CMS to Stop Paying Hospitals for Medical Errors

<p>I am not sure I totally agree with this methodology, but I can certainly add that in my travels, the <strong>"old school" hospital administrators do exist</strong> and I have experienced this first hand myself, even with walking in with a "Tablet PC".  In today's world of evolving medical technology, I would think that administrators would at least 'look" at new developments and embrace at least some of the more simple techniques in their own daily use as this really helps IT administrators with bringing new technology to table.  </p> <p>Many IT managers rely on someone above their position to create budgets for this and if the folks at the top don't have at least an interest, many good and relatively inexpensive solutions are tabled with some of the reasons listed below.  By far, one of the most common responses I have heard is "we can't afford it", and that sometimes stated even before even exploring new avenues and closes the door immediately to new technology.  Perhaps as CMS expands their requirements, the "old school" administrators may someday take another view on what technology can do to save lives.  Even "baby steps" in the right direction can prove beneficial and sometimes are not that expensive to deploy.  On the flip side of the coin, there are the innovative hospitals that are taking big strides in this direction as well, taking time to share the knowledge with physicians on staff to ensure everyone is on the same team.  Sharing knowledge today is one of the biggest tools we have to benefit all.  BD</p> <p>The proposed deadline is October 2008, so there's time left before new guidelines appear and perhaps some of the "Old School" administrators may have time to wake up to entertain revenue growth and place less emphasis on cost reduction to bring some real win-win solutions to the table for all and help saves lives at the same time.  One of the best ways for an "old school" administrator to benefit is to begin adapting new technology in their personal lives, as this brings a whole new understanding to the table with familiarity and use.  </p> <blockquote> <p><img align="right" alt="Baxter-Philips-feasibility" border="1" height="200" hspace="4" src="http://medicalconnectivity.com/gems/Blog%20Photos/baxter%20philips.jpg" vspace="4" width="200"> <p>Overall patient safety in hospitals is not improving. The latest HealthGrades report on patient safety in U.S. hospitals showed the PSI (AHRQ's patient safety index) rate increased 8% between 2003 and 2005 (more <a href="http://medicalconnectivity.com/2007/04/06.html#a976">here</a>). The lack of significant progress with patient safety has caused some to ask why payors reimburse hospitals for the additional care necessary after a patient suffers a preventable adverse event. It seems payors are starting to ask themselves this very question - according to this <a href="http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007705220351">Indianapolis Star story</a>: <p>Late next year Medicare plans to stop paying hospitals for costs incurred from some of the most common and preventable medical errors suffered by patients.<br>[...] <p>The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which operates Medicare, is taking public comment on the proposal through June. The changes are scheduled to take effect in October 2008. <p>Medical mistakes are deadly and expensive. Infections acquired in hospitals account for about 90,000 deaths and $4.5 billion in extra spending each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. <p><strong><em>Unfortunately, most hospital administrators are more focused on cost reduction than revenue growth, and (if recent reports on patient safety "improvements" are to be believed) the stick - reduced reimbursement - will probably offer an incentive than the carrot.</em></strong><br>CMS is starting with a subset of the list. Here are the 13 "never should happen" adverse events that CMS is considering for no reimbursement:</p> <ol> <li>Catheter-associated urinary tract infections <li>Bed sores <li>Objects left in after surgery <li>Air embolism, or bubbles, in bloodstream from injection <li>Patients given incompatible blood type <li>Bloodstream staph infection <li>Ventilator-associated pneumonia <li>Vascular-catheter-associated infection <li>Clostridium difficile-associated disease (gastrointestinal infections) <li>Drug-resistant staph infection <li>Surgical site infections <li>Wrong surgery <li>Falls</li></ol> <p>Starting to withhold payment for adverse events will impact the health care industry as much as DRGs and capitation did years ago. Many <u>"old school"</u> hospital administration management techniques will fall from favor because doing things like increasing nurse to patient ratios have been <a href="http://healthpolicy.stanford.edu/news/1175/">repeatedly </a><a href="http://healthpolicy.stanford.edu/news/1175/">shown</a> to result in more adverse events. This change will also eliminate the need to<u> regulate nurse to patient ratios, like they have in California and a few other states </u>- hospitals that operate at unsafe ratios this will go out of business (as they should).<br>Every hospital wants to make improvements that are easy and cost next to nothing. One of the frustrations of being a consultant is doing the needs assessment, the cost justification, and the implementation plan only to hear that, "that's really too much trouble - we don't want to do it." Of course it's even worse if you're employed by the hospital (or vendor) as part of a LEAN team or innovation workgroup. <br></p></blockquote> <p>Source: <a href="http://medicalconnectivity.com/categories/patientSafety/">Medical Connectivity Consulting</a></p>

CMS to Stop Paying Hospitals for Medical Errors

I am not sure I totally agree with this methodology, but I can certainly add that in my travels, the "old school" hospital adminis...

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Medicare pay-for-reporting: How to get your 1.5% ...

<p>Get those registry modules up to date in any EMR to make this task easy.  If you are currently using an EMR or EHR program that incorporates this, reporting will be as simple as creating a spreadsheet from the data entered while doing your daily charting.  BD </p> <blockquote> <p>Next month, Medicare will take a big step toward becoming a more active health care purchaser, by launching its first program-wide quality reporting initiative for physicians. <p>Not every physician will decide that participating in the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative is worth the money. Collecting data for the quality measures and passing it on to the government, for instance, will require extra work by doctors and their staff. <p>First, physicians must consult the CMS-approved list of 74 quality measures to decide how many to report and determine how many of their Medicare patients fit into those categories. To be eligible for the bonus, doctors must report on at least three measures and apply each one to at least 80% of the patients who fit that category. <p>Physicians who see a significant number of diabetic patients, for example, might decide to keep special tabs on whether these patients maintain their blood pressure control -- one of the CMS quality measures. To meet this requirement, a doctor would have to share with the government the individual blood pressure ranges of at least 8 out of 10 under-control diabetic patients during one or more of their follow-up office visits in the last half of the year.</p></blockquote> <p>Source: <a href="http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/06/04/gvsa0604.htm">AMNews: June 4, 2007. Medicare pay-for-reporting: How to get your 1.5% ... American Medical News</a></p>

Medicare pay-for-reporting: How to get your 1.5% ...

Get those registry modules up to date in any EMR to make this task easy.  If you are currently using an EMR or EHR program that incorporates...

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Physicians say PPO network's fax masked 25% pay cut

<p> Be sure to read any faxes these days from your neighborly PPO.  BD</p> <blockquote> <p>The AMA and several state medical societies are engaged in ongoing discussions with a PPO network that sent a fax to physicians that appeared to be a routine request for tax information -- but also bound physicians to having their reimbursement cut by 25%. <p>San Diego-based Three Rivers Provider Network sent the fax to physicians who had treated member patients, but who were not part of any TRPN network. TRPN not only has direct contracts with physicians, but also rents networks from other PPOs -- a practice which organized medicine has criticized as a "silent PPO" because physicians never negotiate rates with a plan, yet find themselves in it because they have signed a deal with a PPO that has rented out its network to someone else. <p>However, the TRPN fax also contained a paragraph stating that physicians would agree "payment of services will be 75% of provider's total billed charges for covered services." Physicians would sign one form; there was no opportunity to opt out of or negotiate the cut. <p>It's not uncommon for Howard H. Rosenblum, MD, an ophthalmologist in Nashville, Tenn., to receive a random fax from an insurance company asking him to fill out a W-9, so when Dr. Rosenblum received the TRPN form, he said he signed the document without much hesitation. Several months later, while conducting a spot check of his claims receipts, Dr. Rosenblum noticed he wasn't getting his normal fee from the insurance companies with which he contracts.</p></blockquote> <p>Source: <a href="http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/06/04/bisb0604.htm">AMNews: June 4, 2007. Physicians say PPO network's fax masked 25% pay cut ... American Medical News</a></p>

Physicians say PPO network's fax masked 25% pay cut

 Be sure to read any faxes these days from your neighborly PPO.  BD The AMA and several state medical societies are engaged in ongoing dis...

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Videoconferencing services for hospitals and clinics

<p> </p> <blockquote> <h5>Hospitals and clinics are exploring the alternative with non-English speaking patients, but experts say the cost must drop before it makes sense for private practices.</h5> <p>Translation services are pitching -- and some hospitals are buying -- videoconferencing technology as a way to improve communication with patients who don't speak English. <p>Emergency physician Michael Sayre, MD, who regularly uses a videoconferencing interpretation system at the Ohio State University Medical Center, said having the visual component makes "a huge difference." Because the system can be moved, translating can happen just about anywhere a patient might be</p></blockquote> <p>Source: <a href="http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/06/04/bisc0604.htm">AMNews: June 4, 2007. Videoconferencing services offer language translators ... American Medical News</a></p>

Videoconferencing services for hospitals and clinics

  Hospitals and clinics are exploring the alternative with non-English speaking patients, but experts say the cost must drop before it mak...

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Xiagara - over the hill, take the little blue pill

Cute animation and spoof on Viagara...<br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/f7ZidH9ByGc"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/f7ZidH9ByGc" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

Xiagara - over the hill, take the little blue pill

Cute animation and spoof on Viagara...

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LSU jumps on the PHR bandwagon - online personal health records

<p> </p> <blockquote> <p>By the time the 2008 hurricane season rolls around, the LSU Healthcare Network hopes its patients will be well on their way to having portable personal electronic health records they can access in case of a catastrophe.<br>LSU picked Medem’s™ iHealth to generate the free health records for patients, said Dr. Frank Opelka, CEO of the LSU Healthcare Network and associate dean for clinical affairs at LSU Health Sciences Center School of Medicine at New Orleans. The effort has only recently begun.<br>“The iHealth record is not the physician’s e-health record of his or her patient. It is the patient’s personal health record,” Opelka said. “It is a Web-based system that carries the patient’s complete medical history. It can be updated by each patient.”<br>If LSU’s patients evacuate the city or state and need healthcare, they can go to the Web and obtain their personal health records, Opelka said. Many of the LSU network’s patients don’t have computers or access to the Internet, so LSU will help them enter their information.</p></blockquote> <p>Source: <a href="http://acadiana.medicalnewsinc.com/news.php?viewStory=991">LSU Launches E-health Records for Patients on Louisiana Medical News</a></p>

LSU jumps on the PHR bandwagon - online personal health records

  By the time the 2008 hurricane season rolls around, the LSU Healthcare Network hopes its patients will be well on their way to having po...

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10 Educational Hours at the ER

<p> </p> <blockquote> <p>May 25, 2007 - Having spent a sleepless night with a bit too much pain in my abdomen, I informed my wife I was suffering from another bout with diverticulitis.  I was also forced to admit I had consumed a bag of microwave popcorn, a definite no-no for someone with no intestinal fortitude. <p>We asked the doctor how to avoid spending a day in the ER just to get antibiotics. <em> She explained that had I arrived in an ambulance, I would have received immediate treatment; ambulances were handled immediately</em>. After 10 hours at the hospital, I left with a prescription and a first-class education in the ER crisis.  </p></blockquote> <p>Source: <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18869947/site/newsweek/">My Turn: 10 Educational Hours at the ER - To Your Health - MSNBC.com</a> </p> <p>Hat Tip:  <a href="http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2007/05/ten-hours-in-er.html">Kevin, MD</a></p>

10 Educational Hours at the ER

  May 25, 2007 - Having spent a sleepless night with a bit too much pain in my abdomen, I informed my wife I was suffering from another bo...

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Hospitals taking a cue from retailers to reduce on meds errors

<p> </p> <blockquote> <p>Virtually the same kind of technology used to ring up merchandise at the checkout counter is being put to a new use by some hospitals to help prevent medication mistakes for patients. <p>You already know how it works in stores: A clerk runs the bar codes on your merchandise across a scanner, and the price rings up on the cash register. <p>Now nurses in hospitals are scanning new bar code labels on medications, then scanning the bar codes being placed on patients' wristbands to make sure the right drugs are going to the right people. <p>"It's amazing that this technology has been in the grocery stores for 20 years, but it's just now getting into health care," said Jerry Esker, director of pharmacy for Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon. <p>Hospitals aren't required to use bar code scanning equipment. <u>But the FDA points out those that do stand to reduce their medication errors <i>and</i> liability insurance costs.</u> <p>Provena United Samaritans Medical Center in Danville plans to roll it out this fall, and Provena's five other hospitals, including Covenant Medical Center in Urbana, will add the technology later, one hospital at a time, according to Jim Witt, Provena vice president for clinical integration.</p></blockquote> <p>Source: <a href="http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2007/05/27/check_this_out_hospitals_taking_a_cue">The News-Gazette.com:Hospitals taking a cue from retailers to reduce on meds errors</a></p>

Hospitals taking a cue from retailers to reduce on meds errors

  Virtually the same kind of technology used to ring up merchandise at the checkout counter is being put to a new use by some hospitals to...

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Chapter 8, "Are you still just using your cell phone for phone calls?"

<p>Cell Phones made simple for seniors...good idea..BD </p> <blockquote> <p>There's a reason Jitterbug has just won<img align="right" height="226" src="http://www.jitterbug.com/images/bg-phones-onetouch.jpg" width="267"><br>recognition as the best new company in<br>the cell phone industry. Before we spoke,<br>we listened. We listened to the kind of<br>simple cell phone experience you wanted for<br>yourself and those you care about. The result<br>is Jitterbug. The best cell phone experience<br>you've ever had. Wouldn't you or someone you<br>love enjoy a comfortable, easy to use cell<br>phone to stay in touch with friends and family?</p></blockquote> <p>Source: <a href="http://www.jitterbug.com/Home.aspx">Jitterbug Phones: Easy Emergency Cell Phones</a> </p> <p>Hat Tip:  <a href="http://www.goldagers.com/2006/11/14/cellphones-for-older-adults/">http://www.goldagers.com/2006/11/14/cellphones-for-older-adults/</a></p>

Chapter 8, "Are you still just using your cell phone for phone calls?"

Cell Phones made simple for seniors...good idea..BD  There's a reason Jitterbug has just won recognition as the best new company in th...

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UC Davis Medical Adds SmartPill GI Monitoring System

<p>Check out the link below for the full story.  The site is still working on a "find a physician" list at this time wh uses the SmartPill.  BD</p> <blockquote> <p>SmartPill aids in the evaluation of GI motility disorders, which can affect up to 50 percent of all diabetics <p>Buffalo, N.Y. and Sacramento, Calif. — Thursday, May 10, 2007 – Dr. Juan Carlos Garcia, M.D. and Dr. Amar Al-Juburi, gastroenterologists with UC Davis Medical Center, will offer the SmartPill GI Monitoring System to patients, introducing an innovative technology to the region. The SmartPill pH.p Capsule is the first medical device capable of providing segmented transit times for gastric emptying, combined small and large bowel, and total gastrointestinal (GI) tract transit. <p><img align="right" src="http://www.smartpillcorp.com/site/smartpill/assets/images/pill_icon.jpg"> <p><strong>The SmartPill pH.p Capsule</strong> <p>The SmartPill pH.p Capsule transits the intestines by peristalsis, or the normal rhythmic contraction of the intestinal muscles, and is capable of transmitting data continuously for greater than 72 hours. The single-use capsule is excreted naturally from the body, usually within a day or two. <p><strong>Will the SmartPill Capsule replace current invasive procedures?</strong> <p>A logical compliment to Endoscopy, the SmartPill pH.p Capsule has the potential to replace gastric emptying scintigraphy.<img src="http://www.smartpillcorp.com/site/smartpill/assets/images/capsule_footer2.jpg"> </p></blockquote> <p>Source: <a href="http://www.smartpillcorp.com/index.cfm?prid=47&PrYear=2007&pagepath=Home/NEWS_EVENTS/Press_Releases&id=416">SmartPill | Press Releases</a></p>

UC Davis Medical Adds SmartPill GI Monitoring System

Check out the link below for the full story.  The site is still working on a "find a physician" list at this time wh uses the Smar...

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Mylan Laboratories To Acquire Generics Business Of Merck KGaA For 4.9 Billion Euros

<p></p> <p>Mylan Laboratories Inc. (NYSE: MYL) and Merck KGaA today announced the signing of a definitive agreement under which Mylan will acquire Merck's generics business ("Merck Generics") for EUR 4.9 billion ($6.7 billion) in an all-cash transaction. The combination of Mylan and Merck Generics will create a vertically and horizontally integrated generics and specialty pharmaceuticals leader with a diversified revenue base and a global footprint. On a pro forma basis, for calendar 2006, the combined company would have had revenues of approximately 4.2 billion dollars, EBITDA of approximately 1.0 billion dollars and approximately 10,000 employees, immediately making it among the top tier of global generic companies, with a significant presence in all of the top five global generics markets. <br>In addition to retaining Hank Klakurka, currently President and CEO of Merck Generics, Mylan has executed long-term employment agreements with members of Merck Generics' senior management team, ensuring that senior leadership remains intact. Mylan views the existing management and employees of Merck Generics as key to the success of the combined company. <p>Source: <a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=72133&nfid=crss">Mylan Laboratories To Acquire Generics Business Of Merck KGaA For 4.9 Billion Euros</a></p>

Mylan Laboratories To Acquire Generics Business Of Merck KGaA For 4.9 Billion Euros

Mylan Laboratories Inc. (NYSE: MYL) and Merck KGaA today announced the signing of a definitive agreement under which Mylan will acquire Mer...

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Medicare Plans to Deny Coverage of Artificial Disks

<p> </p> <blockquote> <p>Government regulators said yesterday that Medicare, the federal insurance program, planned to deny coverage for artificial disks implanted in the lower spines of older patients. <p>The preliminary decision, which is expected to become final in August, extends to the ProDisc-L made by Synthes a national coverage ban imposed a year ago on the Charité lumbar disk made by <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/johnson_and_johnson/index.html?inline=nyt-org">Johnson & Johnson</a>; the <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/f/food_and_drug_administration/index.html?inline=nyt-org">Food and Drug Administration</a> cleared the Pro Disc-L for sale last summer. It also signaled that Medicare will not cover <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/medtronic_inc/index.html?inline=nyt-org">Medtronic</a>’s Maverick lumbar disk when that device reaches the market. <p>Yesterday’s decision applies to patients over 60, which is most of the 43 million people Medicare covers. Local administrators of Medicare benefits will continue to be able to pay for the devices in younger disabled patients on case by case. <p></a></p></blockquote> <p>Source: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/26/business/26device.html?ex=1337832000&en=f44cf86a2581f9cf&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss">Medicare Plans to Deny Coverage of Artificial Disks - New York Times</a></p>

Medicare Plans to Deny Coverage of Artificial Disks

  Government regulators said yesterday that Medicare, the federal insurance program, planned to deny coverage for artificial disks implant...

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Blue Cross Earmarks $2 Million To Fight Health Reform Plans

<p> </p> <blockquote> <p>Blue Cross of California on Thursday launched an advertising campaign to oppose health insurance market reforms that are being proposed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) and Democratic lawmakers as part of their plans to overhaul California's health care system, the <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_5980474"><cite>AP/San Jose Mercury News</cite></a> reports.<br>Blue Cross, the state's largest health insurer, in Thursday's <cite>Sacramento Bee</cite> ran an ad that compared the health care reform proposals to the energy deregulation in 1996 that led to blackouts and other problems in the energy market. The insurer has committed $2 million to the campaign.<br>Blue Cross opposes provisions in proposals by the governor, Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez (D-Los Angeles) and Senate President Pro Tempore Don Perata (D-Oakland) that would require insurers to sell policies to everyone, regardless of pre-existing medical conditions. <br>Ann-Louise Kuhns, vice president of Blue Cross of California, said, "We've got more than one million members who could face very significant [premium] increases under some of these proposals." Kuhns said the insurer supports expanding public subsidies to provide health coverage to more residents but opposes any changes to the insurance market. <p><strong>Support for Health Care Reform</strong> <p>Blue Cross is the lone insurer in California that publicly opposes Schwarzenegger's and the Democrats' reform proposals. The insurer formed a political committee called The Coalition for Responsible Healthcare Reform, but so far it is the committee's only member.</p></blockquote> <p>Source: <a href="http://www.californiahealthline.org/articles/2007/5/25/Blue-Cross-Earmarks-2-Million-To-Fight-Health-Reform-Plans.aspx">Blue Cross Earmarks $2 Million To Fight Health Reform Plans - California Healthline</a></p>

Blue Cross Earmarks $2 Million To Fight Health Reform Plans

  Blue Cross of California on Thursday launched an advertising campaign to oppose health insurance market reforms that are being proposed ...

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EHRs and Physician Training..Update

<p>From Modern Health Care...this is a response to an earlier post with physician involvement with implementation of electronic medical records.  I can agree in one area myself, "begged" as I have done a bit of that myself and it has been a real challenge sometimes to get the physician to "buy in" with training.  If you read most of the articles on a successful implementation, most tend to agree that training is the key, it's all teamwork.  BD</p> <blockquote> <p>I have spent countless hours in the middle of the night, on weekends and during extended "go live" support working with physicians who never showed up for scheduled training. They were presented with the same material that was presented in the classes scheduled for physicians prior to going live. But they couldn't be bothered with showing up for the class they themselves had signed up to take. <br>Poor EHR design doesn't wash either. The physician groups are asked and in many cases <em>begged</em> to get involved in system design from the beginning and no one ever shows up or one physician is designated as the representative for all services, physician levels and programs. How many conference sessions and articles have been written about techniques to involve physicians in implementing EHR systems? Then the system goes live and physicians who never thought about participating complain because <em><u>no one met their needs</u></em>. <br>Healthcare facilities have catered to physicians for decades and implementing information technology is no different. It's time to stop treating physicians differently than the rest of healthcare professionals. If physicians want to be properly trained and supported then they need to take responsibility, as a group, for their own learning and to make their wants and needs known just as every other discipline does. Until a plurality of physicians decide to get involved in the design and implementation of EHR systems and become partners in creating solutions, they will continue to need someone to pick up the tab for their mental health. </p></blockquote> <p>Source: <a href="http://www.modernhealthcare.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070525/FREE/70525001/1031/FREE">Modern Healthcare Online</a> </p> <p>Related article:  <a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2007/05/electronic-records-put-some-mds-on-edge.html">EMR Stressed MDs</a></p>

EHRs and Physician Training..Update

From Modern Health Care...this is a response to an earlier post with physician involvement with implementation of electronic medical records...

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Many Small Physician Offices No Longer Provide Injected Medications Because of Medicare Reimbursement Issues

<p>If you are a Medicare participant, this is worth checking out as many of the injection compensations are being changed by Medicare.  Many small offices too may not be able to absorb the cost associated with maintaining a supply on hand if they cannot purchase in bulk quantity.  BD</p> <blockquote> <p>Thousands of small physician offices are "getting out of the business of administering drugs for conditions ranging from anemia and cancer to arthritis and infections," the <cite>Wall Street Journal</cite> reports. The shift is "an unintended consequence of a change in the way Medicare reimburses doctors" to administer medications that are injected or infused, according to the <cite>Journal</cite>.<br>Companies that manufacture the medications, such as <a href="http://www.amgen.com/">Amgen</a> and <a href="http://www.jnj.com/home.htm">Johnson & Johnson</a>, offer large rebates or discounts for bulk purchases, but many smaller physician offices do not purchase such treatments in bulk. In addition, because Medicare determines the reimbursements for such medications based on the average price paid, the discounts reduce reimbursements for all physicians, regardless of whether they receive discounts.</p></blockquote> <p>Source: <a href="http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=45178">Coverage & Access | Many Small Physician Offices No Longer Provide Injected Medications Because of Medicare Reimbursement Issues - Kaisernetwork.org</a></p>

Many Small Physician Offices No Longer Provide Injected Medications Because of Medicare Reimbursement Issues

If you are a Medicare participant, this is worth checking out as many of the injection compensations are being changed by Medicare.  Many sm...

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Demonstrators to target United Health Shareholders meeting

<p>United Health Care issues in the news once more...BD</p> <p>MINNEAPOLIS - To dramatize the need for health care reform, several organizations will demonstrate Tuesday outside the annual shareholders meeting of United Health Group.</p> <blockquote> <p>The demonstration will start at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 29, at the Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 Second Ave. S., Minneapolis. <br>The event will "decry the gap between need and greed as United Health Group CEO William McGuire, his replacement Stephen Helmsley, and other Minnesota HMO executives bilk billions in stock options derived from denying health insurance to half a million Minnesotans," organizers said. <p>United Health Care is the largest HMO in the United States and McGuire was the highest-paid CEO in Minnesota history, with stock options totaling $2 billion. Helmsley, who replaced McGuire, has stock options in excess of $750 million. In contrast, the chief of Medicare, a single-payer system with the largest enrollment in the United States, makes $150,000 a year.</p></blockquote> <p>Source: <a href="http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_3100">Welcome to Workday Minnesota, your leading source for labor news!</a></p>

Demonstrators to target United Health Shareholders meeting

United Health Care issues in the news once more...BD MINNEAPOLIS - To dramatize the need for health care reform, several organizations will...

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Google declares war on $2 trillion health care industry

<p>Interesting perspective on medical record technology.  Will we someday "Google" our medical records?  BD</p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://blogs.zdnet.com/micro-markets/images/dm52407gd.jpg"><img align="left" alt="dm52407gd.jpg" src="http://blogs.zdnet.com/micro-markets/images/dm52407gd.jpg" title="dm52407gd.jpg"></a>The Google health care die has been cast, it is a $2 trillion declaration of medical intent. <p>Adam Bosworth, Google Vice preisdent Engineering,  is no longer content with “touch-feely” consumer reach-out campaigns to “learn” what the “health care consumer” wants, he is now doing what Google does best: Telling the world how it will be. <p><strong>It WILL be Google’s “vision for the future of health care.”</strong> <p>Those on the winning medical team will go the Googley way, or it’s the Google medical information highway. <p><a href="http://blogs.zdnet.com/micro-markets/?p=1261">Google scary now? Personal Health Records, sponsored by Google, next</a> I warned one month ago. That day is nearing. <p>In <a href="http://blogs.zdnet.com/micro-markets/?p=1176">Google’s medical push</a> I present Bosworth’s health care (pay for the right to perform) IT road show underway over the past six months. Bosworth’s most recent stop was the American Medical Association of Informatics, and it was a big one, a $2 trillion one.</p></blockquote> <p>Source: <a href="http://blogs.zdnet.com/micro-markets/?p=1413&tag=nl.e539">» Google declares war on $2 trillion health care industry | Digital Markets | ZDNet.com</a></p>

Google declares war on $2 trillion health care industry

Interesting perspective on medical record technology.  Will we someday "Google" our medical records?  BD The Google health care ...

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Pharma Marketing Blog: Dumb Blonde Reps vs. Slovenly Genius Reps

<p>John Mack creates some good questions here on the Pharma Marketing Blog...the Pharma companies do cater good lunches though, as many of the offices I visit invite me to partake if I happen to be there on business, but most of the time it tends to be much better than pizza.  BD</p> <blockquote> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFO4gJIOKuW_CKa06kzU91UL6bs1sWGMuDMh6kvqCAHgQV8U8e82MQVA199AR3DPTcz4FClZhZbAvKyPT_EhpY-D3P0yMI_Uf4c-eyv5HEiK5RbTQ32zzXKWwbbY92pVXk-GuqNvqwdal/s1600-h/BlondvEinstein.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFO4gJIOKuW_CKa06kzU91UL6bs1sWGMuDMh6kvqCAHgQV8U8e82MQVA199AR3DPTcz4FClZhZbAvKyPT_EhpY-D3P0yMI_Uf4c-eyv5HEiK5RbTQ32zzXKWwbbY92pVXk-GuqNvqwdal/s400/BlondvEinstein.jpg"></a>Ed Silverman over at Pharmalot posted a fun little item about a poll that Cafe Pharma is currently running.<br>Ed asked "<a href="http://pharmalot.com/2007/05/do_goodlooking_reps_do_better.php">Do Good-Looking Reps Do Better?</a>" or rather that was the gist of the poll.<br>The devil is in the details. Here's what the poll asked:<br>Which type of rep gets the best results? An average looking rep that knows their products and can sell? or A super attractive rep that is an idiot and can't sell?<br>Only 16% of respondents chose the super attractive rep option.<br>Unfortunately, this survey can't possibly yield any meaningful insights.<br>To sell (ie, "do better" or "get best results"), you first have to get in the door. So, a better question would have been: Do attractive reps get better access to physicians than do slovenly, but knowledgeable, enthusiastic piglets?<br>I think a lot more than 16% would answer "Yes" to that!<br>Another, more meaningful question would have been: Do reps -- attractive, plain, or sloven -- who bear gifts -- pizza, sandwiches, cupcakes -- get better access than those who come empty-handed?<br>Again, I think the pizza-delivery rep would have no problem getting in the door to most doctor's offices.<br><strong>Good looks and pizza are very visible attributes, in plain sight. You see the cleavage, you open the door. You see the pizza, you open the door. It's Pavlovian!</strong></p></blockquote> <p>Source: <a href="http://pharmamkting.blogspot.com/2007/05/dumb-blonde-reps-vs-slovenly-genius.html">Pharma Marketing Blog: Dumb Blonde Reps vs. Slovenly Genius Reps</a> </p> <p>Hat Tip:  <a href="http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2007/05/are-good-looking-drug-reps-more.html" title="http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2007/05/are-good-looking-drug-reps-more.html">Kevin MD</a></p>

Pharma Marketing Blog: Dumb Blonde Reps vs. Slovenly Genius Reps

John Mack creates some good questions here on the Pharma Marketing Blog...the Pharma companies do cater good lunches though, as many of the ...

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FDA Approves Tigris System for testing donated blood

<p> </p> <blockquote> <p>SAN DIEGO, May 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Gen-Probe Incorporated (Nasdaq: GPRO) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the Company's PROCLEIX(R) TIGRIS(R) system, the first fully automated molecular diagnostics instrument, for use with the PROCLEIX ULTRIO(R) assay. <p>The PROCLEIX TIGRIS system was approved with the PROCLEIX ULTRIO assay to screen donated blood, plasma, organs and tissue for HIV-1 and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in individual blood donations or in pools of up to 16 blood samples. The system and assay also detect hepatitis B virus (HBV) in blood donations that are HBV-positive based on traditional serology tests for HBV surface antigen and core antibodies. As expected, the system and assay have not been approved at this time to screen donated blood for HBV, as the initial clinical studies were not designed to, and did not, demonstrate HBV "yield." Yield is defined as HBV-infected blood donations that were intercepted by the PROCLEIX ULTRIO assay, but that were initially negative based on the serology tests. Gen-Probe and Chiron have initiated a post-marketing study to demonstrate HBV yield and gain the associated donor screening claim. <p>The fully automated, high-throughput PROCLEIX TIGRIS system can process 1,000 blood samples in about 14 hours, a level of productivity that facilitates testing in smaller pool sizes, which in turn can increase assay sensitivity and blood safety.</p></blockquote> <p>Source: <a href="http://www.gen-probe.com/PressReleaseText.asp?releaseID=1006875">Gen-Probe: News: Press Releases</a></p>

FDA Approves Tigris System for testing donated blood

  SAN DIEGO, May 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Gen-Probe Incorporated (Nasdaq: GPRO) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administra...

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Insurers Promote Use Of Generic Anticholesterol Drugs

<p> </p> <blockquote> <p>The <a href="http://www.syracuse.com/articles/business/index.ssf?/base/business-9/1179738251107070.xml&coll=1">Syracuse <cite>Post-Standard</cite></a> on Monday examined how many health insurers have begun to encourage members to use generic versions of the anticholesterol medication Zocor, which reached the U.S. market last June, rather than Lipitor, manufactured by <a href="http://www.pfizer.com/">Pfizer</a>, to reduce costs. <br>For example, <a href="https://www.excellusbcbs.com/">Excellus BlueCross BlueShield of New York</a> has begun to provide members with a one-month supply of simvastatin, the generic version of Zocor, at no cost and has reduced the cost of simvastatin for members to about $7.50 monthly, compared with about $135 monthly for Lipitor. Joel Owerbach, chief pharmacy officer for Excellus, said, "Lipitor is a great drug, but the reality is, for the vast majority of people who are taking Lipitor, you can get to the same place by taking a drug that's going to cost a lot less."</p></blockquote> <p>Source: <a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=71945&nfid=rssfeeds">Insurers Promote Use Of Generic Anticholesterol Drugs</a></p>

Insurers Promote Use Of Generic Anticholesterol Drugs

  The Syracuse Post-Standard on Monday examined how many health insurers have begun to encourage members to use generic versions of the a...

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Chapter 7, "Are you still just using your Cell Phone for phone calls?"

Windows Live Search for your cell phone can be a huge tool. In this example we did some live lookups on the phone. It has a very simple interface and will not only help you with a map, but can also help you locate a business, i.e. a restaurant, a medical office, hospital, you name it. The examples are fairly simple, but you can see we have driving instructions, traffic conditions, a map, and an option to search for other nearby businesses. I can also save the location to a contact file or forward to someone else. Now that has some huge potential with the medical business in the case of an emergency call, making a house call, finding a hospital, for a few examples. <br />If you are mobile and have left the "safe harbor" of your desktop PC, give this some real thought as it can be a huge time saver and just might be a life saver too. An ambulance company could easily send the emergency location to an MD, hospital, etc. or the MD could also forward the location in the case of an emergency too. <br />Shoot, if you just want to find a nice place to eat, it's not bad either. BD<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/RlXv7hv52fI/AAAAAAAAAEY/pZSTfGAqGtY/s1600-h/live1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068220761625975282" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/RlXv7hv52fI/AAAAAAAAAEY/pZSTfGAqGtY/s200/live1.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/RlXwEhv52gI/AAAAAAAAAEg/1cNWIZFd6WI/s1600-h/IHOP.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068220916244797954" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/RlXwEhv52gI/AAAAAAAAAEg/1cNWIZFd6WI/s200/IHOP.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/RlXwQRv52hI/AAAAAAAAAEo/0-qdmvQmfCM/s1600-h/IHOP2add.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068221118108260882" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/RlXwQRv52hI/AAAAAAAAAEo/0-qdmvQmfCM/s200/IHOP2add.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/RlXwdRv52iI/AAAAAAAAAEw/vF5GLje5dbM/s1600-h/LibraryIHOP.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068221341446560290" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/RlXwdRv52iI/AAAAAAAAAEw/vF5GLje5dbM/s200/LibraryIHOP.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/RlXwqBv52jI/AAAAAAAAAE4/6XkqnHEz9zY/s1600-h/route.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068221560489892402" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/RlXwqBv52jI/AAAAAAAAAE4/6XkqnHEz9zY/s200/route.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/RlXw3Bv52kI/AAAAAAAAAFA/xX9pxrYC-rM/s1600-h/traffic.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068221783828191810" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/RlXw3Bv52kI/AAAAAAAAAFA/xX9pxrYC-rM/s200/traffic.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a><br /><br />Source: <a href="http://mobile.search.live.com/about/">http://mobile.search.live.com/about/</a>

Chapter 7, "Are you still just using your Cell Phone for phone calls?"

Windows Live Search for your cell phone can be a huge tool. In this example we did some live lookups on the phone. It has a very simple in...

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California Grants Provide Funds for Nurse Training

<p> </p> <blockquote> <p>Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) on Wednesday announced more than $1.6 million in grants to help fund six nurse training programs statewide. <br>The grants are intended to help California residents find jobs that pay at least the average state hourly wage of $22.51 while also boosting California's supply of health care workers.<br>Funds to train registered nurses and licensed vocational nurses will go to these five Los Angeles area hospitals: <ul> <li>Brotman Medical Center; <li>Century City Doctors Hospital; <li>East Los Angeles Doctors Hospital; <li>Olympia Medical Center; and <li>USC University Hospital.</li></ul></blockquote> <p>Source: <a href="http://www.californiahealthline.org/articles/2007/5/24/California-Grants-Provide-Funds-for-Nurse-Training.aspx">California Grants Provide Funds for Nurse Training - California Healthline</a></p>

California Grants Provide Funds for Nurse Training

  Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) on Wednesday announced more than $1.6 million in grants to help fund six nurse training programs statewid...

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Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services - Hospital Compare

<p>I gave this a try this morning using several different search criteria and the results for each hospital selected were given on a bar graph for easy comparison.  Some hospitals did not treat or supply enough data to show on every graph in a few categories.  Good tool to get a basic idea of the services and quality results by comparing side by side.  One nice small add on is the ability to use a larger font to view the pages too. BD</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Hospital Compare</strong> - <em>A quality tool for adults, including people with Medicare</em> <p>This tool provides you with information on how well the hospitals in your area care for all their adult patients with certain <strong>medical</strong> conditions. This information will help you compare the quality of care hospitals provide. Hospital Compare was created through the efforts of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and organizations that represent hospitals, doctors, employers, accrediting organizations, other Federal agencies and the public. <p>Talk to your doctor about this information to help you, your family and your friends make your best hospital care decisions. <p><em><strong>By Name<br>I want to find a hospital by entering all/some of its name: </strong></em> <p><em><strong>Hospital Name </strong></em> <p><em><strong>By Proximity<br>I want to find all hospitals within a certain distance of: </strong></em> <p><em><strong>City </strong></em> <p><em><strong>ZIP Code </strong></em> <p><em><strong>By Geography</strong></em><br></p></blockquote> <p>Source: <a href="http://www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov/Hospital/Search/SearchCriteria.asp?version=default&browser=Firefox%7C2%7CWinXP&language=English&pagelist=Home&dest=NAV|Home|Search|SearchCriteria&Type=NewSearch#tabtop">HHS - Hospital Compare</a></p>

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services - Hospital Compare

I gave this a try this morning using several different search criteria and the results for each hospital selected were given on a bar graph ...

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Why hedge fund managers outearn doctors - BloggingStocks

<p> Interesting comparison on this blog, one person's opinion...BD</p> <blockquote> <p>But there's really more to it than that -- society perceived that the pricing mechanism for doctors' services was broken. That is, if the free market set the price, many citizens would not be able to afford to pay. And society believes implicitly that health care should be widely available to citizens. (That doesn't mean everybody. <a href="http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/38/12/1-a">40 million</a> Americans are not covered by health insurance but many of them can get care at hospital emergency rooms.) <p>But given the perception of a broken pricing system, government and managed care organizations intervened. Thus, <em><strong>if a doctor takes patients who do not directly pay their own bills -- but rely on Medicare, Medicaid, or an HMO -- then the price for that service is set by someone other than the doctor.</strong></em> <p>Most hedge fund managers let computers do much of the work -- something doctors can't do. <p>Meanwhile, a doctor's best chance to make big money is to <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/27/business/27richer.html?ex=1180065600&en=2532df722e9d255c&ei=5070">go into investment banking</a> -- where salaries and bonuses are in the millions <a href="http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/05/23/wall-street-bonuses-may-break-record-again/">and rising</a> -- or to focus only on patients who have such deep pockets that they will write checks from their own bank accounts to hire the best talent. <p>Until these economic conditions change, Doctors will continue to earn the acclamation and hedge fund managers will get the money.</p></blockquote> <p>Source: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/05/23/why-hedge-fund-managers-outearn-doctors/">Why hedge fund managers outearn doctors - BloggingStocks</a></p>

Why hedge fund managers outearn doctors - BloggingStocks

 Interesting comparison on this blog, one person's opinion...BD But there's really more to it than that -- society perceived that ...

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Health Benefits Direct to Enter California Market With Addition of PacifiCare as Health Insurance Carrier

<p>If you have not used one of these services, this is an online service built to help companies and individuals select and purchase various types of health care coverage.  BD</p> <blockquote><b> <h6></h6></b> <p>RADNOR, PA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- May 24, 2007 -- Health Benefits Direct Corporation (OTCBB: <a href="http://studio.financialcontent.com/Engine?Account=iwire&PageName=QUOTE&Ticker=HBDT">HBDT</a>), a leading innovator in the direct marketing and distribution of a wide range of health and life insurance products in the individual market, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with PacifiCare, a UnitedHealthcare company, to market a number of PacifiCare's health insurance plans for individuals and families in California. <p>"We are continuing to selectively and strategically expand our health insurance portal with leading providers like PacifiCare," said Alvin H. Clemens, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "As an advocate for individual insurance consumers, we want to line our customers up with the best, most reliable coverage offered by the most highly rated carriers. Adding PacifiCare enables us to enter the large California market with a premier offering of health insurance products." <p>In addition to PacifiCare, Health Benefits Direct's major medical insurance carriers include UnitedHealthcare's Golden Rule Insurance Company, Aetna, Humana, Time Insurance Company (marketed as Assurant Health), and UniCare (a Wellpoint company). The company offers life insurance through Fidelity Life and AIG American General (an AIG company). Indemnity, short-term major medical, and critical illness insurance is offered through various additional partners.</p></blockquote> <p>Source: <a href="http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=257471">PRESS RELEASE Health Benefits Direct to Enter California Market With Addition of PacifiCare as Health Insurance Carrier</a></p>

Health Benefits Direct to Enter California Market With Addition of PacifiCare as Health Insurance Carrier

If you have not used one of these services, this is an online service built to help companies and individuals select and purchase various ty...

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Sometimes, Sightseeing Is a Look at Your X-Rays

<p>Interesting article about both sides of medical tourism..and brings to light what type of medical attention the citizens of these countries receive...BD</p> <blockquote> <p>But just as American travelers begin getting comfortable with the safety of foreign hospitals, they face a new question. With developing world hospitals focusing on medical tourists, some may take doctors away from understaffed public clinics in nations like India and <a href="http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/asia/thailand/overview.html?inline=nyt-geo">Thailand</a>, potentially leading to a public backlash against medical visitors. Already, the press in Thailand and India has warned that medical tourism, which can be more lucrative for physicians, is sucking doctors away from public clinics. <p>Only days after my luxury dengue treatment at Bumrungrad, I saw this other side. At a larger Thai hospital where I’d walked in after feeling my fever spiking, I sat on a hard bench in the middle of a waiting room littered with cigarette butts and empty plastic bottles. For over an hour, no one called me. When a nurse finally approached me, she warned there wouldn’t be any doctors around for hours, and then turned and walked away. <p>I got up and took a cab to Bumrungrad.</p></blockquote> <p>Source: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/20/travel/20HeadsUp.html?_r=1&ref=travel&oref=slogin">Sometimes, Sightseeing Is a Look at Your X-Rays - New York Times</a></p>

Sometimes, Sightseeing Is a Look at Your X-Rays

Interesting article about both sides of medical tourism..and brings to light what type of medical attention the citizens of these countries ...

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Advertising pharmaceuticals with Legos?

<p>Does marketing need to go this far?  BD</p> <blockquote> <p><img alt="risperdallego.jpg" height="249" src="http://pharmalot.com/2007/05/24/risperdallego.jpg" width="209"> <p>More new business opportunities for drugmakers - cross-promotional moments with toymakers. Here we have an item that's popular with children of many ages, particularly young boys. </p></blockquote> <p>Source: <a href="http://pharmalot.com/2007/05/risperdal_legos_building_block_1.php">Pharmalot: Risperdal Legos: Building Blocks For Care</a> </p> <p>Hat Tip:  <a href="http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2007/05/risperdal-legos.html">Kevin, MD</a></p>

Advertising pharmaceuticals with Legos?

Does marketing need to go this far?  BD More new business opportunities for drugmakers - cross-promotional moments with toymakers. Here w...

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Chapter 6, "Are you still just using your Cell Phone for Phone calls?"

<p>In Japan a participant can simply snap a picture of the food and get expert advice back via the cell phone for nutrition information.   BD</p> <blockquote> <p><b>TOKYO, Japan</b> (AP) -- Wondering how much of a diet-buster that banana cream pie on your plate is? Some Japanese have a novel way to find out: Photograph it with your cell phone and send the image to an expert. <p>With cell phones ubiquitous in Japan and rising concern over expanding waistlines, health care providers have put two and two together to allow the calorie-conscious to send photos of their meals to nutritionists for analysis and recommendations. <p>Osaka is using a system developed by Asahi Kasei Corp., a Tokyo-based chemical and medical equipment manufacturer. The system is operating at about 150 health care providers and local governments around the country, company official Naoki Yoshimura said. <p>Nutritionists can work with photos from one day's meals to several weeks' worth, he said. Results come back in three days. Participants also can log onto a Web site to get further dietary information and upload photos from digital cameras. <p>"Cell phones are everywhere here," Onishi said. "We're hoping they can now make it easier for people to get help improving their diet."</p></blockquote> <p>Source: <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/biztech/05/24/japan.dieting.ap/index.html">Cell phone cameras help Japanese lose weight - CNN.com</a></p>

Chapter 6, "Are you still just using your Cell Phone for Phone calls?"

In Japan a participant can simply snap a picture of the food and get expert advice back via the cell phone for nutrition information.   BD ...

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Robotic Surgery May Improve Survival Rate For Prostate Cancer Patients

<p> </p> <blockquote> <p>Performing less invasive laparoscopic surgery using robotic technology may improve survival rates for prostate cancer patients, according to a study by urologic oncologists at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital's multidisciplinary Genitourinary (GU) cancer center.<br>In a study presented May 21, 2007 at the annual American Urological Society meeting in Anaheim, Calif., the Jefferson urologists found that performing a laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) with robot technology can reduce positive surgical margins. Positive surgical margins refers to when cancer, seen under a microscope, goes to the edge of a specimen, meaning that cancerous cells likely remain in the patient. LRP is the surgical removal of the entire prostate gland and surrounding tissue including the seminal vessels through several tiny incisions. <p>The robotic system further refines laparoscopic prostatectomy by allowing a surgeon's hand movements to be scaled, filtered and translated into precise movements of micro-instruments within the operative field. The magnified, three-dimensional view the surgeon experiences enables him to perform precise surgery in complex procedures, such as radical prostatectomy, through small surgical incisions.</p></blockquote> <p>Source: <a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=71921&nfid=rssfeeds">Robotic Surgery May Improve Survival Rate For Prostate Cancer Patients</a></p>

Robotic Surgery May Improve Survival Rate For Prostate Cancer Patients

  Performing less invasive laparoscopic surgery using robotic technology may improve survival rates for prostate cancer patients, accordin...

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Patient Pain Medication - Self Dispensing pill medication at bedside

<p>This is not a new concept as IV dispensers have been around for quite a while, but new technology allows for the same type of dispensing with pills by using RFID (radio frequency ID).  BD</p> <blockquote> <p>The MOD® is a Class I device approved for use by the FDA. Use of the device in the EQA Program is not considered experimental but rather, Institutions may collect data related to the use of the device for internal purposes as part of the device evaluation. Modules for data collection are included in the EQA Program Source Book to encourage a thorough evaluation.  No data or internal information collected will be requested by the program sponsor. <p><strong> <p><strong><img align="right" alt="Image" border="0" height="155" hspace="6" src="http://avancen.com/images/stories/pain_scale.jpg" title="Image" width="155"></strong> <p> <p><strong></strong></p>The device is delivered to the patient’s bedside and locked onto an IV pole within easy reach of the patient. The patient wears a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) wristband that has been programmed into the device. When the lock-out interval has passed, the patient sees the bright green ready light on the MOD®. To request a dose of medication the patient follows these three easy steps: <ul> <li>Touches the pain scale to record the pain level and activate the RFID reader within the device <li>Swipes the RFID wristband over the front of the device to turn the tray to the open position <li>Removes a single pill from the device and takes the medication</li></ul></strong> <p></strong></p></blockquote> <p>Source: <a href="http://avancen.com/content/view/18/44/">AVANCEN, LLC - About the MOD®</a></p>

Patient Pain Medication - Self Dispensing pill medication at bedside

This is not a new concept as IV dispensers have been around for quite a while, but new technology allows for the same type of dispensing wit...

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