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New rule from CMS for improving stroke patient care in hospitals

A new rule from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS Final FY 2010 Rule) focuses on improving stroke patient care in hospitals. Beginning 2010, hospitals submitting Medicare claims for stroke must let CMS know if they participate in a database registry for stroke care, such as that maintained by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Get With The Guidelines-Stroke (GWTG-Stroke) quality improvement initiative.

28 Aug 2009

Also in global health news: NTD study; false cholera cases in Zimbabwe; contaminated water in Kenya; doctor's strike ends

UPI reports on a recent review article in the journal PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases that analyzed the toll of neglected tropical diseases on populations in sub-Saharan Africa. "Researchers said helminth (parasitic worm) infections account for approximately 85 percent of the neglected tropical diseases, which overall might be equivalent to more than double that caused by tuberculosis and as much as half of the area's malaria disease burden," the news service writes (8/26).

28 Aug 2009

Brazil emerges as country with highest number of H1N1-related deaths

The H1N1 (swine) flu is blamed for 557 deaths in Brazil, "making it the country with the highest number of fatalities in the world from the disease," according to the country's health ministry, Agence France-Presse reports. "Brazil's health ministry said in a statement the government was freeing up one billion dollars to buy 73 million doses of a new vaccine being developed against swine flu, as well as Tamiflu stocks, hospital equipment and diagnostic gear," the news service writes (8/26).

28 Aug 2009

Kennedy death places leadership question mark on health care reform

NPR: "It was perhaps his biggest legislative disappointment that he hadn't managed to realize the goal of providing health insurance for every American. But along the way, he left a major mark on the nation's health care system" (Rovner, 8/26).

28 Aug 2009

CREW opposes misleading ad about healthcare released by MSNBC

Today, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) sent a letter to MSNBC President Phil Griffin asking that MSNBC stop airing an ad sponsored by the U.S. Citizens Association. The ad, which ran at least once on August 27, 2009, during Morning Joe, violates Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations and NBC’s advertising policy.

28 Aug 2009

Abortion questions continue in health reform debate

The Wall Street Journal reports: "Anti-abortion groups are gearing up for a battle in the fall over health-care legislation, another headache for Democrats who already face concerns about the measure's cost and reach. Most versions of the Democratic health plan would create subsidies for lower-income people to buy private health insurance.

27 Aug 2009

New award created to honour healthcare CEOs and administrators that support infection prevention

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) has created a new award to recognize healthcare CEOs and administrators that support infection prevention and control efforts throughout their facilities. The new APIC Healthcare Administrator Award will honor a member of a healthcare facility’s executive team (CEO, COO, CFO, CMO, CNO) who has demonstrated significant and sustained support of the organization’s infection prevention team.

27 Aug 2009

Majority of Americans are ready to get vaccinated against H1N1 flu virus

A recent poll on the H1N1 flu conducted by the American Red Cross found that more Americans are taking or planning on taking extra measures to cover their coughs and sneezes with tissue (78%) or wash their hands more carefully (76%) to avoid getting the flu.

27 Aug 2009

Premier’s group buy program helps hospitals to save more than $74 million in 2008

At a time when hospital operating margins are paper thin, the Premier healthcare alliance is helping its members achieve enhanced savings through its hospital group buy program. Members who utilized the program generated savings of more than $74 million in 2008.

27 Aug 2009

Study: Patients may face radioactive risk from imaging tests

"At least four million Americans under age 65 are exposed to high doses of radiation each year from medical imaging tests, according to a new study in The New England Journal of Medicine," The New York Times reports. And about ten percent of those patients "receive very high doses, more than the maximum annual exposure allowed for nuclear power plant employees or anyone else who works with radioactive material." The study was based on a survey of nearly one million patients insured by UnitedHealthcare.

27 Aug 2009

First Edition: August 27, 2009

Today's news: Speculation begins regarding the impact Sen. Kennedy's death will have on the health reform debate and the Democrat's prospects for success.

27 Aug 2009

Four medical groups of Resurrection Health Care Preferred earn nine blue stars in the 2009 Blue Star Report

Three out of four medical groups of Resurrection Health Care Preferred (RHCP) have earned nine blue stars, a perfect score, in the 2009 Blue Star Report -- an annual ranking of doctors in medical groups from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois.

27 Aug 2009

MN Community Measurement publishes cost and quality information together to help consumers make informed decisions about their health care

In a significant step toward bringing cost and quality information together to help consumers make informed decisions about their health care, MN Community Measurement has published new information about how much medical groups are paid to provide more than 100 common health care services. MN Community Measurement, a nonprofit organization, already provides objective information on the quality of health care through its Web site, www.mnhealthscores.org.

27 Aug 2009

Adventist Medical Center receives the Community Value Index Five-Star hospital award

Adventist Medical Center (AMC) has received the Community Value Index (CVI) Five-Star hospital award for the third consecutive year. Developed by Cleverley and Associates, the national recognition signifies AMC’s dedication to meeting the healthcare needs of the community in a financially responsible, efficient and effective manner.

27 Aug 2009

Providing voluntary benefits to workers helps close financial gaps

Many employees now face gaps in coverage that put them at financial risk because of the economy, according to a new white paper released by Colonial Life.

27 Aug 2009

New analysis tool from Sg2 to help hospitals gear up for reform-driven payment changes

To help hospitals and health systems prepare for the impending payment changes associated with health care reform initiatives and a changing incentive structure, Sg2, a future-focused health care intelligence company, has released an innovative new tool -- the Sg2 Reform Readiness Analysis.

27 Aug 2009

Urgent requirement for O negative blood group in Memorial Blood Centers

The need for blood never takes a vacation. Every two seconds, someone in our community needs blood. From premature infants to an organ transplant recipient who will typically require 40 units of blood to survive. And right now, the need is urgent. We are currently facing a shortage of Type 0 negative, the universal blood type that can be given to save the life of anyone, from premature infants and children having heart surgery to an organ transplant recipient who will typically require 40 units of blood to survive. Type B negative blood also is urgently needed.

27 Aug 2009

Detroit area physical therapist involved in a conspiracy to defraud the Medicare program

Detroit area physical therapist Jay Jha, 45, pleaded guilty today to participating in a conspiracy to defraud the Medicare program of approximately $18.3 million, Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Terrence I. Berg of the Eastern District of Michigan and Daniel R. Levinson, Inspector General of the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) announced.

27 Aug 2009

California Bioscience Business Roundtable event hosted at the Quadrus Conference Center

Today a group of national and California-based partners hosted the California Bioscience Business Roundtable (BBR) event at the Quadrus Conference Center in Menlo Park. The event also featured Sam Youngman, the White Correspondent for The Hill newspaper, who provided a reporter's front row perspective on the unfolding health reform debate in Washington, D.C.

27 Aug 2009

Hospital Value Index reveals that consumers can find high-value healthcare in U.S.

Want to be sure you are spending your healthcare dollars wisely? Fortunately, the latest version of the Hospital Value Index™ reveals that informed healthcare consumers can find high-value healthcare in every corner of the United States.

27 Aug 2009

Healthcare News

New rule from CMS for improving stroke patient care in hospitals

Also in global health news: NTD study; false cholera cases in Zimbabwe; contaminated water in Kenya; doctor's strike ends

Brazil emerges as country with highest number of H1N1-related deaths

Kennedy death places leadership question mark on health care reform

CREW opposes misleading ad about healthcare released by MSNBC

Abortion questions continue in health reform debate

New award created to honour healthcare CEOs and administrators that support infection prevention

Majority of Americans are ready to get vaccinated against H1N1 flu virus

Premier’s group buy program helps hospitals to save more than $74 million in 2008

Study: Patients may face radioactive risk from imaging tests

First Edition: August 27, 2009

Four medical groups of Resurrection Health Care Preferred earn nine blue stars in the 2009 Blue Star Report

MN Community Measurement publishes cost and quality information together to help consumers make informed decisions about their health care

Adventist Medical Center receives the Community Value Index Five-Star hospital award

Providing voluntary benefits to workers helps close financial gaps

New analysis tool from Sg2 to help hospitals gear up for reform-driven payment changes

Urgent requirement for O negative blood group in Memorial Blood Centers

Detroit area physical therapist involved in a conspiracy to defraud the Medicare program

California Bioscience Business Roundtable event hosted at the Quadrus Conference Center

Hospital Value Index reveals that consumers can find high-value healthcare in U.S.

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