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World AIDS Day observed, activists decry budget cuts

A new study on HIV anti-retroviral regimens was released Dec. 1 and events were held to mark World AIDS Day. Meanwhile, advocates in New York and California expressed concern about budget cuts and tight funding for AIDS programs.

2 Dec 2009

Butler Health System implements PatientKeeper’s Platform and Physician Portal

PatientKeeper®, Inc., the leading provider of Physician Information Technology, announced today that Butler Health System of Butler, Pennsylvania selected PatientKeeper to help its organization meet the meaningful use criteria requirements established by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The implementation of PatientKeeper’s Platform and Physician Portal, which is scheduled to roll-out in the first quarter of 2010, will extend physician accessibility and connectivity to over 200 physicians and significantly impact patient quality and care.

2 Dec 2009

URMC implements Allocade's artificial intelligence based solution to manage patient flow and logistics

The University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) and Allocade, Inc., today announced the first installation and implementation of the On-Cue™ system in New York. URMC is utilizing the On-Cue software solution from Allocade to automate patient flow throughout the hospital and improve operational efficiencies by creating dynamic patient itineraries. The On-Cue system utilizes artificial intelligence, offering healthcare an efficient operating system that helps caregivers to effectively manage patient flow and logistics.

2 Dec 2009

Reactions to CBO report on Senate health bill are mixed

News organizations continue to report on reactions to the Congressional Budget Office's analysis of the Senate health bill.

2 Dec 2009

Behind-the-scenes players Daschle, Carper, Orszag help guide health debate

Though he has no official government position, Tom Daschle, a former Senate leader and one-time nominee for health secretary, is still attending key health-reform meetings, the Associated Press reports.

2 Dec 2009

Efforts to expand adult day care programs threatened by recession-driven cuts

Kaiser Health News, in a story produced in collaboration with The Washington Post, reports on adult day care.

2 Dec 2009

Minnesota's first e-Patient

Minnesota's first virtual doctor's visit was conducted Monday evening, the Pioneer Press reports. The patient, Beth Piper or Hampton, Minn., learned that sleeping pills would interact badly with another medication she uses during the seven minute Webcam-enabled discussion. Her doctor, Eric Christianson, suggested using Benadryl instead.

2 Dec 2009

Health bill's lesser-known provisions could have big impact

News outlets report on some of the lesser-known provisions of the health care bills pending in Congress, including possible improvements for the Indian Health System and mandated calorie count labels on vending machines.

2 Dec 2009

Online medical pricing takes on new importance in struggling economy

"Consumers are increasingly turning to the Web to compare medical fees as the economy and less generous health benefits squeeze household budgets," The Associated Press reports. Their efforts are aided in many states by laws that require online posting of medical fees. "More than 30 states have passed laws that require online publication of medical fees by hospitals and other health care providers," according to the AP.

2 Dec 2009

Capsule launches first intelligent touch-screen platform to manage bedside device connectivity

Capsule, the leading provider of medical device connectivity, today announced its official release of the Capsule Neuron™. Following Capsule's recent release of their Enterprise Device Connectivity Solution, the flexible, innovative Capsule Neuron platform allows the solution to be deployed across the hospital in both high and low acuity environments.

2 Dec 2009

IDN Health Systems implements PHACTS' Enterprise-Wide Inventory Management Solution

PHACTS, LLC, a leader in Pharmacy Inventory Management Systems, signed exclusive agreements in 2009 with USA IDN Health Systems and hospitals valued at $22.4 million in new business. PHACTS expects this number to grow to over $30 million by the end of 2009.

2 Dec 2009

International AIDS Vaccine Initiative calls for redoubled efforts in vaccine development

As we approach World AIDS Day, observed globally December 1, we are reminded that while progress has been made in expanding access to treatment and prevention and that progress has been made toward the development of new prevention tools, the world is still falling short of established targets for providing universal access to HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment and care by 2010. Nearly 5.5 million of the estimated 9.5 million people in need of antiretroviral therapy are still not receiving it.

2 Dec 2009

BC's Ministry of Health cuts funds for HIV and AIDS service organizations

Today, as local and national governments around the world reaffirm their commitment to continue the fight against HIV and AIDS, BC's government is doing the opposite.

2 Dec 2009

Columbia University VP testifies on medical malpractice reform

Lee Goldman, M.D., executive vice president for health and biomedical sciences and dean of the faculties of medicine and health sciences at Columbia University testified today on medical malpractice reform before the New York State Senate Committees on Codes, Health and Insurance in Albany, New York.

2 Dec 2009

Health eTouch helps to enhance communications between patients and doctors

Parents of teens know just how difficult it is to get them to talk about their personal lives, let alone their health. With only 20 percent of children with mental health problems in the United States being properly identified and treated, it is imperative that a solution be found. Doctors and researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital are one step closer by finding a new way to get teens to open up about their health and what's really on their mind, bringing up issues that otherwise would have gone unnoticed.

2 Dec 2009

First Edition: December 2, 2009

Today's headlines detail the Senate's effort to confront contentious amendments and partisan strife on day two of that chamber's health reform debate.

2 Dec 2009

Kaiser workers face pay and healthcare benefits risk by NLRB decision

A decision issued today by a regional director of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has put at risk the guaranteed raises, healthcare coverage, and pensions of Kaiser Permanente RNs, social workers, and professionals in Southern California.

2 Dec 2009

Integrated eating disorders center to be launched shortly

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical College and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, in affiliation with the New York State Psychiatric Institute, announced the creation of an integrated eating disorders center. Opening today is a key clinical component of this new center -- The Outlook at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Westchester Division in White Plains.

2 Dec 2009

OEM's and third parties granted access to Telemis Group's PACS solutions

Telemis Group, the medical imaging company specialized in PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) solutions, has announced that it is to make its innovative, platform-independent technologies available to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and other third parties for the first time.

2 Dec 2009

Public Campaign Action Fund names Senator McConnell its first "Insurance Puppet"

Public Campaign Action Fund, a national campaign finance watchdog group, named Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) its first "Insurance Puppet" in an online advertising campaign targeting Kentucky and Washington, D.C.

2 Dec 2009