Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

Siemens Healthcare's SOMATOM Emotion 16 ranked highest among 16-slice CT systems

According to a recent report from market research firm KLAS*, Siemens Healthcare's SOMATOM(R) Emotion CT scanner is ranked highest among 16-slice CT systems. Powerful and cost-effective, the SOMATOM Emotion 16 enables facilities to not only perform routine examinations, such as brain, chest, and abdomen examinations, but also undertake high-end, detailed examinations, such as high-resolution CT angiography, which greatly improve patient care, as well as diagnostic workflow.

19 Aug 2009

CSL Biotherapies to supply Afluria influenza vaccines from newly licensed packaging facility

CSL Biotherapies, a subsidiary of CSL Limited, one of the world's leading manufacturers of influenza vaccine, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has licensed the company’s newest vaccine filling and packaging facility, located in Kankakee, Ill. The facility, part of an investment to expand CSL’s U.S. influenza vaccine production capabilities, includes a high-speed, single-dose vaccine syringe filling line.

19 Aug 2009

Compete rates Healthgrades.com number one doctor-ratings web site

HealthGrades.com is the #1 doctor-ratings Web site – by an enormous margin – according to an analysis of Web traffic by Compete, a TNS Media company. HealthGrades.com, long known for its hospital-quality ratings, is the public Web site of the leading healthcare ratings company, featuring quality reports and ratings of every practicing doctor, hospital and nursing home in the country.

19 Aug 2009

White House offers reassurance that public option is very much alive

The Wall Street Journal: "The White House sent an email to members of Congress and other supporters saying that President Barack Obama wants a public insurance option as part of health-care overhaul. Ms. Sebelius seemed to suggest otherwise on Sunday, saying a public option isn't an 'essential element.'"

19 Aug 2009

New study suggests financial situation of U.S. hospitals improving

The median profit margin of U.S. hospitals increased from 0.17 percent in the third quarter of 2008 to 3.1 percent in the first quarter of 2009, according to an analysis of hospital finances published today by Thomson Reuters.

19 Aug 2009

Gfk Healthcare launches Brand BEAT to provide a holistic evaluation of brand equity

GfK Healthcare, the largest provider of fully integrated custom health care marketing research in the United States, announced today the launch of Brand BEAT™ (Brand Equity Assessment & Tracking), a complete package of health care-specific brand positioning diagnostic tools for measuring the cognitive and emotional strengths of a brand.

19 Aug 2009

Second BioPharm America partnering event aims to address key industry issues

EBD Group today announced that the second annual BioPharm America™ partnering event, September 16–18 at the San Francisco Marriott, will host some of the biggest names in biotech business who will tackle many of the key issues on the minds of industry executives around the world.

19 Aug 2009

Arcadia Resources to meet institutional investors at Barrington Research Healthcare Conference

Arcadia Resources, Inc. (NYSE Amex: KAD), a leading provider of innovative consumer health care services under the Arcadia HealthCare(SM) brand, today announced President and CEO Marvin R. Richardson and CFO Matthew Middendorf will attend the Barrington Research Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, August 25.

19 Aug 2009

API Healthcare offers new business analytics solution for enterprise workforce information analysis

API Healthcare, the leading provider of human capital management solutions to the healthcare industry, today announced the availability of its new Business Analytics solution, a software application that provides hospitals and health systems with a centralized source for analyzing workforce information across the enterprise.

19 Aug 2009

Affiliated Computer Services collaborates with clients to develop business solutions for managing downturn

As companies and government agencies navigate unprecedented economic challenges, some organizations are finding innovative ways to save money but also improve services and productivity. Affiliated Computer Services, Inc. (NYSE: ACS) is working closely with its clients to develop successful business solutions designed to help them manage the economic downturn and prepare for the eventual rebound.

19 Aug 2009

Toy manufacturers need to urgently review their safety tests say scientists

Findings from research at the University of Leeds could be used to improve toy safety and prevent injury and even deaths from choking among the under fives.

18 Aug 2009

GOP sees chance for revival as Democrats struggle with health proposals

"Republicans finally have a little spring back in their step thanks to a health care debate that has done more to cool off Obama-mania and reignite the conservative base than even most of its leaders had hoped," Politico reports.

18 Aug 2009

The White House backs away from public option

Obama administration officials are signaling their willingness to compromise on a public plan option in any health reform proposal.

17 Aug 2009

FDA approves Helixate FS for routine prophylaxis in children with hemophilia A

CSL Behring announced today that Helixate® FS, Antihemophilic Factor (Recombinant), has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for routine prophylaxis in children with hemophilia A who are 16 years old or younger and do not have pre-existing joint damage.

17 Aug 2009

Health overhaul explainers and answers

NPR provides an interactive report on how a health care overhaul would affect different consumers such as the uninsured, employer insured and underinsured. It notes: "President Obama has challenged Congress to come up with a bill that provides quality, affordable health insurance to all Americans -- without adding to the deficit. See how key proposals would affect you" (Knox, 8/14).

17 Aug 2009

Congressman Chaka Fattah statement on public option to reform America's healthcare system

"We must not let the conversation about healthcare reform become derailed by confusion. If real reform is to take place it must include a public option.

17 Aug 2009

The President and White House officials try to debunk end-of-life care rumors

The Hill: "Democrats seem to have a new strategy for fighting the 'death panel' charges about healthcare reform legislation.

17 Aug 2009

FDA approves Extavia for multiple sclerosis

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Extavia(R) (interferon beta-1b), the first in a new planned portfolio of multiple sclerosis (MS) medicines from Novartis to help patients manage this devastating disease.

17 Aug 2009

Sonosite acquires Cardiodynamics

SonoSite, Inc. (NASDAQ:SONO) today announced that on August 14, 2009, it completed the acquisition of CardioDynamics International Corporation (NASDAQ:CDIC), a leader in impedance cardiography (ICG) for noninvasive hemodynamic assessment.

17 Aug 2009

PEPFAR partners with BD to improve blood collection safety in Africa

PEPFAR and the global medical technology company BD announced an iniative Tuesday that will work to improve blood collection safety in clinics and hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa – an issue that PANA/Afrique en ligne reports has "become more critical than ever in sub-Saharan nations and other developing countries severely impacted by the HIV/AIDS pandemic" (8/12).

16 Aug 2009