Nursing News and Research

Latest Nursing News and Research

Medtronic announces enrollment of first European patients in randomized controlled trial of ITB Therapy

Medtronic, Inc. today announced the enrollment of the first European patients in the largest randomized controlled trial to date to investigate the benefits of ITB Therapy(R) (Intrathecal Baclofen) in post-stroke patients affected by spasticity. The announcement comes as the World Congress for Neurorehabilitation is taking place in Vienna, Austria.

26 Mar 2010

U.S. DEA rules prevent nursing home patients in severe pain from receiving needed medication

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's rules and procedures are seriously delaying and in some cases preventing nursing home patients from getting the pain medication they need.

26 Mar 2010

Alere WCH partners with Monica Healthcare

Alere Health, LLC, a leader in personal health support solutions, today announced a partnership between the Alere® Women's & Children's Health Division and UK-based Monica Healthcare Ltd, developers of a groundbreaking wireless, wearable fetal-maternal monitor.

26 Mar 2010

Proposed Medicaid, Medicare cuts threaten seniors' long term care needs in Texas

State and national long term care leaders warned today that the new round of cuts to Medicaid-funded nursing home care now being considered by Austin policymakers places seniors' care in direct jeopardy, puts key facility jobs at substantial risk, and undermines the economic stability facilities require to continue the provision of quality care to Texas' most vulnerable seniors and persons with disabilities.

26 Mar 2010

Global home health management market expanding at CAGR of 10% through 2012

Remote health management is the fastest growing segment of a burgeoning home health management market. However, RHM’s full potential will materialize only if health insurers adopt reimbursement practices that encourage greater physician adoption, concludes Scientia Advisors, a global strategy consulting firm, in its review of the worldwide home health management market released today.

26 Mar 2010

Ontario nurses welcome 1.5% increase in hospital funding

Ontario nurses welcome the 1.5 per cent increase in hospital funding outlined in the Ontario budget, and say this means government and employers must now fast track the promised 9,000 additional nurses to ensure patients receive the quality care they need and deserve.

26 Mar 2010

UHC/AACN Nurse Residency Program helps members achieve 4.4% turnover rate

The University HealthSystem Consortium, an alliance of 107 academic medical centers and 232 of their affiliated hospitals, announced today that the UHC/AACN Nurse Residency Program™ has helped members achieve an astounding 4.4% turnover rate among first-year nurses.

26 Mar 2010

Skin cancer prevention measure increases hat use among fourth-graders

A sun protection intervention program that encouraged fourth-graders to wear hats outdoors as a skin cancer prevention measure significantly increased hat use at school, a study by researchers at the University of South Florida College of Medicine found. The program, however, had no effect on self-reported hat use at home or on measures of skin pigmentation.

26 Mar 2010

Obama requests $2.8B in emergency funds for Haiti

President Barack Obama sent a letter (.pdf) to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) Wednesday asking the Congress "for $2.8 billion in emergency funds to provide for costs associated with relief and reconstruction for Haiti, after its devastating earthquake on January 12," Reuters reports.

26 Mar 2010

ONA President’s statement on Ontario provincial budget

Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) President Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN says that today's provincial budget means more service and nursing cuts for patients in this province.

26 Mar 2010

New interactive Web site for veterans and military family members

Geisinger recently launched www.PAVetFamilyWeb.com. This Web site is designed to serve Pennsylvania families who are coping with military separations and multiple deployments of a service member as well as caregivers, wounded warriors, service members and military veterans.

26 Mar 2010

Animal study shows chymase inhibitors could advance treatments for high BP and heart failure

Millions of patients with high blood pressure and heart failure take a class of drugs known as ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors. These drugs prevent the body from processing angiotensin II, a hormone that constricts blood vessels.

26 Mar 2010

BioScrip acquires Critical Homecare Solutions Holdings

BioScrip, Inc. today announced that it has completed its acquisition of Critical Homecare Solutions Holdings, Inc. (“CHS”), a leading provider of home infusion and home nursing products and services to patients suffering from chronic and acute medical conditions.

26 Mar 2010

Flip-flops and sneakers may help reduce osteoarthritis

Flip-flops and sneakers with flexible soles are easier on the knees than clogs or even special walking shoes, a study by Rush University Medical Center has found. And that's important, because loading on the knee joints is a key factor in the development of osteoarthritis.

25 Mar 2010

Novel test may help identify newborns with fragile X syndrome

A newly developed test appears highly accurate in identifying newborns with fragile X syndrome—the most common inherited cause of cognitive impairment—as well as identifying couples who are carriers of the causative gene, reports a study in the March issue of Genetics in Medicine, the official peer-reviewed journal of The American College of Medical Genetics.

25 Mar 2010

Committee recommends inclusion of genetic diseases in newborn screening program

The experts who make recommendations for genetic disease screening in newborns face a challenging task: To make conclusions based on the most authoritative available evidence, while considering gaps in the research on such rare conditions, as well as their human impact. An overview of the steps followed by the expert panels tasked with making these recommendations is presented in a special section of the current issue of Genetics in Medicine, the official peer-reviewed journal of The American College of Medical Genetics.

25 Mar 2010

Alzheimer's Foundation of America applauds dementia-related provisions in health reform law

The Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) is extremely pleased that the historic health reform signed into law by President Obama late this morning, after passing the U.S. House of Representatives on Sunday and the U.S. Senate in December, includes a number of provisions that are especially significant for AFA's constituents—and bode well for improving quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, and their family caregivers. In particular, we are grateful that the final action addresses many of the practical and financial needs faced daily by this population, speaks to preventative issues and bolsters training of dementia care professionals.

25 Mar 2010

Breastfeeding expert offers tips for choosing right feeding bottles

Breastfeeding expert Donna Dowling, associate professor of nursing at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University, could sympathize with the new mom next to her in a large baby store as she was also overwhelmed by the variety of bottle choices in the 12 x 8 foot display.

25 Mar 2010

Health reform debate often misrepresents changes to Medicare

Seniors, as well as doctors who treat Medicare patients, "have been shaken up by news that health care reform efforts are largely funded by about $455 billion worth of projected savings in the government health insurance program for the elderly.

25 Mar 2010

Medicaid cuts weaken Idaho’s health care safety net, says AARP

The 217,000 Idahoans, 15% of the state's population, who rely on Medicaid for basic health services, are bracing for bad news from state lawmakers -- more cuts to their health care safety net.

25 Mar 2010