Same blue dye in M&Ms and Gatorade linked to reducing spine injury

<p> The treatment requires more than just eating M & Ms and drinking Gatorade, it needs to be delivered through an IV, and the side effects may temporarily turn you blue for a while until it fades and goes away.  The study involved injecting rats with the BBG dye and the results compared to those who did not have any injections were quite different, with the treated rats making a better and even full recovery.  I guess we could call this Code Blue.  BD  </p> <blockquote> <p><b>(CNN)</b> -- The same blue food dye found in M&Ms and Gatorade could be used to reduce damage caused by spine injuries, offering a better chance of recovery, according to new research.</p> <p>Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center found that when they injected the compound Brilliant Blue G (BBG) into rats suffering spinal cord injuries, the rodents were able to walk again, albeit with a limp.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SnEOSFfP2JI/AAAAAAAAZJE/X-wo25glyE4/s1600-h/image%5B2%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="208" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SnEOUhqEWoI/AAAAAAAAZJI/TtYRwrp1I3A/image_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="240" /></a> </p> <p>The researchers believe that BBG worked because it was able to block ATP from latching on to spinal cord neurons. ATP usually is welcome in cells because it provides the chemical energy needed to fuel metabolism. But when<strong> it gushes into the spinal cord at hundreds of times greater than normal levels, it causes neurons to go haywire and die, thus compounding the extent of the injury.</strong></p> <p>Nedergaard realized that BBG is a derivative of <a href="http://www.foodadditivesworld.com/fdc-blue-no1.html">blue dye No. 1</a>, which has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in foods, drugs and cosmetics. The dye is a widely used food additive – more than 1 million pounds of it are consumed each year in the U.S. with no toxic side effects in healthy people. In the rats,<strong> the only apparent side effect of taking BBG was a blue tint in the eyes and skin that faded over the course of a week.</strong></p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/07/28/spinal.injury.blue.dye/index.html?eref=rss_health">Same blue dye in M&Ms linked to reducing spine injury - CNN.com</a></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:ccd15715-6ada-455d-b30a-27de81365c70" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Blue+dye" rel="tag">Blue dye</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/gatorade" rel="tag">gatorade</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/technology" rel="tag">technology</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/spine+injuries" rel="tag">spine injuries</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Brilliant+Blue+G" rel="tag">Brilliant Blue G</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/BBG" rel="tag">BBG</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/spine" rel="tag">spine</a></div>

Same blue dye in M&Ms and Gatorade linked to reducing spine injury

The treatment requires more than just eating M & Ms and drinking Gatorade, it needs to be delivered through an IV, and the side effects...

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Michael Jackson Reportedly used Several Aliases – Some Dead Individuals

<p>It is illegal to write a prescription to a known alias name, but I wonder how does this play out if a prescription was written for a “dead” person? <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SnECYQclwYI/AAAAAAAAZI8/tgHYV_Zkk7M/s1600-h/image%5B3%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="132" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SnECbH-ukCI/AAAAAAAAZJA/21dcRrttxqY/image_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="139" /></a> Obviously the dead person is not in need of any drugs last I knew, but legally I wonder how this would be interpreted.  Nothing seems to be surprising any more by any count, as last year there was a scam operation with “dead” doctors who billed Medicare.  </p> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/07/probe-finds-dead-doctors-used-in.html"><font size="2">Probe finds dead doctors used in Medicare scams</font></a> </h6> <p>Also early in the investigation, it was reported by several sources that electronic records would substantiate what occurred relative to his health and I think now they are finding out otherwise, as electronic records are not law, so much could have been on paper and who knows, perhaps even shredded at this point and if one were trying to hide some of their prescriptions, I don’t think you would find e-prescribing in here either, maybe a shame on that account as it would have made it easier to track, but the DEA still requires paper on controlled substances.  BD</p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/07/police-and-dea-are-looking-at-5-doctors.html"><font size="2">Police and DEA are Looking at 5 Doctors in Michael Jackson Investigation – Did they use an EMR?</font></a></h4> <blockquote> <p>When police <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1617159/20090729/jackson_michael.jhtml">searched the offices and Las Vegas home</a> of <a href="http://www.mtv.com/specials/michaeljackson/">Michael Jackson</a>'s physician Dr. Conrad Murray on Tuesday, they were looking for medical records tied to the late singer and "all of his reported aliases."</p> <p>According to authorities, the King of Pop may have used as many as 19 aliases in an attempt to obtain prescription drugs, a list that allegedly includes 19th century American author Jack London (best known for such popular novels as <i>White Fang</i> and <i>The Call of the Wild</i>) and legendary 20th century black expatriate singer/actress Josephine Baker, also known as "Black Pearl." </p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://newsroom.mtv.com/2009/07/29/michael-jackson-aliases/">MTV Newsroom » Blog Archive » Michael Jackson Aliases Include Literary Figure, Jazz Singer And Personal Chef</a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:383a7820-e000-496b-aa1c-fe252aa42482" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Michael+Jackson" rel="tag">Michael Jackson</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/drug+abuse" rel="tag">drug abuse</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Diprivan" rel="tag">Diprivan</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Propofol" rel="tag">Propofol</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/drugs" rel="tag">drugs</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/pharma" rel="tag">pharma</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DEA" rel="tag">DEA</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/investigation" rel="tag">investigation</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/deaths" rel="tag">deaths</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/side+effects" rel="tag">side effects</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/medical+records" rel="tag">medical records</a></div>

Michael Jackson Reportedly used Several Aliases – Some Dead Individuals

It is illegal to write a prescription to a known alias name, but I wonder how does this play out if a prescription was written for a “dead” ...

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Attention All Hospitals - The Joint Commission Now Twitters

<p>It’s new and perhaps a good way for the Joint Commission to try a new level of communications with hospitals they are responsible for accrediting.  BD</p> <p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SnD9qq1NM8I/AAAAAAAAZI0/v-zwS_KhB3k/s1600-h/image%5B3%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="217" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SnD9snOYcMI/AAAAAAAAZI4/9p67ugpw3cU/image_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="362" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://twitter.com/JCommission">The Joint Commission (JCommission) on Twitter</a></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:bd6cc11f-37b6-41d2-9edb-859cd76acf77" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Joint+Commission" rel="tag">Joint Commission</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Twitter" rel="tag">Twitter</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/social+networks" rel="tag">social networks</a></div>

Attention All Hospitals - The Joint Commission Now Twitters

It’s new and perhaps a good way for the Joint Commission to try a new level of communications with hospitals they are responsible for accred...

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President Obama Gets Some Hands On Experience with the DaVinci Surgical Robot

<p>During his recent visit to the Cleveland Clinic, President Obama tried his hand at the DaVinci Robot.  This is great at least he’s looking at technology with a “hands on” approach just to sit down and see how it all works.  Recently the President conducted a town hall meeting in Cleveland regarding health care reform.  </p> <p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SnCVHyr2lqI/AAAAAAAAZIo/kNpZ8YOR1rw/s1600-h/image%5B3%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="286" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SnCVMGp6ChI/AAAAAAAAZIs/3yMGihG4zXU/image_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="379" /></a> </p> <p>Here’s a video that I had posted here a while back that is not only entertaining with the music score, but also shows a real hospital surgery using the robotic device.  BD</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:e003ce0b-7ffb-45f8-88dd-ae882d472611" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="0b886e8e-ef5a-4a69-9d69-a22196bcc725" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ME3FziQk_vs&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" target="_new"><img alt="" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('0b886e8e-ef5a-4a69-9d69-a22196bcc725'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"369\" height=\"276\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/ME3FziQk_vs&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/ME3FziQk_vs&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"369\" height=\"276\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SnCVNWzEbZI/AAAAAAAAZIw/9s-xjRSKaH4/video29bbc1cb3134%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none"></a></div></div></div> <blockquote>The President is dedicated to restoring a sense of fiscal responsibility in Washington, which is why his plan will be deficit-neutral. He <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SeIskquAmqI/AAAAAAAAPHQ/wWMWJIXZBs4/s1600-h/image%5B2%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="183" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SeIsmId0w5I/AAAAAAAAPHU/22MzlrhnZvw/image_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" title="image" width="195" /></a>explained that by simply cutting wasteful spending, we can pay for 2/3 of health reform right there.  But it is equally important that we slow the growth of health care costs.  The President noted the Cleveland Clinic as an example of a medical center with some of the lowest costs and highest quality care, and explained why it is so imperative to lower costs.</blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/A-Health-Reform-Town-Hall-in-Ohio/">The White House - Blog Post - A Health Reform Town Hall in Ohio</a></p> <p></p> <p><strong><u>Related Reading:</u></strong></p> <p><b><u></u></b></p> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/robotic-surgery-davinci-si-hd-surgical.html">Robotic Surgery The daVinci Si HD Surgical System – Prostate Gland and Other Surgeries</a></h6> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/robotic-surgery-davinci-si-hd-surgical.html"><font size="1">Robotic Surgery The daVinci Si HD Surgical System – Prostate Gland and Other Surgeries</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/04/da-vinci-si-hd-surgical-system-gets.html"><font size="1">Da Vinci Si HD Surgical System Gets an Upgrade – Advanced 3D high definition and Updated User Interface</font></a></h4> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2007/08/surgeons-use-new-high-definition-robot.html">Surgeons Use New High-Definition Robot During Living-Donor Kidney Transplant</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2007/08/new-da-vinci-code-many-systems-are.html">A new Da Vinci code- many systems are paying off faster than anticipated....</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2007/07/this-da-vincis-code-less-pain-fewer.html">This da Vinci’s code: Less pain, fewer scars for women having robotic hysterectomy procedure</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2007/05/bloodless-prostate-cancer-surgery.html">Bloodless Prostate Cancer Surgery Performed</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2007/03/surgical-da-vinci-code.html">The Surgical Da Vinci Code</a></h6> <p><strong>Hat Tip:  </strong><a href="http://www.medgadget.com/archives/2009/07/potus_tries_out_da_vinci_surgical_robot.html"><strong>Medgadget</strong></a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:582d9c20-b6c9-4ca0-9800-36e4a6995802" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DaVinvi+Robot" rel="tag">DaVinvi Robot</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Robotic+Surgery" rel="tag">Robotic Surgery</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/motion+technology" rel="tag">motion technology</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/surgery" rel="tag">surgery</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/technology" rel="tag">technology</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare+reform" rel="tag">healthcare reform</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/medical+devices" rel="tag">medical devices</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Obama" rel="tag">Obama</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Cleveland+Clinic" rel="tag">Cleveland Clinic</a></div>

President Obama Gets Some Hands On Experience with the DaVinci Surgical Robot

During his recent visit to the Cleveland Clinic, President Obama tried his hand at the DaVinci Robot.  This is great at least he’s looking a...

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The TeleHealth Bus Tour Gets Started in Tennessee – Connected Care Mobile Clinic

<p> Additional information can be read here with a <strong><a href="http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/americhoice-expands-tenncare-member-access,907991.shtml">the full press release.</a></strong>  <strong>AmeriChoice, the subsidiary of UnitedHeatlhCare</strong> will be showing a demonstration of how telehealth works and is the start of a nationwide tour with the 18 wheel demonstration mobile unit.<strong>  Americhoice, a subsidiary of UnitedHealthCare</strong> is providing the grants to help get the program started.  AmeriChoice is a <strong>Medicaid managed care organization</strong> that provides health care services to TennCare members in East, Middle, and West Tennessee.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SnCMjqzl-nI/AAAAAAAAZIg/0OtABoJ0VRw/s1600-h/image%5B5%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="104" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SnCMkZ0O99I/AAAAAAAAZIk/Oeo5rbk9JKc/image_thumb%5B3%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="144" /></a> </p> <p><em>“NASHVILLE, Tenn. - (Business Wire) AmeriChoice by UnitedHealthcare of Tennessee, today announced a strategic agreement with the Community Health Network (CHN) and Tennessee Primary Care Association (TPCA) to expand the use and availability of telehealth services across Tennessee, resulting in improved access to care for Tennessee’s rural patients. The initiative is based on months of planning with the State of Tennessee in support of Gov. Phil Bredesen’s eHealth initiative.”</em></p> <p><em>This partnership comes as<strong> AmeriChoice’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group,</strong> is expanding the use and accessibility of telehealth technology across its businesses. Earlier this month in Washington, D.C. UnitedHealth Group launched Connected Care, a program that will focus on building the first national telehealth network, in partnership with Cisco and other technology leaders.<strong> The Connected Care mobile clinic, an 18-wheel demonstration clinic that showcases how telehealth works, will visit Tennessee as part of a national tour so communities coast to coast </strong>can experience the future of health care delivery. The mobile clinic will visit Knoxville, Nashville and Memphis on July 29, 30 and 31, respectively.</em> </p> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/07/unitedhealth-to-spend-tens-of-million.html"><font size="2">UnitedHealth To Spend Tens of Million of Dollars with Cisco to Build Nationwide Telehealth Network</font></a></h6> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/calrhio-in-orange-county-to-work-with.html"><font size="2">CalRHIO in Orange County to Work with United Health Care</font></a></h4> <p><strong>I am starting to wonder, is UnitedHealthCare a technology or health insurance company?</strong>  It appears there’s more in the news about their <a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/07/state-of-washington-awards-contract-to.html">business intelligence</a> methodologies and investment areas of technology than the business of health insurance.  BD</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>An 18-wheel demonstration clinic is in Knoxville today from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Cherokee Health Systems, 2018 Western Avenue, to showcase how telehealth works.</strong></p> <p>“Rural patients will benefit greatly from expanded access to primary and specialty health care services at local community health centers,” Melissa Hargiss, director of Tennessee’s Office of e-Health Initiatives, said in a statement. “Tennessee continues to lead in expanding telemedicine, and the incredible opportunities it provides for improving health care at the point of care, to all of our citizens.”</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/jul/29/telehealth-grants-awarded-tennessee-healthcare-gro/">Telehealth grants awarded to Tennessee healthcare groups » Knoxville News Sentinel</a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:3298aa70-24f7-4f02-b6d9-b0cc367063cd" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UnitedHealthCare" rel="tag">UnitedHealthCare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Cisco" rel="tag">Cisco</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/health+insurance" rel="tag">health insurance</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/business+intelligence" rel="tag">business intelligence</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/balance" rel="tag">balance</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/physicians" rel="tag">physicians</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/payers" rel="tag">payers</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/monopoly" rel="tag">monopoly</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Congress" rel="tag">Congress</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Telehealth" rel="tag">Telehealth</a></div>

The TeleHealth Bus Tour Gets Started in Tennessee – Connected Care Mobile Clinic

Additional information can be read here with a the full press release.   AmeriChoice, the subsidiary of UnitedHeatlhCare will be showing a...

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WellPoint (Blue Cross) and Aetna Profits Sink – UnitedHealthCare Profits Doubled

<p> The 3 carriers are somewhat becoming the big 3 with healthcare insurance companies and 2 are down and 1 is up.  WellPoint said the enrollment of Small Businesses was down so it shows <strong>small business is still having a difficult time affording employer insurance.</strong>  On the other side UnitedHealthCare appears to perhaps have subsidiaries that contribute to their bottom line, such as this big contract awarded in the State of Washington.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SnCDYDoL03I/AAAAAAAAZIY/zkIG77Ap_78/s1600-h/image%5B7%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="150" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SnCDZiwONdI/AAAAAAAAZIc/_jZVofyccYU/image_thumb%5B3%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="161" /></a></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/07/state-of-washington-awards-contract-to.html"><font size="2">State of Washington Awards Contract to Ingenix (Subsidiary of UnitedHealthCare)</font></a>  </h4> <p>They are also going to finance a huge Telehealth network across the US with Cisco and who knows once established could rent space out to others to use the network once completed, something like the wireless business does all the time.  </p> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/07/unitedhealth-to-spend-tens-of-million.html"><font size="2">UnitedHealth To Spend Tens of Million of Dollars with Cisco to Build Nationwide Telehealth Network</font></a></h6> <p>Just from what I read in the news of late much of the profits could be derived from the data or Business Intelligence software side of the business rather than the core business of insurance with proprietary algorithms for decision making processes, all directed at cost savings.  BD  </p> <blockquote> <p>INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Shares of <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/wellpoint_inc/index.html?inline=nyt-org">WellPoint Inc.</a> tumbled Wednesday after the health insurer reported a second-quarter profit drop and enrollment that slid further than analysts expected.</p> <p>WellPoint was hit particularly hard in its local group business, which consists largely of small businesses that are fully insured. Enrollment there fell by 734,000 people.</p> <p>On Monday, Hartford, Conn.-based <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/aetna_inc/index.html?inline=nyt-org">Aetna Inc.</a> said its quarterly profit sank 28 percent as it saw higher-than-expected medical costs. It cut its 2009 profit outlook for the second time since June.</p> <p>Competitor <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/united_health_group_inc/index.html?inline=nyt-org">UnitedHealth Group Inc.</a> said last week its second-quarter profit more than doubled compared to the same quarter last year, when legal charges weighed down the Minnetonka, Minn. insurer's performance.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/07/29/business/AP-US-Earns-WellPoint.html?_r=1&src=twt&twt=nytimesbusiness">WellPoint Profit Falls as Enrollment Tumbles - NYTimes.com</a></p> <p><strong><u>Related Reading:</u></strong></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/07/aetna-and-unitedhealthcare-to-offer.html"><font size="1">Aetna and UnitedHealthCare to offer WhiteGlove House Call service to customers in Texas</font></a></h4> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/07/corporate-wellness-programs-still.html">Corporate Wellness Programs Still Remain Illusive – The Back Side of Business Intelligence for Profit?</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/06/unitedhealth-ingenix-acquiring-aim.html">UnitedHealth Ingenix's acquiring AIM Healthcare Services in Tennessee</a></h6> <p><a name="7301964153419733155"><font color="#669966" size="1"></font></a></p> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/united-health-care-says-cheaper.html">United Health Care Says Cheaper Efficient Doctors and Reducing Hospital Visits by the Elderly Would Help Reduce the Cost of Healthcare</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/03/ingenix-inquisition-hearing-requested.html">The Ingenix Inquisition – Hearing Requested by Senator Rockefeller</a></h6> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:51eb8828-5282-4435-be53-dd2058f82653" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Ingenix" rel="tag">Ingenix</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/United+HealthCare" rel="tag">United HealthCare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/health+insurance" rel="tag">health insurance</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/balance+billingPrograms" rel="tag">balance billingPrograms</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/algorithms" rel="tag">algorithms</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Aetna" rel="tag">Aetna</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Wellpoint" rel="tag">Wellpoint</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/BlueCross" rel="tag">BlueCross</a></div>

WellPoint (Blue Cross) and Aetna Profits Sink – UnitedHealthCare Profits Doubled

The 3 carriers are somewhat becoming the big 3 with healthcare insurance companies and 2 are down and 1 is up.  WellPoint said the enrollme...

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President Obama -Twitter your Congress member on Healthcare (insurance) Reform

<p>I did my share and sent my request, the process is easy and automated and included the hash marks too.  BD</p> <p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sm_9mOhwJ-I/AAAAAAAAZIM/vOjlUe1z9Og/s1600-h/image%5B3%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sm_9oAQBGVI/AAAAAAAAZIQ/Z6CccLAhPZ8/image_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="393" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://www.barackobama.com/twitter/tweetyoursenator/"><strong>Tweet Your Senator for Healthcare Reform</strong></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.barackobama.com/twitter/tweetyoursenator/"><img alt="image" border="0" height="233" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sm_9qVhCn9I/AAAAAAAAZIU/vVz4oe997u4/image%5B16%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="394" /></a> </p> <blockquote> <p>Obama has sent a tweet on the exploding social network encouraging his Twitter followers to send messages urging their Congress members to support healthcare reform.</p> <p><strong>"Are you calling & writing members of congress re: health insurance reform?"</strong> Obama's tweet asked. <strong>"Now you can tweet them too."</strong></p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/07/obama-twitter-congress-health-care.html">Barack Obama's tweet suggests Twittering your Congress member on healthcare reform | Top of the Ticket | Los Angeles Times</a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:d40ecfa3-fc66-408e-85f5-565acf3c79c0" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Healthcare+Reform" rel="tag">Healthcare Reform</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Obama" rel="tag">Obama</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Twitter" rel="tag">Twitter</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Congress" rel="tag">Congress</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Health+Insurance+Reform" rel="tag">Health Insurance Reform</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Health+Insurance" rel="tag">Health Insurance</a></div>

President Obama -Twitter your Congress member on Healthcare (insurance) Reform

I did my share and sent my request, the process is easy and automated and included the hash marks too.  BD   Tweet Your Senator for Hea...

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We're stupid Says Bill Maher

<p>And now for something completely different…BD</p> <p> <object height="284" width="305"><param name="movie" value="http://www.thedailybeast.com/swf/TheDailyBeastVideoPlayer.swf"></param><param name="quality" value="high"></param><param name="menu" value="false"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><param name="flashvars" value="video=http://www.tdbimg.com/files/2009/07/27/vid-bill-maher-america-is-stupid_185426438441.flv&still=http://www.tdbimg.com/files/2009/07/27/img-090727-cnn-maher-america-stupid-still_185409493710.jpg&title=BILL%20MAHER%3A%20AMERICA%20IS%20STUPID"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.thedailybeast.com/swf/TheDailyBeastVideoPlayer.swf" id="tdbvideo" name="tdbvideo" bgcolor="#ffffff" quality="high" menu="false" wmode="transparent" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="305" height="284" flashvars="video=http://www.tdbimg.com/files/2009/07/27/vid-bill-maher-america-is-stupid_185426438441.flv&still=http://www.tdbimg.com/files/2009/07/27/img-090727-cnn-maher-america-stupid-still_185409493710.jpg&title=BILL%20MAHER%3A%20AMERICA%20IS%20STUPID"></embed></object></p> <p><a href="http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/51859302.html">We're stupid. Bill Maher says so - JSOnline</a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:6de4089d-212e-4c30-b081-dde23996d877" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Bill+Maher" rel="tag">Bill Maher</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/humor" rel="tag">humor</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/US" rel="tag">US</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/politics" rel="tag">politics</a></div>

We're stupid Says Bill Maher

And now for something completely different…BD   We're stupid. Bill Maher says so - JSOnline Technorati Tags: Bill Maher , humor , ...

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The Marrow Miner – A Better Way to Harvest Bone Marrow

<p>With all the recent technology with stem cells, this is fascinating to watch how this physician has created a device and procedure to harvest bone marrow with very little discomfort for the donor.  </p> <p> <object height="326" width="446"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"></param> <param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/embed/DanielKraft_2009-embed_high.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/DanielKraft-2009.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=601" /><embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgColor="#ffffff" width="446" height="326" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/embed/DanielKraft_2009-embed_high.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/DanielKraft-2009.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=601"></embed></object></p> <blockquote> <p>Daniel Kraft demos his Marrow Miner -- a new device that quickly harvests life-saving bone marrow with minimal pain to the donor. He emphasizes that the adult stem cells found in bone marrow can be used to treat many terminal conditions, from Parkinson's to heart disease.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sm_yGV4dOLI/AAAAAAAAZIE/_qZYTMKdmCE/s1600-h/image%5B8%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="194" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sm_yJaIt9aI/AAAAAAAAZII/Hr-Z2krWb4o/image_thumb%5B3%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="312" /></a> </p> </blockquote> <p>From a prior post and worth placing here again, watch this video as to what is being done with stem cells and regenerative medicine and the economy as well as robotics.  The picture above is “big dog” a real robot and is shown in the video below.  BD</p> <p><object height="326" width="446"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"></param> <param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/embed/JuanEnriquez_2009-embed_high.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/JuanEnriquez-2009.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=463" /><embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgColor="#ffffff" width="446" height="326" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/embed/JuanEnriquez_2009-embed_high.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/JuanEnriquez-2009.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=463"></embed></object></p> <p><a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/daniel_kraft_invents_a_better_way_to_harvest_bone_marrow.html">Daniel Kraft invents a better way to harvest bone marrow | Video on TED.com</a></p> <p><strong><u>Related Reading:</u></strong></p> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/06/heart-stem-cell-trial-at-cedars-sinai.html">Heart Stem Cell Trial at Cedars Sinai – Patient’s Own Cells Injected to Reverse Heart Attack Damage</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/04/heart-can-repair-itself-stem-cells-help.html">The Heart Can Repair Itself – Stem Cells Help Speed up the Healing</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/regenerative-medicine-robots-stem-cells.html">Regenerative Medicine, Robots, Stem Cells and Body Tissues and the Financial Crisis</a></h6> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:162abb65-5211-4324-87af-c49be4479998" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Stem+Cells" rel="tag">Stem Cells</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Bone+Marrow" rel="tag">Bone Marrow</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/TED" rel="tag">TED</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/technology" rel="tag">technology</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/harvest" rel="tag">harvest</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/surgical+procedures" rel="tag">surgical procedures</a></div>

The Marrow Miner – A Better Way to Harvest Bone Marrow

With all the recent technology with stem cells, this is fascinating to watch how this physician has created a device and procedure to harves...

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Aetna and UnitedHealthCare to offer WhiteGlove House Call service to customers in Texas

<p> To use the WhiteGlove services, you do not need to have insurance coverage; however 2 carriers here have chosen to contract with the services for their membership in selected areas of Texas where the service is available.  The Nurse practitioner or physician travels to the patient, at home or at work.  The web site also states they have many generic drugs they dispense as well at the time of the visit for no charge.</p> <p>The company is also under contract with about 150 employers.  What also was interesting too was the fact that the article stated that 70% of their visits are made after normal working hours.  In addition to web visits, this is another evolvement of primary care as needed and where it’s needed.  BD</p> <p><a href="http://www.housecallhealth.com/index.html"><img alt="image" border="0" height="68" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sm_YK7Oi-NI/AAAAAAAAZH4/if8YjGDoa0o/image%5B9%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="371" /></a> </p> <blockquote> <p>WhiteGlove House Call Health Inc. has signed agreements to offer its services to Aetna and UnitedHealthcare insurance customers in Texas, giving them an alternative to a trip to the doctor's office or a walk-in clinic for routine medical care. </p> <p>Founded two years ago by Austin software entrepreneur Bob Fabbio and Dr. Bill Rice, WhiteGlove lets clients and their families schedule visits at home or work by medical professionals, who diagnose and treat minor illnesses such as the flu between<strong> 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., seven days a week. </strong></p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sm_YPILjxiI/AAAAAAAAZH8/5vxFljt8Rfs/s1600-h/image%5B8%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="192" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sm_YRCVhz_I/AAAAAAAAZIA/9DNaem4rIuo/image_thumb%5B3%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="362" /></a> </p> <blockquote> <p>WhiteGlove visits are handled by licensed nurse practitioners or physicians, usually within two hours of a call. In addition to providing treatment for ailments such as colds and skin rashes, and suturing minor cuts, the company delivers over-the-counter and prescription medications, handles insurance claims and provides wellness visits, such as checkups for cholesterol or blood pressure. </p> <p>Fees vary, but most Aetna and UnitedHealthcare members will pay the cost of a specialist co-payment, about<strong> $35, per visit. </strong></p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/other/2009/07/29/0729fabbio.html">Two more insurers to offer WhiteGlove House Call service to customers</a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:e86c68cf-a72d-406f-858a-81bb98f9bc73" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/House+Calls" rel="tag">House Calls</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/WhiteGloves" rel="tag">WhiteGloves</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Aetna" rel="tag">Aetna</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UnitedHealthCare" rel="tag">UnitedHealthCare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/health+insurance" rel="tag">health insurance</a></div>

Aetna and UnitedHealthCare to offer WhiteGlove House Call service to customers in Texas

To use the WhiteGlove services, you do not need to have insurance coverage; however 2 carriers here have chosen to contract with the servic...

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State of Washington Awards Contract to Ingenix (Subsidiary of UnitedHealthCare)

<p> The company and subsidiaries are integrated in many areas and here’s one more with business intelligence and algorithms.  As a refresher here, Ingenix is the company that settled with New York State on using a data base that created balance due billings for many in New York with an inflated customary charge algorithm calculation and this contract is to help the state of Washington fight fraud and is being paid for from a grant from CMS.  No wonder these folks had record profits on the 2nd quarter, one contract after another.  </p> <p><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/andrew-cuomo-you-have-to-like-this-guy.html">Andrew Cuomo – You Have to Like This Guy – Healthcare Reform</a></p> <p>Will there be any transparency and will the data base and algorithms be set at the correct levels so the honest claims don’t get mixed in with any of the potential fraud?  BD  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sm-t6tYe6hI/AAAAAAAAZHw/U00P6523UUY/s1600-h/image%5B3%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="105" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sm-t8A1qp-I/AAAAAAAAZH0/8MtA-0BnAiA/image_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="142" /></a> </p> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/04/is-this-case-for-new-law-illegal.html"><font size="2">Is This a Case for a New Law – Illegal Algorithms? How Do You Sleep at Night Rockefeller asked the CEO of United Health Care</font></a></h6> <blockquote> <p>OLYMPIA, Wash., and EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn.--(<a href="http://www.businesswire.com/">BUSINESS WIRE</a>)--The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) has awarded a $19 million, <strong>five-year contract to fight and prevent Medicaid fraud,</strong> waste and abuse to Ingenix, a leading information, technology and consulting services company. </p> <p>Washington’s initial investment in the contract is funded by a $5.9 million Medicaid Transformation Grant awarded by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The Washington DSHS grant application to CMS outlined the goal of creating a second-generation fraud and abuse detection system that would bring together “the tools, resources, and comprehensive approach for detection and prevention of fraud, waste and abuse…[that would establish] a national model for Medicaid payment integrity.” Over the course of the new contract with Ingenix, Washington expects to recover contract costs in the first year of operations, with an increasing return-on-investment ratio over the life of the contract, expected to be no less than three-to-one. </p> <p><strong>Using Ingenix rules-based algorithms, peer group models, data analysis tools, and provider self-review functionalities, DSHS was able to identify, prevent, and/or recover inappropriate payments to health care providers.</strong></p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20090728005192&newsLang=en">State of Washington Awards Program Integrity Contract to Ingenix</a></p> <p><strong><u>Related Reading:</u></strong></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/07/corporate-wellness-programs-still.html"><font size="1">Corporate Wellness Programs Still Remain Illusive – The Back Side of Business Intelligence for Profit?</font></a></h4> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/06/unitedhealth-ingenix-acquiring-aim.html">UnitedHealth Ingenix's acquiring AIM Healthcare Services in Tennessee</a></h6> <p><a name="7301964153419733155"><font color="#669966" size="1"></font></a></p> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/united-health-care-says-cheaper.html">United Health Care Says Cheaper Efficient Doctors and Reducing Hospital Visits by the Elderly Would Help Reduce the Cost of Healthcare</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/im-stuck-with-united-healthcare-would.html">I’m Stuck with United HealthCare – Would Welcome a Change to Try a Public Health Insurance Option</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/03/ingenix-inquisition-hearing-requested.html">The Ingenix Inquisition – Hearing Requested by Senator Rockefeller</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/andrew-cuomo-you-have-to-like-this-guy.html">Andrew Cuomo – You Have to Like This Guy – Healthcare Reform</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/11/prescriptions-risk-score-used-to-deny.html">Prescriptions risk score used to deny health insurance</a></h6> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:11af6771-a342-4c8d-9933-1f93fda4cbd2" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Ingenix" rel="tag">Ingenix</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/United+HealthCare" rel="tag">United HealthCare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/health+insurance" rel="tag">health insurance</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/cancer" rel="tag">cancer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/balance+billingPrograms" rel="tag">balance billingPrograms</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/algorithms" rel="tag">algorithms</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/CMS" rel="tag">CMS</a></div>

State of Washington Awards Contract to Ingenix (Subsidiary of UnitedHealthCare)

The company and subsidiaries are integrated in many areas and here’s one more with business intelligence and algorithms.  As a refresher he...

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Tanning Beds Received the Kiss of Death Today

<p> Tanning beds, according to the study when used regularly by individuals are eight times more likely to get melanoma, or skin cancer.  The advice is now to use a cream or lotion if you want a tan, and hopefully those are safe, but who knows what the next study will be.  BD  </p> <p><strong>(AP) -- International cancer experts have moved tanning beds and ultraviolet radiation into the top cancer risk category, deeming both to be as <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sm-oeVZR6lI/AAAAAAAAZHo/XiN5MqQ0o4Y/s1600-h/image%5B4%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="117" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sm-offvOmzI/AAAAAAAAZHs/wSe0WhRLi7g/image_thumb%5B2%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="164" /></a>deadly as arsenic and mustard gas. For years, scientists have described tanning beds and ultraviolet radiation as "probable carcinogens."</strong></p> <p>A new analysis of about 20 studies concludes the risk of skin cancer jumps by 75 percent when people start using tanning beds before age 30. Experts also found that all types of ultraviolet radiation caused worrying mutations in mice, proof the radiation is carcinogenic. Previously, only one type of ultraviolet radiation was thought to be lethal</p> <p><a href="http://www.physorg.com/news168026838.html">Study: Tanning beds as deadly as arsenic</a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:aa817171-39f4-4c34-b7c8-7e0fda03955b" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tannning+Beds" rel="tag">Tannning Beds</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/cancer" rel="tag">cancer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/risk" rel="tag">risk</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ultraviolet+rays" rel="tag">ultraviolet rays</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/melanoma" rel="tag">melanoma</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/skin+cancer" rel="tag">skin cancer</a></div>

Tanning Beds Received the Kiss of Death Today

Tanning beds, according to the study when used regularly by individuals are eight times more likely to get melanoma, or skin cancer.  The a...

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Health IT – Dr. David Blumenthal, National Health IT Coordinator and A Few Others Speak Out

<p>Just how much is Health IT going to help with reform, well it is already helping, but organization and implementation is the key.  One big problem, low tech literacy stated in the video.  About 30% of hospitals are not using electronic medical records and it is a long term commitment, no immediate gratification here and never has been, takes time.  Technology rolls on so now it’s just a matter of figuring out how to fund it and implement.  To stay in the 70s, is not an option as there’s whole world of other countries on the technology train and we do not want to be left behind.  Technology will continue to move on, with or without funding, it’s a matter of who will have it and benefit.  BD  </p> <p> <embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f8/1460906593" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=30949232001&playerId=1460906593&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://console.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&domain=embed&autoStart=false&" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="386" height="312" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed> </p> <p><a href="http://www.nationaljournal.com/njonline/no_20090728_1148.php">National Journal Online - Health IT</a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:4a3920c7-2e0f-4a17-908f-c431598b8086" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Health+IT" rel="tag">Health IT</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Health+reform" rel="tag">Health reform</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Bluental" rel="tag">Bluental</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Health+IT+Coordinator" rel="tag">Health IT Coordinator</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Budgets" rel="tag">Budgets</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ARRA" rel="tag">ARRA</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/EMR" rel="tag">EMR</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/EHR" rel="tag">EHR</a></div>

Health IT – Dr. David Blumenthal, National Health IT Coordinator and A Few Others Speak Out

Just how much is Health IT going to help with reform, well it is already helping, but organization and implementation is the key.  One big p...

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Military is Using Robotic Doctors too

<p>I have done several posts on the Robo Docs and here’s one from CNN showing the military using them as well for remote support and healthcare.  This hospital in Orange County was accredited to handle stroke victims due to their use of the Robotic Doctor.  </p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/03/robots-at-work-in-orange-county.html"><font size="2">Robots at Work in Orange County Hospitals – California</font></a></h4> <p><em>“This robot is not new to the blog here as I have done several posts about how it works, and Fountain Valley Regional hospital a Tenet facility, where I have a few surgeries done in the past, now has one to make rounds.  The robot is leased at $6500.00 a month.  Also by adding the robot, the hospital was able to to apply for certification as a specialized stroke center by the Joint Commission, approval is still pending.  The robot comes complete with a stethoscope and can print out orders on paper that runs like a cash register tape.”</em></p> <p>This one appears to have a new outfit though, one resembling a military uniform.  When a doctor is not there physically, the robots can be the next best thing, they have stethoscopes and great cameras too.  See the related reading below for more stories about the Robo Doc.  They have been around UCLA too for a few years now as well.  BD  </p> <p><script src="http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/js/2.0/video/evp/module.js?loc=dom&vid=/video/international/2009/07/23/vs.military.medicine.bk.a.cnn" type="text/javascript"></script><noscript></noscript></p> <p><strong><u>Related Reading:</u></strong></p> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/12/all-terrain-medical-robot-in.html">All Terrain Medical robot in development for the battlefield</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/08/robodoc-coming-to-hospital-near-you.html">Robodoc' coming to a hospital near you</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/04/remote-presence-robot-attends-patients.html">Remote-Presence Robot Attends Patients at Ryder Trauma Center</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2007/12/doctor-monitoring-via-robot-effective.html">Doctor monitoring via robot effective</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2007/12/johns-hopkins-demonstrates-robo-doc.html">Johns Hopkins demonstrates Robo Doc...</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/04/remote-presence-robot-attends-patients.html">Remote-Presence Robot Attends Patients at Ryder Trauma Center</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/04/how-technology-is-helping-hospitals-uk.html">How technology is helping hospitals - UK</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2007/12/doctor-monitoring-via-robot-effective.html">Doctor monitoring via robot effective</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2007/12/johns-hopkins-demonstrates-robo-doc.html">Johns Hopkins demonstrates Robo Doc...</a></h6> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:90e686d7-c303-405b-9e71-ad01fd8ca8df" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Remote+consults" rel="tag">Remote consults</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/telehealth" rel="tag">telehealth</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Robo+Doctors" rel="tag">Robo Doctors</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Doctor+Robot" rel="tag">Doctor Robot</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Health+IT" rel="tag">Health IT</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Remote+healthcare" rel="tag">Remote healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Technology" rel="tag">Technology</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/military" rel="tag">military</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/trauma+centers" rel="tag">trauma centers</a></div>

Military is Using Robotic Doctors too

I have done several posts on the Robo Docs and here’s one from CNN showing the military using them as well for remote support and healthcare...

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Dr. Oz Talks About Healthcare Reform with a “Clinical” and “Smart Patient” View

<p>He talks about becoming a <strong>“smart patient”</strong> and how little impact regulations are having.  He reiterates much of what I have said here too about being <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sm86-H8dGQI/AAAAAAAAZHc/DPVaSxPGtg4/s1600-h/image%5B4%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="98" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sm86_duZQHI/AAAAAAAAZHg/3ocAVgjXE-Q/image_thumb%5B2%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="169" /></a>the informed patient.  A somewhat comical example, asking someone if they have had a colonoscopy, duh, do you remember?  Do you remember the device?  <strong>A “smart patient” knows their medical history.</strong>  </p> <p>Texas and California spend more money on healthcare and get some of the worst quality in the US.  The business model in the US for healthcare is flawed.  He uses diabetes as an example of cookie cutter diagnosis, a solution that doesn’t require intuition and how it uses established protocols.  Lifestyle management is discussed and <strong>he uses a study group with prostate cancer on how after a year how their DNA changed, based on lifestyle changes</strong> and the older we get, the more important changes are.  </p> <p>He speaks on the hot topic of obesity and states as a general rule we all may have around 23 extra pounds and discusses “tight belt syndrome”.  It was interesting to see Dr. Oz out of his scrubs for this presentation too.  <strong>40% of Americans have fatty livers, fat poisons the liver.</strong>  </p> <p> He’s asking folks to think about a U-Turn with Healthcare.  He states the key is to make it easy to do the right thing and automate much of the processes.  Healthcare has been like taking a bus, very limited and change the model to a “rent a car” to go where you want to go when you want to go.  If we don’t get participate Dr. Oz states, then no system is going to work, so once again we come back to being the <strong>“smart patient”.</strong>  </p> <p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:1a6c39ed-73c7-4c33-aa7d-715bccb9a6b9" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="2508be73-5ddc-4a6a-86b6-1bb224a72175" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfXzzlNH388&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" target="_new"><img alt="" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('2508be73-5ddc-4a6a-86b6-1bb224a72175'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"304\" height=\"228\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/SfXzzlNH388&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/SfXzzlNH388&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"304\" height=\"228\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sm87AVgqbbI/AAAAAAAAZHk/8k7x0LfkttI/videocd41729083c3%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none"></a></div></div></div> </p> <p>This is well worth the watch and runs about 20 minutes.  BD  </p> <p><strong><u>Related Reading:</u></strong></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/oprah-says-farewell-to-dr-oz-and.html"><font size="1">Oprah Says Farewell to Dr. Oz and Launches the Winfrey Produced Dr. Oz Show – Healthcare Education in the Making</font></a></h4> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/03/oprah-show-dr-oz-explores-and-explains.html">The Oprah Show – Dr. Oz Explores and Explains Regenerative Medicine</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/04/dr-oz-as-seen-on-oprah-discusses-how.html">Dr. Oz (as seen on Oprah) Discusses How Electronic Medical Records Improve Care – New York Presbyterian moves forward from pilot program</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/04/swine-flu-dr-oz-speaks-give-some-advice.html">Swine Flu: Dr. Oz Speaks Out and Gives Some Advice and Information</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/04/dr-oz-as-seen-on-oprah-discusses-how.html">Dr. Oz (as seen on Oprah) Discusses How Electronic Medical Records Improve Care – New York Presbyterian moves forward from pilot program</a></h6> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:6e497973-e987-4346-8160-8ed991166e54" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/New+York-Presbyterian+hospital" rel="tag">New York-Presbyterian hospital</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Dr.+Oz" rel="tag">Dr. Oz</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Oprah" rel="tag">Oprah</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/electronic+medical+records" rel="tag">electronic medical records</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/EHR" rel="tag">EHR</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/PHR" rel="tag">PHR</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Microsoft" rel="tag">Microsoft</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/personal+health+records" rel="tag">personal health records</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Healthcare+Reform" rel="tag">Healthcare Reform</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Obesity" rel="tag">Obesity</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/smart+patient" rel="tag">smart patient</a></div>

Dr. Oz Talks About Healthcare Reform with a “Clinical” and “Smart Patient” View

He talks about becoming a “smart patient” and how little impact regulations are having.  He reiterates much of what I have said here too ab...

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CMS May Be Giving the Green Light for Physicians to Bill for Electronic Services

<p> <a href="http://blogs.msdn.com/healthblog/">Dr. Crounse</a>  at the HealthBlog had a conversation with a physician who is exploring and pioneering electronic billing services and through their conversations it appears there’s some hope on the horizon for physicians to get compensated for electronic services, so get your webcams ready.  You may want to read the entire article here as there’s a bit explaining how you need to have patients agree and be notified in advance. <strong> As the article states, there’s more information to follow.  </strong></p> <p>It appears we are inline for some major paradigm changes with healthcare and the use of technology.  I’ll be anxious to hear more on the subject as well.  Also mentioned is <strong><a href="http://www.americanwell.com/index.html">American Well,</a></strong> the company who has a web cam software solution that is currently being used in Hawaii and on it’s way to integrate in other new locations in the US.  I have several posts about American Well from the recent past you can find under the related links section below and they are kind enough to list the Medical Quack on their <a href="http://www.americanwell.com/mediaCoverage.html">Media Coverage</a> page as well! </p> <p><a href="http://www.americanwell.com/mediaCoverage.html"><img alt="image" border="0" height="339" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sm8xe4IxHuI/AAAAAAAAZHY/9BYpHwp62Ec/image%5B4%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="382" /></a> </p> <p>Also, one item not to forget is the alliance with the HealthVault so the electronic visits can be stored and shared by the patient too.  </p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/06/american-well-and-microsoft-enter-into.html"><font size="2">American Well and Microsoft Enter Into a Strategic Collaboration – HealthVault</font></a></h4> <p><strong><u>From the HealthBlog:</u></strong></p> <blockquote> <p><em><strong>“Dr. Gumprecht asked me to help spread the word.  He went on to say,</strong> “Too many busy doctors will hear the news of CMS permitting direct billing but will not know the nuts and bolts of adopting it, or they will not exert the minor effort it takes to reformat their patient intake sheets (on the disclosure you must say the patient is responsible for electronic bills), tell their receptionists and office nurses how to handle phone, fax, or email requests for service. Once you have a month or so getting patients to<u> sign disclosure forms</u> on their patient intake sheets, the practice can start billing patients directly for electronic services”.</em></p> <p><em><strong>I’ve asked Dr. Gumprecht to further verify all of this and supply me with the specific citations in Medicare regulations.  I’ll be sure to pass that information along when I receive it.</strong>  </em></p> <p><em>Now it seems that the federal government may be giving a green light to docs who want a similar arrangement for patients receiving Medicare.  According to Dr. Gumprecht, <strong>“CMS now permits direct billing of electronic services----and it is important to say ALL ELECTRONIC SERVICES---PHONE, FAX, EMAIL, VIDEO, TEXTING----because logically it is a professional medical service being rendered electronically </strong>and the exact mode should not be one or the other but a continuum between all of them.   With this breakthrough, most other carriers will fall inline with the CMS approach, and at least permit direct billing of patients”.</em></p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://blogs.msdn.com/healthblog/">HealthBlog</a></p> <p><strong><u>Related Reading:</u></strong></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/06/optumhealth-subsidiary-of.html"><font size="1">OptumHealth (Subsidiary of UnitedHealthCare) Teams Up With American Well for 24/7 Physician Consults</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/04/american-well-video-physician.html"><font size="1">American Well Video Physician Conferencing becoming available in Minnesota</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/07/digital-doctor-visits-are-up-and-rising.html"><font size="1">Digital Doctor Visits are Up and Rising in the US</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/11/american-well-video-consults-for.html"><font size="1">American Well – Video Consults for Physicians</font></a></h4> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:db1a9348-5633-43c2-af3d-d02dba10a595" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/CMS" rel="tag">CMS</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/electronic+medical+services" rel="tag">electronic medical services</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Health+IT" rel="tag">Health IT</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/American+Well" rel="tag">American Well</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Digital+Doctor+Visits" rel="tag">Digital Doctor Visits</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/health+insurance" rel="tag">health insurance</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/PHR" rel="tag">PHR</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Healthblog" rel="tag">Healthblog</a></div>

CMS May Be Giving the Green Light for Physicians to Bill for Electronic Services

  Dr. Crounse   at the HealthBlog had a conversation with a physician who is exploring and pioneering electronic billing services and throug...

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Silverlink – An Automated HealthCare Notification Communication System

<blockquote> <p> Communications in healthcare get a bit smarter and this company provides the automated telephone notification services we either like or dislike, depending on what you are being notified about.  You can read through further and see some of the “smart” notifications being created in various areas of healthcare, which involves everything from notification for a generic drug replacement to a recall notification for pharmaceutical drugs.  Data base information is used to generate the notification processes.  BD  </p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p>When Merck recalled its arthritis drug Vioxx on September 30, 2004, Connecticut-based online pharmacy FamilyMeds wasted no time <a href="http://www.silverlink.com/"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="79" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sm8lcKRC8cI/AAAAAAAAZHU/0AiEXfpRuBI/image%5B5%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="158" /></a> notifying customers. Within three hours after the recall was announced, an automated telephone system began calling Vioxx users to inform them about the change. But there was a twist—to comply with the federal healthcare privacy law known as HIPAA, the system had to verify that the person on the other end of the line was actually the patient taking the drug. If the answer was yes, the system would go on to explain the recall. If it was no, the system would leave a phone number and pass code so that the patient could call back later.</p> <p>That kind of interactive voice response technology is all fairly standard today—but in 2004 it was brand new. The company that made it possible was Burlington, MA-based <a href="http://www.silverlink.com">Silverlink Communications</a>. And from this single application—HIPAA-compliant automated phone communications—Silverlink has since built a major consulting and service operation designed to help healthcare providers reach patients with behavior-related messages of all sorts.</p> <p><strong>Nowak says Silverlink’s market is still growing, thanks to some big, long-term shifts in the way health insurance works.  These days there is no HR administrator. The consumer calls the health plan directly for all their questions.”</strong></p> <p>There’s little risk to health plans considering hiring Silverlink, because the <strong>company charges for performance.</strong> If it helps a pharmacy benefits management company save 20 percent on a certain drug by shifting members to a generic version, for example, it asks the company for a share of the net value.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/07/27/silverlink-makes-a-science-of-healthcare-communication/">Silverlink Makes A Science of Healthcare Communication | Xconomy</a></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:a009d2cb-e3af-43b0-9e2e-f8d378f654bc" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Web+2.0" rel="tag">Web 2.0</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/pharma" rel="tag">pharma</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/recalls" rel="tag">recalls</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/generic+drugs" rel="tag">generic drugs</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/communication" rel="tag">communication</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/technology" rel="tag">technology</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Silverlink" rel="tag">Silverlink</a></div>

Silverlink – An Automated HealthCare Notification Communication System

Communications in healthcare get a bit smarter and this company provides the automated telephone notification services we either like or...

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The Sermo Debate Discussion from CNBC

<p>Last evening was the airing and you can see the highlights below. Not too long ago, the Sermo Network for physicians conducted a survey on how they felt the AMA represented their interests and the video below discussed the opposing views in a bit more detail. Part of the discussion revolves around the current compensation for physicians, the codes, the CPT codes and how they are outdated as far as payment compensation is concerned and how alternatives for payment should be explored. BD</p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/07/sermo-blog-letter-from-president-and.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">The Sermo Blog – Letter from the President and Survey Results</span></a><br /></h4> <p><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0" height="380" id="cnbcplayer" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://plus.cnbc.com/rssvideosearch/action/player/id/1196233131/code/cnbcplayershare"><br /><embed name="cnbcplayer" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" bgcolor="#000000" quality="best" wmode="transparent" scale="noscale" salign="lt" src="http://plus.cnbc.com/rssvideosearch/action/player/id/1196233131/code/cnbcplayershare" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="380" width="400"></embed><br /></object></p> <p><strong><u>Related Reading;</u></strong></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/07/meeting-of-minds-future-of-heath-care.html"><span style="font-size:78%;">Meeting of the Minds: The Future of Heath Care on CNBC</span></a></h4> <p><strong><u><span style="font-size:78%;color:#669966;"></span></u></strong></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/07/ama-discontinues-its-business.html"><span style="font-size:78%;">The AMA Discontinues It’s Business Relationship with Sermo</span></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/10/sermo-connects-healthcare-investors-to.html"><span style="font-size:78%;">SERMO CONNECTS HEALTHCARE INVESTORS TO PHYSICIANS VIA BLOOMBERG</span></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/05/sermo-doctor-unite.html"><span style="font-size:78%;">Sermo - Doctor's Unite</span></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2007/10/pfizer-signs-deal-with-physician-social.html"><span style="font-size:78%;">Pfizer Signs Deal With Physician Social Networking Site Sermo</span></a></h4> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline; float: none;" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:12a2624b-44f0-4b18-8129-753724efaf97" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Sermo" rel="tag">Sermo</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/AMA" rel="tag">AMA</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare+reform" rel="tag">healthcare reform</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/physicians" rel="tag">physicians</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/lobbying" rel="tag">lobbying</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/CNBC" rel="tag">CNBC</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/CPT" rel="tag">CPT</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/physician+reimbursement" rel="tag">physician reimbursement</a></div>

The Sermo Debate Discussion from CNBC

Last evening was the airing and you can see the highlights below. Not too long ago, the Sermo Network for physicians conducted a survey on ...

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SiCKOS Donna and Larry Smith Participate in Rally in Washington DC for Single Payer System

<p>The move to support single payer system is still alive and well.  The comments on the video are interesting and <strong>perhaps some could be a little more cautious before throwing stones.</strong>  Healthcare reform is on the minds of everyone today and you can’t ignore the fact that bankruptcies and debt are continuing to rise.  The system we have now is broke and hopefully reform will come, but to have that happen, we certainly could use a little less stone throwing as this is a <strong>team effort with all needing to come to the table.</strong>  BD</p> <p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:edd37326-0d7e-439e-8b73-398e4a8481d0" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="b6e0efe3-c013-449e-b023-6e52b71f8373" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acmP_enAQ0g&hl=en&fs=1&" target="_new"><img alt="" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('b6e0efe3-c013-449e-b023-6e52b71f8373'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"272\" height=\"204\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/acmP_enAQ0g&hl=en&fs=1&&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/acmP_enAQ0g&hl=en&fs=1&&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"272\" height=\"204\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sm3v7PtsswI/AAAAAAAAZHQ/rVU2x4lEnzU/video71e6dd4f0002%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none"></a></div></div></div> </p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Republican Senator Jim DeMint: "I like the president but he's out of control and he's been leading a stampede of more spending, debt, taxes and government takeovers."</strong> <br /><strong>Sure you do, Jim! And Donna Smith likes her cancer: "</strong>Well when my husband's heart disease and artery disease and my cancer hit us there was no way we could survive it financially. We ended up losing our home. We sold our home first to pay for some of the deductibles, co-pays and out-of-pocket expenses, and then eventually we couldn't stay afloat and we went bankrupt."</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acmP_enAQ0g">YouTube - American SiCKOS Donna and Larry Smith Rally for Single-Payer Health Care in Washington, D.C.</a></p> <p><strong><u>Related Reading:</u></strong></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/07/michael-moore-on-television-in-case-you.html"><font size="1">Michael Moore's 'Sicko' on Television – In Case You Missed It</font></a></h4> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/07/wendell-potter-speaks-on-pbs-with-bill.html">Wendell Potter Speaks on PBS with Bill Moyer on Health Insurance Reform – The Industry Did Not Keep Their Word (Video Previews)</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/06/senate-testimony-insurers-confuse.html">Senate Testimony – Insurers Confuse Consumers and Dump Those Who are Sick, a Wall Street Run System</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/06/how-similar-is-wall-street-to-health.html">How Similar is Wall Street to the Health Insurance Business</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/06/if-you-lie-you-die-said-insurance.html">If you Lie – You Die said the Insurance Carrier (You did not report your acne)</a></h6> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:ce69e735-9673-4134-9ca2-16ed5b3ead6a" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Sicko" rel="tag">Sicko</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare+reform" rel="tag">healthcare reform</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/cancer" rel="tag">cancer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/single+payer+system" rel="tag">single payer system</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Washington+DC" rel="tag">Washington DC</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/bankruptcy" rel="tag">bankruptcy</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/rally" rel="tag">rally</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/health+insurance" rel="tag">health insurance</a></div>

SiCKOS Donna and Larry Smith Participate in Rally in Washington DC for Single Payer System

The move to support single payer system is still alive and well.  The comments on the video are interesting and perhaps some could be a litt...

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Congressman John Fleming – Congress Should not be Exempt from Participating in a National Health Plan

<p> <strong>President Obama said Republicans have good ideas too,</strong> so here’s one example with a <strong>physician in the US House of Representatives,</strong> John Fleming, <strong>do <a href="http://fleming.house.gov/"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="140" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sm3nN0Qg_kI/AAAAAAAAZHE/hYvKAJUcmEc/image%5B9%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="127" /></a>not make Congress exempt from participation in a government run health plan.</strong>  No matter who’s side you are on, this one makes sense as they are who represent us as citizens and should participate at the same level of what they are voting for, first hand experience is the best.   <strong>This is a big problem area, no role models to be found in Congress for the most part.</strong>  The Congressman/doctor is also a big proponent of electronic medical records.  </p> <p><strong>Again, I may not agree with the entire presentation here, but this part makes sense.</strong>  On another note too, which requires Congressional education to bring things up to par,<strong> back in January I watched the video done at the Senate</strong> with testimonies from companies involved in Health IT, Kaiser, Microsoft and nobody in the room knew what a personal health record was, not even the chairman of the committee!  So for education purposes and to properly represent constituents, this idea makes sense<strong> so perhaps they can begin voting on reform and understand the full impact of how it filters down to the individual citizen as I see this as one big dark hole that is being missed.  </strong></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/01/investing-in-health-it-us-senate.html"><font size="2">Investing in Health IT: US Senate Testimonies</font></a></h4> <p><strong><u>The Queen in the UK uses the NHS system,</u> so there’s one example from another country of use of the government health plan.  </strong> BD  </p> <blockquote> <p>Over the past few weeks, members of Congress and the American people have come to know the details of the Administration's proposed health care plan. Call it whatever you like, I believe this proposal is nothing more than government-run health care. As a physician, I am amazed at the number of bureaucrats in this House who are quick to claim a government-run health care plan is the reform this country needs. In response to this, I have offered a <a href="http://fleming.house.gov/images/FLEMING%20HEALTH%20CARE%20RESOLUTION.pdf">resolution</a> that will offer members of Congress an opportunity to put their money where their mouth is, and urge their colleagues who vote for legislation creating a government-run health care plan to lead by example and enroll themselves in the same public plan.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sm3nOhXsSiI/AAAAAAAAZHI/zqgR3nQeCAI/s1600-h/image%5B3%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="127" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sm3nPlMOHFI/AAAAAAAAZHM/UCn5xMbn92w/image_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="328" /></a> </p> <p>Under the current draft of the Democrat healthcare legislation, <strong>members of Congress are curiously exempt from the government-run health care option, keeping their existing health plans and services on Capitol Hill.</strong> If Members of Congress believe so strongly that government-run health care is the best solution for hard working American families, I think it only fitting that Americans see them lead the way. <strong>Public servants should always be accountable and responsible for what they are advocating.</strong></p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://fleming.house.gov/">Congressman John Fleming : Home</a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:ce2fb52f-b9b0-430d-9a2a-d5d4d2c05d29" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare+reform" rel="tag">healthcare reform</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Congress" rel="tag">Congress</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Senate" rel="tag">Senate</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/national+health+insurance+plan" rel="tag">national health insurance plan</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/politics" rel="tag">politics</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Obama" rel="tag">Obama</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/medical+records" rel="tag">medical records</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/PHR" rel="tag">PHR</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/EHR" rel="tag">EHR</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/EMR" rel="tag">EMR</a></div>

Congressman John Fleming – Congress Should not be Exempt from Participating in a National Health Plan

  President Obama said Republicans have good ideas too, so here’s one example with a physician in the US House of Representatives, John Fl...

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Corporate Wellness Programs Still Remain Illusive – The Back Side of Business Intelligence for Profit?

<p>Some of the incentives for participation include premium reductions, cash and bonuses, health-account contributions and gift cards as well as asking <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sm06FiDsHvI/AAAAAAAAZG8/f5B7EN1k8k0/s1600-h/image%5B3%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="185" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sm06HwJdZYI/AAAAAAAAZHA/LzroTH1L7dA/image_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="image" width="143" /></a>employees to fill out a health risk assessment and the problems lie with retention as drop out rates are high.  Health-Net is turning a new program lose on their own employees.   <strong>Ingenix (the statistical wholly owned subsidiary of United HealthCare) said it has developed a data analysis tool</strong> that helps companies more effectively communicate with employees in a way that motivates them to improve their lifestyles, but <strong>would not disclose its  methods, so here we go once more, no transparency, but just “trust me”.</strong>  UnitedHealthCare or one of their subsidiaries keeps showing up with ties into so many different financial sectors of healthcare and just bought out another similar firm like Ingenix in Tennessee.</p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/06/unitedhealth-ingenix-acquiring-aim.html"><font size="2">UnitedHealth Ingenix's acquiring AIM Healthcare Services in Tennessee</font></a></h4> <p>Let’s not also forget the <a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/07/update-and-cisco-lays-off-hundreds.html">nationwide telehealth network they are financing</a> through an agreement with Cisco to build which was in the news of late and they also own the <a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/07/lewin-research-firm-cited-by-gop.html">Lewin research group that the Republicans rely on</a> for their data relative to sectors of healthcare in Congress.  </p> <p><strong>Red Brick,</strong> who recently received a big contract from Target is a client of Ingenix and is using their marketing techniques, again the ones we don’t know about.  The only thing disclosed is that the company can be more successful in getting the employee’s attention.  In the example below, how does the insurance company go about finding out you subscribe to a golf magazine? <strong>Good question on where they could be getting their information.  </strong></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/target-corporation-partners-with-red.html"><font size="2">Target Corporation Partners with Red Brick Wellness Program</font></a></h4> <p><em>    “ Marketing data help RedBrick communicate a message about a person’s health that motivates them. “If a person subscribes to Golf magazine, we can customize messaging to use golf to get their attention,” Mr. Rolfing said.”</em></p> <h6><em>“Redbrick’s methods for tracking employees’ commitment to these health plans are surprisingly detailed (though they may smack a bit of </em><a href="https://www.redbrickhealth.com/"><em><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="44" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sdb-4hcqQjI/AAAAAAAAO-A/eoaf7Uokz24/image%5B5%5D.png?imgmax=800" title="image" width="146" /></em></a><em>Big Brother). For example, it offers <strong>an iPhone application that records progress on a person’s walking exercises and beams the data back to Redbrick’s system. <u>Pedometers and watches that do the same are also in the works</u></strong><u>,</u> VentureWire reports. This might sound a tad invasive, but the company says that<strong> employers have the choice whether or not to make employees prove that they are following their custom health maps.”</strong></em></h6> <p><strong>Perhaps the secret is in the iPhone,</strong> from a prior post referenced above?  Is part of the plan to involve devices that report data back to the Wellness Coach and again why would Ingenix refuse to disclose how their program works?<strong>  The company has been sued recently for the data base used to create millions of dollars of balance due medical bills by charging above the customary charges for out of network services, so again it makes one wonder now what is going on in the “under tow” <u>backside of business intelligence for profit.</u></strong>  BD </p> <blockquote> <p>    Employers and the health-care management companies they hire are using data on consumer behavior to cost effectively identify employees with health risks and craft a message that can get them to change their unhealthy ways.</p> <p>     "This is what the tobacco and food companies do to us all day long," said Betsy Barbeau, senior vice president for health and wellness at Boston-based Health Dialog Services Corp., a health-care management and data analytics company. "They don't just think about age and gender; they know what else we buy and what our habits may be, and they use [the knowledge] to create advertising that gets us to buy their product. We are trying to take Madison Avenue sophistication about engaging the consumer market and [use] it to engage our members and our clients."</p> <p>     Health-data companies such as <strong>Health Dialog</strong> and <strong>Ingenix </strong>say their methods offer a solution. Health Dialog said it has developed a predictive model that uses health-claims data in combination with demographic “psychographic data,” as Ms. Barbeau put it, to capture people's attitudes.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.workforce.com/section/02/feature/26/56/93/">Trying to Hit a Moving Target | workforce.com</a></p> <p><strong><u>Related Reading:</u></strong></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/06/unitedhealth-ingenix-acquiring-aim.html"><font size="1">UnitedHealth Ingenix's acquiring AIM Healthcare Services in Tennessee</font></a></h4> <p><a name="7301964153419733155"><font color="#669966" size="1"></font></a></p> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/united-health-care-says-cheaper.html">United Health Care Says Cheaper Efficient Doctors and Reducing Hospital Visits by the Elderly Would Help Reduce the Cost of Healthcare</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/im-stuck-with-united-healthcare-would.html">I’m Stuck with United HealthCare – Would Welcome a Change to Try a Public Health Insurance Option</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/04/is-this-case-for-new-law-illegal.html">Is This a Case for a New Law – Illegal Algorithms? How Do You Sleep at Night Rockefeller asked the CEO of United Health Care</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/03/ingenix-inquisition-hearing-requested.html">The Ingenix Inquisition – Hearing Requested by Senator Rockefeller</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/andrew-cuomo-you-have-to-like-this-guy.html">Andrew Cuomo – You Have to Like This Guy – Healthcare Reform</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/11/prescriptions-risk-score-used-to-deny.html">Prescriptions risk score used to deny health insurance</a></h6> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:8b3729d8-0297-4fb3-87fa-3fa0f33e7725" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Ingenix" rel="tag">Ingenix</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/United+HealthCare" rel="tag">United HealthCare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/health+insurance" rel="tag">health insurance</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/cancer" rel="tag">cancer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/balance+billing" rel="tag">balance billing</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Wellness+Programs" rel="tag">Wellness Programs</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Red+Brick" rel="tag">Red Brick</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/incentives" rel="tag">incentives</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/iPhone" rel="tag">iPhone</a></div>

Corporate Wellness Programs Still Remain Illusive – The Back Side of Business Intelligence for Profit?

Some of the incentives for participation include premium reductions, cash and bonuses, health-account contributions and gift cards as well a...

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Heart failure patient improves after clinical trial – Injection of Cardiac Stem Cells at University of Louisville

<p>The cardiac stem cells injected into the scar tissue were removed from a portion of the upper chamber of Jones’ heart and were sent to Harvard <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SmzO3kYiQDI/AAAAAAAAZGs/mafs8P55xDU/s1600-h/image4.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SmzO575mB4I/AAAAAAAAZGw/9jqRKW_1WzQ/image_thumb2.png?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="image" width="181" /></a>University and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston to grow the cardiac stem cells.   The procedures is fairly simple and minimally invasive as well and it was estimated that he could return to work in a week.  The patient will be monitored over the next 2 years to track his progress.  </p> <p>In the Los Angeles area we have a similar clinical trial in place at Cedar Sinai Hospital and this is amazing and something I want to make sure I follow as well as this is breakthrough technology for repairing the heart and his condition is improving almost daily.  </p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/06/heart-stem-cell-trial-at-cedars-sinai.html"><font size="2">Heart Stem Cell Trial at Cedars Sinai – Patient’s Own Cells Injected to Reverse Heart Attack Damage</font></a></h4> <p>Here’s another good link on a past posting on stem cells very much worth reading and includes a video from the TED convention held in Long Beach this year.  BD</p> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/regenerative-medicine-robots-stem-cells.html"><font size="2">Regenerative Medicine, Robots, Stem Cells and Body Tissues and the Financial Crisis</font></a></h6> <blockquote> <p>A 66-year-old Louisville man with congestive heart failure has regained some heart function one week after undergoing a new treatment to heal the organ with his own stem cells.</p> <p>Mike Jones, a self-employed painting and remodeling contractor, is the first patient to take part in the FDA-approved Phase I clinical trial conducted by University of Louisville physicians at Jewish Hospital.</p> <p>On July 17, doctors injected Jones with his own cardiac stem cells in attempt to regrow the damaged muscle tissue in his heart. Since then, his heart function has improved from about 20 percent to 30 percent, said <a href="https://louisville.edu/bucksforbrains/faculty/bolli">Roberto Bolli</a>, director of UofL’s <a href="http://louisville.edu/medschool/cardiology/Research(IMC)">Institute for Molecular Cardiology</a>.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://php.louisville.edu/news/news.php?news=1484">Heart failure patient improves after clinical trial > News > University of Louisville: It's Happening Here.</a></p> <p></p> <p><strong><u>Related Reading:</u></strong></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/06/heart-stem-cell-trial-at-cedars-sinai.html"><font size="1">Heart Stem Cell Trial at Cedars Sinai – Patient’s Own Cells Injected to Reverse Heart Attack Damage</font></a></h4> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/04/heart-can-repair-itself-stem-cells-help.html">The Heart Can Repair Itself – Stem Cells Help Speed up the Healing</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/regenerative-medicine-robots-stem-cells.html">Regenerative Medicine, Robots, Stem Cells and Body Tissues and the Financial Crisis</a></h6> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:0ac6ea80-b027-4f5d-9691-328ea7a7426a" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Stem+Cells" rel="tag">Stem Cells</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Heart+attack" rel="tag">Heart attack</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Cedar+Sanai" rel="tag">Cedar Sanai</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/clinical+trial" rel="tag">clinical trial</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/clogged+artery" rel="tag">clogged artery</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Los+Angeles" rel="tag">Los Angeles</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Cardiology" rel="tag">Cardiology</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Regenerative+Medicine" rel="tag">Regenerative Medicine</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Unversity+of+Louisville" rel="tag">Unversity of Louisville</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Kentucky" rel="tag">Kentucky</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/minimally+invasive+procedure" rel="tag">minimally invasive procedure</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Harvard" rel="tag">Harvard</a></div>

Heart failure patient improves after clinical trial – Injection of Cardiac Stem Cells at University of Louisville

The cardiac stem cells injected into the scar tissue were removed from a portion of the upper chamber of Jones’ heart and were sent to Harva...

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Bill Gates – The US Got Off to a Bad Start With Using Computer Data – Healthcare Wasting Money and Needs a Better Model

<p> One thing Mr. Gates certainly has correct is the fact that <strong>the way we interact with computers, cell phones, etc. is changing,</strong> and it is changing <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SmzMjcpQA9I/AAAAAAAAZGk/1vO9UBRceog/s1600-h/image%5B4%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="164" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SmzMlKux5TI/AAAAAAAAZGo/klBvI5E8PaI/image_thumb%5B2%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="191" /></a>rapidly, and anyone who reads this blog regularly is aware.  Look at the various medical devices I include here for a quick example.  When I engage in conversations with those who are maybe not “read up”, they are amazed at what I have to say relative to where healthcare technology is and where it going, and<strong> you don’t get all this information on the daily news either.</strong></p> <p>He also agrees that there’s a lot of money that goes to waste, which it does, and much of the waste is by not using technology and relying on old paper methodologies.  That makes more time and waste for everyone.  What I also got a kick out of here too was his admitting that Facebook took up too much of his time and the overburden of too much “social” information to sort out daily.  I feel that way too, but everyone is entitled to their own choice and thank goodness for aggregating data so I only really have to focus on one area for input and feedback, otherwise I wouldn’t get much done either, but at least with aggregation I can include those who do use Facebook to relay information.  </p> <p><strong>Devices, well look at what sends data to the HealthVault if you want a simple explanation too,</strong> glucose machines, blood pressure machines that take the burden off of manually typing in data, there’s one big example of how we are changing the way we interact with computers and cell phones.  Do you want to have to sit there and type it in yourself, of course not, so jump on a small learning curve here and move up and dump the fear factor of doing something new.  <strong>Our government and Congress though set some of the pace for this too though as they live in the 70s</strong> much of the time and are <strong>non participants,</strong> but yet have the responsibility to create laws that relate to new technology, <strong>blind leading the blind at times, I think so.</strong>  Back in January the Senate put a video up on the web showing exactly what I am talking about as nobody had ever seen a personal health record, duh!</p> <p>We are still living in the world of<strong> “Magpie Healthcare”, full of people who like to talk about it, but know little and do nothing</strong> but criticize each other and<strong> cling on to the old paradigms that no longer apply today</strong>.  BD  </p> <blockquote> <p>NEW DELHI, India — In a far-ranging speech on Friday, <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/g/bill_gates/index.html?inline=nyt-per">Bill Gates</a> criticized the American government’s policy on <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/i/immigration_and_refugees/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier">immigration</a> and data privacy, predicted giant leaps in technology in the near future and explained why he had to shut down his <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/facebook_inc/index.html?inline=nyt-org">Facebook</a> page.</p> <p><strong>“Over the next decade, the entire way we interact” with computers will change, Mr. Gates,</strong> the chairman of <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/microsoft_corporation/index.html?inline=nyt-org">Microsoft</a>, told hundreds of government officials and information technology executives in New Delhi. Mr. Gates spoke of cellphones that would recognize people around them or be used to test for diseases, <strong>computers equipped with voice recognition</strong> and an Internet that was used for much more than Web pages. </p> <p>Mr. Gates was also critical of the United States government’s unwillingness to adopt a national identity card, or allow some businesses, like health care, to centralize data-keeping on individuals.</p> <p>The United States “got off to a bad start” when it comes to using computers to keep data about its citizens, he said. <strong>Doctors are not allowed to share records about an individual patient, and virtual doctor visits are banned,</strong> he said, which “wastes a lot of money.” The United States “had better come up with a better model” for health care, he said.</p> <p>He acknowledged that he once had a Facebook page, but every day “ten thousand people tried to be my friend.” He said he spent too much time trying to decide “Do I know them? Don’t I know them?” Ultimately, he said, “I had to give it up.”</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/25/technology/companies/25soft.html">Gates Faults U.S. Policy on Data Privacy and Immigration - NYTimes.com</a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:ec0a7169-e2fd-4aff-a649-099cb64f29c6" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Bill+Gates" rel="tag">Bill Gates</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Facebook" rel="tag">Facebook</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Privacy" rel="tag">Privacy</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/government" rel="tag">government</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Microsoft" rel="tag">Microsoft</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/voice+recognition" rel="tag">voice recognition</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/technology" rel="tag">technology</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Mapgpie+healthcare" rel="tag">Mapgpie healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/reform" rel="tag">reform</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/change" rel="tag">change</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/paradigms" rel="tag">paradigms</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/medical+devices" rel="tag">medical devices</a></div>

Bill Gates – The US Got Off to a Bad Start With Using Computer Data – Healthcare Wasting Money and Needs a Better Model

One thing Mr. Gates certainly has correct is the fact that the way we interact with computers, cell phones, etc. is changing, and it is ch...

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