Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

New easy to understand guide on treatments for osteoarthritis of the knee

A new pair of plain-language guides from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) examines the effectiveness, safety, and adverse effects of various treatments for osteoarthritis of the knee, including glucosamine and chondroitin, fluid injections, arthroscopic surgery, pain medications and other approaches.

13 Apr 2009

Medicare payments for outpatient prescription medications jumped $38 billion between 2005 and 2006

Medicare payments for outpatient prescription medications increased by more than $38 billion when comparing 2005 and 2006 data, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

13 Apr 2009

Depression after heart disease increases risk of heart failure

Patients with heart disease who are subsequently diagnosed with depression are at greater risk for heart failure (HF), a condition in which the heart can't pump enough blood throughout the body, according to a new study published in the April 21, 2009, issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

13 Apr 2009

Music listening may be beneficial for heart disease patients

Listening to music may benefit patients who suffer severe stress and anxiety associated with having and undergoing treatment for coronary heart disease.

12 Apr 2009

FDA acts to avoid shortage of medically necessary opioid

The U.S Food and Drug Administration today amended its March 30, 2009, action warning manufacturers to stop the production and distribution of certain unapproved prescription opioids, to allow the continued marketing and distribution of one particular type of opioid -- a high concentrate morphine sulfate oral solution -- on an interim basis.

12 Apr 2009

Stakeholders participate in regional White House forum on health care reform

At Monday's White House forum on health care reform held in Los Angeles, the discussion concerning how to fix our broken health care system and cover the 47 million Americans (6.8 million Californians) who are uninsured underscored the need for action now.

9 Apr 2009

MRI-based method holds promise for predicting treatment outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation

University of Utah researchers have found that delayed-enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (DE-MRI) holds promise for predicting treatment outcomes and measuring disease progression for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), a little known heart rhythm disorder that affects more than 3.5 million Americans and causes more than 66,000 deaths a year.

8 Apr 2009

Large safety gaps identified between top and bottom performing hospitals

The 2009 HealthGrades Patient Safety Excellence Award™ recipients were identified in a report issued today by the leading independent healthcare ratings organization.

8 Apr 2009

Patient preferences play role in racial disparities in rheumatoid arthritis treatment

Racial disparities in the delivery of healthcare occur even among insured populations with access to care.

8 Apr 2009

More intensive treatment not associated with better outcomes in early bladder cancer

Patients with early bladder cancer who receive more intensive treatment within the first two years of diagnosis do not appear to have better survival than patients who receive less intensive treatment, according to a retrospective analysis published in the April 7 online issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

8 Apr 2009

Smokers with serious illnesses need additional help to quit, study says

Individuals with serious illnesses - including cancer, heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - make up a disproportionately high segment of current smokers and are also among the most addicted to tobacco use.

8 Apr 2009

Patient to patient transmission of hepatitis B virus:

Patient-to-patient transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) can occur as the result of routine clinical practices incorrectly thought to be risk-free.

8 Apr 2009

Court of Appeal says women are free to pursue claims

Around 7,000 women will be free to pursue their claims for equal pay following a ruling in the Court of Appeal today in the cases of Hurst v Suffolk Mental Health Trust and Arnold and others v Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council.

8 Apr 2009

Major health care overhaul in China

Chinese officials have unveiled a health-care plan which promises to deliver to all its 1.3 billion citizens, fair and affordable health services by the year 2020.

8 Apr 2009

Mayer Laboratories acquires Today Sponge contraceptive distribution rights

Mayer Laboratories, Inc., a marketer and distributor of high-quality contraceptive and other reproductive healthcare products, has announced that it has signed an agreement with Alvogen Group for the exclusive distribution rights of the Today Sponge for the United States, Europe and Canada.

6 Apr 2009

Telehealth technology will help seniors and save billions!

The partnership of two of the biggest companies worldwide could have major implications for healthcare in the future, particularly for those living in rural or remote communities.

6 Apr 2009

Monitoring care of patients with lung cancer in Northern Ireland

Seventeen people are still dying from lung cancer each week in Northern Ireland despite a small improvement in survival rates for the disease.

6 Apr 2009

Taro receives final FDA approval for Carbamazepine extended-release tablets

Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. has reported that it received final approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its Abbreviated New Drug Application ("ANDA") for Carbamazepine Extended-Release Tablets USP, 100 mg, 200 mg and 400 mg ("carbamazepine extended-release tablets").

6 Apr 2009

Single-incision laparoscopic surgery launched at Saint Louis University Hospital

Saint Louis University Hospital recently launched a new surgical program - single-incision laparoscopic surgery - which is a critical advancement in minimally-invasive surgery, paving the way for natural orifice surgery.

6 Apr 2009

GE Healthcare collaborates with CDC on electronic medical records

GE Healthcare has announced a collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Center for Public Health Informatics.

6 Apr 2009