Healthcare News

RSS

NTNU launches European Palliative Care Research Centre

A first-ever pan-European centre devoted to improving patient palliative care and end of life care was officially launched Thursday, October 15, at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) ,with the opening of the European Palliative Care Research Centre.

19 Oct 2009

Recent releases in global health

In light of a recent Guttmacher Institute report that indicated 70,000 women in developing countries die each year from unsafe abortion, a Lancet editorial outlines ways to reduce deaths, and says, "The current political climate is favourable, because the global-gag rule (the U.S. Government's policy on banning funding of foreign organisations linked to any type of abortion practice) is out of favour" (10/17).

19 Oct 2009

Also in global health news: Street pharmacies; China health care; Hospital safety; African cardinals; Cells phones for health

Agence France-Presse examines Adjegounle, the "drugs" district in Benin. Although some are able to support their families by selling drugs at "street pharmacies," a minimum of "250 deaths and 340 cases of chronic illnesses linked to such drugs were recorded between April 2007 and June 2008," according to a medical thesis, the news service writes.

19 Oct 2009

House panel sets stage for reconciliation maneuver

A key House panel approved a measure Thursday setting the stage for Senate Democrats to bypass likely Republican attempts to block health reform legislation, CBS News reports.

19 Oct 2009

Center remains elusive despite Snowe's support

The political center remains elusive in the health care debate, despite Democrats' glee after one version of the bill received a GOP vote, Politico reports. "If Democratic leadership hoped Republican Olympia Snowe's decision to cross party lines Tuesday would inspire her fellow middle-of-the-roaders, they were mistaken."

19 Oct 2009

Internet use among older Americans can reduce U.S. healthcare costs

Spending time online reduces depression by 20 percent for senior citizens, the Phoenix Center reports in a new Policy Paper released today. In addition to the quality of life benefits, the Policy Paper said reducing the incidence of depression by widespread Internet use among older Americans could trim the nation's health care bill.

19 Oct 2009

Bedside coaching and exercising for ICU patients on ventilators

Few people have thought about providing an exercise workout in the intensive care unit, especially for patients on ventilators - even those who are comatose - but a researcher from Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University will be doing some bedside coaching and exercising to get patients stretching and flexing their muscles.

19 Oct 2009

Over 80 countries mark world handwashing day

VOA News reports that more than 80 countries marked Global Handwashing Day Thursday. The news service writes that "[d]iarrhea is the third cause of death in West and Central Africa, which is responsible for 30 percent of the world's deaths of children under the age of five."

19 Oct 2009

CVS Caremark's seasonal flu shot clinics to run through October 22

CVS/pharmacy announced today that its seasonal flu shot clinics will run through October 22, in light of manufacturer delays in delivery of seasonal flu vaccine affecting all health care providers. However, MinuteClinic will continue to administer seasonal flu vaccines at its 500 locations in 25 states throughout the flu season with the supply of vaccine replenished as frequently as possible.

19 Oct 2009

Obama: Health insurers' anti-reform efforts are 'deceptive and dishonest'

Just days before the full Senate is expected to vote on health care reform legislation, President Barack Obama ramped up his attacks on insurers.

19 Oct 2009

California study suggests more spending can save lives

An insurer in Utah is encouraging consumers to use less medical care, but a study of California hospitals suggests that sometimes spending more really does improve patient outcomes.

19 Oct 2009

AHIP and AMA launch health care TV ads

America's Health Insurance Plans and the American Medical Association launch new television ads on health care.

19 Oct 2009

Roundtable discussion to elevate awareness about the importance of biopreparedness

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. was pleased to sponsor the Security and Defence Agenda’s (SDA) roundtable discussion, “Raising Biopreparedness Levels in Europe,” which examined European efforts in preparing and reacting to various biological threats and the potential for European cooperation in these areas.

19 Oct 2009

HHS Secretary to address ASTHO to discuss critical national public health issues

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is scheduled to address the Annual Meeting of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) in Vienna, Va. today. This annual meeting (Oct. 14-16), of state and territorial health officials from across the nation, will hold discussions on critical national public health issues including 2009 H1N1 virus, health reform, food safety, health equity and prevention.

19 Oct 2009

AARP struggles to educate seniors about health care

The Hill reports: "Despite expending vast resources, the AARP has not been able to unite its own membership, Nancy LeaMond, the executive vice president of the organization's social impact group, told reporters on Wednesday. AARP's membership is roughly divided between Democrats, Republicans and independents, LeaMond told reporters."

19 Oct 2009

Qforma introduces new phase of its healthcare database

Patients diagnosed with breast cancer or depression who are seeking a medical expert in their own community to guide them through treatment now have a place to start. Qforma, an advanced analytics and predictive modeling company, today introduced the new phase of its first-of-its-kind healthcare database "Most Influential Doctors," or MID, presented by USA TODAY.

19 Oct 2009

St. Anthony Hospital installs Toshiba America Medical Systems' Vantage Titan MR system

To provide the latest in MR technology to its patient community, St. Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor, Wash. installed the Vantage TitanTM from Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. to offer comprehensive MR patient exams. The new 80-bed St. Anthony hospital is the only full service facility in the area and needed a workhorse MR system to conduct a full range of exams.

18 Oct 2009

Overview of innovative technology for treating ischemic and autoimmune disorders

Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. today announced that it will present at the New England-Israel Life Sciences Summit at the Brandeis International Business School in Waltham, Mass. Zami Aberman, chairman and CEO of Pluristem will present an update on the company and an overview of its technology at 9:40 EDT, Oct 27, 2009.

15 Oct 2009

Ultimate Software's healthcare customers report significant improvements after implementing UltiPro

Ultimate Software, a leading provider of end-to-end strategic human resources, payroll, and talent management solutions, announced today that long-term healthcare customers, including Homewood Retirement Centers, Mather LifeWays, and Holiday Home Health, are reporting significant improvements as a result of UltiPro’s comprehensive human capital management (HCM) features—including UltiPro’s sophisticated reporting, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model, and robust functionality.

15 Oct 2009

Prometheus Laboratories introduces three new cancer diagnostic products

Prometheus Laboratories Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical and diagnostic company, today announced the nationwide commercial launch of three new cancer diagnostic products: ProOnc TumorSource Dx, ProOnc Squamous Dx and ProOnc Mesothelioma Dx. Each of these tests is based on recently developed, highly sensitive microRNA technology.

15 Oct 2009