 Nov 2009

On the health bill, Senate Democratic leaders finally hit number 60

The Washington Post: "Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) declared Saturday she will support a key procedural step to advance President Obama's health-care legislation." During a Senate floor speech earlier this afternoon, Landrieu said she would support the motion to begin debate on the health bill, "ending days of silence on the matter" (Kane, 11/21).

22 Nov 2009

Despite Senate health care victory, Democrats face bumpy road ahead

Sunday news talk programs were full of lawmakers looking ahead to the next few weeks of Senate debate on a sweeping health care bill.

22 Nov 2009

Shepardson v. Skilled Healthcare Group securities class action: Glancy Binkow & Goldberg appointed Co-Lead Counsel

Glancy Binkow & Goldberg LLP has been appointed as Co-Lead Counsel in the securities class action against Skilled Healthcare Group, Inc., certain of the Company’s executive officers, and certain underwriters of the Company’s May 2007 initial public offering (“IPO”), currently pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California -- Shepardson v. Skilled Healthcare Group, Inc., et al., No. CV 09-5416-DOC (RZx).

21 Nov 2009

Finance is the main cause for Puget Sound-area residents to delay their retirement

More than 60 percent of Puget Sound-area residents say they have delayed or plan to delay their retirement beyond their ideal age, according to a recent survey commissioned by Symetra Financial, Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc., and Senior Services.

21 Nov 2009

AANS and CNS oppose the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act”

The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) announced their opposition to the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,” released this week by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

21 Nov 2009

Tax hikes in Reid-Obama healthcare bill can affect families with special needs children

There are 18 separate tax hikes in the Reid-Obama healthcare bill. One of them caps the amount that can be deferred in Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) at $2500 per year (a similar provision was included in the Pelosi-Obama health bill and written about by Congressman Cathy McMorris-Rogers, R-Was., for National Review Online).

21 Nov 2009

Program on patients undergoing individualized treatment for metastatic breast cancer: NCCN

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), a not-for-profit alliance of 21 of the world's leading cancer centers, has collaborated with the Discovery Health Channel to produce a program profiling three patients with metastatic breast cancer and their healthcare team as they customize each patient's treatment regimen to their individual tumor type and health status.

21 Nov 2009

Pennsylvania Department of Health commences H1N1 vaccination to members of priority groups

The Department of Health today began providing free H1N1 flu shots to members of priority groups that did not have previous access to the vaccine.

21 Nov 2009

Three health care organizations implement interconnected EHR system

Three of the largest Front Range health care organizations are taking an unprecedented leap forward in health care reform by improving care for more than a million Coloradans with an interconnected electronic patient record exchange system.

21 Nov 2009