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By: John Commins, for HealthLeaders Media, December 8, 2009
In response to highly publicized mishaps and ongoing concerns that patients are being subjected to excess radiation during CT scans, the FDA this week issued interim recommendations to help prevent additional problems. "While we do not know yet the full scope of the concern, facilities should take reasonable steps to double-check their approach to CT perfusion studies and take special care with these imaging tests," said Jeffrey Shuren, MD, acting director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health.
By: Janice Simmons, for HealthLeaders Media, December 9, 2009
In his opening remarks Tuesday at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's 21st annual national forum on quality improvement, IHI President and CEO Don Berwick observed how many healthcare organizations have made great strides in addressing issues, such as patient-centered care, patient safety, and chronic disease care innovations. But this is occurring during a time of great unease at the national and even international levels—where solid answers to healthcare costs and coverage are becoming more difficult to come by.
By: Dom Nicastro, for HealthLeaders Media, December 9, 2009
The date for compliance with HITECH, the privacy and security law signed into law earlier this year, is known—February 17, 2010. And you can certainly work now on your BA contracts and prepare for HITECH compliance. Here are six tips to help.
By: John Commins, for HealthLeaders Media, December 9, 2009
Thanks largely to federal stimulus money, most states protected and even expanded coverage under Medicaid and CHIP for children and parents in 2009, despite a deep recession, according to a new 50-state survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation's Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured. However, that coverage could be threatened if the economy continues to sputter, when the temporary federal assistance under the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act expires at the end of 2010, and before any health reform coverage would begin, the survey found.
By: Ben Cole, for HealthLeaders Media, December 8, 2009
A new survey found that two in five Americans plan to spend less this holiday season as a result of rising health costs, and three in 10 said healthcare costs have led to arguments and tension with friends and family members. The Health Care in America survey also concluded that the healthcare reform debate is a cause of stress and annoyance among the majority of Americans.
By: Les Masterson, for HealthLeaders Media, December 8, 2009
Francisco Partners, a technology-focused private equity firm, has entered into a definitive merger agreement to purchase QuadraMed Corporation, a provider of healthcare information technologies and services, according to QuadraMed. The all-cash transaction is valued at about $126 million, according to QuadraMed.
By: Carrie Vaughan, for HealthLeaders Media, December 8, 2009
While the healthcare industry waits for the definition of meaningful use, I wonder whether the grant programs and initiatives to help support the adoption of EHRs and the exchange of health information will be successful.
By: Rebecca Hendren, for HealthLeaders Media, December 8, 2009
A new survey demonstrates that disruptive physician behavior—and disruptive nurse behavior—is still alive and well.