Medical Quack

What to do with a Bi-Polar surgeon...

This article is actually pretty scary in the fact that a bi-polar surgeon can continue to operate with supervision, especially given the facts that he was known to not always take his medication..and the irony is the fact that he could sue for compensation for the hospital not having supervision available for him to do his job???  As a patient would this ever be disclosed to us to make a decision to allow or not allow the procedure from the surgeon??  This situation literally makes no sense in the fact that the surgeon could sue...BD <blockquote> Hospital X was grossly -- if not criminally -- negligent, and you ought to award zillions of dollars in punitive damages for their misconduct! Consider this list of sins: this hospital knew that its surgeon was mentally ill. He had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and they knew it. He had been locked up in mental institutions at least twice before. The danger here was very real. Don't let them try to claim they didn't foresee danger. Why, once when that surgeon was operating on a patient, multiple witnesses will tell you that he "became disoriented during the surgery, forgot the names of certain instruments and at one point appeared to be talking to the wall!" Even after he was treated, two different psychiatrists who evaluated him refused to unequivocally state that he was competent. And they let him continue to operate on vulnerable patients. Without any supervision. Even though they knew he had a history of failing to take his medication.</blockquote> Source: <a href="http://www.overlawyered.com/2007/04/sued_if_you_do_sued_if_you_don.html">Overlawyered: Sued if you do, sued if you don't.</a>

What to do with a Bi-Polar surgeon...

This article is actually pretty scary in the fact that a bi-polar surgeon can continue to operate with supervision, especially given the fac...

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Co-Payments Cut Statin Use - Heart Disease and other cardiovascular conditions

Co-Payments Cut Statin Use - Heart Disease and other cardiovascular conditions

TUESDAY, April 10 (HealthDay News) -- Many patients taking statins to lower their cholesterol stop taking the drugs because of co-paym...

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Web Based Care Plan

<blockquote> The Customer Solution: The Med-eXpert web-based system is utilized by the care manager to tell the Med-eMonitor what to do for each patient and to report the data.  The Med-eXpert site provides a simple, yet flexible, interface for automating a patient’s care plan, including their medication regimen. Reusable care plan templates are stored in the system to improve the efficiency of enrolling a new patient. The secure interface protects both patient and care manager information and is compliant with current HIPPA regulations. The reporting interface offers easy to use, meaningful reports, which assist in the collection and management of medication adherence and care plan information. The data export features provide the ability to export the results to external applications. Organizing Patient Regimens (Click To Enlarge) <a href="http://www.informedix.com/regimen.png"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://www.informedix.com/regimen.jpg" width="539"></a></blockquote> Source: <a href="http://www.informedix.com/plan.php">InforMedix.com</a>

Web Based Care Plan

The Customer Solution: The Med-eXpert web-based system is utilized by the care manager to tell the Med-eMonitor what to do for each pati...

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Military Plans to Surf in Space

<blockquote> <h3> The U.S. military plan to test an Internet router in space, in a project that could also benefit civilian broadband satellite communications.</h3> Cisco Systems Inc. and Intelsat General Corp., a subsidiary of Intelsat Ltd., are among the companies selected by the U.S. <a href="http://search.news.yahoo.com/search/news/?p=Department+of+Defense">Department of Defense</a> for its Internet Routing In Space (IRIS) project, which aims to deliver military communications through a satellite-based router. Potential nonmilitary benefits of the IRIS program include the ability to route IP (Internet Protocol) traffic between satellites in space in much the same way packets are moved on the ground, reducing delays, saving on capacity and offering greater networking flexibility, Lloyd Wood, space initiatives manager in the Global Defense, Space & Security division of Cisco, said Thursday.</blockquote> Source: <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/pcworld/20070412/tc_pcworld/130659">Military Plans to Surf in Space - Yahoo! News</a>

Military Plans to Surf in Space

The U.S. military plan to test an Internet router in space, in a project that could also benefit civilian broadband satellite communica...

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Hospital CEOs' Pay Soars

Pay for performance for hospital CEOs?  BD At most hospitals, a compensation committee decides how much to give the CEO after evaluating job performance and the going rate at comparable institutions. The board of directors holds the final say. <blockquote> The head of Middlesex Hospital earned $1.9 million last year, making him the highest-paid hospital administrator in the state. In just three years, CEO Robert Kiely's compensation nearly tripled, part of a trend in soaring compensation packages for hospital leaders. Last year, Kiely and seven other Connecticut hospital administrators - three of them top managers in the Yale-New Haven Hospital Health System - made more than $1 million. Compensation at nonprofits is exploding because board members often come from the corporate world, where lavish CEO salaries are accepted, said Pablo Eisenberg, a senior fellow at Georgetown University's Public Policy Institute. Compensation consultants are also driving up pay by referencing corporate salaries in their surveys. As the salary gap widens between top managers and their staff, teamwork and collegiality suffers, he argues. "Boards are not exercising their fiduciary duty," he said. "No one is questioning these excessive compensations."</blockquote> Source: <a href="http://www.courant.com/news/health/hc-hospitalceo0407.artapr08,0,3641542.story">courant.com | Hospital CEOs' Pay Soars</a>

Hospital CEOs' Pay Soars

Pay for performance for hospital CEOs? BD At most hospitals, a compensation committee decides how much to give the CEO after evaluating jo...

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Intel Motorcycle Has No Mirrors, No Dashboard but has a removeable UMPC tablet - doubles as a virtual dashboard

<blockquote> Intel Motorcycle Has No Mirrors, No Dashboard Thursday April 5, 2007 11:38 AM PDT - By: <a href="http://www.mobilemag.com/feedback.php?content=12283&who=9721830432">Michael Kwan</a> <img align="right" alt="" border="0" height="195" src="http://www.mobilemag.com/content/images/12283_large.jpg" width="390">They haven't told us whether it'll be running on Windows Vista, but here is an Intel-designed motorcycle that boasts all sorts of technological goodies. It may not be as fast as the <a href="http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/354/C12280/">KillaCycle</a> or even have as sexy a name, but what the Intel bike does have is a removable UMPC "that doubles as a virtual dashboard", granting you access to all your computer applications as you tear it up down the highway. You'll also notice that this motorcycle does not have conventional mirrors. When you're going as fast as you are, I guess you have no time to look at what's behind you, but when the need arises, you can switch on over to the rear-facing cameras mounted behind you, presumably sending their feed to the UMPC between the handlebars. On this same UMPC, you can enjoy full audio and video capabilities, GPS, and a 3G data connection. Top this all off with a quad- or octo-core chipset, and you've got yourself a pretty advanced bike. Too bad it's not commercially available, to my knowledge.</blockquote> Source: <a href="http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/354/C12283/">Intel Motorcycle Has No Mirrors, No Dashboard</a>

Intel Motorcycle Has No Mirrors, No Dashboard but has a removeable UMPC tablet - doubles as a virtual dashboard

Intel Motorcycle Has No Mirrors, No Dashboard Thursday April 5, 2007 11:38 AM PDT - By: Michael Kwan They haven't told us whether...

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

HIPAA Update - police can access crime records from hospitals

<blockquote> <h5>HIPAA Allows Police Access To Alleged Crime Victims In Hospitals</h5> <img align="right" alt="" height="20" src="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/images/transpixel.gif" width="1"> The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act allows hospitals to provide police with access to patients who are victims of alleged crimes, U.S. District Judge Tucker Melancon ruled on Friday, the <a href="http://www.daytondailynews.com/search/content/shared-gen/ap/Health_Medical/Hospital_Privacy.html"><cite>AP/Dayton Daily News</cite></a> reports (<cite>AP/Dayton Daily News</cite>, 4/3). The HIPAA Federal Privacy Rule, implemented in 2003, allows health care providers to share patient medical records for the purposes of treatment and other "health care operations." Providers do not have to obtain written consent before they disclose medical records but are required to inform patients of their rights and make a "good-faith effort" to obtain written acknowledgment from patients that they have received the information.</blockquote> Source: <a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=67164&nfid=rssfeeds">HIPAA Allows Police Access To Alleged Crime Victims In Hospitals</a>

HIPAA Update - police can access crime records from hospitals

HIPAA Allows Police Access To Alleged Crime Victims In Hospitals The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act allows hospita...

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

FDA Provides Web Access to Information on Post-Approval Device Studies

(but no subscriptions or RSS feeds to show updates...hmmmm) BD <blockquote> The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today unveiled a new Web page that will keep the public informed about the status of post-approval patient studies for certain recently approved medical devices. "FDA is committed to improving its medical device safety program and ensuring that medical devices remain safe and effective once they are in the hands of health professionals and the public," said Daniel Schultz, M.D., director of FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health. "Electronic access will give the public an opportunity to see progress being made on a company's post-market commitments." Modern devices provide significant health benefits, but experience has shown that the full magnitude of some potential risks doesn't always emerge during the mandatory clinical trials that are required for approval. FDA sometimes orders post-approval studies to address remaining issues such as the product's performance once it becomes more widely available or is used over a longer period of time.</blockquote> Source: <a href="http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01603.html">FDA Provides Web Access to Information on Post-Approval Device Studies</a>

FDA Provides Web Access to Information on Post-Approval Device Studies

(but no subscriptions or RSS feeds to show updates...hmmmm) BD The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today unveiled a new Web page ...

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Is Pay for Performance spreading to WellPoint?

This sure sounds like another round of P4P...as patients it sure appears that we might have prevention running out our ears...but I sure hope this doesn't detract from medical care when it is needed, regardless of whether any prevention methodologies were or were not implemented...BD <a href="http://www.wellpoint.com/">WellPoint</a> officials on Tuesday said the company will link 5% of its employees' overall annual bonuses to measures of care that health plan members receive, the <a href="http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070404/BUSINESS/704040441"><cite>Indianapolis Star</cite></a> reports (Rudavsky, <cite>Indianapolis Star</cite>, 4/4). Under the program, employees will receive larger bonuses if plan members increased their use of preventive health care, such as immunizations, cancer screenings and diabetes-management tools. The bonus calculations will be based on a "member health index," a formula that measures patients' overall health levels, including how often they visited the emergency department, how often they received preventive care and whether they were taking prescribed medications. Source: <a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=67165&nfid=rssfeeds">WellPoint To Link 5% Of Employees' Annual Bonuses To Measures Of Care Plan Members Receive</a>

Is Pay for Performance spreading to WellPoint?

This sure sounds like another round of P4P...as patients it sure appears that we might have prevention running out our ears...but I sure hop...

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

FDA Approves C-QURLite Mesh for Hernia Repair

<blockquote> <img alt="" height="276" src="http://www.medgadget.com/archives/img/cqur-bg.jpg" width="290">Having a hernia is never fun, but fixing it sure is! Hernias are repaired more than 700,000 times a year. The procedure usually involves the suturing of a mesh, which prevents the loops of the small bowel escaping out of the abdomen. The FDA gave 510(K) approval for a new mesh product from Atrium Medical. The device's claim to fame is its unique non-polymeric Omega 3 fatty acid bioabsorbable gel coating. The coating supposedly heals more "gently" than the more commonly used polymeric coating, and leaves behind a more natural collagenous matrix with a lower risk of adhesions. The device is also coated in a bioabsorbable oil that lubes it up and eases placement inside the body. Atria's claims are from "pre-clinical" studies, so it could be too soon to judge the device's effectiveness. In addition, "Light" meshes have been shown to have a higher rate of hernia recurrence, although they demonstrated lower rates of foreign body responses. Read the press release <a href="http://www.atriummed.com/News/atriumnews.asp?articleid=20&zoneid=1">here</a>... <a href="http://www.atriummed.com/Products/General_Surgery/cqur.asp">Product page</a>... </blockquote> Source: <a href="http://www.medgadget.com/archives/2007/04/fda_approves_cqurlite_mesh_for_hernia_repair_1.html">FDA Approves C-QURLite Mesh for Hernia Repair</a> by <a href="mailto:jhbarad@gmail.com">jhbarad </a>

FDA Approves C-QURLite Mesh for Hernia Repair

Having a hernia is never fun, but fixing it sure is! Hernias are repaired more than 700,000 times a year. The procedure usually involves...

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Free 411 from Google - a new way to find a physician or hospital

1-800-GOOG-411 (1-800-466-4411) <blockquote> Google has just released a very nice service which is in the experimental stage called Google Voice Local Search. The nice thing about this service is that it has voice recognition and it's pretty good.  I tried this this evening and was surprised at the results.  You can say a category, after selecting a city and state as you normally would with any 411 service.  I chose "doctors" as a category.  I then had the option to give a cross street reference or a zip code.  I tried both and it works remarkably well and will connect you to the office when you select.  I tried getting pretty complicated with my requests as well and it still produced reliable results.... The prompt voice will ask you for your city and state and then you can say the name of a local business. Currently, the service is only for local businesses (your Yellow Pages basically), but may be expanded to include people lookups also....BD <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/ComputerTipsFromAComputerGuy?a=ywRmXAMD"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/ComputerTipsFromAComputerGuy?i=ywRmXAMD"></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/ComputerTipsFromAComputerGuy?a=Vxa1Y9Sg"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/ComputerTipsFromAComputerGuy?i=Vxa1Y9Sg"></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/ComputerTipsFromAComputerGuy?a=9XiC9uKR"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/ComputerTipsFromAComputerGuy?i=9XiC9uKR"></a> </blockquote> Source: <a href="http://aseemkishore.blogspot.com/2007/04/google-voice-local-search-free-411-from.html">Google Voice Local Search - Free 411 from Google!</a> by <a href="mailto:-237237">AK </a>

Free 411 from Google - a new way to find a physician or hospital

1-800-GOOG-411 (1-800-466-4411) Google has just released a very nice service which is in the experimental stage called Google Voice Loc...

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Drobo, the "world's first storage robot"

This little unit could store a whole bunch of medical records....BD  <blockquote> <a href="http://www.drobo.com/products.aspx"><img alt="" border="1" hspace="4" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2007/04/drobo_in_action.jpg" vspace="4"></a> Managing all of your data can be a little intimidating, especially if you need to keep adding more and more storage capacity without breaking the bank or running into technical snags. Well the engineers over at Data Robotics figure the solution to all of your storage needs is, of course, a storage robot. Affectionately named Drobo, the four drive array connects via USB and employs "intelligent" software to handle all of the data management and disk swapping: one drive goes down? No problem, Drobo's already on it. Wanna swap out drives while you listen to music? Drobo keeps the tunes going even when you're down to one disk. At $700 it is a little steep -- especially considering the lack of any "starter" drives bundled in -- but we suppose that in the long run, that's a small price to pay if it truly does deliver the data management nirvana we've been seeking [Via <a href="http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/entry/3756/drobo_the_smart">eHomeUpgrade</a>] </blockquote> Source: <a href="http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/107862442/">Drobo, the "world's first storage robot"</a> by Evan Blass

Drobo, the "world's first storage robot"

This little unit could store a whole bunch of medical records....BD Managing all of your data can be a little intimidating, especially i...

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Rock-Star Surgeons Tone Deaf on Communication

<blockquote> Posted by Laura Landro <img align="left" alt="null" src="http://online.wsj.com/media/it_surgeon.gif">In health-care circles surgeons have long been regarded as rock stars. They’re viewed with awe by patients and treated with deference by hospital staff. But surgeons, like some temperamental guitarists, might do well to improve their interpersonal skills. Evidence is mounting that surgeons’ failure to communicate with patients and co-workers is a leading cause of avoidable surgical errors. A recent analysis of 460 malpractice claims that had been resolved found that nearly 20% of them were filed largely, if not entirely, because of communication breakdowns. The sobering <a href="http://www.journalacs.org/article/PIIS1072751507000646/abstract">results appear</a> in the current issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.</blockquote> Source: <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2007/04/09/rock-star-surgeons-tone-deaf-on-communication/">Health Blog : Rock-Star Surgeons Tone Deaf on Communication</a>

Rock-Star Surgeons Tone Deaf on Communication

Posted by Laura Landro In health-care circles surgeons have long been regarded as rock stars. They’re viewed with awe by patients and t...

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

National provider-identifier deadline pushed back

<blockquote> By: <a href="mailto:jconn@crain.com">Joseph Conn / HITS staff writer</a> When your mom let you out of cleaning your room, your professor postponed that big exam, the office called to reschedule your colonoscopy and the CMS relaxed your looming compliance deadline, the feeling is the same. Relief, followed by anxiety for what still must be done. Healthcare leaders of various stripes have welcomed the <a href="http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalProvIdentStand/Downloads/NPI_Contingency.pdf">news</a> that the CMS, in effect, pushed back by up to one year the May 23 deadline to comply with the national provider identifier requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. The reprieve, despite affected parties already having had nearly two years to get ready, came late in the afternoon Monday.</blockquote> Source: <a href="http://www.modernhealthcare.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070404/FREE/70404004/1029/FREE">Modern Healthcare Online</a>

National provider-identifier deadline pushed back

By: Joseph Conn / HITS staff writer When your mom let you out of cleaning your room, your professor postponed that big exam, the office...

Sunday, April 08, 2007

Most People Who Have Used Retail Clinics Are Satisfied With Care, Poll Finds

<blockquote> <ul> <li>42% said their health insurer covered all or a portion of the costs; <li>22% were uninsured at the time of the visit; <li>83% were satisfied with the convenience of the clinics; <li>90% were satisfied with the quality of care; <li>80% were satisfied with the cost, which typically ranges from $25 to $60 for a visit; <li>44% visited the clinic for a vaccination; <li>33% wanted treatment for a common medical condition, such as an ear infection, cold, strep throat, skin rash or sinus infection; and <li>19% went for a preventive screening test for chronic conditions, such as hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes or allergies.</li></ul>Sixty-four percent of those polled said they would be concerned about the qualifications of staff at a retail clinic not run by physicians.</blockquote> Source: <a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=66800&nfid=rssfeeds">Most People Who Have Used Retail Clinics Are Satisfied With Care, Poll Finds</a>

Most People Who Have Used Retail Clinics Are Satisfied With Care, Poll Finds

42% said their health insurer covered all or a portion of the costs; 22% were uninsured at the time of the visit; 83% were satisfied wi...

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Drug makers set lobbying record

<blockquote> WASHINGTON — Drug makers spent $155 million lobbying the federal government from 2005 to mid-2006, setting a record that they could top this year as Congress considers high stakes legislation for the industry and consumers, a public interest group said in a report Monday. Researchers at the nonpartisan Center for Public Integrity said that the drug industry spent nearly $111 million on lobbying in 2005, a record for the sector in any one year. The record pace appeared to be sustained in the first half of 2006, the report said. Pharmaceutical industry officials said the report distorted the industry's role in Washington, which they say is primarily educational and scientific. They said industry spending was designed to ensure that new drugs for intractable illnesses get government approval to be marketed.</blockquote> Source: <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/politics/la-na-lobby3apr03,1,268236.story">Drug makers set lobbying record - Los Angeles Times</a>

Drug makers set lobbying record

WASHINGTON — Drug makers spent $155 million lobbying the federal government from 2005 to mid-2006, setting a record that they could top ...

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Gap Exists between E-Prescribing Tools and Doc use.....

<blockquote> That said, the study concluded that most physicians who had switched to e-prescribing would not go back to paper. The report, entitled Physicians' Experiences Using Commercial E-Prescribing Systems, is based on interviews with doctors at 21 different practices: four with between five and 10 physicians; five with between 11 and 20; six with between 51 and 100; and six with more than 100. "We talked to very different folks, but we got very strikingly similar results," Grossman said. "There hasn’t been a lot of research on looking at IT use in physician practices—on the nitty-gritty of what it takes to get these systems up and running." In exploring how physicians use e-prescribing and what created barriers and made the process easier, one constant that researchers found was that roll outs were difficult and required substantial human and financial resources. As a result, Grossman said they found no examples of "relatively simple 'plug-and-play' applications."</blockquote> Source: <a href="http://www.modernhealthcare.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070403/FREE/70403006/1029/FREE">Modern Healthcare Online</a>

Gap Exists between E-Prescribing Tools and Doc use.....

That said, the study concluded that most physicians who had switched to e-prescribing would not go back to paper. The report, entitled P...

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Drug Costs Pushing Companies to Abandon Promising Therapies

Physicians, she points out, find themselves in the undesirable position of having to help patients make decisions about whether the potential clinical benefits warrant the financial strain that even the copayments for these medications may create. She asks, "How should we determine whether these interventions are worth their immense cost?" The primary responsibility of clinicians is to serve as advocates for patients, and most neither want nor are equipped to address difficult questions of social policy, Dr. Schrag suggests. "As physicians, we will find that discussions about financing cancer treatment will intrude on our examination rooms more frequently." The high cost of new drugs means that non-Medicare health plans are likely to deny coverage or, alternatively, to raise premiums. "For some patients who lack or have been denied coverage," she explains, "drug costs will be insurmountable; others will obtain loans and remortgage their homes to finance their treatment. Even for privileged, middle-class patients who have insurance coverage, copayments will cause economic hardship. Modest gains in survival will be offset by anxiety about financing treatment." Source: <a href="http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/554048?src=mp">Drug Costs Pushing Companies to Abandon Promising Therapies</a> May require subscription

Drug Costs Pushing Companies to Abandon Promising Therapies

Physicians, she points out, find themselves in the undesirable position of having to help patients make decisions about whether the poten...

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Pfizer's Dear Doctor Letter... About Lipitor

Pfizer's Dear Doctor Letter... About Lipitor

Pfizer's Dear Doctor Letter... About Lipitor No, this isn't one of those dreary missives about scary side effects. Instead, Pf...

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Stryker Knee Replacement TV Ad: Imagine How Far It Will Go!

One person's opinion....BD <blockquote> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLz-R_RMNN40kELFt5oiImyOkEizzHouk4A6eEGIiKFO4RWWv09m4JEafBhF6jNpebzl46iTv3wix5X_IVPwOMUGwuuJ03WhQ-HXjyrKzyfME870oDkZP3UzW7k21wMgZlPrukjFcWHz5c/s1600-h/Barb_Stryker.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLz-R_RMNN40kELFt5oiImyOkEizzHouk4A6eEGIiKFO4RWWv09m4JEafBhF6jNpebzl46iTv3wix5X_IVPwOMUGwuuJ03WhQ-HXjyrKzyfME870oDkZP3UzW7k21wMgZlPrukjFcWHz5c/s400/Barb_Stryker.jpg"></a> Like me, you probably have been seeing more ads on TV for medical devices like pacemakers and knee replacements. One ad from Stryker for a knee replacement caught my attention Sunday. In the ad, a 62 year-old woman with a Stryker knee replacement -- who I learn from the company's Internet site is a real person named Barbara Cotoia, "an active grandmother of six" -- starts walking from NYC, across Amish country, over hill and dale, prairie and Monument Park,up Aztec steps somewhere, and finally descends the mountains in California for a fantastic view of the Golden Gate bridge. Then, just like Forest Gump, she turns around and starts back! At the beginning of this fantastic trek, the voice over suggests "You'll be surprised how far [Stryker knee replacement] can take you." Pretty damn far indeed! Clearly, if this were a drug ad, the FDA would be over it like white on rice. Remember the old Vioxx ads (or was it Celebrex) that showed someone with arthritis knee pain skateboarding after taking Vioxx? The FDA had a problem with that --- it just went to far on the benefit side and the ad was changed to show the guy hobbling along on one good knee, not two! Imagine the new Celebrex ads showing someone walking across the US! That would surely warrant an FDA letter. So, what's the FDA position of Medical Device ads? Will anyone there have something to say about this Stryker ad? In light of FDA's being asleep at the wheel, you shouldn't be surprised how far these device DTC ads will go to push the envelope. </blockquote> Source: <a href="http://pharmamkting.blogspot.com/2007/04/device-dtc-imagine-how-far-it-will-go.html">Device DTC: Imagine How Far It Will Go!</a> by <a href="mailto:-237237">John Mack </a>

Stryker Knee Replacement TV Ad: Imagine How Far It Will Go!

One person's opinion....BD Like me, you probably have been seeing more ads on TV for medical devices like pacemakers and knee replace...

Monday, April 02, 2007

Ex-UIC Medical Center worker charged with identity theft

Something for all health workers to be aware of..many of the sophisticated electronic records systems do in fact trace every transaction, so when there is no change of being anonymous with accessing medical records...BD <blockquote> A former University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago employee has been charged with identity theft following an investigation that officials say determined he misused personal information of at least eight patients. Leslie Langford, 28, who worked as an emergency medical technician in the West Side hospital, was arrested on Feb. 23 after police discovered evidence he had illegally used patients' information he had accessed through using its electronic medical records system, authorities said. Authorities determined Langford had improperly used the records of eight patients, Gonzalez said. She declined to provide specifics about how the man used the information, due to an ongoing investigation. The hospital sent out a letter on March 8 to the potentially affected patients telling them of the risk.</blockquote> Source: <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-070329uic,1,3234070.story?coll=chi-news-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true">Ex-UIC Medical Center worker charged with identity theft | Chicago Tribune</a>

Ex-UIC Medical Center worker charged with identity theft

Something for all health workers to be aware of..many of the sophisticated electronic records systems do in fact trace every transaction, so...

Monday, April 02, 2007

County gets grant to aid the chronically ill

County gets grant to aid the chronically ill

Los Angeles County received a $162-million federal grant Thursday for a three-year program to help low-income adults with no medical ins...

Monday, April 02, 2007

FDA Approves JANUMET™ For Type 2 Diabetes, Offering Powerful Glucose Control Of A DPP-4 Inhibitor And Metformin In A Single Tablet

FDA Approves JANUMET™ For Type 2 Diabetes, Offering Powerful Glucose Control Of A DPP-4 Inhibitor And Metformin In A Single Tablet

Merck & Co., Inc. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved JANUMET™, the first and only tablet combi...

Monday, April 02, 2007

Condom testers needed - Test-ees not provided

Durex is always coming up with new advertising campaigns and this appears to be the latest..worth a grin...BD <blockquote> Durex is inviting citizens of the UK to apply for 5,000 coveted spots to report on their experiences with Durex condoms and lubricants. If you have ever wanted to shift the tides of the condom industry, and you're British, now's your chance! Here's a bit about the survey from <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6507611.stm">BBC News</a>: <blockquote>Men and wome<img align="right" alt="" height="96" src="http://www.medgadget.com/archives/img/ultimatefeeling.jpg" width="96">n of all ages, ethnic groups or sexual orientation have been asked to apply on its website. Durex was inundated with 14,000 applicants on the first day it started a similar scheme in France. UK panellists [sic] will be expected to report online on how enjoyable the condoms and lubricants were to use and whether their sex lives have improved. "The idea is to create a massive panel of testers who can try Durex condoms, have sex and then give us feedback about their experiences - in strictest confidence, of course," a Durex spokeswoman said. "It isn't some crazy kind of '60s love-in," she added.</blockquote> <a href="http://www.durex.com/uk/index.asp">Apply now</a> at the Durex website.. </blockquote> Source: <a href="http://www.medgadget.com/archives/2007/04/condom_testers_1.html">Condom testers needed. Test-ees not provided</a> by <a href="mailto:jhbarad@gmail.com">jhbarad </a>

Condom testers needed - Test-ees not provided

Durex is always coming up with new advertising campaigns and this appears to be the latest..worth a grin...BD Durex is inviting citizens o...

Monday, April 02, 2007

British scientist grow human heart valve from stem cells

British scientist grow human heart valve from stem cells

British scientists have grown part of a human heart in a breakthrough that offers hope for millions of cardiac patients. Such artificia...

Monday, April 02, 2007

House Subcommittee Hearing Considers Physician Willingness To Adopt Health IT

One more congressional discussion on helping the small solo practice with electronic records...BD  <blockquote>Congress should "offer targeted financial assistance programs" for small physician practices to begin adopting health information technology, <a href="http://www.acponline.org/">American College of Physicians</a> President Lynne Kirk said at a House subcommittee hearing on Wednesday, <a href="http://www.cq.com/corp/show.do?page=products_cqhealthbeat"><cite>CQ HealthBeat</cite></a> reports. Testifying before the House Small Business <a href="http://www.house.gov/smbiz/democrats/subcommittees.htm">Subcommittee on Regulation, Health Care and Trade</a>, Kirk cited a 2006 <a href="http://www.rwjf.org/">Robert Wood Johnson Foundation</a> survey finding that only 13% to 16% of solo physician practices were able to adopt health IT because of costs and other factors.</blockquote> Source: <a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=66613&nfid=rssfeeds">House Subcommittee Hearing Considers Physician Willingness To Adopt Health IT</a>

House Subcommittee Hearing Considers Physician Willingness To Adopt Health IT

One more congressional discussion on helping the small solo practice with electronic records...BD Congress should "offer targeted fin...

Monday, April 02, 2007

AMNews: April 9, 2007. U.S. vows to recoup back taxes

AMNews: April 9, 2007. U.S. vows to recoup back taxes

It appears the government is now attempting to connect back taxes to Medicare payments...it will be interesting to see how they connect the ...

Monday, April 02, 2007

Pfizer to resume airing ads for Celebrex

Pfizer to resume airing ads for Celebrex

Pfizer (PFE) plans to launch a 2½-minute TV commercial Monday for arthritis painkiller Celebrex, which has been off TV for more than tw...

Monday, April 02, 2007

Uber Tablet: a Tablet PC Talk Spot!: Bill Gates still totes the Tablet

Uber Tablet: a Tablet PC Talk Spot!: Bill Gates still totes the Tablet

Uber Tablet: a Tablet PC Talk Spot!: Bill Gates still totes the Tablet http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/search?q=gates

Monday, April 02, 2007

Some Hospitals Call 911 to Save Their Patients - New York Times

<blockquote> The answer may seem self-evident. But patients at some hospitals may find the staff resorting to what someone might do at home in a crisis: call 911 for an ambulance. That happened recently in Texas, where a 44-year-old man named Steve Spivey developed breathing problems after spine surgery. No physician was working there when the staff first recognized he was in trouble. They phoned 911, and he was taken to a nearby full-service hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later. The episode occurred at a small hospital that is owned and run by doctors — one of roughly 140 such hospitals around the country, with nearly two dozen more under development, that are set up to specialize in certain types of procedures like heart surgery, back operations and hip replacements.</blockquote> Source: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/02/business/02alarm.html?ex=1333166400&en=db20769420957f09&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss">Some Hospitals Call 911 to Save Their Patients - New York Times</a> (subscription may be required)

Some Hospitals Call 911 to Save Their Patients - New York Times

The answer may seem self-evident. But patients at some hospitals may find the staff resorting to what someone might do at home in a cris...