Nursing News and Research

Latest Nursing News and Research

UnitedHealth proposes managed-care plan for those who get both Medicare and Medicaid

UnitedHealth Group Inc. is proposing a managed-care plan for dual recipients of Medicare and Medicaid.

15 Oct 2010

PharMerica announces expiration of HSR Waiting Period to acquire Chem Rx

PharMerica Corporation, a national provider of institutional pharmacy and hospital pharmacy management services, announced today that the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act (the HSR Waiting Period) applicable to the bid to acquire substantially all of the assets of Chem Rx Corporation has expired.

15 Oct 2010

Few Americans plan for Alzheimer's despite rise in awareness

A growing number of Americans report knowing a relative or friend afflicted with Alzheimer's, according to a national poll conducted by the public opinion research firm Abt SRBI. Yet despite this rise in awareness, often accompanied by significant anxiety about one day getting this fatal brain disease, few Americans are planning for its eventuality.

15 Oct 2010

WSNA sues 4 hospitals for failing to provide nurses with rest and meal breaks

Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA), representing more than 16,000 registered nurses in Washington State, has filed lawsuits against four hospitals around the state for failing to provide nurses with rest and meal breaks. Research confirms that nurses working long hours have decreased alertness and vigilance which can lead to an increase in medical errors and compromised patient care. WSNA has been working for several years to ensure that nurses receive full, uninterrupted breaks because that dedicated time to rest is critical in preventing fatigue and fatigue-related errors.

15 Oct 2010

Alimera Sciences obtains $32.5M senior secured credit facility

Alimera Sciences, Inc. announced today that it has obtained a $32.5 million senior secured credit facility to help fund its working capital requirements. The credit facility consists of a $20 million revolving line of credit provided by Silicon Valley Bank and a $12.5 million term loan provided by MidCap Financial, LLC and Silicon Valley Bank.

15 Oct 2010

Dehaier exhibits entire product line at China International Medical Equipment Fair

Dehaier Medical Systems Ltd., an emerging leader in the development, assembly, marketing and sale of medical devices and homecare medical products in China, today announced that on October 12, 2010, Dehaier exhibited its entire product line at the China International Medical Equipment Fair ("CMEF") held in Shenyang.

14 Oct 2010

28% of health care workers in 'work risk' category will not get flu vaccine

A new Consumer Reports Health poll reveals a disconcerting proportion of "at risk" groups who will not get the flu vaccine this year. Of most concern, only 40% of Americans in the "work risk" category—meaning those who care for young children and those who work in residential nursing homes, hospitals, and other health care environments—said they would definitely get the vaccine this year, which combines the seasonal and the 2009 H1N1 (swine) flus, while 28% said they would definitely not get the vaccine.

14 Oct 2010

Researchers report prevalence data on mental disorders among U.S. adolescents

Mental disorders in children are often difficult to identify due to the myriad of changes that occur during the normal course of maturation. For the first time, researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health have reported on the prevalence data on a broad range of mental disorders in a nationally representative sample of U.S. adolescents, which show that approximately one in five children in the U.S. meet the criteria for a mental disorder severe enough to disrupt their daily lives.

14 Oct 2010

Free public event to discuss impact of health care reform on industry

Pennsylvania Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Dan Onorato, along with physicians, nurses, patients, political leaders and those interested in health care reform will participate in a free public event on Wednesday, October 20, 2010, to discuss the impact health care reform will have on the health care industry, cardiovascular care and the patient experience.

14 Oct 2010

Overseas nurses not feeling personally or professionally valued by UK nursing establishment

Many overseas nurses have negative experiences of living and working in the UK, particularly when it comes to feeling personally valued and professionally respected, according to the October issue of the Journal of Clinical Nursing.

14 Oct 2010

Survey: 94% of psychiatric nurses are dedicated in providing care for people with mental illness

According to a new survey sponsored by Janssen-, Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc, 94 percent of psychiatric nurses feel very or extremely involved in providing care for people with mental illness. Although some psychiatric nurses believe that their specialty is as difficult as or more difficult than oncology nursing, or emergency nursing, one-third would prefer to be more involved in patient care than they are now. The survey also revealed that psychiatric nurses believe their work affects patient care, with more than 90 percent of psychiatric nurses viewing the time they spend with patients as very important to patient satisfaction with their overall healthcare experience. A majority of the nurses strongly agree that their involvement helps to achieve better outcomes for patients living with mental illness.

14 Oct 2010

GSA and NAM select journalists for new MetLife Foundation Journalists in Aging Fellows Program

The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) and New America Media (NAM) have selected 15 journalists for the new MetLife Foundation Journalists in Aging Fellows Program. They represent a wide range of traditional, new, and ethnic media, such as USA Today, Sing Tao Daily, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and TheAtlantic.com.

14 Oct 2010

Top biopharma leaders to share strategies at Windhover's 2nd PharmAsia Summit

Elsevier Business Intelligence, publisher of PharmAsia News, IN VIVO and The Pink Sheet, today announced the agenda for Windhover's 2nd PharmAsia Summit (Oct. 25-26). This year's Summit will bring top biopharma leaders from Asia and the U.S. to San Francisco to share what works and what doesn't in China, India, Japan and the Pacific Rim.

14 Oct 2010

AGA's new book offers strategies to reduce IBS symptoms

A new book from the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) offers patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) a variety of strategies to lessen the burden that IBS puts on their everyday lives. IBS is a common disorder of the intestines that leads to crampy pain, gassiness, bloating and changes in bowel habits; there is no cure. The new book, "Master Your IBS," includes a variety of strategies to help patients learn how to manage their IBS symptoms and achieve greater freedom from IBS.

14 Oct 2010

Berwick: New technology will make coordinating care easier

Health care practitioners have new information technologies at their disposal that will make coordinating care among providers easier and more effective than the old health maintenance organization model of 40 years ago, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services told a group of policy experts Tuesday.

14 Oct 2010

Drugs that restore mitochondria function may treat Alzheimer's disease at early stages: Research

Before Alzheimer's patients experience memory loss, the brain's neurons have already suffered harm for years. A new study in mouse models by researchers at Columbia University Medical Center has found that the brain's mitochondria, the powerhouses of the cell, are one of the earliest casualties of the disease. The study, which appeared in the online Early Edition of PNAS, also found that impaired mitochondria then injure the neurons' synapses, which are necessary for normal brain function.

14 Oct 2010

Today's Opeds: Individual mandate in court, on ballot and in campaigns

The first federal court decision on the constitutionality of the new health care reform law upheld its validity and dealt a well-deserved setback to opponents who are trying to overturn it.

14 Oct 2010

Studies highlight high Medicare costs for people in nursing homes

Kaiser Health News staff writer Aimee Miles reports on three new studies exploring Medicare costs for beneficiaries living in long-term care facilities.

13 Oct 2010

First Edition: October 13, 2010

Today's early morning highlights from major news organizations looks at the number of people denied health coverage by major insurers, arguments before the Supreme Court on the right to sue vaccine makers, concerns about the FDA's plans on reviewing medical devices and doctors moving from private practice to hospital work.

13 Oct 2010

Research shows honey bees change their circadian rhythms

Unlike humans, honey bees, when thrown into highly time-altered new societal roles, are able to alter their biological rhythms with alacrity, enabling them to make a successful "quick switch" in their daily routines, according to research carried out at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

13 Oct 2010