Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

New FDA program targets drug dosage errors

Federal Drug Administration Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg announced a new "Safe Use" program for drugs on Wednesday.

6 Nov 2009

Pelosi says House will pass health bill; measure gains AARP, AMA backing

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., says she will have enough votes to pass Democratic health care legislation by Saturday. "The statement, however, is a tacit acknowledgement that she doesn't have them yet," The Hill reports.

6 Nov 2009

Average cost of patient deaths much higher than patients who were discharged alive

One of every three people who died in 2007 in the United States were in the hospital for treatment at the time of their deaths, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The cost of their hospital stays was about $20 billion.

6 Nov 2009

McKesson signs agreement to help the statewide medical services innovator streamline workflow

Dedicated to enabling healthcare providers to improve performance using information technology, McKesson has signed an agreement with Iowa Health System to help the statewide medical services innovator streamline workflow and boost productivity. McKesson is deploying its enterprise-wide solution Horizon Medical Imaging™ picture archiving and communications system (PACS) at 34 metropolitan hospitals and clinics throughout Iowa.

6 Nov 2009

Bodhi Body selects public relations firm and marketing agency Zion & Zion

Bodhi Body is a new way to look at healthcare. Through the incorporation of integrated medical and wellness services ranging from IV therapy to yoga and naturopathic medicine, Bodhi Body improves quality of life. In an effort to launch the brand and facility with maximum impact and to rapidly recruit clients, the company has engaged top Phoenix public relations firm and marketing agency Zion & Zion.

6 Nov 2009

Walls Street journal examines big pharma's 'growing interest' in emerging-market vaccine development, production

The Wall Street Journal examines "big pharma's growing interest in a corner of healthcare - emerging-market inoculations," in light of a recent move by Novartis to purchase an 85 percent stake in the Chinese vaccine maker Zhejiang Tianyuan Bio-Pharmaceutical Co. In the summer, drug maker Sanofi-Aventis SA made a similar move to acquire a majority stake in India's Shantha Biotechnics, the newspaper notes.

6 Nov 2009

Lack of evidence a problem for policymakers, doctors and patients

One category of medical mysteries that stumps expert doctors and policymakers alike falls under the heading: What works? News reports on two new studies - and one that was never completed - offer insight into that issue.

6 Nov 2009

Democrats must clear remaining hurdles on path to health vote

As House Democrats move towards a weekend vote, they must resolve a series of outstanding issues, The Hill reports. Blue Dog Democrats, a fiscally conservative voting bloc, said up to 30 of their members "are considering voting against the bill because of concerns that it will increase healthcare costs in its second 10 years."

6 Nov 2009

Prescription drug abuse among teens: NCPIE, SAMHSA launches campaign

The National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE), along with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and representatives from 15 nationally recognized prevention, health professional and child advocacy organizations, are launching Maximizing Your Role as a Teen Influencer: What You Can Do to Help Prevent Teen Prescription Drug Abuse.

6 Nov 2009

Today's selection of opinions and editorials

When Speaker Nancy Pelosi unveiled the revised House Democratic health care bill last week, the Obama White House hailed it as a "critical milestone" in the process. No doubt senior administration officials were relieved to see signs of "momentum" toward passage of something. But if the president really meant what he has said about health care policy throughout this year, his administration would be working to defeat the Pelosi bill, not supporting it (James Capretta).

5 Nov 2009

Doctors scrutinize defensive medicine, surgeons oppose Senate reform bill

Doctors and lawyers are disputing the true costs of defensive medicine, while surgeons oppose provisions being considered by the Senate for health reform.

5 Nov 2009

Saturday night vote set on house health reform

The Washington Post reports: "Democratic whips worked their rank and file, while House leaders tried to secure a momentum-building endorsement from the AARP, the nation's largest association of people over 50. President Obama, meanwhile, laid plans to visit Capitol Hill on Thursday or Friday to address House Democrats in a final push for his signature domestic initiative.

5 Nov 2009

Environmental Tectonics bags two new contracts worth $700,000 from previous customers

Environmental Tectonics Corporation's Sterilization Systems Group (SSG), a division of ETC's Control Systems Group (CSG), today announced the award of two new contracts for large, industrial sized sterilization systems from previous customers. The combined contract values exceed $700,000.

5 Nov 2009

GOP lawmakers seek to explore health reform's impact on FEHBP

Government Executive.com: "Sixteen Republican representatives wrote to Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Edolphus Towns, D-N.Y., to demand that he schedule hearings on reform proposals' potential impact on the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program."

5 Nov 2009

Democrats weigh impact of election results on health reform

While some Democrats seem rattled by election results this week, others say the GOP victories in two races for governor won't change their approach to health overhaul legislation.

5 Nov 2009

CBO: GOP health bill would cut deficit somewhat, do little to expand coverage

"The Congressional Budget Office said Wednesday that the alternative health care bill proposed by House Republicans would have little impact in extending health benefits to the roughly 30 million uninsured Americans, but would reduce average insurance premium costs for people who have coverage," The New York Times reports.

5 Nov 2009

TPG Capital, CPP Investment Board to acquire IMS Health

IMS Health, the world’s leading provider of market intelligence to the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by investment funds managed by TPG Capital (“TPG”) and the CPP Investment Board (“CPPIB”) in a transaction with a total value of $5.2 billion, including the assumption of debt.

5 Nov 2009

IntegraMed America reports operating results for the third quarter of 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 reported improved overall operating results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009.

5 Nov 2009

LaserBand signs an agreement for healthcare wristbands and labels with MedAssets Supply Chain Systems

LaserBand, the leading provider of patient identification wristbands and related products, recently signed an agreement for healthcare wristbands and labels with MedAssets Supply Chain Systems, one of the nation’s largest group purchasing organizations (GPO).

5 Nov 2009

Sonomax U.K. to supply SonoCustom earplugs to DFRMO

Sonomax UK Limited reports that working for extended periods on military airfields and in close proximity to fast jet aircraft with a typical noise exposure of between 110 and 140 decibels, the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence Fire Risk Management Organization (DFRMO) recognized the need to review the hearing protection being supplied to their fire fighters.

5 Nov 2009