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Bill Maher: Short Clip on Sick Kids and SCHIP
Bill Maher: Short Clip on Sick Kids and SCHIP

Parody on Bush's veto position...View the link below to see an actual discussion about those who are one step away from disaster...BD  http://youtube.com/watch?v=A4lH592ZTTc …

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31Oct2007


Bush calls children's health insurance bill a 'trick'
Bush calls children's health insurance bill a 'trick'

Trick or Treat on the SCHIP bill?  BD Halloween's an appropriate day to talk about it because there's a bill moving through Congress that's disguised as a bill to help children, but I think it's really a trick on the American people," the president told attendees of the Grocery Manufacturers Associ…

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31Oct2007


FDA Approves Allergan Combo Eye Drop for Glaucoma
FDA Approves Allergan Combo Eye Drop for Glaucoma

NEW YORK (Reuters) Oct 31 - Allergan Inc on Wednesday said U.S. regulators approved its combination glaucoma drug Combigan. The company said Combigan eye drops would combine "two strong agents in one bottle" -- brimonidine and timolol -- that work through different mechanisms to control intraocular…

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31Oct2007


Health Insurers Target Early Retirees
Health Insurers Target Early Retirees

After the "cherry picking", how do you market the left overs?  The articles says that the over 50 group might be loyal, but also expensive as the aging process continues...BD INDIANAPOLIS Health insurers trying to boost individual policy sales are making a new push into an older market _ the roughl…

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31Oct2007


Doctors sue Memorial Hermann over 'bully tactics' - HOUSTON
Doctors sue Memorial Hermann over 'bully tactics' - HOUSTON

The hospital was only open for 2 years...BD Basically what Memorial Hermann did is they went to insurance companies like Aetna and United and said, 'If you deal with that hospital, we won't deal with you anymore,'" said Richard Zook, an attorney with Thompson & Knight, LLP, who represents some of t…

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31Oct2007


Aerial surveillance gets computer boost - Sahara Tablet PC
Aerial surveillance gets computer boost - Sahara Tablet PC

Follow up on Initial post :  Portable Tablets Help MSP Secure Homeland I spoke with Gail at Tablet Kiosk to confirm that this is the Sahara i440D, and yes it is!  From the medical side of things, what a great way to locate hospitals in the case of looking for terrorist type activities.    Now if w…

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31Oct2007


Hands-On Nabaztag 2 Wi-Fi Rabbit to the Office..
Hands-On Nabaztag 2 Wi-Fi Rabbit to the Office..

Nice addition to the office...it will read email to you among other fun things...nice perhaps for a pediatrician or anyone who likes something out of the normal PC products...Nice for RSS feeds as he will read an update every 20 minutes..saves a little time here in hearing the headlines...BD I've …

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31Oct2007


Chemicals Flow Unchecked From China to US Drug Market
Chemicals Flow Unchecked From China to US Drug Market

Do you know where all the ingredients come from with the medication you are currently taking?  How many sell ingredients to our US pharma manufacturing companies?  Will the FDA be able to protect consumers?  Much of this end up on Internet pharmacies too and China can't keep up with certifying all f…

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31Oct2007


Lizard spit and bongs - Medication Origins and Future
Lizard spit and bongs - Medication Origins and Future

What is the future on diabetes treatment medications - article explores the recent number of medications, origins, and the potential future..BD (CNNMoney.com) -- America's 20 million-plus diabetics mean dollar signs for drug companies that sell a slew of new products, including a successful drug ba…

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31Oct2007


GP pay £110,000 after a 10% rise
GP pay £110,000 after a 10% rise

In contrast to what is happening to primary care physicians here in the US, pay is on the rise for GP physicians in the UK...but the patients are not happy about it...$220,000.00 a year is a nice income compared to the same type of practice here...patients can't get to them in many areas..and now th…

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31Oct2007


Vanishing Breed: What Happened to the Family Doctor?
Vanishing Breed: What Happened to the Family Doctor?

Is this happening to a practice near you?  He is closing as the system is not working.  $60,000.00 a year is not much income for all the time and education invested to become a physician, yet with current contracts with HMO carriers, this is sometimes all that is left after the bills are paid.  Spec…

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31Oct2007


Doctor? Or Druggist?
Doctor? Or Druggist?

More physicians are beginning to provide prescriptions right from the office...growing trend and certain a big convenience for patients...and a small additional income area for the MD...BD When Anne Johnson recently visited the Nighttime Pediatrics and Adult Care Too! clinic near her home in Miller…

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31Oct2007


Portable Tablets Help MSP Secure Homeland
Portable Tablets Help MSP Secure Homeland

Great article on using a tablet pc, and I agree here, this looks like the Sahara i440D from Tablet Kiosk...it sure is much easier to work with a tablet rather than trying to work with a notebook in the helicopter...they were checking on return trips from hospitals here...they are taking full advanta…

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31Oct2007


Snoring Men Transform Into Sleeping Beauties After Surgery
Snoring Men Transform Into Sleeping Beauties After Surgery

According to the article, this is a fairly simple procedure to have done with a plastic surgeon...BD Millions of men who suffer from sleep apnea may sacrifice a good night's sleep because they don't know where to get treatment, don't realize relief is available, or are too embarrassed to get help. H…

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31Oct2007


Scripps Research Team Blocks Bacterial Communication System To Prevent Deadly Staph Infections
Scripps Research Team Blocks Bacterial Communication System To Prevent Deadly Staph Infections

In hopes of combating the growing scourge of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, in particular drug-resistant staph bacteria, a team of scientists from The Scripps Research Institute has designed a new type of vaccine that could one day be used in humans to block the onset of infection. The advantage of…

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31Oct2007


1 in 8 veterans lacks health insurance
1 in 8 veterans lacks health insurance

Sometimes a group we may not think about in the ranks of the uninsured..BD WASHINGTON -- About one of every eight veterans under the age of 65 is uninsured, a finding that contradicts the assumption many have that all vets qualify for free health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs, say…

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31Oct2007


Many older doctors plan to phase out their practice
Many older doctors plan to phase out their practice

These are some pretty scary numbers in the survey...Marcus Welby no longer exists..and with all the additional pressures and reductions of income today...who knows what we would do in the same situation...problem though is that we need these folks...probably more now than ever...and the shortage of …

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31Oct2007


Is U.S. stuck in Internet's slow lane
Is U.S. stuck in Internet's slow lane

Might be part of the reason that Health IT is dragging as well....BD NEW YORK - The United States is starting to look like a slowpoke on the Internet. Examples abound of countries that have faster and cheaper broadband connections, and more of their population connected to them. Part of the problem…

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31Oct2007


Companies Tap RSS to Tame Info Overload
Companies Tap RSS to Tame Info Overload

This site makes use every day of RSS Feeds....my choice is Attensa which is free and we have a link on the site.  The NHS in the UK is even making use of RSS Reeds and holding frequent training sessions...overloaded with email...look at using RSS for relief....it sure makes getting the information y…

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30Oct2007


German hospital saves baby with pioneering surgery in womb
German hospital saves baby with pioneering surgery in womb

Nice story...and the baby was born healthy...BD BERLIN (AFP) A German hospital is celebrating a world first after carrying out life-saving surgery that stimulated lung growth in a baby still in the womb. Doctors at Bonn University Clinic feared that baby Miriam would die when her mother's foetal m…

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30Oct2007


UCI Medical Center has fired 13 nurses
UCI Medical Center has fired 13 nurses

Not real good news with the current shortage of nurses...entering too much information?  From the information in this article, it sounds like the one nurse was right on the job, noticing the dosage was wrong...BD  UCI Medical Center has fired 13 nurses in the last three months and is investigating…

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30Oct2007


More young adults on cholesterol drugs
More young adults on cholesterol drugs

Blood pressure and cholesterol drugs both on the rise for young adults.....but losing weight can also be a big help too...perhaps a more natural approach....BD   TRENTON, N.J. - Use of cholesterol and blood pressure medicines by young adults appears to be rising rapidly at a faster pace than among …

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30Oct2007


TV raises blood pressure in obese kids: study
TV raises blood pressure in obese kids: study

I am guessing this relates to more hours of inactivity...BD  They found obese children who watched four or more hours of TV a day were three times more likely to have high blood pressure than children who watched less than two hours a day. "There is a significant association between hours of telev…

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30Oct2007


Hospital to Screen for Staph Germ
Hospital to Screen for Staph Germ

Good step and certainly can't hurt...BD  CHICAGO (AP) Loyola University Medical Center on Monday announced plans to start testing all incoming patients for a drug-resistant staph germ and isolating those who carry the dangerous bacteria. The 589-bed hospital in Maywood, just west of Chicago, is amo…

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30Oct2007


Health costs squeeze workers
Health costs squeeze workers

Open enrollment - employees finding the choice a lot different this year..higher deductibles..change in types of plans with employers watching the bottom line with health care...many workers are starting to opt out of employer health care plans as a result...BD This year's open enrollment season wi…

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30Oct2007


US makes new push on e-health records
US makes new push on e-health records

Some physicians could stand to make some extra income on the pilot program...directed at Medicare patients..but the administration is also contacting insurance companies to encourage more to participate...BD WASHINGTON - The Bush administration is recruiting about 1,200 doctors nationally to remove…

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30Oct2007


Doctors test hot sauce for pain relief
Doctors test hot sauce for pain relief

Hot sauce may be the next pain killer...purified of course.  Don't try this at home the article states next time you need some relief for an open wound...interesting study going on...BD  WASHINGTON - Devil's Revenge. Spontaneous Combustion. Hot sauces have names like that for a reason. Now scienti…

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30Oct2007


Prostate Cancer Effectively Cured In Young Men By Implanting Radiation Seeds
Prostate Cancer Effectively Cured In Young Men By Implanting Radiation Seeds

Alternative to surgery if used before the age of 60...BD Radiation seed implants (brachytherapy) are just as effective at curing prostate cancer in younger men (aged 60 and younger) as they are in older men, according to a study presented at a scientific session on October 31, 2007, at the American…

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30Oct2007


Email sent to your Cell phone, just a regular cell phone will do
Email sent to your Cell phone, just a regular cell phone will do

Neat service that will enable email to your normal cell phone, you do not need a Blackberry or Windows Mobile device to get your email...required a one time sign up to get started and it is free...all you need to do is sign up and begin flipping your phone...the only requirement is the ability for S…

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29Oct2007


SEC steps into WellCare probe - HMO Medicaid  Provider
SEC steps into WellCare probe - HMO Medicaid Provider

This could be serious...whenever the Security and Exchange Commission sets foot inside, there's usually some type of alleged substantiation somewhere along the line to justify their participation...BD The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission asked WellCare Health Plans for information - one day …

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29Oct2007


New wave of job cuts hits health care
New wave of job cuts hits health care

Including pharmaceutical industry...BD NEW YORK (Reuters) - A lack of significant new drugs and products, declining sales of lucrative flagship franchises and fierce competition have set off a wave of "restructuring" moves among the biggest names in health care. In many cases, restructuring is a eu…

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29Oct2007


Health care crisis
Health care crisis

Major finding...people just don't go to the doctor...and small employers continue to look for a way out..but our leadership just tells us to go to the ER room....BD  The debate now raging over how much money the federal government should spend to provide basic health insurance for poor children is…

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29Oct2007


Humana Net Rises 90% - Medicare business
Humana Net Rises 90% - Medicare business

Income making the most from the Medicare business....and projecting earnings in 2008 to be around 5.30 to 5.50 per share..up from the average of 5.19 estimates...interesting comment from the article stating they don't have "a great commercial business". thus the need to maximize the Medicare portion…

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29Oct2007


Record numbers go abroad for health - UK
Record numbers go abroad for health - UK

Superbugs and lack of confidence in the NHS...India appearing to be the most popular choice..nurses all bogged down with administrative functions and don't have enough time to spend with patients, the report indicates...The US is not alone with folks looking for alternatives in health care with medi…

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29Oct2007


Harmony and Synergy Merge to Form Leading On-Demand Health and Human Services Solutions Company
Harmony and Synergy Merge to Form Leading On-Demand Health and Human Services Solutions Company

RESTON, VA--(Marketwire - October 29, 2007) - Harmony Information Systems, Inc. (Harmony), the industry leading provider of software solutions for the health and human services (HHS) sector, and Synergy Software Technologies, Inc. (Synergy), the leading software solutions provider to HHS entities se…

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29Oct2007


Microsoft buying Global Care Solutions
Microsoft buying Global Care Solutions

International hospital software and systems management....BD  Microsoft Corp. said Monday it is buying software, intellectual property and other assets from privately held Bangkok-based Global Care Solutions. Financial terms were not disclosed. Microsoft said the acquisition will complement its po…

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29Oct2007


Medical-bill errors becoming more common
Medical-bill errors becoming more common

The direct result of the more complicated coding systems implemented for payment...hospitals have done itemized billing for a long time and some is now rolling over to the practices offices with proper and correct coding necessary for payment...if you need help though, don't call the insurers on Mon…

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29Oct2007


Safeway Offers Flu Vaccines In Stores, USA
Safeway Offers Flu Vaccines In Stores, USA

Flu Shots are everywhere this year...even the grocery stores have joined in...BD Safeway Inc. (NYSE: SWY) will offer flu vaccines at all stores in the U.S. Now through February 2008, or while supplies last, flu vaccines will be administered at stores. Most stores will give vaccines on a walk-in basi…

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29Oct2007


Michigan House Passes Bill To Limit Insurance Rate Increases
Michigan House Passes Bill To Limit Insurance Rate Increases

This appears to be the first state action to put a limit on how high premiums can go...almost like regulating a utility, which is pretty close to what health insurance is today...BD The Michigan House on Wednesday voted 89-17 to approve bills that would limit how much for-profit health insurers coul…

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29Oct2007


CMS Awards Two Contracts To Process And Pay Medicare Part A And Part B Claims In 7 States And D.C., USA
CMS Awards Two Contracts To Process And Pay Medicare Part A And Part B Claims In 7 States And D.C., USA

More new contracts awarded from CMS for processing claims..this one includes California..will be the single point of contact once things are rolling for both patients and providers, including hospitals and physicians....BD  The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it has a…

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29Oct2007


Robot to lift and carry people
Robot to lift and carry people

Could this be the next robot we see working at hospitals?  He could use an appearance change though, scrub green is not too appealing for looks...BD  http://youtube.com/watch?v=17A3wD6Vx7g …

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28Oct2007


Intel Opens Clean Room manufacturing for 45 nm chips...cleaner than an operating room...
Intel Opens Clean Room manufacturing for 45 nm chips...cleaner than an operating room...

How clean is clean?  The processor clean room is 100 times cleaner than the average operating room but chips don't have to worry about bacteria infections...BD Big and Clean The transistors are tiny, but the new plant is not. Intel said the structure measures more than a million square feet, large…

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28Oct2007


The RP-7 Robotic System - Dr. Chung discussion
The RP-7 Robotic System - Dr. Chung discussion

More on the use of medical robots...the video from QualComm is also very good with the physician doing an in-room demo on the spot using wireless EVDO which helps with the bandwidth...BD  Hey, Dr. Chung, can I talk to you a minute?" Not an unusual greeting in a busy hospital hallway - unless Dr. C…

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28Oct2007


Its Devices Bring Relief To Patients - ON-Q
Its Devices Bring Relief To Patients - ON-Q

The device can also deliver anti bacterial agents...perhaps helpful with the MRSA battle at surgical sites.....BD  Two things you don't want in a hospital: infection and pain. Infection can be fatal, especially with the rise of antibiotic resistance. Opiate painkillers can be addictive and weaken …

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28Oct2007


New Incisionless Surgery Offers Hope to Heartburn Sufferers - GERD
New Incisionless Surgery Offers Hope to Heartburn Sufferers - GERD

Many have GERD and if surgery would be deemed necessary, this sure looks to be a great way to to go...anytime you have less cutting and tissue to heal, that's always pretty much a winner for the patient..the website also has a video to watch the procedure...many can be treated with medications for G…

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28Oct2007


The Intensivist...hospital technology/physician occupation
The Intensivist...hospital technology/physician occupation

This way the doctor can be there virtually...and it is working....they are also able to get the physical staff there immediately as well...the units will be able to track 100 patients when completed with each room and area set up with complete monitoring systems, 2 way video, audio and constant real…

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28Oct2007


Hospital makes Chapter 11 filing - Los Angeles.
Hospital makes Chapter 11 filing - Los Angeles.

This hospital was also cited having financial difficulties in a post a couple weeks ago....BD Brotman Medical Center in Culver City has filed for Bankruptcy Court protection from creditors but is expected to stay open and maintain most critical services, including its emergency room, hospital admini…

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28Oct2007


The failed promise of prompt pay ...how long does it really take to get paid..and what is a clean claim?
The failed promise of prompt pay ...how long does it really take to get paid..and what is a clean claim?

Having large monopolies in the health care business certainly does not help issues..if everything meets current criteria without any additional information, it appears most of those filed electronically make the grade in 30 days or less; however, how many need additional information added?  This is …

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28Oct2007


Travel reservations: Push for offshore care ..
Travel reservations: Push for offshore care ..

Employers and health plans are being courted...with the promise of huge savings over the same procedures in the US...BD The companies aren't just waiting for that comfort level to rise, either. They are courting large employers and health plans by promising to find the best foreign hospitals they c…

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28Oct2007


FDA warns about 'stay awake drug' Provigil
FDA warns about 'stay awake drug' Provigil

Provigil which is made by drug manufacturer Cephalon, is used to treat people suffering from narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea and stops them falling asleep at random times during the day. The FDA says patients should stop using Provigil and see their doctor if they develop a skin rash or othe…

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28Oct2007


Additional References and Music Enhancements for the Blog
Additional References and Music Enhancements for the Blog

Over the weekend some new changes were added to the blog and hopefully useful and beneficial to all readers.  Now it is easier to locate paste and archives posts under the main category listing.  In addition, it will be easier to locate the most recent 10 comments posted as well.  The right hand col…

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28Oct2007


Small hospital in Clay Center, Kan., aims for a free MRI machine
Small hospital in Clay Center, Kan., aims for a free MRI machine

The contest continues....so far 37 hospitals have submitted entries...BD Thats what Clay County Medical Center, about three hours west of Kansas City in Clay Center, Kan., gets if it wins an online video contest sponsored by the MRI machines manufacturer. The 25-bed hospital does not have the resour…

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28Oct2007


Stones Legend Joins 15 000 On Hospitals March - UK
Stones Legend Joins 15 000 On Hospitals March - UK

And other celebrities were present as well.....BD Rolling Stones legend Keith Richards joined thousands of protesters for a rally and march against hospital cuts. A record-breaking crowd of up to 15,000 people brought the streets and roads of Chichester to a standstill in a mass show of support for …

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28Oct2007


DoD, VA still working on sharing e-health records
DoD, VA still working on sharing e-health records

The government is working on this internally to have interoperable records between agencies...BD October 24, 2007 (IDG News Service) -- The Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs still aren't able to share complete electronic health records of military members and veterans des…

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28Oct2007


Consultant hired to make sense of IT Soup
Consultant hired to make sense of IT Soup

I would like this job...BD What's the difference between an EMR, an EHR and a PHR? Why is an HIE not a RHIO? Does anyone really care? Well, yes, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology at HHS cares enough to pay contractors close to a half million dollars to come up …

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28Oct2007


Are Hospitalists Killing Primary Care?
Are Hospitalists Killing Primary Care?

Good article and addresses many issues, including how to incorporate both the roles of the PCP and hospitalists together for better health care...PCPs have the weight of the world on their shoulders today...BD  Primary care physicians have an incredibly difficult job: trying to magically (in 15 mi…

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27Oct2007


Change the Medicare rules that effectively deny patients needed rehab time
Change the Medicare rules that effectively deny patients needed rehab time

I agree this should be addressed somewhere along the line..my mother a few years ago was a perfect example as she had 2 knee surgeries, before and after the rules...first surgery...had adequate rehab...2nd surgery...not.  Skilled care environments do make a difference, whether it is at the hospital …

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27Oct2007


DARPA's robotic arm and driverless vehicles...
DARPA's robotic arm and driverless vehicles...

Absolutely a must watch....if you are not familiar with DARPA, this is the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency...working under the Department of Defense...pursuing technology and development projects.  Commercial vendors are involved and donate time and effort as well to product development.  T…

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27Oct2007


FEMA apologizes for news conference on fires - employees posed as reporters....
FEMA apologizes for news conference on fires - employees posed as reporters....

I think it would have been better to perhaps cancel and re-schedule...but there are a lot of good efforts with private industry jumping in to help with health related donations too.  BD  WASHINGTON, Oct 26 (Reuters) - The U.S. government's main disaster-response agency apologized on Friday for hav…

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27Oct2007


AT&T Offers Free Wi-Fi Access in Southern California - Fire relief
AT&T Offers Free Wi-Fi Access in Southern California - Fire relief

Another nice helping hand and welcomed by all....BD  To help California residents affected by the fires stretching across Southern California, AT&T announced that AT&T Wi-Fi service will be offered free of charge at nearly 600 hot spot locations across Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Ange…

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27Oct2007


AMA To Congress: Health Insurance Mergers Harm Patients, Physicians
AMA To Congress: Health Insurance Mergers Harm Patients, Physicians

Good points made here with the consolidation of carriers...as there appear to be fewer to choose from on the horizon in view of all the recent mergers, we are seeing a "lack" of competition and less health care for individuals with a more complex and diversified set of rules and regulations imposed,…

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27Oct2007


Health officials insist IS 211 students are safe
Health officials insist IS 211 students are safe

Thus far we have not heard much about his prior medical care...hope more will surface soon...and I think testing in hospitals at this point is not a bad idea...BD   Faced with panicked parents and amid calls for better medical screening, city health officials Friday insisted the classmates of a Br…

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27Oct2007


GlaxoSmithKline Aids California Fire Relief Efforts
GlaxoSmithKline Aids California Fire Relief Efforts

Nice contribution and I'm sure appreciated by all...BD  GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK) shares the nation's concern for residents and communities of California's San Diego region that are being ravaged by widespread fires. As a demonstration of support, GSK has offered to the people impacted more than…

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27Oct2007


SiCKO Health Care Card...
SiCKO Health Care Card...

Michael Moore is back with his own health card..."don't get sick without it"....one of the readers of the blog brought this to my attention and asked if this could be posted...here it is....BD  You now have the opportunity to print and carry your very own "'SiCKO' Health Care Card." As seen on The…

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26Oct2007
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