We are all uninsured now

<p>Justice Sandra Day O'Connor give us her solution and suggestions to a better health care system...good reading...BD</p> <blockquote> <p>BIG NUMBERS, like 45 million uninsured Americans, are hard to grasp. But that number came home to me at a recent conference. The keynote speaker was former Supreme Court justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Her topic was our healthcare system, and her message was personal and anguished.</p> <p>As I listened, a light dawned: O'Connor and the rest of us with health coverage are also uninsured. We too face terrible, albeit more remote, healthcare risks -- the risk that our employer will drop our plan, that Medicare will go bust, that our plan won't cover our needs, that premiums will eat us alive, that our doctor will stop taking our insurance, that long-term care will wipe us out, and that our uninsured friends and family members will need major financial help.</p> <p>Why can't a country as rich as ours come up with a system that works? This, in essence, was Justice O'Connor's parting question. <p>But, in fact, we can. Now if we can just get the big cheeses in the Oval Office or on their way there to start thinking big . .</p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2007/08/28/we_are_all_uninsured_now/">We are all uninsured now - The Boston Globe</a></p>

We are all uninsured now

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor give us her solution and suggestions to a better health care system...good reading...BD BIG NUMBERS, like 45 million uninsured Americans, are hard to grasp. But that number came home to me at a recent conference. The keynote speaker was former Supreme Court justice Sandr…

Read more »

Medical Quack - Updated Blog Format

I have recently updated the format used for the blog. The information that was previously located in the left hand column is now on the right, the content information and helpful links are still there. The color scheme has been changed to hopefully make it a littler easier to read and navigate. <br /><br />At the bottom of the main page, you can continue to "older posts" as well. If you are looking to find a past article that is not shown on the main page, use the "search" option at the top of the page in the upper left hand corner. You can locate any past article by keyword. The same option is available at the bottom of the page. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/RthgB0G8VoI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/IYg3EywZiZQ/s1600-h/quak.png"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5104935761908356738" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/RthgB0G8VoI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/IYg3EywZiZQ/s200/quak.png" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a><br /><br />To keep updated, you can use an RSS Feed program to send updated previews to the software or even use the built in web feeds offered by Yahoo and Google if you do not want to use a seperate software program.<br /><br />The email subscription is also a good feature to use to keep updated as you will receive a summary 2-3 times a week with previews of new posts. With the email notification you can quickly see what has been added and quickly navigate to the article by using the links in the email sent. This can be a time saver in finding the articles that you want to read without having to navigate the entire site. Thinks of the blog as an online newspaper, whereby you can select and choose what you want to read. Take what you want and leave the rest. Hopefully the new changes will make the site easier to read and navigate. Don't forget, you can add comments to any articles at any time and you can be anonymous. To post a comment you will need to verify that it is a "real" post by using a number/letter verification system. This is done to keep spam from hitting the site with unwanted and unrelated posts that clutter and become a nuisance for all. <br /><br />Barbara Duck

Medical Quack - Updated Blog Format

I have recently updated the format used for the blog. The information that was previously located in the left hand column is now on the right, the content information and helpful links are still there. The color scheme has been changed to hopefully make it a littler easier to read and navigate. A…

Read more »

Patient Records Need Reviews - paper errors harder to find

<p>Errors on paper records are much more difficult to locate..something to think about by comparing to the use of electronic medical records.  BD </p> <blockquote>Mistakes can arise from a mistyped diagnosis code or transcription error to an inaccurate diagnosis or a diagnosis that is out-of-date, say because a patient has gotten his or her cholesterol under control. And, if you have a common name, other peoples' records can end up in your file, says Ms. Pritts. Part of the problem is that the U.S. health-care system relies mainly on paper records, which make it harder to coordinate care and spot errors. Many hospitals use electronic health records, but until the U.S. develops a comprehensive, consolidated system, the burden falls to individuals to keep tabs on their health histories.</blockquote> <p><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118843153961612849.html?mod=googlenews_wsj">Patient Records Need Reviews - WSJ.com</a></p>

Patient Records Need Reviews - paper errors harder to find

Errors on paper records are much more difficult to locate..something to think about by comparing to the use of electronic medical records.  BD  Mistakes can arise from a mistyped diagnosis code or transcription error to an inaccurate diagnosis or a diagnosis that is out-of-date, say because a patien…

Read more »

Assembly leader calls off vote on health care plan

<p>Continues to be work in progress in California...BD</p> <blockquote>SACRAMENTO - The Democratic leader of the Assembly canceled a vote on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's sweeping health care plan Thursday, backing off from his threat to demonstrate how little support the governor's proposal has in the Legislature. After meeting with Schwarzenegger on Wednesday night, Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez, D-Los Angeles, decided it would be counterproductive to antagonize the governor just as their talks on health care reform were heating up. "I'm not going to embarrass the governor," Núñez told reporters Thursday. "We're negotiating, and we're making progress.</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_6767501?nclick_check=1">San Jose Mercury News - Assembly leader calls off vote on health care plan</a></p>

Assembly leader calls off vote on health care plan

Continues to be work in progress in California...BD SACRAMENTO - The Democratic leader of the Assembly canceled a vote on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's sweeping health care plan Thursday, backing off from his threat to demonstrate how little support the governor's proposal has in the Legislature. Aft…

Read more »

HMO's prefer doctors who save them money - opinion

<p>Sad but perhaps somewhat true....BD  </p> <blockquote>Finally, when doctors succumb out of fear for loss of income to any HMO's cost-cutting rules, eventually they lose their allegiance to patients. <u>They eventually become more concerned about saving money for the HMO than giving their patients the best care. Putting doctors into "tiered networks" based on how much money they can save HMOs</u> strikes at the very heart and soul of medicine. It should be illegal.</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.newstimeslive.com/opinion/letters.php?id=1186570241">News Times Live</a></p>

HMO's prefer doctors who save them money - opinion

Sad but perhaps somewhat true....BD  Finally, when doctors succumb out of fear for loss of income to any HMO's cost-cutting rules, eventually they lose their allegiance to patients. They eventually become more concerned about saving money for the HMO than giving their patients the best care. Puttin…

Read more »

Texas Supreme Court Rules Against Medicare HMOs in Hospital Reimbursement Fight

<p>Sound like a move in the direction of getting rid of some additional red tape in the claim process...BD  </p> <blockquote> <p>AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- The Supreme Court of Texas has ruled that hospitals providing Medicare-related services can seek reimbursement in state court without first being forced to pursue costly and time-consuming reviews through "the federal administrative machinery." "<u>This is a huge victory for health care providers," says attorney Scott Clearman of Houston-based McClanahan & Clearman, who represents five area hospital systems in their case against Hartford, Conn.-based Aetna Inc. . "It's not often that the Texas Supreme Court rules against insurance companies.</u> More important, this decision puts a little more certainty in the health care system and that's good for everyone.</p> <p>However, the Texas Supreme Court found that "requiring Hospitals to exhaust administrative remedies before coverage decisions have been made would turn the administrative scheme on its head ... " <p>The Court reversed the court of appeals decision and remanded the case to the trial court to determine Aetna's contractual obligations to the hospitals.</p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/LAF03431082007-1.htm">Texas Supreme Court Rules Against Medicare HMOs in Hospital Reimbursement Fight</a></p>

Texas Supreme Court Rules Against Medicare HMOs in Hospital Reimbursement Fight

Sound like a move in the direction of getting rid of some additional red tape in the claim process...BD  AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- The Supreme Court of Texas has ruled that hospitals providing Medicare-related services can seek reimbursement in state court without first being forced t…

Read more »

Opinion and response to electronic medical records - Modern Healthcare Online

<p> </p> <blockquote>This, too, is in response to Al Puerini's letter where he wonders why electronic health records have not been widely adopted by the healthcare industry compared with other industries. In his letter, he says, "Let's ask the airline industry if they could even exist without computerized record-keeping. <strong><em>Let's talk to UPS and FedEx and see if they think computerizing their industry has made a difference</em></strong>. How about the banking industry? Has it added to their efficiencies?" UPS and FedEx don't share database information ... <strong>banks aren't willing to blend all their customers into one database ... and try to get TWA to tell you about your Northwest travel plans.</strong> No, like the LG Electronics Blu-Ray/HD-DVD Player, it doesn't care which format you prefer ... it plays both. The company that can adapt and translate any health record format will be the front-runner in establishing a baseline for electronic health records data.</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.modernhealthcare.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070831/FREE/308310002/1031/FREE">Modern Healthcare Online</a></p>

Opinion and response to electronic medical records - Modern Healthcare Online

  This, too, is in response to Al Puerini's letter where he wonders why electronic health records have not been widely adopted by the healthcare industry compared with other industries. In his letter, he says, "Let's ask the airline industry if they could even exist without computerized record-keepi…

Read more »

Heart Repair By Cardiomyocytes Produced From Human Embryonic Stem Cells

<p> </p> <blockquote>Published online in Nature Biotechnology, the landmark study is the first to document the potential clinical utility of regenerating damaged heart muscle by injecting hESC-derived cardiomyocytes directly into the site of the infarct. In addition, the research confirms the effectiveness of a scalable production system that enables Geron to manufacture the cardiomyocytes for use in ongoing large animal studies and, ultimately, testing in humans.</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/80825.php">Heart Repair By Cardiomyocytes Produced From Human Embryonic Stem Cells</a></p>

Heart Repair By Cardiomyocytes Produced From Human Embryonic Stem Cells

  Published online in Nature Biotechnology, the landmark study is the first to document the potential clinical utility of regenerating damaged heart muscle by injecting hESC-derived cardiomyocytes directly into the site of the infarct. In addition, the research confirms the effectiveness of a scalab…

Read more »

Angioplasties Increasing, Bypass Surgeries Decreasing

<p> </p> <blockquote>Use of transluminal coronary angioplasty, or PTCA, a procedure for opening blocked arteries in patients with coronary artery disease, is now used nearly three times more often than the older and more invasive coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/81102.php">Angioplasties Increasing, Bypass Surgeries Decreasing</a></p>

Angioplasties Increasing, Bypass Surgeries Decreasing

  Use of transluminal coronary angioplasty, or PTCA, a procedure for opening blocked arteries in patients with coronary artery disease, is now used nearly three times more often than the older and more invasive coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), according to the latest News and Numbers fro…

Read more »

Calling On Congress To End Workplace Health-Benefits Inequity, USA

<p> </p> <blockquote>This Labor Day, Mental Health America urges Congress to end a critical workplace inequity by passing legislation to establish parity between the coverage for general and mental health benefits for American workers and their families. More than 113 million American workers and their families rely on employee-sponsored health insurance, but even those with "good health insurance" face unique roadblocks to needed mental health care in the form of arbitrary treatment limits and higher out-of-pocket costs.</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/81096.php">Labor Day: Calling On Congress To End Workplace Health-Benefits Inequity, USA</a></p>

Calling On Congress To End Workplace Health-Benefits Inequity, USA

  This Labor Day, Mental Health America urges Congress to end a critical workplace inequity by passing legislation to establish parity between the coverage for general and mental health benefits for American workers and their families. More than 113 million American workers and their families rely o…

Read more »

Star Trek Medical Device Uses Ultrasound To Seal Punctured Lungs

<p>"Doctors will scan the body from the outside, recognize where the injury is, focus the beam on the injury and use the beams to seal the wound," Jurkovich said. The futuristic medical technology's promise is substantial, he said. "It would be non-invasive and it would stop the bleeding from the outside. When it happens, that's going to revolutionize how we would care for some of these injuries." <blockquote>A stretcher races through the entrance of a busy hospital. The car accident victim lies on top and grimaces in pain. While surface injuries look gruesome, the real medical danger is invisible - internal organ damage caused by being crushed against the steering wheel. This isn't a scene from Seattle Grace Hospital, the set of the popular television drama Grey's Anatomy, but from its real-life model, Harborview Medical Center. Engineers at the University of Washington are working with Harborview doctors to create new emergency treatments right out of Star Trek: a tricorder type device using high-intensity focused ultrasound rays. This summer, researchers published the first experiment using ultrasound to seal punctured lungs.</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/81149.php">Star Trek Medical Device Uses Ultrasound To Seal Punctured Lungs</a></p>

Star Trek Medical Device Uses Ultrasound To Seal Punctured Lungs

"Doctors will scan the body from the outside, recognize where the injury is, focus the beam on the injury and use the beams to seal the wound," Jurkovich said. The futuristic medical technology's promise is substantial, he said. "It would be non-invasive and it would stop the bleeding from the outsi…

Read more »

FDA Approves Human Thrombin For Topical Use In Surgery

<p>New alternative to control surgical bleeding..derived from human donors and cattle...surgeons have the choice of which one they use...BD  </p> <blockquote> <p>The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Evithrom (human thrombin), a blood-clotting protein used to help control bleeding during surgery.<u> Evithrom is the first human thrombin approved since 1954</u> and is the only product currently licensed. It is derived from human plasma obtained from carefully screened and tested U.S. donors and has undergone steps to further reduce the risk for transfusion-transmitted diseases.</p> <p><strong><em>The product is applied to the surface of bleeding tissue and may be used in conjunction with an absorbable gelatin sponge. Evithrom must not be injected into blood vessels, which would result in serious clinical complications and may even be fatal.</em></strong></p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/81073.php">FDA Approves Human Thrombin For Topical Use In Surgery</a></p>

FDA Approves Human Thrombin For Topical Use In Surgery

New alternative to control surgical bleeding..derived from human donors and cattle...surgeons have the choice of which one they use...BD  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Evithrom (human thrombin), a blood-clotting protein used to help control bleeding during surgery. Evithrom is the…

Read more »

Telehealth Monitor receives FDA Market Clearance

<p>This looks to have real possibilities and yet simple and easy to use.  These same folks also make devices (phones) that can help you use <a href="http://www.skype.com/helloagain.html">Skype</a>, the free Internet voice over IP calling system.    Blue tooth is alive and well and here to stay in health care too!  BD</p> <p>RTX Healthcare announced a 510k market clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to use the RTX3370 Telehealth Monitor in the US. The Telehealth Monitor is a wireless device designed specifically to improve the provision of healthcare to elderly patients outside hospitals suffering from chronic diseases.</p> <blockquote> <p>RTX3370 - The RTX Telehealth Monitor Sends the data directly to your Clinical Information System The RTX3370 Telehealth Monitor is an interactive and simple to use device, designed specifically to improve the way of providing healthcare to patients outside hospitals suffering from chronic diseases such as heart failure, COPD and diabetes.</p> <p><img height="163" src="http://www.rtx.dk/Files/Billeder/Healthcare/PatientMonitor.jpg" width="508"> </p> <ul> <li>Low cost solution <li>Large easily readable color display <li>Audio for patient interaction <li>Bluetooth, serial and IrDA interface for peripheral vital sign monitors   </li></ul> <p>The device has a large easy-to-read display and large buttons. It is designed for the 60+ target group with simplicity and usability as important targets.</p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.rtx.dk/Default.aspx?ID=838">Telehealth Monitor</a></p>

Telehealth Monitor receives FDA Market Clearance

This looks to have real possibilities and yet simple and easy to use.  These same folks also make devices (phones) that can help you use Skype, the free Internet voice over IP calling system.    Blue tooth is alive and well and here to stay in health care too!  BD RTX Healthcare announced a 510k mar…

Read more »

CBS Evening News and "health insurance and red tape, physicians do like and welcome cash

<p>Good video on how the physician/patient relationship can work when it comes to paying the bills.  As you see in the video, cash is good is available right away for practice expenditures, while insurance payments...well we all know how long those take for the EOB payments to roll in...and doctors may give you a discount for cash too, especially if you do not have insurance coverage..it's worth talking about for all involved...BD</p> <p><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yTxFKYkNxQg" width="425" height="350" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></p> <p><a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=yTxFKYkNxQg">http://youtube.com/watch?v=yTxFKYkNxQg</a></p></embed>

CBS Evening News and "health insurance and red tape, physicians do like and welcome cash

Good video on how the physician/patient relationship can work when it comes to paying the bills.  As you see in the video, cash is good is available right away for practice expenditures, while insurance payments...well we all know how long those take for the EOB payments to roll in...and doctors may…

Read more »

Ruling may unlock key data on doctors relative to Medicare....

<p>Well worth reading, especially for physicians...Medicare could also have all your information relative to medicare cases up on the web for research soon.  As the article mentions, the data base is far richer than any private insurer could have...BD  </p> <blockquote> <p>A little-noticed decision last week, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., ruled in favor of a consumer group that sued the Health and Human Services Department to<u> allow disclosure of specific data about doctors from the Medicare claims database.</u> U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan concluded that releasing the data would be "a significant public benefit," and ordered the department to turn it over by Sept. 21. With information on more than 40 million patients and 700,000 doctors, <u>the Medicare database is far richer than any private insurer's.</u> Though it does not have information on some doctors, such as pediatricians, who don't treat Medicare patients, it is considered the mother lode for data on those who treat adults, because Medicare recipients are a mainstay of most practices.</p> <p>"Someone who is thinking they need a knee replacement -- or a prostatectomy -- will be able to go on our website and see how many of these procedures their physician has done for Medicare patients," he added.  An appeal could be politically embarrassing for the administration, because President Bush and Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt have both campaigned for greater openness and consumer empowerment in healthcare.</p> <p>He estimated it would take a month or two after receiving the information to post it online.</p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-doctors30aug30,0,6151499.story?coll=la-home-center">Ruling may unlock key data on doctors - Los Angeles Times</a></p>

Ruling may unlock key data on doctors relative to Medicare....

Well worth reading, especially for physicians...Medicare could also have all your information relative to medicare cases up on the web for research soon.  As the article mentions, the data base is far richer than any private insurer could have...BD  A little-noticed decision last week, a federal j…

Read more »

3D functionality - KODAK CARESTREAM PACS

<p>Perhaps an eventual end to the workstations as PCs get better and better with graphics..also this technology is taking advantage of a virtual PACS server...virtual...the way of the future make possible by Intel chip technology...BD  </p> <blockquote> <p>Dramatic growth in study volumes and the number of CT and MRI images place todays radiology departments under extreme pressure. 3-D imaging can help facilitate more efficient viewing and handling of huge data sets. But the need for specialized 3-D workstations often requires cumbersome procedures that interfere with reading routines, hinder workflow, and disrupt the radiologists concentration.<img align="left" src="http://www.kodak.com/global/images/en/health/pacs/2D-3D.jpg"> </p> <p>Eliminating specialized 3-D workstations offers significant benefits in reduced reading time and streamlined workflow. It also eliminates data transmission and storage requirements associated with multiple workstation procedures.</p></blockquote> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://www.kodak.com/global/en/health/productsByType/pacs/cs-3Dfunc.jhtml?pq-path=11783">Carestream Health: 3D functionality - KODAK CARESTREAM PACS</a></p>

3D functionality - KODAK CARESTREAM PACS

Perhaps an eventual end to the workstations as PCs get better and better with graphics..also this technology is taking advantage of a virtual PACS server...virtual...the way of the future make possible by Intel chip technology...BD  Dramatic growth in study volumes and the number of CT and MRI ima…

Read more »

Biotech pioneer takes on Big Pharma industry to save lives

<p> </p> <blockquote>(Business 2.0 Magazine) -- The power went out at Hammersmith Hospital just a few minutes after I started chatting with Sunil Shaunak, a professor who specializes in drug discovery for infectious diseases. Since it was a bright, cool morning in London, the absence of lights and air-conditioning didn't strike me as problematic. Shaunak's graduate students looked alarmed, however, and it suddenly occurred to me why: The team had live cells growing in the refrigerators nearby. Yet Shaunak maintained the calm of a man accustomed to toiling in suboptimal conditions. "Remember," Shaunak said with a smile, "I'm an academic." altruist.03.jpg Experimental drugmaking: Shaunak is reversing the industry's typical business model. discover_drug.03.gif More from Business 2.0 A biotech pioneer takes on Big Pharma A Microsoft legend's next great adventure Wii: The greenest game console Fastest Growing Tech Companies Current Issue Subscribe to Business 2.0 In truth, it's impossible to forget that Shaunak isn't your ordinary entrepreneur. Far from singing the praises of high-tech capitalism, he rails against the disparities in the health care it delivers to the First and Third Worlds. He cheerfully admits to being naive about all things commercial. "I didn't know what an IPO was until five years ago," he says. "And I still can't read a spreadsheet." Nevertheless, Shaunak is the co-founder of one of the most exciting startups I've ever encountered - a biotech outfit that not only holds the promise of saving millions of lives but could undermine the business model that sustains Big Pharma to the detriment of medical innovation.</blockquote> <p><a href="http://money.cnn.com/2007/08/28/magazines/business2/Biotech_pioneer.biz2/?postversion=2007082910">Biotech pioneer takes on industry to save lives - Aug. 29, 2007</a></p>

Biotech pioneer takes on Big Pharma industry to save lives

  (Business 2.0 Magazine) -- The power went out at Hammersmith Hospital just a few minutes after I started chatting with Sunil Shaunak, a professor who specializes in drug discovery for infectious diseases. Since it was a bright, cool morning in London, the absence of lights and air-conditioning did…

Read more »

California health legislation not looking so well these days...time will tell

<p> </p> <p>SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The prognosis for universal health care in California is grim this year, and experts say a failure could set back similar efforts nationwide for years to come. <p>Unions, doctors and other powerful interests are arrayed against Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's $12 billion-a-year plan to make medical insurance mandatory. He has threatened to veto the Democrats' less ambitious alternative and take his plan to the ballot instead. <p>A showdown could come as early as Thursday, when the Democrats plan to put Schwarzenegger's proposal to a vote in the state Assembly. The aim is to show how little support it has. <p><b><strong>Watchful eye'</strong></b><br>With the campaign for the White House under way, what happens in America's most populous state could have especially wide repercussions. <p><a title="Prognosis for universal health care in California is grim" href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/">http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20498927/</a></p>

California health legislation not looking so well these days...time will tell

  SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The prognosis for universal health care in California is grim this year, and experts say a failure could set back similar efforts nationwide for years to come. Unions, doctors and other powerful interests are arrayed against Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's $12 billion-a-year pla…

Read more »

Corp. execs don't enter data, why should docs?

<p>I sure wish the execs would learn though, it would sure make it easier for everyone if they would at least do some data entry, even if for their own business and other Internet needs, besides that we would have folks in the decision making positions with some familiarity and perhaps get some better decisions made.  Mobility works for everyone and I can't tell you how many times folks look at me like I am "Lucifer" when I walk in with a tablet pc.  I do it because it makes my job easier and I give better service to my clients by being organized too.  Mobility is where it's at today...BD   </p> <blockquote>This is in response to Al Puerini's letter where he wonders why electronic health records have not been widely adopted by the healthcare industry compared with other industries. In his letter, he says "Let's ask the airline industry if they could even exist without computerized record-keeping. Let's talk to UPS and FedEx and see if they think computerizing their industry has made a difference. How about the banking industry? Has it added to their efficiencies?" Most people fail to recognize that the sophisticated computers and systems that power American industries and streamline operations rely upon data entry performed by a workforce of minimum or near-minimum wage earners. These responsibilities fall upon the shoulders of cashiers at McDonalds, Gap and Wal-Mart, or clerks in the banking industry that enter information into computer mainframes. Data entry is carried out by the bank teller, the bookkeeper and even the UPS and FedEx deliverymen and women who hold a wireless unit in their hands at all times. One thing is certain: Highly compensated corporate executives earning as much as $250,000 or more are not taking on the tasks of data entry. So, it stands to reason that physicians, who earn comparable salaries, also would be unlikely candidates. Yet, it seems that everyone expects just the opposite.</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.modernhealthcare.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070827/FREE/308270020/0/FRONTPAGE">Modern Healthcare Online</a></p>

Corp. execs don't enter data, why should docs?

I sure wish the execs would learn though, it would sure make it easier for everyone if they would at least do some data entry, even if for their own business and other Internet needs, besides that we would have folks in the decision making positions with some familiarity and perhaps get some better …

Read more »

Remedy sought for MD crisis --Upstate New York

<p> </p> <blockquote> <p>LAKE GEORGE -- The Adirondacks are hemorrhaging doctors. More primary care physicians are fleeing the North Country than ever before. Burned out by the grind of a country doctor, they're being lured away to other states with offers of better pay, more vacation time and fewer nights on-call. In some cases, new patients have to be turned away, while others have to travel farther or wait longer to see a physician. Health clinics are in danger of closing because they're losing money as reimbursement rates remain flat and costs climb. Openings for physicians are going unfilled, meaning doctors who stay behind in the poor, rural region are struggling to treat more people, driving more miles between clinics and working more hours. All the while, they're expected to pay back hefty medical school loans and cover the steep cost of malpractice insurance. The inducements to bolt are many and proving harder to resist.</p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=617682&category=REGION&newsdate=8/29/2007">Remedy sought for MD crisis -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY</a></p>

Remedy sought for MD crisis --Upstate New York

  LAKE GEORGE -- The Adirondacks are hemorrhaging doctors. More primary care physicians are fleeing the North Country than ever before. Burned out by the grind of a country doctor, they're being lured away to other states with offers of better pay, more vacation time and fewer nights on-call. In so…

Read more »

Hospitals hone their Web-side manner with WiFi

<p>As more hospitals add wifi to their systems, it might take some of the pressure off Starbucks...:)  BD  </p> <blockquote>Now, in many cases, patients or visitors to hospitals can whip out their laptops or other wireless devices and enjoy the same free Internet access. Hospitals across Central Indiana and around the nation increasingly are turning their cafeterias, patient rooms and waiting areas into free WiFi -- wireless fidelity -- hotspots. "You hear people say, 'They can do it at Starbucks. Why can't they do it in the hospital?' " said Barbara Coulter, director of information services for St. Francis Hospital and Health Centers. "It was just a trend that we knew we had to provide for patients.</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007708280353">Hospitals hone their Web-side manner | IndyStar.com</a></p>

Hospitals hone their Web-side manner with WiFi

As more hospitals add wifi to their systems, it might take some of the pressure off Starbucks...:)  BD  Now, in many cases, patients or visitors to hospitals can whip out their laptops or other wireless devices and enjoy the same free Internet access. Hospitals across Central Indiana and around the…

Read more »

Microsoft develops double-sided touchscreen

<p>A two sided touch screen tablet...now this one has me thinking and dreaming a bit...BD  </p> <blockquote>Microsoft is pioneering a new touchscreen that can be operated from both the front and back. The device aims to overcome the conventional touchscreen flaw of the hand covering-up much of what is being displayed. Microsoft's existing prototype, called LucidTouch, allows users to view the front screen without  <img align="right" src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/picture_library/dir_131/it_portal_pic_65687_t.jpg"> obstruction by entering text, navigating maps and clicking links from the back. Beginning with a commercial touchscreen, the researchers at Microsoft bolted a multi-input touchpad to the back and then fitted a webcam on a boom to record the motion of the user's fingers. This video is then fed into software running on the PC which filters out everything except the fingers, adds pointers to the fingertips so that users can select items precisely on screen and then feeds it back to the display.</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/123480/microsoft-develops-double-sided-touchscreen.html#cooliris">PC Pro: News: Microsoft develops double-sided touchscreen</a> </p> <p>Hat Tip:  <a href="http://www.tabletpctalk.com">www.tabletpctalk.com</a></p>

Microsoft develops double-sided touchscreen

A two sided touch screen tablet...now this one has me thinking and dreaming a bit...BD  Microsoft is pioneering a new touchscreen that can be operated from both the front and back. The device aims to overcome the conventional touchscreen flaw of the hand covering-up much of what is being displayed.…

Read more »

RemedyMD® SpecialtyEHR", giving it away for free after September 1st..

<p>Support and training...#1 with medical records these days and this company seems to be banking on it with the offer of free software...as what good is the program if nobody knows how to use it and never trains...we have come a long way since the days where we picked up our AOL disc at the store and went online immediately..things are much more complicated these days...thus support has to be right up there.  BD </p> <p><strong><em>They plan to make money from doctors by selling additional tech-support (email help is free) and a host of analytical tools that let doctors compare their patients and practices to those of peers and competitors.</em></strong></p> <blockquote> <p>SALT LAKE CITY, Utah August 29, 2007 RemedyMD®, Inc., the market leader in the use of predictive informatics in healthcare, today announced a major new initiative to dramatically accelerate improved outcomes in healthcare. Starting September 1, RemedyMD will offer free licenses for its market-proven, specialty-specific Electronic Health Records and practice management software to its ambulatory practices and their patients. Offering physicians and their patients the opportunity to use RemedyMDs software at no charge will dramatically increase the number of practices who collect data electronically instead of using paper charts.</p> <p> </p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.remedymd.com/">RemedyMD® SpecialtyEHR", Investigate", and Patient Portal.</a></p>

RemedyMD® SpecialtyEHR", giving it away for free after September 1st..

Support and training...#1 with medical records these days and this company seems to be banking on it with the offer of free software...as what good is the program if nobody knows how to use it and never trains...we have come a long way since the days where we picked up our AOL disc at the store and …

Read more »

Plastic Surgeon to the Stars by Chris Thompson

<p> Interesting story about the most popular and famous plastic surgeon...he has a few suits following him as well...BD</p> <blockquote>Brad Jacobs calls himself "one of the most famous plastic surgeons in history." At his clinic on the Upper East Side, he's performed thousands of breast-augmentation and liposuction procedures, and his patients reportedly include Playboy Playmate Courtney Culkin and Playboy cover girl Monica Leigh. Last year, he expanded his practice to include a new specialty in reshaping buttocks at his "Star Butts" clinic. For $11,000, patients reshaped their asses to resemble the behinds of Eva Longoria, Lindsay Lohan, Jessica Simpson, or Paris Hilton. Jacobs received his medical degree from McGill University, which his lawyer calls "the Harvard of Canada." He's a family man with a wife and a son and a house on Long Island. <u>He's also at the center of one of New York's most sensational medical-malpractice scandals in recent history.</u> Over the course of the last eight years, Jacobs has settled or lost at least 26 malpractice lawsuits filed against him, and more are working their way through the courts. In late June, the state Department of Health suspended his license to practice medicine, and Jacobs is now fighting to save his career. State medical investigators have charged him with a wide range of misconduct, including giving his patients boob jobs that were much bigger than they requested, failing to treat a patient's abscess after surgery, humiliating a patient by undressing her post-operative wounds in front of Jacobs's then girlfriend, and removing too much cartilage from a patient's nose during rhinoplasty. In the most shocking case, state investigators claim that Jacobs smoked crystal meth with one of his patients, had sex with her while she was recuperating from a nose job, and ultimately deformed her face</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0735,thompson,77641,6.html">village voice > news > Plastic Surgeon to the Scars by Chris Thompson</a> </p> <p>Hat Tip:  <a href="http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2007/08/plastic-surgeon-to-stars.html">Kevin, MD</a></p>

Plastic Surgeon to the Stars by Chris Thompson

 Interesting story about the most popular and famous plastic surgeon...he has a few suits following him as well...BD Brad Jacobs calls himself "one of the most famous plastic surgeons in history." At his clinic on the Upper East Side, he's performed thousands of breast-augmentation and liposuction p…

Read more »

FDA Clearance Received For First Cervical Artificial Disc

<p>The bionic hand, arm...and now the bionic disc. and this could be good news versus spinal fusion if it can still offer more mobility.  BD</p> <blockquote>People who have suffered for years from degenerative discs in their neck now have an option that may relieve the pain in their neck and arm, allow quick recovery and enable them to lead active and productive lives. On July 17, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the Prestige ST Cervical Disc System. Used extensively in Europe, FDA clearance of the Prestige disc from Medtronic follows a unanimous recommendation for approval from the FDA advisory board. The artificial disc for the cervical (neck) region is expected to impact more than 200,000 Americans who suffer from degenerative disc disease.</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/80765.php">FDA Clearance Received For First Cervical Artificial Disc</a></p>

FDA Clearance Received For First Cervical Artificial Disc

The bionic hand, arm...and now the bionic disc. and this could be good news versus spinal fusion if it can still offer more mobility.  BD People who have suffered for years from degenerative discs in their neck now have an option that may relieve the pain in their neck and arm, allow quick recovery …

Read more »

Medicare Proposes New Rules For ASCs That Serve Medicare Patients, USA

<p>One more new rule...who is going to do the inspections to be sure the outpatient surgery centers are compliant?  Is this a rule with out a budget to enforce?  Something to think about as I would rather see potential enforcement costs go direct to Medicare for claim payments instead...BD  </p> <blockquote> <p>The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule that will revise the requirements that ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) must meet in order to bill Medicare for services furnished to beneficiaries. This proposed rule would update the existing ASC Conditions for Coverage (CfC) to reflect contemporary standards of practice in the ASC community, as well as recommendations from the HHS Inspector General. The new requirements will promote and protect patient access to quality services in ASCs.</p> <p> ASCs are typically free-standing facilities that perform outpatient surgery. To participate in the Medicare program, they must meet Medicare's conditions for coverage. </p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/80775.php">Medicare Proposes New Rules For ASCs That Serve Medicare Patients, USA</a></p>

Medicare Proposes New Rules For ASCs That Serve Medicare Patients, USA

One more new rule...who is going to do the inspections to be sure the outpatient surgery centers are compliant?  Is this a rule with out a budget to enforce?  Something to think about as I would rather see potential enforcement costs go direct to Medicare for claim payments instead...BD  The Cente…

Read more »

CMS Issues Final Rule Prohibiting Physician Self-Referral, USA

<p>This puts an end to investing or participating in anything that could be related to the practice if you own part of the business it appears as this is one more item that will be not be covered...let's see how long is this list?  BD   </p> <blockquote>CMS issued final regulations prohibiting physicians from referring Medicare patients for certain items, services and tests provided by businesses in which they or their immediate family members have a financial interest. <u>This regulation is the third phase of the final regulations </u>implementing the physician self-referral prohibition commonly referred to as the Stark law. "These rules protect beneficiaries from receiving services they may not need and the Medicare program from paying potentially unnecessary costs," said Herb Kuhn, CMS acting deputy administrator.</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/80784.php">CMS Issues Final Rule Prohibiting Physician Self-Referral, USA</a></p>

CMS Issues Final Rule Prohibiting Physician Self-Referral, USA

This puts an end to investing or participating in anything that could be related to the practice if you own part of the business it appears as this is one more item that will be not be covered...let's see how long is this list?  BD    CMS issued final regulations prohibiting physicians from referrin…

Read more »

Study Blames Abbreviations For Medication Errors

<p>This one should come as no surprise...pharmacists see this every day and I really marvel sometimes as how they can read some of the handwriting they see on the paper script forms...another good reason for e-prescribing...BD</p> <blockquote>-- The most common abbreviation resulting in a medication error was the use of "qd" in place of "once daily," accounting for 43.1 percent of all errors. -- The other most common abbreviations resulting in medication errors were "U" for units, "cc" for mL, "MSO4" or "MS" for morphine sulfate, and decimal errors. -- Eighty-one percent of the errors occurred during prescribing; errors during transcribing and dispensing represented 14 percent and 2.9 percent, respectively. -- Abbreviation errors originated most often from medical staff. -- The three most common types of abbreviation-related errors were prescribing, improper dose/quantity, and incorrectly prepared medication. The authors conclude more abbreviations should be added to the standard "do not use" list. Top candidates for an expanded list include drug name abbreviations, such as PCN, DCN, TCN; stem abbreviations (amps, nitro, succs), µg (mcg), cc (mL); and dose scheduling (BID, TID, QID).</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/80815.php">Study Blames Abbreviations For Medication Errors</a></p>

Study Blames Abbreviations For Medication Errors

This one should come as no surprise...pharmacists see this every day and I really marvel sometimes as how they can read some of the handwriting they see on the paper script forms...another good reason for e-prescribing...BD -- The most common abbreviation resulting in a medication error was the use …

Read more »

New AHIP Ad Campaign: Medicare Advantage Cuts Threaten Seniors' Health Security, USA

<p>Time for politics this week...BD</p> <blockquote>America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) has launched a new national television ad campaign reminding Congress about the devastating impact on seniors of cuts to Medicare Advantage. Titled "Last Time," the ad follows passage of legislation by the House of Representatives that would cut the Medicare Advantage program by $157 billion over ten years. "History has shown that cuts to this Medicare program have a direct impact on seniors' health security," said Karen Ignagni, President and CEO of AHIP.</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/80847.php">New AHIP Ad Campaign: Medicare Advantage Cuts Threaten Seniors' Health Security, USA</a></p>

New AHIP Ad Campaign: Medicare Advantage Cuts Threaten Seniors' Health Security, USA

Time for politics this week...BD America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) has launched a new national television ad campaign reminding Congress about the devastating impact on seniors of cuts to Medicare Advantage. Titled "Last Time," the ad follows passage of legislation by the House of Representati…

Read more »

Doctors Hand Out 27% More Prescriptions During The Last Five Years, UK

<p>It has to be increasing at the same or similar levels here too in the US...BD </p> <blockquote>Five years ago UK GPs prescribed 721 million drugs, in 2006 the figure rose to 918 million, an increase of £10 billion per year in costs for the National Health Service. Some health experts are concerned that Britain may be turning into a nation of pill-poppers, where a drug is demanded for every ill. British doctors write 870,000 anti-depressant prescriptions each week, compared to 730,000 five years ago. Paul Flynn, MP, said that British society is becoming medicalised - where people believe they need a pill for everything. The Daily Telegraph quotes a Conservative Party study which indicates that £1 billion has been spent on drugs that patients never used over the past five years.</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/80876.php">Doctors Hand Out 27% More Prescriptions During The Last Five Years, UK</a></p>

Doctors Hand Out 27% More Prescriptions During The Last Five Years, UK

It has to be increasing at the same or similar levels here too in the US...BD  Five years ago UK GPs prescribed 721 million drugs, in 2006 the figure rose to 918 million, an increase of £10 billion per year in costs for the National Health Service. Some health experts are concerned that Britain may …

Read more »

Cooline - personal evaportaive cooling vest

<p><strong><u>I wonder what this will do for hot flashes?</u></strong>  Perhaps you might see more of the female gender sporting these...if it works, it could be well worth the money!  BD</p> <blockquote>COOLINE - invest in better performance COOLINE mimics and supports the temperature regulation of the human body with its perspiration and cooling by evaporating sweat. In this way, COOLINE overcomes the body's own limitations. However, the high tech fleece in COOLINE is in a position to bind several times its own weight of water. The water then escapes by evaporation, not by <img align="right" height="122" src="http://www.cooline.info/de/solution/2-2.jpg" width="326"> mechanical pressure. The result is evaporation cooling to cool the body. The COOLINE vest does not cover the kidney area for medical reasons. The functional fibers of the high tech fleece are convenient to wear and are absolutely dry on the outside. They cool down the area of the cardiovascular system on the upper body mostly affected by thermal stress. The COOLINE system is designed for professional use. The climatic cabinet COOLBOXX® provides fully automatic activation and control and ensures that the COOLINE vests are ready for use 24 hours a day. Just Stay Cool Irrespective of the environmental temperature you keep cool and therefore have better conditions for health, concentration and performance. As a result of the physical principle of evaporation cooling, COOLINE cools more intensively at higher temperatures and less intensively at low temperatures. This produces optimal cooling at all times. COOLINE also absorbs the body's own perspiration, thereby also promoting the body's own cooling system. Dependent on the ambient temperature, the cooling effect is maintained for hours up to several days and is therefore suitable for any period of work and deployment.</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.cooline.info/en/solution/">Cooline</a> </p> <p>Hat Tip:  <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/go/7883/">Gizmag</a></p>

Cooline - personal evaportaive cooling vest

I wonder what this will do for hot flashes?  Perhaps you might see more of the female gender sporting these...if it works, it could be well worth the money!  BD COOLINE - invest in better performance COOLINE mimics and supports the temperature regulation of the human body with its perspiration and c…

Read more »

Medtronic And Bayer Diabetes Care Announce Alliance To Provide Blood Glucose Meter To Medtronic Patients Outside The United States

<p> </p> <blockquote>Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) and Bayer Diabetes Care, a division of Bayer HealthCare LLC and a member of the Bayer Group (NYSE: BAY), announced an alliance to distribute and co-market a new blood glucose meter for Medtronic patients outside the United States beginning in Canada and Europe. The new meter, based on Bayer's Contour® meter platform, will wirelessly transmit blood glucose test results directly to MiniMed Paradigm® insulin pumps and Guardian® REAL-Time continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems. Wireless communications make data entry easier and more convenient for patients.</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/80835.php">Medtronic And Bayer Diabetes Care Announce Alliance To Provide Blood Glucose Meter To Medtronic Patients Outside The United States</a></p>

Medtronic And Bayer Diabetes Care Announce Alliance To Provide Blood Glucose Meter To Medtronic Patients Outside The United States

  Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) and Bayer Diabetes Care, a division of Bayer HealthCare LLC and a member of the Bayer Group (NYSE: BAY), announced an alliance to distribute and co-market a new blood glucose meter for Medtronic patients outside the United States beginning in Canada and Europe. The new …

Read more »

Tablet Kiosk Forums

<p>Great news...Tablet Kiosk now has a forum whereby you can post questions and comments.  This will be a great help.  Be sure to register in order to ask questions and receive alerts via email when comments are added to your post.  BD</p> <p><img align="right" height="108" src="http://www.tabletkiosk.com/products/sahara/images/banner_i400s.jpg" width="239"> </p> <blockquote>Active Topics Active Topics Display List of Forum Members Membership List Search The Forum Search Help Help Member Control Panel MenuSettings Logout</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.tabletkiosk.com/forum/default.asp">TabletKiosk Forums</a></p>

Tablet Kiosk Forums

Great news...Tablet Kiosk now has a forum whereby you can post questions and comments.  This will be a great help.  Be sure to register in order to ask questions and receive alerts via email when comments are added to your post.  BD Active Topics Active Topics Display List of Forum Members Members…

Read more »

Docs often write off patient side effects

<p>Side effects can be many and vary ...and there could be multiple drugs being use by the patient as well...not as easy as it seems sometimes to identify true side effect with multiple conditions and drugs...BD </p> <blockquote>NEW YORK - When patients feel they might be having an adverse drug effect, doctors will very often dismiss their concerns, a new study shows. In a survey of 650 patients, taking cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins, who reported having adverse drug reactions, many said their physicians denied that the drug could be connected to their symptoms, Dr. Beatrice A. Golomb of the University of California at San Diego and her colleagues found. Physicians seem to commonly dismiss the possibility of a connection, Golomb told Reuters Health. This seems to occur even for the best-supported adverse effects of the most widely prescribed class of drugs...Clearly there is a need for better physician education about adverse effects, and there is a strong need for patient involvement in adverse event reporting.</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20479490/">Docs often write off patient side effects - Health Care - MSNBC.com</a></p>

Docs often write off patient side effects

Side effects can be many and vary ...and there could be multiple drugs being use by the patient as well...not as easy as it seems sometimes to identify true side effect with multiple conditions and drugs...BD  NEW YORK - When patients feel they might be having an adverse drug effect, doctors will ve…

Read more »

GE Healthcare Announces FDA Approval For Mobile Mammography Screening Device

<p> </p> <blockquote>GE Healthcare on Wednesday announced that it has received FDA approval for its mobile mammography screening device, Reuters reports. The device will make it easier to increase screening for breast cancer in rural areas, Reuters reports (Reuters, 8/22). According to a GE release, the Senographe Essential device will improve access to mammography screening worldwide (GE release, 8/22). According to a study published in the June 15 issue of the journal Cancer, the proportion of U.S. women age 40 and older who said they have undergone a mammogram in the previous two years declined from 70% to 66% from 2000 to 2005 (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 5/14).</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/80639.php">GE Healthcare Announces FDA Approval For Mobile Mammography Screening Device</a></p>

GE Healthcare Announces FDA Approval For Mobile Mammography Screening Device

  GE Healthcare on Wednesday announced that it has received FDA approval for its mobile mammography screening device, Reuters reports. The device will make it easier to increase screening for breast cancer in rural areas, Reuters reports (Reuters, 8/22). According to a GE release, the Senographe Ess…

Read more »

Hospital Size Doesn't Matter For EMR Sophistication

<p>Anyone any size can make the transition...BD</p> <blockquote>Contrary to conventional wisdom, new research from the HIMSS Analytics Database (derived from the Dorenfest IHDS+ DatabaseTM) has identified both general medical/surgical hospitals, and academic medical centers, that have successfully implemented almost fully automated or paperless electronic medical records as measured by HIMSS Analytics' Electronic Medical Records Adoption Model (EMRAM).</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/80698.php">Hospital Size Doesn't Matter For EMR Sophistication, Says HIMSS Analytics White Paper, USA</a></p>

Hospital Size Doesn't Matter For EMR Sophistication

Anyone any size can make the transition...BD Contrary to conventional wisdom, new research from the HIMSS Analytics Database (derived from the Dorenfest IHDS+ DatabaseTM) has identified both general medical/surgical hospitals, and academic medical centers, that have successfully implemented almost f…

Read more »

Statins May Stave Off Alzheimer's, New Study

<p> </p> <blockquote>By comparing brain tissue of people who had taken statins with those who had not, US scientists have established for the first time that taking statins may help to stave off the telltale signs of Alzheimer's. The study is reported in the August 28th issue of Neurology, a journal of the American Academy of Neurology and is the work of lead author Dr Gail (Ge) Li, an assistant professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine, in Seattle, and colleagues.</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/80742.php">Statins May Stave Off Alzheimer's, New Study</a></p>

Statins May Stave Off Alzheimer's, New Study

  By comparing brain tissue of people who had taken statins with those who had not, US scientists have established for the first time that taking statins may help to stave off the telltale signs of Alzheimer's. The study is reported in the August 28th issue of Neurology, a journal of the American Ac…

Read more »

Employers Must Promote Healthy Lifestyles For Workers To Lower Costs, Health Officials Say

<p>Do you know what your blood pressure and cholesterol readings are?  Your employer may want to know soon as it will save money to ensure you are working on a healthy lifestyle..or are least participating an an employer offered program...BD </p> <blockquote>Employers must promote good public policy, healthy lifestyles among workers and must understand determinants of health to reduce health care costs, Louisiana health officials said on Tuesday, the Baton Rouge Advocate reports. State Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Fred Cerise and Gery Barry, president and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, spoke at the Louisiana Business Group on Health board of directors meeting and corporate leadership roundtable. The group represents a coalition of employers, insurers and health care providers that are examining ways to control health care costs in the state. Barry said employers should pay attention to medical home models of health care, where a neighborhood clinic or physician manages a person's care using electronic health records, and look for ways to use such systems to reduce health costs. Cerise and Barry said employers also should adopt employee-wellness initiatives to prevent health problems among workers.</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/80510.php">Employers Must Promote Healthy Lifestyles For Workers To Lower Costs, Health Officials Say</a></p>

Employers Must Promote Healthy Lifestyles For Workers To Lower Costs, Health Officials Say

Do you know what your blood pressure and cholesterol readings are?  Your employer may want to know soon as it will save money to ensure you are working on a healthy lifestyle..or are least participating an an employer offered program...BD  Employers must promote good public policy, healthy lifestyle…

Read more »

700,000 New York Workers Lack Health Insurance With Young Adults, Men And Hispanics Topping The List

<p> </p> <blockquote>Having a job is not necessarily a passport to health insurance in New York City. One million New Yorkers -- some 17% of the adult population -- lacked coverage in 2005, according to a new Health Department report, and 700,000 of them were employed. The complete report, Health Care Access among Adults in New York City, is available online at http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/hca/hca-nyc-adults.pdf.</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/80566.php">700,000 New York Workers Lack Health Insurance With Young Adults, Men And Hispanics Topping The List</a></p>

700,000 New York Workers Lack Health Insurance With Young Adults, Men And Hispanics Topping The List

  Having a job is not necessarily a passport to health insurance in New York City. One million New Yorkers -- some 17% of the adult population -- lacked coverage in 2005, according to a new Health Department report, and 700,000 of them were employed. The complete report, Health Care Access among Adu…

Read more »

Pharma lobbying shifts to states

<p> </p> <blockquote>WASHINGTON -- At a national convention of state legislators in Boston this month, Novartis spon sored a reception for women lawmakers, AstraZenca financed two luncheons and employees from Bristol-Myers Squibb and other drugmakers pressed their views at panel discussions. "There was a visible presence by the pharmaceutical companies, but they also operated out of the limelight, behind-the-scenes, to have one-on-one time with individual legislators," said Sharon Anglin Treat, a former Maine state senator and now head of the nonprofit National Legislative Association on Prescription Drug Prices. The lobbying at the National Conference of State Legislatures' conclave came as drugmakers find themselves on the defensive, facing tighter regulations and restrictions in many states. <u><strong>Some 500 pharmaceutical-related bills and resolutions have been filed in statehouses around the country since the start of the year -- an average of 10 per state.</strong></u></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.nj.com/business/ledger/index.ssf?/base/business-1/1188102403101961.xml&coll=1">Pharma lobbying shifts to states- NJ.com</a></p>

Pharma lobbying shifts to states

  WASHINGTON -- At a national convention of state legislators in Boston this month, Novartis spon sored a reception for women lawmakers, AstraZenca financed two luncheons and employees from Bristol-Myers Squibb and other drugmakers pressed their views at panel discussions. "There was a visible prese…

Read more »

State purchases three mobile hospitals - California

<p>Fascinating technology on how one of these portable hospitals can be rolled out and set up in a hurry...picture below shows an ICU bed...and the units even have air conditional throughout...BD</p> <blockquote> <p>During the 1994 Northridge quake, some injured Angelenos drove to local hospitals only to find them severely damaged, and had to drive elsew<img align="right" height="193" src="http://www.blu-med.com/images/homepage-mainpic.jpg" width="284">here for help. But now there's a new tool that California and local officials will have in the next disaster: three full-service mobile hospitals that each have 200 beds and can be rapidly deployed wherever needed in the state. Los Angeles County has also purchased a 100-bed mobile hospital, which is expected to be delivered this week. The public got its first peek Saturday at one of the facilities that was sprawled on a grassy area the size of a football field at the California National Guard's Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos. </p> <p> </p> <p><img align="left" height="142" src="http://www.blu-med.com/photos/general_08.jpg" width="191"> The portable facility consists of 30 blue-and-orange vinyl tents, draped over arched aluminum frames. The tents can be attached, like an adult-sized hamster tube. Inside was everything you'd find in a community hospital: fully equipped emergency and operating rooms, a trauma unit, a pharmacy, oxygen generators and even a tent where doctors can take X-rays and see them on a computer screen.</p> <p>The move to purchase mobile hospitals came as part of efforts last year by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to improve the state's response to disaster and to prepare for the possibility of a pandemic flu, which in California could cause one-third of the population to fall ill and, in the worst case, result in 35,000 deaths statewide.</p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-me-hospital26aug26,1,4354495.story?coll=la-news-a_section&ctrack=1&cset=true">State purchases three mobile hospitals - Los Angeles Times</a> </p> <p>More information here:  <a href="http://www.blu-med.com/">Blu-Med website</a></p>

State purchases three mobile hospitals - California

Fascinating technology on how one of these portable hospitals can be rolled out and set up in a hurry...picture below shows an ICU bed...and the units even have air conditional throughout...BD During the 1994 Northridge quake, some injured Angelenos drove to local hospitals only to find them severe…

Read more »

End the doughnut hole...

<p> </p> <blockquote> <p>Somerset County senior citizens who thought they were getting help with the doughnut hole provision of Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage with the new Somerset County Drug Discount Card received bad news from Tuesday's county commissioners' meeting. None of their purchases with the new NACo card made during their doughnut hole will count towards getting them out of the hole. The doughnut hole is a gap in Part D coverage when people go from paying a co-payment for their prescriptions to paying for the entire cost.</p> <p>Congress should have passed Part D without a doughnut hole. Instead, Congress sided with the drug companies and shifted the cost to senior citizens. As Part D's threshold for resuming coverage goes up each year, more and more senior citizens will be unable to pay for all their medications.</p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.dailyamerican.com/articles/2007/08/25/opinion/editorials/editorial01.txt">Daily American Online Your one stop spot for News, Sports and Entertainment</a></p>

End the doughnut hole...

  Somerset County senior citizens who thought they were getting help with the doughnut hole provision of Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage with the new Somerset County Drug Discount Card received bad news from Tuesday's county commissioners' meeting. None of their purchases with the new NA…

Read more »

Time running out for health care reform in California..

<p>Also, California has the 10th largest economy in the world...one state...BD  </p> <blockquote>When Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger unveiled a sweeping proposal in January to extend health insurance to all Californians, Democrats and reform advocates hailed it as the best opportunity in years to revamp a system notoriously resistant to change. Now, with just three weeks left in the legislative session, expectations are dimming by the day. Rather than joining the governor's call for shared sacrifice, lawmakers and interest groups are zeroing in on aspects of his plan they dislike, and there is no clear path to a middle ground. "We started in January with an amazing amount of hope," said Dustin Corcoran, a lobbyist for the California Medical Association, which opposes a key part of the governor's plan. "And now, here we are three weeks out from the end of the session, and the sides are farther apart than they ever were.</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.whittierdailynews.com/news/ci_6722436">Whittier Daily News - Time running out for health care reform</a></p>

Time running out for health care reform in California..

Also, California has the 10th largest economy in the world...one state...BD  When Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger unveiled a sweeping proposal in January to extend health insurance to all Californians, Democrats and reform advocates hailed it as the best opportunity in years to revamp a system notorious…

Read more »

Calif. Weighs Health Plans

<p>Good article on assessing Health Care in California...all eyes are watching what happens here as California has the 10th largest economy in the world...no doubt what occurs here will have impact throughout...current polls also show a growing dissatisfaction from the public...article well worth reading.  I just wish we had folks in office who were a little more tech savvy and leave some of the politics out so the average person could really understand how information flows and how it is used today.  The average citizen today has no idea where and how information is sent and used and unfortunately there is both good and bad, depending what side of the fence you reside.  BD</p> <blockquote> <p>California did not start the current wave of efforts to overhaul the American health-care system, but what happens in Sacramento over the next few weeks could have a big impact on whether the drive gains momentum -- or peters out. With three weeks remaining in the state's legislative session, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) still has nothing to show for the grand proposal he made in January to create a system that would guarantee health insurance for all Californians. But with the resolution of a nearly two-month-long state budget impasse last week, the focus is turning back to health care, with hard-to-predict results.</p> <p><strong><u>Not only are Californians less likely to be covered than residents of 45 other states, but those who do have coverage are concerned it's not going to be there for them when they need it," said Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access California, a nonprofit advocacy group.  Political challenges are possible, too. Three years ago, California voters overturned a 2003 law that would have required employers to provide health coverage to workers or pay a fee to the state.</u></strong></p> <p>Schwarzenegger's plan -- which would require everyone to have insurance, would impose new fees on employers, doctors and hospitals, and would subsidize coverage for those who couldn't afford it -- has not made it into legislation. Instead, the Democrats who control the legislature fashioned their own bill. It differs in important ways from the governor's plan and probably has enough support to pass -- but the governor said last week that he would veto it.</p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/25/AR2007082500682.html">Calif. Weighs Health Plans - washingtonpost.com</a></p>

Calif. Weighs Health Plans

Good article on assessing Health Care in California...all eyes are watching what happens here as California has the 10th largest economy in the world...no doubt what occurs here will have impact throughout...current polls also show a growing dissatisfaction from the public...article well worth readi…

Read more »

Grady Hospital Woes Hit Big Screens

<p>Web site link below to preview of the documentary created to save Grady Hospital in Atlanta...BD</p> <blockquote>The fight for survival for Grady Memorial Hospital has been leading news <img align="right" src="http://www.11alive.com/assetpool/images/07713212311_grady3-071307.jpg"> coverage in Atlanta for weeks. The hospital faces a $125 million shortfall that could force it to shut its doors by the end of the year. Now the fight for Grady has made it to the big screen. It's not a glitzy Hollywood premiere, but for the few dozen people who filed into an auditorium at Emory University, the preview means more than anything coming out of Hollywood ever will. It's called "Save Grady.</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.11alive.com/news/article_news.aspx?storyid=102174">11Alive.com - Grady Woes Hit Big Screens</a> </p> <p>Web site and film preview:  <a href="http://www.redlightwarningsignals.com/savegrady/#cooliris">Save Grady</a></p>

Grady Hospital Woes Hit Big Screens

Web site link below to preview of the documentary created to save Grady Hospital in Atlanta...BD The fight for survival for Grady Memorial Hospital has been leading news coverage in Atlanta for weeks. The hospital faces a $125 million shortfall that could force it to shut its doors by the end of th…

Read more »

Healthcare Reform a Threat, Oportunity for Insurers

<p><em>Tenet Healthcare Dismisses Garden Grove Hospital Worker Rally as Contract Negotiating Ploy</em></p> <blockquote> <p>A few weeks ago, we asked several Orange County insurance brokers, managed healthcare executives and others for their thoughts about health reform plans floating in Sacramento. The competing plans from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Democratic leaders of the Legislature prompted more comment than we were able to fit in our recent Healthcare special report. Here are some of the other views we got.</p> <p>Paul Keckley, executive director of the Deloitte Center for Healthcare Solutions, a unit of Deloitte & Touche, called Schwarzenegger’s proposal “among the most far-reaching of any plan offered in the U.S.”</p> <p>On the flip side, Keckley said Stay Healthy California includes a pair of possible threats—the 85% spending mandate, which he said “will inevitably reduce operating margins and profits for plans accustomed to administrative costs above 20%.”</p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.ocbj.com/industry_article_pay.asp?aID=543625502.8629872.1518465.8653041.6712807.252&aID2=116796">Orange County Business Journal Online</a></p>

Healthcare Reform a Threat, Oportunity for Insurers

Tenet Healthcare Dismisses Garden Grove Hospital Worker Rally as Contract Negotiating Ploy A few weeks ago, we asked several Orange County insurance brokers, managed healthcare executives and others for their thoughts about health reform plans floating in Sacramento. The competing plans from Gov. A…

Read more »

Health Care For All In Massachusetts?, Despite Landmark Universal Health Plan, Thousands Of People, Mostly Young, Are Still Uninsured

<p> Health insurance flyers at the ball park...handed out with the beer and hot dogs...BD</p> <blockquote> <p>CBS) When Massachusetts' experiment with universal health care began this year, one thing it did was save Henry Murphy's life. After developing heart trouble last year, he lost his job and his insurance. "They threw me to the wolves, and I thought that was wrong," he said. But now, under the new law, everyone must have health insurance. Henry qualified for state-subsidized coverage just in time.</p> <p>That's why before every Red Sox game, beside the hot dogs and hamburgers, the state is pitching health care, aiming the pitch in person and up on Fenway Park's big screen at young men.</p> <p>It's a tough sell because the cheapest family plan available, with drug coverage, is $662 a month. When <b>Andrews</b> talked to contractor Roger Thompson, there was no way.</p> <p><strong><u>It was hilarious to watch that stream of raving Red Sox fans juggling cheese dogs, tankers of beer-- and flyers for health insurance.</u></strong></p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/08/24/eveningnews/main3201834.shtml#cooliris">Health Care For All In Massachusetts?, Despite Landmark Universal Health Plan, Thousands Of People, Mostly Young, Are Still Uninsured - CBS News</a></p>

Health Care For All In Massachusetts?, Despite Landmark Universal Health Plan, Thousands Of People, Mostly Young, Are Still Uninsured

 Health insurance flyers at the ball park...handed out with the beer and hot dogs...BD CBS) When Massachusetts' experiment with universal health care began this year, one thing it did was save Henry Murphy's life. After developing heart trouble last year, he lost his job and his insurance. "They th…

Read more »

Should Americans be forced to have health insurance?

<p>Comparison to the laws requiring car insurance...would a new law solve issues?   BD</p> <blockquote> <p>Most Americans accept the idea to drive a car they need insurance. But what about health care? Should all Americans be forced to sign up for health insurance? In a country where the number of uninsured tops 45 million people and the cost of care skyrocketed 87 percent between 2000 and last year, two words individual mandate are suddenly a key part of the debate over health care reform among the 2008 presidential candidates.</p> <p>“If it isn’t affordable, how is it solving the health care problem by forcing people to buy it?” asks Austan Goolsby, a professor of economics at the University of Chicago and a policy adviser to Obama.</p> <p>Michael Tanner, the director of health and welfare studies at the Cato Institute, a think tank in Washington, D.C., points to the 47 states with requirements that people buy car insurance. In those states, he says, <u>“there are more people without car insurance than health insurance.”</u></p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.globegazette.com/articles/2007/08/24/state/doc46ce58d412331207517674.txt#cooliris">globegazette.com - Archived News Story</a></p>

Should Americans be forced to have health insurance?

Comparison to the laws requiring car insurance...would a new law solve issues?   BD Most Americans accept the idea to drive a car they need insurance. But what about health care? Should all Americans be forced to sign up for health insurance? In a country where the number of uninsured tops 45 milli…

Read more »

Helping bring robotic surgery to south county

<p>More robotic surgery coming to Orange County, CA...BD</p> <blockquote> <p>With a $1 million grant, Vitek and his wife Marilyn, 73, of Dana Point are <img align="right" height="402" src="http://www.ocregister.com/newsimages/news/2007/08/03robotic_em.jpg" width="356"> establishing the Vitek Institute for Robotic Surgery at Mission Hospital the first of its kind in south Orange County. The once futuristic technology, known as the da Vinci Surgical System after Leonardo da Vinci, was unveiled at the hospital this week and should be available by the end of the year.</p> <p>Dr. Neyssan Tebyani, a Laguna Hills urologist specializing in minimally invasive surgery, has done robotic surgeries and says they're a step above laparoscopic procedures. <p>"It's amazing how much better the visualization is and the ease with which you can do difficult steps of the operation," Tebyani said. In the past laparoscopic surgeries have been done by doctors making small incisions and using long, thin rods. Doctors say these can be cumbersome. </p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.ocregister.com/news/hospital-surgery-robotic-1796542-vitek-year#cooliris">News: Helping bring robotic surgery to south county | hospital, surgery, robotic, vitek, year - OCRegister.com</a></p>

Helping bring robotic surgery to south county

More robotic surgery coming to Orange County, CA...BD With a $1 million grant, Vitek and his wife Marilyn, 73, of Dana Point are establishing the Vitek Institute for Robotic Surgery at Mission Hospital the first of its kind in south Orange County. The once futuristic technology, known as the da Vi…

Read more »

LAPD probing possible Skid Row patient dumping

<p>Is this still happening?  The article states the mission is still receiving 2 or 3 each week?  Bd</p> <blockquote> <p>LOS ANGELES Police are investigating whether two more hospitals may have dumped patients on Skid Row, including a mentally ill man from Orange County who was left on the street without prescription medication. Both men were reportedly dropped off during the past week at the Union Rescue Mission, which provides food, shelter, clothing and other services to homeless people. "We have to determine if there was prior notification to the mission, the shelters, on whether there's availability for beds," police Capt. Jodi Wakefield told KABC-TV on Tuesday.</p> <p>Mission officials said they received no notification the first man was coming and that the second man, who arrived from the Veterans Administration Hospital in West Los Angeles, made it clear to them he never wanted to be taken to the mission.</p> <p>Although the number of people going from hospitals straight to downtown's Skid Row has decreased over the past year,<strong><u> Bales said the mission still receives two or three each week.</u></strong></p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_6681069?nclick_check=1#cooliris">San Jose Mercury News - LAPD probing possible Skid Row patient dumping</a></p>

LAPD probing possible Skid Row patient dumping

Is this still happening?  The article states the mission is still receiving 2 or 3 each week?  Bd LOS ANGELES Police are investigating whether two more hospitals may have dumped patients on Skid Row, including a mentally ill man from Orange County who was left on the street without prescription med…

Read more »

Game lets patients blast cancer

<p>The game helps educate patients about their disease at the same time..good thinking and innovation...BD</p> <blockquote> <p>ORANGE, Calif. - Chase Crawford furiously clicks a laptop mouse, firing chemo at an onslaught of cancer cells inside the animated lymph node of a virtual teenager. The 17-year-old leukemia patient, wearing a knit cap and blue pajama bottoms, was among the first to try a new video game called Re-Mission at Children's Hospital of Orange County, Calif. The game, designed by animators, video-game makers, cell biologists and teen boys with cancer, features a buxom nanorobot named Roxxi. In the hands of young cancer patients, she zooms through "the world's smallest battlefield" with her chemo blaster and radiation gun.</p> <p>It was created to teach patients about their disease, provide an outlet for frustration and encourage them to follow treatment. And the developer of the game, the nonprofit HopeLab in Redwood City, Calif., has proven results. The Northern California group conducted a study using the game at hospitals in three countries. Nearly 375 teen cancer patients were tracked as they played either an Indiana Jones game or Re-Mission.<br>The teens who played Re-Mission understood cancer better and took their medication more faithfully.</p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/lifestyle/orl-cancergame07aug21,0,3508277.story#cooliris">Game lets patients blast cancer -- OrlandoSentinel.com</a></p>

Game lets patients blast cancer

The game helps educate patients about their disease at the same time..good thinking and innovation...BD ORANGE, Calif. - Chase Crawford furiously clicks a laptop mouse, firing chemo at an onslaught of cancer cells inside the animated lymph node of a virtual teenager. The 17-year-old leukemia patien…

Read more »

Clinton Team Health Care Plan Resonates with Medical Professionals

<p> </p> <blockquote> <p>About 150 people, most dressed in white lab coats or decorative scrubs, filled the auditorium at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center on Thursday afternoon to hear U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., unveil her plan to make America's health care system better. The speech is the second in a series of three addresses that will ultimately detail Clinton's comprehensive plan for providing health care to the entire nation.</p> <p>"I think during her husband's presidency, she tackled the health care industry and that's where a lot of her knowledge came from," said Darko.</p> <p><a href="http://campaignsandelections.com/NH/articles/?ID=560">Campaigns & Elections magazine</a></p></blockquote>

Clinton Team Health Care Plan Resonates with Medical Professionals

  About 150 people, most dressed in white lab coats or decorative scrubs, filled the auditorium at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center on Thursday afternoon to hear U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., unveil her plan to make America's health care system better. The speech is the second in a serie…

Read more »

Medical marijuana users want OC court order for return of pot

<p>Charges were dropped, but the goods have not been returned.  BD</p> <blockquote> <p>SANTA ANA, Calif.Two Orange County medical marijuana users want police to return their pot. Charges against Jim Spray, 51, of Huntington Beach and Felix Cha, 22, of Garden Grove were dropped but police agencies have refused to return the seized marijuana. The men, who are medical marijuana patients using pot to relieve pain under California's 11-year-old Compassionate Use Act passed by voters, argued their cases Thursday before the 4th District Court of Appeal, which has 90 days to issue a decision.</p> <p> </p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_6709666">San Jose Mercury News - Medical marijuana users want OC court order for return of pot</a></p>

Medical marijuana users want OC court order for return of pot

Charges were dropped, but the goods have not been returned.  BD SANTA ANA, Calif.Two Orange County medical marijuana users want police to return their pot. Charges against Jim Spray, 51, of Huntington Beach and Felix Cha, 22, of Garden Grove were dropped but police agencies have refused to return t…

Read more »

Romney unveils healthcare reform plan

<p>It calls for each state to lead the role with support from the federal government...BD  </p> <blockquote> <p>WASHINGTON -- GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney on Friday released his principles for national healthcare reform but left out the linchpin of the plan he enacted as governor of Massachusetts: a requirement that individuals get coverage. That shift could help him win over conservative Republican primary voters, experts said. But if he succeeds in becoming the GOP nominee, he may have to zigzag back to his Massachusetts roots to appeal to independents and Democrats</p> <p>Speaking to doctors in South Florida, Romney said he would encourage each state to seek its own solution to the problem of 45 million uninsured people in America. <br>The federal government would play a supporting role by offering tax breaks for individuals to purchase private insurance, granting governors more flexibility in using federal healthcare funds, overhauling the malpractice litigation system and making other changes.</p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-na-romney25aug25,1,2020318.story?coll=la-headlines-health">Romney unveils healthcare reform plan - Los Angeles Times</a></p>

Romney unveils healthcare reform plan

It calls for each state to lead the role with support from the federal government...BD  WASHINGTON -- GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney on Friday released his principles for national healthcare reform but left out the linchpin of the plan he enacted as governor of Massachusetts: a requirement…

Read more »

Sorting out Medicare...

<p>One man's opinion and information on how to sort out what is best...as he states things are just so very confusing these days, "it takes a PhD to figure it out"...it is difficult these days to sort all of this information as it appears to change very frequently as well.  BD</p> <blockquote> <p>Arthur Pitts sat in a plastic lawn chair waiting to pick up prescriptions from The Village Pharmacy in Waynesville Monday afternoon (March 13). At 73, he is one of the nations many Medicare subscribers. His coverage comes through a Blue Cross Blue Shield plan, which he says has been fairly reliable so far. However, Pitts has yet to sign up for prescription drug coverage. </p> <p><strong><u>You have to have a PhD to figure it out, he said.</u></strong></p> <p><strong><u>“Thousands, thousands,” said Floyd Rogers, an insurance broker at Haywood Insurance Services Inc. in Waynesville, of the number of people who have yet to enroll due to confusion.</u></strong></p> <p>Pitts, the 73-year-old Medicare customer who has yet to sign up for prescription drug coverage, said that while he has a computer, a Medicare Web site wasn’t the answer. <p>“I wouldn’t know what online was,” Pitts said. </p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.smokymountainnews.com/issues/03_06/03_15_06/fr_may_cause_confusion.html">The Smoky Mountain News</a></p>

Sorting out Medicare...

One man's opinion and information on how to sort out what is best...as he states things are just so very confusing these days, "it takes a PhD to figure it out"...it is difficult these days to sort all of this information as it appears to change very frequently as well.  BD Arthur Pitts sat in a pl…

Read more »

Doctor bills Medicare for toe clipping, foot massages

<p>One too many toe nail clips...and incorrect coding..BD  </p> <blockquote>NEWARK, N.J. (AP) _ A podiatrist pleaded guilty Friday to defrauding Medicare by billing for things like toenail clipping and foot massages and agreed to pay $1.2 million in restitution. The plea bargain for Ming C. Tung will settle criminal and civil cases brought by federal authorities, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. He pleaded guilty to a single count of health care fraud. He faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when sentenced Dec. 7, although the actual term will be considerably lower, in part, because he pleaded guilty. Tung, 63, of East Brunswick, admitted that from 2001 to 2005, he fraudulently billed the Medicare program for routine services, such as toenail clipping and massage. To get reimbursement, Tung made it appear that the patients suffered from systemic problems, such as diabetes, that qualified.</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newjersey/ny-bc-nj--podiatrist-medica0824aug24,0,2986031.story">Doctor bills Medicare for toe clipping, foot massages -- Newsday.com</a></p>

Doctor bills Medicare for toe clipping, foot massages

One too many toe nail clips...and incorrect coding..BD  NEWARK, N.J. (AP) _ A podiatrist pleaded guilty Friday to defrauding Medicare by billing for things like toenail clipping and foot massages and agreed to pay $1.2 million in restitution. The plea bargain for Ming C. Tung will settle criminal a…

Read more »

Diabetics May Benefit From Discovery Of 'Sugar Sensor' In Intestine

<p> </p> <blockquote>Diabetes patients could benefit from new research at the University of Liverpool that has identified a molecule in the intestine that can 'taste' the sugar content of the diet. Researchers found that the sweet taste receptor that senses sugar and artificial sweeteners is not only present in the tongue, but also in the intestine. The discovery will open new avenues for the treatment of diabetes and obesity, as well as suggest reasons for why artificially sweetened foods and beverages sometimes fail to result in weight loss.</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/80365.php">Diabetics May Benefit From Discovery Of 'Sugar Sensor' In Intestine</a></p>

Diabetics May Benefit From Discovery Of 'Sugar Sensor' In Intestine

  Diabetes patients could benefit from new research at the University of Liverpool that has identified a molecule in the intestine that can 'taste' the sugar content of the diet. Researchers found that the sweet taste receptor that senses sugar and artificial sweeteners is not only present in the to…

Read more »

DIY pervasive health monitor keeps tabs on your vitals

<p>Both sites feature a video for additional information as well.  Looks like a nice 6700 pocket pc phone being use for this demonstration.  More use of Windows Mobile devices and wireless blue tooth technology...graphics look very nice as well on the unit.   BD</p> <blockquote>If you think your heart rate-monitoring wristwatch is hot stuff, a homegrown creation from the Berkeley Institute of Design is apt to put that to shame. Dubbed the pervasive health monitoring system, this project involves a TI microcontroller, a Bluetooth interface, audio amplifier, and a trio of low <img align="right" height="193" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2007/08/8-24-07-healthmonitor.jpg" width="256"> power "instrumentation amplifiers," which creates an apparatus that can communicate wirelessly with your Windows Mobile-based handset (and PC, too). The device is rigged up to record ECG (heart rhythms), EMG (muscle tension), GSR (skin resistance), body temperature and movement information, and while we could certainly attempt to transcribe the creator, why not take a look at the informative video posted after the jump for all the data you could ever desire about this (admittedly fresh) invention. </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/24/diy-pervasive-health-monitor-keeps-tabs-on-your-vitals/">DIY pervasive health monitor keeps tabs on your vitals - Engadget</a> </p> <p>Hat Tip:  <a href="http://www.hackaday.com/2007/08/22/pervasive-health-monitor-got-granny/">Hack A Day</a></p>

DIY pervasive health monitor keeps tabs on your vitals

Both sites feature a video for additional information as well.  Looks like a nice 6700 pocket pc phone being use for this demonstration.  More use of Windows Mobile devices and wireless blue tooth technology...graphics look very nice as well on the unit.   BD If you think your heart rate-monitoring …

Read more »

Estrogen's Secret Role In Obesity Revealed

<p>Interesting how the body fat shifts regions in the body after menopause...something to be said for big hips prior to the change as well....BD</p> <blockquote> <p>New research on the effects of the female sex hormone estrogen in the brain lend credence to what many women have suspected about the hormonal changes that accompany aging: <u><strong>Menopause can make you fat.</strong></u> Scientists long have sought to understand how changes in hormones during menopause could account for the increase in appetite and accompanying weight gain that often occurs among aging women.</p> <p>"The accumulation of abdominal fat puts both men and women at a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and insulin resistance," she says. "Women are protected from these negative consequences as long as they carry their weight in their hips and saddlebags. But when they go through menopause and the body fat shifts to the abdomen, they have to start battling all of these medical complications."</p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/80277.php">Estrogen's Secret Role In Obesity Revealed</a></p>

Estrogen's Secret Role In Obesity Revealed

Interesting how the body fat shifts regions in the body after menopause...something to be said for big hips prior to the change as well....BD New research on the effects of the female sex hormone estrogen in the brain lend credence to what many women have suspected about the hormonal changes that a…

Read more »

Insulin Pen May Replace Syringe For Diabetics

<p>Good news for those who need insulin...I would also think the pen is a little more convenient to carry with you as well...initial cost is a small bit higher, and the pen seems to have a better angle on accuracy on the dose according to the article.  BD</p> <blockquote> <p>Diabetics who need to switch from oral medications to insulin could reduce their annual healthcare costs up to $17,000 by using an insulin pen instead of a syringe to deliver their daily dose of medication. A new study found that using an insulin pen may result in fewer trips to the emergency department and to the doctor's office, resulting in substantial savings to diabetics and their insurers. "For one, there is less chance of getting the wrong dose of insulin," said Rajesh Balkrishnan, the study's senior author and the Merrell Dow professor of pharmacy at Ohio State University. "Diabetics who use syringes must carefully measure their insulin, so there is a risk of getting too much or too little."</p> <p>Annual prescription costs were also lower for insulin pen users in this group -- $6,122 vs. $7,465 for syringe users.</p> <p>Prescription costs for the syringe were lower than those for the pen ($535 vs. $670), and the cost of a pen itself was higher than the cost of a syringe ($840 vs. $0.) <br>"While the pen is initially more expensive than the syringe, in the long run it could considerably reduce overall healthcare costs," Balkrishnan said.</p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/80275.php">Insulin Pen May Replace Syringe For Diabetics</a></p>

Insulin Pen May Replace Syringe For Diabetics

Good news for those who need insulin...I would also think the pen is a little more convenient to carry with you as well...initial cost is a small bit higher, and the pen seems to have a better angle on accuracy on the dose according to the article.  BD Diabetics who need to switch from oral medicat…

Read more »

Controversy over retail store clinics - this one was a good experience

<p>In this case it was a life saver and he is now a patient for 2 specialists after the visit...BD</p> <blockquote> <p>CHICAGO - After three months of feeling lethargic with bouts of blurred vision, 65-year-old Jim Einsweiler walked into a clinic in his local Walgreens pharmacy, mostly, he said, to appease his wife. Hours later, he was in a cardiac care unit at a nearby hospital. He stayed for eight days and received three stents to prop open his arteries. I was a walking time bomb, he said.</p> <p>She believes the clinics offer a door into the health system for patients like Einsweiler, who hadn’t seen a doctor for 20 years.</p> <p>Einsweiler, who now has both a cardiologist and an internist, said he would go to his new doctors for most medical care, but he is grateful the clinic was there.</p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20423639/">Controversy over retail store clinics - Health Care - MSNBC.com</a></p>

Controversy over retail store clinics - this one was a good experience

In this case it was a life saver and he is now a patient for 2 specialists after the visit...BD CHICAGO - After three months of feeling lethargic with bouts of blurred vision, 65-year-old Jim Einsweiler walked into a clinic in his local Walgreens pharmacy, mostly, he said, to appease his wife. Hour…

Read more »

56 cents could cost a Louisville man thousands

<p>Claims not paid as the premium was paid 56 cents short...BD</p> <blockquote> <p>LOUISVILLE (WAVE) -- A Louisville man who thought he had insurance coverage for a much needed surgery found out he has nothing but a stack of bills. When he needed it most, his insurance was terminated. So, what happened? Troubleshooter Charla Young investigates. Health conditions made it tough for John Boyette to keep his factory job. Boyette had to have part of his lung removed. On the advise of his doctors, he quit his job.</p> <p>Boyette says he paid close attention to premiums -- down to the penny -- because under COBRA his company paid a small portion and he was responsible for the rest.</p> <p>Ceridian claims they sent him a notice of possible cancellation if he didn't make a full and timely premium payment of just 56 cents. Boyette says he never received it.</p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.wave3.com/Global/story.asp?S=6975106">WAVE 3 TV Louisville, KY :: 56 cents could cost a Louisville man thousands</a></p>

56 cents could cost a Louisville man thousands

Claims not paid as the premium was paid 56 cents short...BD LOUISVILLE (WAVE) -- A Louisville man who thought he had insurance coverage for a much needed surgery found out he has nothing but a stack of bills. When he needed it most, his insurance was terminated. So, what happened? Troubleshooter Ch…

Read more »

EMPLOYEE DISCOUNT PROGRAM TO LESSEN THE BURDEN OF INCREASED HEALTH CARE COSTS

<p>Employment of the "fittest"...BD</p> <blockquote> <p>Thousand Oaks, CA -- August 23, 2007 -- ThinkVitaminsOnline.com, a national leading provider of health and wellness products, announces an enhancement to employer benefits/awards programs. All employees of participating organizations receive a free membership ($20 value) providing a 15% discount on over 4000 wellness products from 150 leading brand manufacturers. As more of the health care costs are being passed onto employees, individuals need to be more proactive in maintaining their health. Just last week, <u>Blue Cross announced another reduction in benefit coverage, placing higher costs for health care</u> benefits squarely on the consumers. Currently, benefit plans do not cover over-the-counter vitamin and wellness products. Consequently, employee wellness programs are receiving increasing attention.</p> <p>Wellness programs also help to recruit and retain the most effective, productive employees. Studies show a correlation between employees who seek out corporate wellness programs and the most productive workers.</p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.mmdnewswire.com/employee-discount-program-to-lessen-the-burden-of-increased-health-care-costs-2079.html#cooliris">EMPLOYEE DISCOUNT PROGRAM TO LESSEN THE BURDEN OF INCREASED HEALTH CARE COSTS</a></p>

EMPLOYEE DISCOUNT PROGRAM TO LESSEN THE BURDEN OF INCREASED HEALTH CARE COSTS

Employment of the "fittest"...BD Thousand Oaks, CA -- August 23, 2007 -- ThinkVitaminsOnline.com, a national leading provider of health and wellness products, announces an enhancement to employer benefits/awards programs. All employees of participating organizations receive a free membership ($20 v…

Read more »

Medicare tightening the screws on medical mistakes - Minnesota carrier has already started back in 2005 with this type of policy

<p>This article compares how Health Partners did the same thing, but perhaps not as stringent in it's provisions and even admits the new policy may have additional problems once it starts there as well.  BD</p> <blockquote> <p>Three years ago, a Minnesota health insurer said it would stop paying for things that should never happen to patient in a hospital, such as leaving a sponge in the body after surgery. The move by HealthPartners sparked an uproar. Hospitals complained that it would discourage staff from reporting errors. Patients worried they'd be hit with a fat bill if the insurer refused to pay.</p> <p>Whether something like this can work nationally or becomes an administrative nightmare remains to be seen. Even Minnesota hospitals, ahead of those in most other states when it comes to patient safety initiatives, foresee some difficulties with the new policy.</p> <p>Since the HealthPartners policy took effect in January 2005, the insurer has been billed for fewer than 10 never events. Other errors were caught by hospitals before billing HealthPartners, but the insurer has not tracked those.  In Minnesota, some of the initial dismay has dissipated.</p> <p>The nonprofit status of Minnesota hospitals also may be a problem, said Dr. Charles Fazio, chief medical officer at Medica. "If you end up not paying for these things, where do these costs go? They end up getting transmitted into the system somehow," Fazio said.</p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.startribune.com/535/story/1378153.html">Medicare tightening the screws on medical mistakes</a></p>

Medicare tightening the screws on medical mistakes - Minnesota carrier has already started back in 2005 with this type of policy

This article compares how Health Partners did the same thing, but perhaps not as stringent in it's provisions and even admits the new policy may have additional problems once it starts there as well.  BD Three years ago, a Minnesota health insurer said it would stop paying for things that should ne…

Read more »

Single-incision Belly-button Surgery To Remove Kidney Performed

<p> </p> <blockquote>Dr. Jeffrey Cadeddu, associate professor of urology and radiology, performed the "single keyhole access" surgery, the first of its kind involving a kidney. The entire procedure was completed with only one incision and will leave the patient with a barely noticeable scar tucked in the umbilicus, or navel. "We are proud of this novel surgical technique," said Dr. Cadeddu, who leads the Clinical Center for Minimally Invasive Treatment of Urologic Cancer. "Laparoscopic surgery already gives patients smaller incisions, less pain and a faster recovery. This transumbilical technique is a further extension of laparoscopic surgery, which essentially removes scarring from the patient's skin.</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070823083658.htm">ScienceDaily: Single-incision Belly-button Surgery To Remove Kidney Performed</a></p>

Single-incision Belly-button Surgery To Remove Kidney Performed

  Dr. Jeffrey Cadeddu, associate professor of urology and radiology, performed the "single keyhole access" surgery, the first of its kind involving a kidney. The entire procedure was completed with only one incision and will leave the patient with a barely noticeable scar tucked in the umbilicus, or…

Read more »

Doctors fevered over Medicaid HMO proposal

<p> </p> <blockquote> <p>The state would start with a pilot program that would require Medicaid patients in two contiguous counties to join HMOs, according to pending legislation that was tucked in a so-called budget implementation bill and has passed the Illinois Senate. Neither county was disclosed. The bill's fate is uncertain in the Illinois House. Although the current Medicaid program requires patients to sign up for a specific physician under a form of managed care known as primary care case management, there is no requirement that patients sign up for an HMO.<strong><u> Doctors and hospitals have long opposed forcing Medicaid patients to enroll in HMOs because they believe it would threaten patient access to medical-care providers</u></strong>.</p> <p> They also say HMOs have no proof their program saves money. "Because Illinois Medicaid payment rates are so low and the base rate has been frozen for the past dozen years, savings have already been squeezed out of the Medicaid program," said Ken Robbins, president of the Illinois Hospital Association.</p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-thu_notebook_0823aug23,0,495722.story">Doctors fevered over Medicaid HMO proposal -- chicagotribune.com</a></p>

Doctors fevered over Medicaid HMO proposal

  The state would start with a pilot program that would require Medicaid patients in two contiguous counties to join HMOs, according to pending legislation that was tucked in a so-called budget implementation bill and has passed the Illinois Senate. Neither county was disclosed. The bill's fate is …

Read more »

Study reveals why common pneumonia is so deadly

<p> </p> <blockquote> <p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A common cause of pneumonia can kill by causing bleeding in the lungs, researchers said on Thursday in a finding that may explain why antibiotics fail to save many patients. </p> <p>They found the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae secretes a toxin that causes severe bleeding in the lungs in some patients, killing them within days. The toxin is unaffected by antibiotics, which explains why the drugs often fail to save patients, the researchers reported in the journal Immunity.</p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070823/hl_nm/pneumonia_bleeding_dc_4#cooliris">Study reveals why common pneumonia is so deadly - Yahoo! News</a></p>

Study reveals why common pneumonia is so deadly

  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A common cause of pneumonia can kill by causing bleeding in the lungs, researchers said on Thursday in a finding that may explain why antibiotics fail to save many patients. They found the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae secretes a toxin that causes severe bleeding in th…

Read more »

Largest Hand in the World

<p>Picture says it all....rare condition and one huge hand...BD</p> <blockquote>On July 20 surgeons undertook a seven-hour operation to reduce the size of Liu’s fingers and thumb. Doctors removed 11 pounds of flesh and bone in the procedure. A second surgery is scheduled to take place. Enlarged limbs can be caused by a number of medical conditions. Lymphedema is perhaps the most common cause and results in some extraordinarily enlarged limbs.<img height="117" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1342/1204668153_c68d88f343.jpg" width="185"> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20070822/largest-hand-in-the-world/">Largest Hand in the World » Coolest Gadgets</a> </p> <p>Hat Tip:  <a href="http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2007/08/macrodactyly.html">Kevin, MD</a></p>

Largest Hand in the World

Picture says it all....rare condition and one huge hand...BD On July 20 surgeons undertook a seven-hour operation to reduce the size of Liu’s fingers and thumb. Doctors removed 11 pounds of flesh and bone in the procedure. A second surgery is scheduled to take place. Enlarged limbs can be caused by …

Read more »

Red Bull overdose stops man's heart

<p>Warning to those who like Red Bull...don't drink too many...BD  </p> <blockquote>Ever wondered what would happen if you overdosed on Red Bull? Answer: your heart could stop ticking. I am not kidding. Australian man, Matthew Penbross (28), found that out recently after drinking eight of the super-highly caffeinated beverages during a five hour period. I guess eight is his unlucky number, because after downing that last one he collapsed. An ambulance was called and the first aid crew found Penbross having a heart attack. Realizing his heart had stopped, they had to use a defibrillator to get his heart pumping again. The obvious question: why was he drinking so much darn Red Bull??</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.thecardioblog.com/2007/08/21/red-bull-overdose-stops-mans-heart/">Red Bull overdose stops man's heart - The Cardio Blog</a> </p> <p>Hat Tip:  <a href="http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2007/08/red-bull-led-to-heart-attack.html">Kevin, MD</a></p>

Red Bull overdose stops man's heart

Warning to those who like Red Bull...don't drink too many...BD  Ever wondered what would happen if you overdosed on Red Bull? Answer: your heart could stop ticking. I am not kidding. Australian man, Matthew Penbross (28), found that out recently after drinking eight of the super-highly caffeinated …

Read more »

Single-Payer Health Care System Would Increase Wait Times, Lead To Physician Shortages, Op-Ed States

<p>There is no perfect solution on either side, but could we regulate health insurance like a utility, just like we do the power and gas companies?  They make a profit but have regulatory state and federal agencies that closely monitor their profit levels and increases that are passed along to the public so nobody literally gets left out in the cold...BD</p> <blockquote>The implementation of a health care system similar to those in Canada and Britain would increase wait times for patients and lead to shortages of physicians in the U.S., Robert Goldberg, vice president of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest, writes in a Washington Times opinion piece. Goldberg writes that, although Canada has "pumped billions of dollars into its system to reduce waiting times for specialty services, cancer care, first-time health visits and emergency rooms," Health Canada and the Fraser Institute have said "waiting times and shortages have gotten worse." In addition, he writes, price controls have led to shortages of physicians in Britain that "in turn are filled by waiving immigration regulations that allow neurologists with bomb-making skills into the National Health Service," and the College of Family Physicians of Canada has found that 17% of Canadian residents do not have a primary care physician because of a shortage.</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/80333.php">Single-Payer Health Care System Would Increase Wait Times, Lead To Physician Shortages, Op-Ed States</a></p>

Single-Payer Health Care System Would Increase Wait Times, Lead To Physician Shortages, Op-Ed States

There is no perfect solution on either side, but could we regulate health insurance like a utility, just like we do the power and gas companies?  They make a profit but have regulatory state and federal agencies that closely monitor their profit levels and increases that are passed along to the publ…

Read more »

FDA Approves Antipsychotic Risperdal For Adolescents And Children

<p>Lithium gets some competition in this area...BD</p> <blockquote> <p>The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Johnson & Johnson's (J&J) atypical antipsychotic drug Risperdal (chemical name risperidone) for use in two types of treatment with children and adolescents. The approval was given yesterday, 22nd August. One application is for short treatment of schizophrenia in adolescents aged from 13 to 17 and the other is for short term treatment of manic or mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder in children aged between 10 and 17.</p> <p>Lithium has been the only FDA approved pediatric drug for treating schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in these age groups until now.</p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/80443.php">FDA Approves Antipsychotic Risperdal For Adolescents And Children</a></p>

FDA Approves Antipsychotic Risperdal For Adolescents And Children

Lithium gets some competition in this area...BD The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Johnson & Johnson's (J&J) atypical antipsychotic drug Risperdal (chemical name risperidone) for use in two types of treatment with children and adolescents. The approval was given yesterday, 22nd …

Read more »

Rare Use Of Drug Derived From Leech Saliva Lets Heart Transplant - And Wedding - Proceed

<p>Amazing story..scary how he was the picture of health one week and close to death the next due to a viral infection that weakened his heart...BD</p> <blockquote> <p>Los Angeles resident Daryl Vinson, 39, desperately needed a heart transplant but was allergic to heparin, a blood thinner that plays a critical role in transplantation surgery. Rather than allowing their patient to languish and die, members of the heart transplant team at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center created an alternative, using a synthetic form of a protein found in the saliva of leeches. Bivalirudin was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of certain cardiac conditions, but because it has no antidote and its use in transplantation is so new, the doctors had to develop a game plan and specific protocols in advance of the operation. Vinson, a former Air Force air traffic controller who also served with the Global Command and Control System, caught what he thought was a common cold that quickly got worse in early June. After suffering a nearly fatal collapse, he was diagnosed with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, a severely weakened, poorly functioning heart.</p> <p>While dilated cardiomyopathy can be caused by a number of factors, including reduced blood flow to the heart ("ischemic" disease), Vinson's condition likely stemmed from a viral infection. <br>"Mr. Vinson appeared to be in relatively good health, so it was a surprise to everyone, including his physicians, that his heart function was so bad," says Ernst Schwarz, M.D., Ph.D., a specialist in transplantation cardiology. <p> </p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/80305.php">Rare Use Of Drug Derived From Leech Saliva Lets Heart Transplant - And Wedding - Proceed</a></p>

Rare Use Of Drug Derived From Leech Saliva Lets Heart Transplant - And Wedding - Proceed

Amazing story..scary how he was the picture of health one week and close to death the next due to a viral infection that weakened his heart...BD Los Angeles resident Daryl Vinson, 39, desperately needed a heart transplant but was allergic to heparin, a blood thinner that plays a critical role in tr…

Read more »

Lord of the Rings technology to help map wounds

<p>Fascinating technology to measure the depth of a wound...and appears to be another use for PDAs/Phones ....BD</p> <blockquote> <p>The SilhouetteMobile hand-held device uses lasers and state-of-the- art digital photography to create three-dimensional maps. One of its first uses was with Weta Workshop, which scanned wax sculptures of animated characters for the Oscar-winning Lord of the Rings movies so they could be <img align="right" src="http://www.stuff.co.nz/images/318999.jpg">manipulated on computer. The device, made by ARANZ Medical, is one of the finalists in the annual Health Innovation Awards, along with four other initiatives by the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB). ARANZ Medical chief executive Bruce Davey said the device was being used to map the changing nature of serious wounds. It calculated the wound area and depth, and stored all information on its palm-sized computer, Davey said.  </p> <p><strong><u>The device had just won Food and Drug Administration approval, which meant access to the potentially multimillion-dollar United States market, he said.</u></strong></p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/4175456a10.html#cooliris">Lord of the Rings technology to help map wounds - New Zealand, world, sport, business & entertainment news on Stuff.co.nz</a></p>

Lord of the Rings technology to help map wounds

Fascinating technology to measure the depth of a wound...and appears to be another use for PDAs/Phones ....BD The SilhouetteMobile hand-held device uses lasers and state-of-the- art digital photography to create three-dimensional maps. One of its first uses was with Weta Workshop, which scanned wax…

Read more »

Senators plea for extradition in doctor's slaying

<p>Sad story and reason is even worse...claims the acne medicine made him impotent and that is why he killed the doctor?   I don't think so on this one....probably more here the lines here...BD</p> <blockquote>WASHINGTON---- Illinois senators Barack Obama and Dick Durbin are urging the French government to extradite a man accused of murdering a Chicago physician. Obama and Durbin wrote a letter to the French Embassy saying that Hans Peterson should face prosecution in the United States in the murder of Doctor David Cornbleet. The doctor was found stabbed to death in his high-rise office last October. Law enforcement sources have said Peterson allegedly killed the physician after being prescribed an acne medicine that he believed made him impotent. Peterson turned himself in to authorities in the French territory of Saint Martin in the Caribbean two weeks ago.</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/517697,cornbleet082007.article">Senators plea for extradition in doctor's slaying :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Metro & Tri-State</a></p>

Senators plea for extradition in doctor's slaying

Sad story and reason is even worse...claims the acne medicine made him impotent and that is why he killed the doctor?   I don't think so on this one....probably more here the lines here...BD WASHINGTON---- Illinois senators Barack Obama and Dick Durbin are urging the French government to extradite a…

Read more »

Tired of Waiting for a Doctor? Try the Drugstore

<p>Convenience can be good, but time will tell the story on how they work long term...BD</p> <blockquote> <p>The concept has been called urgent care lite: Patients who are tired of waiting days to see a doctor for bronchitis, pinkeye or a sprained ankle can instead walk into a nearby drugstore and, at lower cost, with brief waits, see a doctor or a nurse and then fill a prescription on the spot.</p> <p>But with their increasing popularity, the clinics are drawing mounting scrutiny. Several states including New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and California are examining ways to more closely monitor the clinics, which are overseen by a hodgepodge of state agencies applying a wide and inconsistent range of regulations</p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/23/nyregion/23clinic.html?em&ex=1188014400&en=1860c3d7524ff47c&ei=5087%0A#cooliris">Tired of Waiting for a Doctor? Try the Drugstore - New York Times</a></p>

Tired of Waiting for a Doctor? Try the Drugstore

Convenience can be good, but time will tell the story on how they work long term...BD The concept has been called urgent care lite: Patients who are tired of waiting days to see a doctor for bronchitis, pinkeye or a sprained ankle can instead walk into a nearby drugstore and, at lower cost, with br…

Read more »

Poll shows more Californians favoring single-payer health care

<p>This is a huge jump from 44% to 69% being dissatisfied with health care in California...did Sicko have some influence after all?  BD</p> <blockquote> <p>(08-22) 04:00 PDT Sacramento -- - As voter dissatisfaction with the state's health care system grows, increasing interest is emerging in moving to a state-run, single-payer program, according to a Field Poll released today. For years, a single-payer system had been the favorite of a small but loyal minority, but the new poll shows that 36 percent of California voters now favor replacing the current employer-based system with one operated by the state - a jump of 12 percent since December.</p> <p><strong>In December, DiCamillo pointed out, the poll found 51 percent of voters were satisfied with the way health care worked in California, with 44 percent dissatisfied.</strong> <p><strong><u>Today, only 28 percent said they are satisfied with health care in California and 69 percent are dissatisfied.</u></strong> He also noted that the number of voters who said they are very dissatisfied has more than doubled since December - from 20 percent to 42 percent.</p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2007/08/22/BA5SRMMNU.DTL&type=politics#cooliris">Poll shows more Californians favoring single-payer health care</a></p>

Poll shows more Californians favoring single-payer health care

This is a huge jump from 44% to 69% being dissatisfied with health care in California...did Sicko have some influence after all?  BD (08-22) 04:00 PDT Sacramento -- - As voter dissatisfaction with the state's health care system grows, increasing interest is emerging in moving to a state-run, single…

Read more »

Medi-Cal Money finally in the State Budget...after 52 day deadlock - California

<p> </p> <blockquote>SACRAMENTO After Republicans lifted a one-vote blockade, the Senate sent the governor a $145 billion budget yesterday that ends a 52-day deadlock and allows the state to pay nearly $3 billion in bills. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to sign the budget late tomorrow or Friday. The state is scrambling to begin making payments to health care providers and others hit by the delay.</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20070822-9999-1n22budget.html#cooliris">SignOnSanDiego.com > News > State -- State budget deadlock is over</a></p>

Medi-Cal Money finally in the State Budget...after 52 day deadlock - California

  SACRAMENTO After Republicans lifted a one-vote blockade, the Senate sent the governor a $145 billion budget yesterday that ends a 52-day deadlock and allows the state to pay nearly $3 billion in bills. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to sign the budget late tomorrow or Friday. The state is …

Read more »

Doctor charged in autistic boy's death

<p> </p> <blockquote>PITTSBURGH - A doctor was charged with involuntary manslaughter Wednesday for administering a chemical treatment that state police say killed a 5-year-old autistic boy. ADVERTISEMENT click here The child, Abubakar Tariq Nadama, went into cardiac arrest at Dr. Roy E. Kerry's office immediately after undergoing chelation therapy on Aug. 23, 2005. Chelation removes heavy metals from the body and is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating acute heavy metal poisoning, but not for treating autism. Some people who believe autism is caused by a mercury-containing preservative once used in vaccines say chelation may also help autistic children.</blockquote> <p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070822/ap_on_he_me/autistic_boy_s_death_2">Doctor charged in autistic boy's death - Yahoo! News</a></p>

Doctor charged in autistic boy's death

  PITTSBURGH - A doctor was charged with involuntary manslaughter Wednesday for administering a chemical treatment that state police say killed a 5-year-old autistic boy. ADVERTISEMENT click here The child, Abubakar Tariq Nadama, went into cardiac arrest at Dr. Roy E. Kerry's office immediately afte…

Read more »

Male menopause gets medical recognition

<p>It does exist...after all...BD</p> <blockquote> <p>With the continuing attention given to women in menopause, and the controversy over whether men undergo a similar "change of life," there has been doubt as to whether male menopause actually exists. But The Endocrine Society, an international organization with 13,000 members from more than 85 countries, considers this a real enough problem to have issued a patient guide to what is also known as "androgen deficiency" in men. Society members specialize in the research and treatment of endocrine disorders. This gives them the scientific qualifications to make their opinions worth considering. The guide the society distributed was helped by a financial grant from Solvay Pharmaceuticals. Men who may lack sufficient testosterone, the male hormone, can experience a range of physical and emotional problems from erectile dysfunction to depression.</p> <p>Not every man, even those with symptoms, should be treated.</p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.pe.com/lifestyles/stories/PE_Fea_Daily_D_health.malemenopause23.2a841cc.html">Male menopause gets medical recognition | Features | PE.com | Southern California News | News for Inland Southern California</a></p>

Male menopause gets medical recognition

It does exist...after all...BD With the continuing attention given to women in menopause, and the controversy over whether men undergo a similar "change of life," there has been doubt as to whether male menopause actually exists. But The Endocrine Society, an international organization with 13,000 …

Read more »

Bariatric surgery leads to 40% reduction in deaths, studies show

<p>So it is a good thing after all if needed...BD</p> <blockquote>Surgically induced weight loss produces as much as a 40% reduction in deaths in the 10 years after the operation, according to two large studies released today. Researchers already knew that bariatric surgery sharply reduced diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol, in addition to improving appearance and quality of life. But the new studies, reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, are the first to document a long-suspected link between weight loss and survival. "It is now absolutely clear that losing weight and keeping the weight off adds years to your life," said Dr. Edward H. Phillips, a bariatric surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, who was not involved in the studies.</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-sci-obesity23aug23,0,4659034.story?coll=la-home-center">Bariatric surgery leads to 40% reduction in deaths, studies show - Los Angeles Times</a></p>

Bariatric surgery leads to 40% reduction in deaths, studies show

So it is a good thing after all if needed...BD Surgically induced weight loss produces as much as a 40% reduction in deaths in the 10 years after the operation, according to two large studies released today. Researchers already knew that bariatric surgery sharply reduced diabetes, hypertension and h…

Read more »

Sahara Tablet PC Graphics and Dictation

<p>This is a recent post on You Tube showing the Sahara i44D tablet from <a href="http://www.tabletkiosk.com/">Tablet Kiosk</a> in use with Windows Vista and a couple interesting graphics programs.  I tried to show the responsiveness and quality on how the tablet responds.  Being able to switch back and forth between touch and using the stylus digitizer is really a huge plus.  When working with graphics programs, I prefer using the digitizer and when doing research on the Internet, the touch screen really fits the bill. <a href="http://www.tabletkiosk.com/" target="" atomicselection="true"><img align="right" height="111" src="http://www.tabletkiosk.com/images/img_hp3.jpg" width="148"></a> </p> <p>As I mention in the video, the dictation was really put through the ringer for a test, as I wanted to make sure I really had a less than perfect surrounding to give it a full test.  The voice commands that work with Vista are great.  At the end of the film you can see some of this being demonstrated when closing the document.  I have also used Vista voice dictation a bit when surfing the web too, and it makes for a new type of browsing experience, again, not having to use the touch screen as much and it navigates well.  You can even tell the voice command window to "move itself" out of the way if needed.  To begin using dictation, you can have it open and simply state "start listening".  As far as resources for dictation, I didn't find that Vista dictation required any more or any less than some of the other software that is available.  I did very little training here, just the basic to open and get the program going, and I was surprised at how it already picks up some of the medical terminology.  </p> <p><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Xm_vFZ_DwxA" width="425" height="350" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></p> <p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm_vFZ_DwxA&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fducknetweb%2Eblogspot%2Ecom%2F2007%2F08%2Fsahara%2Dtablet%2Dpc%2Dgraphics%2Dand%2Ddictation%2Ehtml">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm_vFZ_DwxA&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fducknetweb%2Eblogspot%2Ecom%2F2007%2F08%2Fsahara%2Dtablet%2Dpc%2Dgraphics%2Dand%2Ddictation%2Ehtml</a></p> <p>I have been using tablets for years and for this demo I wanted to focus on some of the other areas besides the "tip" input method, which <u>I also use all the time.</u>  The array microphone on the unit works great and you can hear some back ground music if you pay attention on the video, again done on purpose to put the unit to the test.    I am using it now with Outlook as well to do some emails when on the run.  It is pretty amazing that you can totally voice control composing and sending an email without even having to use the pen at all!  </p> <p>I also have the "customized" buttons on the unit set up to open Outlook, the web and One Note.  Every tablet user should give some serious thought to One Note too.  The Sahara tablet makes working with One Note a real breeze, and yes you can use some dictation features there too.  </p> <p>I use my Blue Tooth cell phone with the unit for an Internet connection when needed by tethering so my phone with the wireless data feature (which I pay for each month) to connect me to the web when I am in an area where a hot spot connection is not available.  I don't need long and frequent connections usually when I am in the field, so the tethering with the cell phone works <img align="right" height="141" src="http://www.tabletkiosk.com/tkstore/pc/catalog/img_i400_in_400DC_general.jpg" width="161">well for me.  The Blue tooth software that comes with the unit does a great job and I can use a hardware button to turn Blue tooth off and on as needed.</p> <p><u>ANYONE NEEDING OR WANTING MOBILITY CAN USE A TABLET</u> AND WITH THE FEATURE RICH SAHARA I44D, MOBILITY IS NOT ONLY SIMPLE, BUT SOMETHING <u>ANYONE CAN USE AND ENJOY</u>, SO WHY RESTRICT YOURSELF TO USING A DESKTOP ONLY, AS THIS UNIT CAN PRETTY MUCH DO EVERYTHING YOU NEED and then some.</p> <p><strong><u>ADD A DOCKING STATION AND IT CAN BE YOUR DESKTOP, BY CONNECTING A LARGE DISPLAY AND PERHAPS A NORMAL SIZE KEYBOARD FOR TIMES WHEN YOU ARE AT YOUR DESK!   When you need to be mobile, simply remove the unit and take it with you!  Nobody will be using your tablet while you are away either!  </u></strong></p> <p>On several occasions I have used tablets to create a "sign in" sheet for attendance at events.  We did this at one of the road shows from <a href="http://www.tabletkiosk.com/">Tablet Kiosk</a> as well, and I have also used the tablet features to capture signatures of attendees when I have been <u>conducting training events for Intel, by creating a template with Windows Journal and simply walk around and have all sign the <em><strong>"Intel"</strong></em> sign in sheet,</u> so we have a "paperless records" that can easily be printed and reproduced at any time.  This sure beats dragging paper around to do the same thing! <em><strong> The Core Duo processor from Intel really make this unit rock.  </strong></em></p> <p><strong><em>Need a life....get this tablet and explore the possibilities!</em></strong>  </p> <p>Barbara Duck, Ducknet Services</p> <p>Additional Resources and Links: (also search the site for additional recent Sahara Tablet posts)</p> <p><a href="http://www.tabletpc2.com/TabletKiosk_i440D_First_Slate_Tablet_PC_with_Dual_Pen_and_Touch%20Screen%20Input-7002307.html">TabletPC2 Review</a>            <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/31/tabletkiosks-sahara-i440d-slate-pc-now-shipping/">Engadget</a>        <a href="http://www.tabletpcreview.com/default.asp?newsID=915">Tablet PC Review</a>      <a href="http://www.slipperybrick.com/2007/07/sahara-slate-pc-1440d/">SlipperyBrick</a></p> <p><strong><u></u></strong> </p></embed>

Sahara Tablet PC Graphics and Dictation

This is a recent post on You Tube showing the Sahara i44D tablet from Tablet Kiosk in use with Windows Vista and a couple interesting graphics programs.  I tried to show the responsiveness and quality on how the tablet responds.  Being able to switch back and forth between touch and using the stylus…

Read more »