MedWorm: Healthcare Costs

Supported further education provision for people with long-term mental health needs: Findings from a survey of further education colleges and primary care trusts across the south east of England

The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:03:58 +0100

Conclusion: This research has implications for budget holders, health promotion staff and mental health teams working within a social model of health, and the collaborative use of resources to assist people recovering from or managing mental health difficulties in moving forward in their lives. (Source: The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health)

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Tennessee State Legislators Mark National Colon Cancer Month With Briefing On Revolutionary New Colon Cancer Test

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

EDP Biotech, a Knoxville-based company today briefed Tennessee state legislators on its revolutionary ColoMarker™ colon cancer test which potentially could save 50,000 lives and more than $12 billion in healthcare costs annually in the U.S. Legislators were also provided the opportunity to personally experience the ColoMarker™ test by enrolling in the control study group for EDP's latest research. The briefing and test were scheduled to coincide with National Colon Cancer Month, which is being observed throughout March 2010... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Tennessee State Legislators Mark National Colon Cancer Month With Briefing On Revolutionary New Colon Cancer Test

Cancer / Oncology News From Medical News Today — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Physicians attribute higher costs to defensive medicine

Modern Medicine — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Physicians attribute 26 percent of overall healthcare costs to the practice of ordering extra tests, referrals, procedures, and hospitalizations to protect themselves from medical malpractice lawsuits. (Source: Modern Medicine)

The critical role of hospitalists in controlling healthcare costs

Journal of Hospital Medicine — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

(Source: Journal of Hospital Medicine)

Medication therapy management at a community pharmacy

Drug Topics - Top News — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Medication therapy management programs are intended to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. Community pharmacist Tony Bastian offers a detailed report on how MTM is working at his pharmacy. (Source: Drug Topics - Top News)

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Medication therapy management at a community pharmacy

Drug Topics - Clinical News — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Medication therapy management at a community pharmacy

Modern Medicine — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Medication therapy management at a community pharmacy

Drug Topics - Pharmacy News — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

What has Social Injustice to do With Medicine?

Medscape Emergency Medicine Headlines — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:22:12 +0100

While healthcare costs continue to grow, so too does the health gap between rich and poor. Are physicians powerless to stem this tide? British Medical Journal (Source: Medscape Emergency Medicine Headlines)

Salt tax could massively reduce US mortality rates, healthcare costs

MedWire News - Cardiology — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:58:41 +0100

A nationwide tax on sodium could save over a million life years and billions of dollars, results of a US cost-analysis published in the Annals of Internal Medicine indicate. (Source: MedWire News - Cardiology)

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Salt tax could massively reduce US mortality rates, healthcare costs

MedWire News - Hypertension — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

NACDS RxIMPACT "Hill Day" Features More Advocates Increased Focus on Medication Adherence

PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:45:28 +0100

Nearly 70% more participants emphasize pharmacy’s ability to help improve lives, reduce healthcare costs (PRWeb Mar 10, 2010) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/03/prweb3704464.htm (Source: PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals)

Xhale Innovations To Demonstrate The HyGreen Hand Hygiene System At The Fifth Decennial International Conference On Healthcare-Associated Infections

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Xhale Innovations (XI) announced today that it will showcase its hand hygiene system, HyGreen™, at the Fifth Decennial International Conference on Healthcare-Associated Infections to be held March 18 - 22, 2010. This real-time hand hygiene recording and reminding system is designed to assist healthcare facilities with their infection control programs. According to XI CTO, Dr. Richard Melker, "Healthcare associated infections take the lives of nearly 270 people in the U.S. every day and add approximately $30 - 50 billion to U.S. healthcare costs... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Drinking Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Daily Linked To Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, Increased Healthcare Costs

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0100

More Americans now drink sugar-sweetened sodas, sport drinks and fruit drinks daily, and this increase in consumption has led to more diabetes and heart disease over the past decade, researchers reported at the American Heart Association's 50th Annual Conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Drinking Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Daily Linked To Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, Increased Healthcare Costs

Diabetes News From Medical News Today — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0100

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Why US Healthcare Costs Are Out of Control: Two Insiders' Perspectives

Medscape Radiology Headlines — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:10:54 +0100

Drs. Frank Veith and Zvonimir Krajcer offer half a dozen reasons why US healthcare costs are out of control. Medscape General Surgery (Source: Medscape Radiology Headlines)

Health Buzz: Alzheimer's Treatment Setback

U.S. News - Health — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:08:00 +0100

Pulling back the curtain on healthcare costs; electronic media and kids’ health (Source: U.S. News - Health)

Industry crackdown on salt could save U.S. billions

Reuters: Health — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:11:35 +0100

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Working with the food industry to cut salt intake by nearly 10 percent could prevent hundreds of thousands of heart attacks and strokes over several decades and save the U.S. government $32 billion in healthcare costs, U.S. researchers said on Monday. (Source: Reuters: Health)

Factors Associated with Healthcare Visits by Young Children for Nontoxic Poisoning Exposures

Journal of Community Health — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 10:04:33 +0100

Abstract Poison control centers have been shown to be a cost-effective alternative to healthcare visits for poisoning exposures, yet emergency departments (ED) and urgent care centers (UCC) continue to be frequently accessed for poisoning exposures in young children. We sought to identify predictors of young children who obtain healthcare for a nontoxic poisoning exposure. Poisoning exposure cases for children ≤5 years old who sought ED, UCC, or clinic care between 2001 and 2005 from an urban regional pediatric hospital system were identified from poisoning ICD-9 codes in the hospital administrative data and from a poisoning designation in the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) data. Cases (n = 2,494) were reviewed and categorized as eit...

Not just another case of nausea and vomiting: A review of postinfectious gastroparesis

Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: PIGP is a rare illness that can affect all ages and both genders, although more prominent in middle-aged women. It is defined as delayed gastric emptying after an acute self-limited viral infection in the absence of mechanical obstruction. Limited research is available on PIGP. It is a complicated disorder with an unclear pathogenesis and narrow treatment options, therefore affecting the patient's quality of life significantly. Fortunately, the prognosis of PIGP is good, although in some instances it can take years to recover completely. Implications for practice: There is a huge lack of awareness of PIGP among primary care providers (PCPs). The importance of this illness is greatly underestimated. Educating PCPs about PIGP leads to quicker referrals and therefore faster treat...

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Industry crackdown on salt could save U.S. billions

Reuters: Health — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:41:12 +0100

Excess Costs and Utilization Associated with Methicillin Resistance for Patients with Staphylococcus aureus Infection •

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol Latest Issue — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:21:59 +0100

Conclusions. Resistance to methicillin in S. aureus was independently associated with increased costs. Effective antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention programs are needed to prevent these costly infections. (Source: Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol Latest Issue)

Anthem attributes premium hikes to medical costs in tough economy

Managed Healthcare Executive Magazine Online — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Anthem Blue Cross says that rising healthcare costs in a challenging economy necessitate higher premiums. (Source: Managed Healthcare Executive Magazine Online)

Health Buzz: A Little Milk for the Lactose Intolerant

U.S. News - Health — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:35:00 +0100

How to determine your heart attack risk; cutting healthcare costs by addressing “secret” prices (Source: U.S. News - Health)

Excess Costs and Utilization Associated with Methicillin Resistance for Patients with Staphylococcus aureus Infection

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol Latest Issue — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:08:36 +0100

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Diabetes and depression: Global perspectives

Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: The coexistence of diabetes and depression is associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and increased healthcare cost. Coordinated strategies for clinical care are necessary to improve clinical outcomes and reduce the burden of illness. (Source: Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice)

Report: The cost of cancer in UK

NeLM - News — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: Policy Exchange Area: News Policy Exchange, an independent educational charity, has published a report on the cost of cancer in the UK. The report states that the bill for cancer in England is £18.33 billion annually, according to figures that take into account healthcare costs, costs to patients and families and losses in productivity. The report, 'The Cost of Cancer' states that these costs are set to increase to £24.72 billion over the next ten years. The publication reports that "Despite a significant reduction in mortality since 1990, the UK's cancer rate still remains some 6% higher than the European average, and progress in closing the gap in performance with other countries has not been made. UK spending on cancer medicines is only about 60% of that recorded i...

Hospital-acquired infections killed 48,000 patients in 2006

Healthcare IT News — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:44:33 +0100

Hospital-acquired infections killed 48,000 people and added $8.1 million to healthcare costs in 2006 alone, according to a study published Monday in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Hospital-acquired infections, or HAIs, can be prevented by rigourous hand-washing and many healthcare organizations have also employed information technology to help fight HAIs by better tracking and benchmarking. (Source: Healthcare IT News)

Nilita Vientos Gaston Writing Competition

ScanGrants feed — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Deadline: March 5, 2010 The Seventy-Ninth Volume of the University of Puerto Rico Law Review cordially invites you to participate in its annual Nilita Vientós Gastón Writing CompetitionThe topic to be developed on the participating essays is: Law and Health Entries shall address one or several of the following six topics: · The relationship between the proliferation of malpractice lawsuits and increasing healthcare costs· Increasing prescription drugs costs vis à vis protecting intellectual property · Free market versus universal insurance · Freedom of choice versus the State as guardian of individual rights · Legalization of illegal drugs · Public health as an element of environmental regulation A $1,000.00 USD cash prize wi...

Mucolytic agents for chronic bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 04:58:05 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: In participants with chronic bronchitis or COPD, treatment with mucolytics was associated with a small reduction in acute exacerbations and a reduction in total number of days of disability. Benefit may be greater in individuals who have frequent or prolonged exacerbations, or those who are repeatedly admitted to hospital with exacerbations with COPD. Mucolytics should be considered for use, through the winter months at least, in patients with moderate or severe COPD in whom inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are not prescribed. PMID: 20166060 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews)

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The Profit Center: Part 12 -- Exclusive contracts and hospital stipends under attack

AuntMinnie.com Headlines — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Fear of rising healthcare costs is being exploited to attack exclusive agreements (more) (Source: AuntMinnie.com Headlines)

Chronic Health Conditions Increasing in Children, Study Finds

RWJF News Digest - Childhood Obesity — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:44:37 +0100

More than a quarter of all U.S. children have a chronic health condition, new research suggests, a significant increase from the rate seen in earlier decades and a statistic that looms large for the nation's efforts to subdue rising healthcare costs. (Source: RWJF News Digest - Childhood Obesity)

Report Suggests Compromise Is Possible In Care For Elderly Battle, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 09:00:00 +0100

This month has seen major arguments between opposing political parties in the US, Germany and now the UK, over ways to trim rapidly growing healthcare costs. At the heart of the problem is the need to find resources to fund care for an aging population. One cross party initiative in the UK to address this issue collapsed spectacularly last weekend... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Report Suggests Compromise Is Possible In Care For Elderly Battle, UK

Seniors / Aging News From Medical News Today — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 09:00:00 +0100

A process to identify military injury prevention priorities based on injury type and limited duty days. - Ruscio BA, Jones BH, Bullock SH, Burnham BR, Canham-Chervak M, Rennix CP, Wells TS, Smith JW.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:51:31 +0100

BACKGROUND: Injuries, one of the leading public health problems in an otherwise healthy military population, affect operational readiness, increase healthcare costs, and result in disabilities and fatalities. This paper describes a systematic, data-driven,... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

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Falls in the Community-Dwelling Elderly With a History of Cancer. - Spoelstra S, Given B, von Eye A, Given C.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:51:30 +0100

This study examined community-dwelling elderly to ide... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

Chronic health conditions increasing in children, study finds

Los Angeles Times - Science — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 08:00:00 +0100

The rates are higher and the illnesses are different than in previous generations, researchers say, with youths suffering from attention deficit disorder, obesity and asthma. More than a quarter of all U.S. children have a chronic health condition, new research suggests, a significant increase from the rate seen in earlier decades and a statistic that looms large for the nation's efforts to subdue rising healthcare costs. (Source: Los Angeles Times - Science)

Chronic health conditions increasing in children, study finds

L.A. Times - Health — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 08:00:00 +0100

Chronic health conditions increasing in children, study finds

OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Giving tranexamic acid to reduce surgical bleeding in Sub-Saharan Africa: an economic evaluation

Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: An economic argument can be made for giving TXA to bleeding elective surgical patients. In countries where there is a blood shortage, TXA would be a cost effective way to reduce mortality. In countries where there is no blood shortage, TXA would reduce healthcare costs and avert blood borne infections. (Source: Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation)

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Health Affairs: U.S. natives may accumulate more healthcare expenses than immigrants

CMIO.net: The News Weekly for Health IT Executives — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:28:14 +0100

Prompted by recent healthcare and immigration reform debates, an investigation of healthcare spending from 1999 to 2006 found that the cost of providing healthcare to immigrants is lower than the cost of providing care to U.S. natives and that immigrants are not contributing disproportionately to high healthcare costs in public programs, including Medicaid, according to a study published online Feb. 11 in Health Affairs. (Source: CMIO.net: The News Weekly for Health IT Executives)

Health Affairs: U.S. natives may accumulate more healthcare expenses than immigrants

Health Imaging News — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:28:14 +0100

Health Affairs: U.S. natives may accumulate more healthcare expenses than immigrants

Health Imaging News — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:28:14 +0100

Health Affairs: U.S. natives may accumulate more healthcare expenses than immigrants

Cardiovascular Business News — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:28:14 +0100

Charging Less For More Effective Treatments Could Reduce Health Care Costs While Improving Health

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 08:00:00 +0100

Value-based insurance design (VBID) in which consumer payments are waived for highly effective treatments, but are raised for less effective ones, could increase the benefits of healthcare in the US without increasing expenditures, according to research published in PLoS Medicine. The costs saved by VBID could be used to subsidize coverage for the currently uninsured, providing a substantial improvement in health outcomes. Strategies that influence the quantity of health care consumed are essential to controlling healthcare costs... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Federal Health Care Tax Credits Going Unclaimed

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 08:00:00 +0100

"Federal healthcare benefits are going unclaimed by an estimated 17,000 Californians whose jobs were moved overseas or retirees whose pensions are being paid by the government after their former employers terminated their retirement plans," the Los Angeles Times reports." "So far, less than a third of those in the state who could be eligible are getting the money that can pay as much as 80% of their healthcare costs." The federal government has launched a major effort "to find people who are eligible... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Ischemic monomelic neuropathy: an underappreciated cause of pain and disability following vascular access surgery.

The Journal of Vascular Access — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Kirksey L The establishment and maintenance of a functioning arteriovenous access site is essential for the care of the hemodialysis (HD) patient. Ischemic monomelic neuropathy (IMN) represents an underappreciated complication and an unrecognized source of short- and long-term disability because of its protean manifestations in the post-operative period. Delayed diagnosis of IMN greatly reduces the chance of avoiding irreversible disability. Prompt diagnosis and early management of IMN can avoid morbidity for the patient, diminish healthcare costs for the system and avoid medical liability for care providers. A multidisciplinary awareness of the symptoms of IMN is essential to permit prompt diagnosis and management. PMID: 20175065 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Sourc...

CMS Proposed Rule: How to Stretch Without Breaking

News stories via the Rural Assistance Center — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:49:41 +0100

Rural Health Voices article by Louis Wenzlow, Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative, discusses the electronic health record (EHR) incentive program and whether or not the meaningful use bar has been set too high to facilitate the accomplishment of the goals of reducing healthcare costs and increasing healthcare quality. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)

AAPM: Most Chronic Opioid Users Likely Nonadherent (CME/CE, with video)

MedPage Today Pain Management — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:13:10 +0100

SAN ANTONIO (MedPage Today) -- Almost 80% of patients on chronic opioid therapy had urine drug tests indicating nonadherence, which significantly increased healthcare costs, data from a large managed care population showed. (Source: MedPage Today Pain Management)

Anthem Blue Cross 39 Percent Rate Hike Draws Ire Of Federal, Calif. Regulators

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Los Angeles Times: "California insurance regulators asked Anthem Blue Cross to delay controversial rate increases of as much as 39% for individual policies, hikes that have triggered widespread criticism from subscribers and brokers -- and now from the federal government. In a rare step, the Obama administration called on California's largest for-profit insurer to justify its rate hikes, saying the increases were alarming at a time when subscribers face skyrocketing healthcare costs... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Today's OpEds: Recommendations To Democrats, Cutting Costs, 'Rationing' Health Care

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:00:00 +0100

Back To The Drawing Board Los Angeles Times Democrats may not attract any GOP support for comprehensive healthcare reform by stepping up efforts to limit the growth in healthcare costs. But they will make the benefits of the measure clearer to a skeptical public (2/8). Five Ideas For Getting Health Care Reform Back On Track USA Today The only reasons for delay are short-term and political. It's expedient to punt. But Democrats are delusional if they think they'll inoculate themselves against attacks this fall by backtracking. No one wins by trying and failing... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Healthcare costs of multiple myeloma: an Italian study

European Journal of Cancer Care — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

KOLEVA D., CORTELAZZO S., TOLDO C. & GARATTINI L. (2010) European Journal of Cancer CareHealthcare costs of multiple myeloma: an Italian study Few economic evaluations are currently available on multiple myeloma (MM) and they address treatment-related rather than disease-related costs. We estimated resource utilisation and costs associated with MM in an Italian haematology department. This was a single-centre observational study which followed retrospectively for 2 years 90 patients with MM stages II[ndash]III. To investigate the association between costs and age as a prognostic factor for treatment eligibility, patients were classified in two age groups (under 65 or >65). The annual average cost per patient was very similar in the two subgroups. Drugs and hospitalisations were the largest...

Monitoring pharmacological therapy for osteoporosis

Reviews in Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:19:44 +0100

Abstract Osteoporosis is a common disease characterized by low bone strength that increases the risk of fractures. The consequences of fractures include increases in morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Randomized clinical trials have shown that pharmacological therapy can reduce the risk of fractures. In clinical practice, however, failure to achieve optimal therapeutic benefit is common for reasons that include taking medication incorrectly, stopping it prematurely, malabsorption, and the presence of unrecognized diseases or conditions with adverse skeletal effects. Monitoring for anti-fracture effectiveness in individual patients is limited by the absence of clinical tools to directly measure bone strength. It is therefore necessary to monitor therapy with biomar...

Schizophrenia relapse is costly and predicts subsequent relapse

MedWire News - Schizophrenia — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:04:38 +0100

Researchers have found that relapse of schizophrenia is associated with substantial healthcare costs and remains an important predictor of subsequent relapse. (Source: MedWire News - Schizophrenia)

Vision self-management for older adults: a randomised controlled trial

British Journal of Ophthalmology — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:33:15 +0100

Conclusion Addition of self-management significantly improved general health and vision-specific rehabilitation outcomes for older adults with ARVL. (Source: British Journal of Ophthalmology)

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Schizophrenia relapse is costly and predicts subsequent relapse

MedWire News - Psychiatry — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Researchers have found that relapse of schizophrenia is associated with substantial healthcare costs and remains an important predictor of subsequent relapse. (Source: MedWire News - Psychiatry)

Sustaining reductions in catheter related bloodstream infections in Michigan intensive care units

NeLM - News — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In this study, researchers evaluated the extent to which participating ICUs were able to sustain these reduced rates of catheter related bloodstream infection. The intervention was a conceptual model aimed at improving clinicians' use of five evidence based recommendations to reduce rates of catheter related bloodstream infections rates, with measurement and feedback of infection rates. During the sustainability period, ICU ... (Source: NeLM - News)

Lost Your Health Insurance? Some Resources

U.S. News - Health — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 23:00:00 +0100

There are ways to cut your premium and healthcare costs. (Source: U.S. News - Health)

Britain ignoring its dementia crisis, Oxford study finds

Guardian Unlimited Science — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 10:09:15 +0100

This report shows that dementia is the greatest medical challenge of the 21st century."If we spend a more proportionate sum on dementia research we could unleash the full potential of our scientists in their race for a cure. Spending millions now really can save us crippling multi-billion pound care bills later."Each dementia patient costs the economy £27,647 each year, researchers found, nearly five times more than a cancer patient and eight times more than someone with from heart disease.The expense is driven mainly by the extent of unpaid care and long-term institutional care – in contrast to cancer and heart disease, where costs are mainly taken care of by the NHS.The report documents a "diagnosis gap", between the expected number of people with dementia and the number of patients w...

Prevalence and cost of medication nonadherence in Parkinson's disease: Evidence from administrative claims data

Movement Disorders — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We estimated the prevalence of medication nonadherence in Parkinson's disease (PD) and the association between treatment nonadherence and healthcare costs. Insurance claims from over 30 US health plans were analyzed. Inclusion criteria were as follows: PD diagnosis, [ge]1 PD-related prescription between 1/1/1997 and 12/31/2004, continuous health plan enrollment for [ge]6 months before and [ge]12 months after first PD prescription. Adherence, all-cause healthcare utilization, and all-cause costs were evaluated over 12 months post-treatment initiation. Adherence was measured using the medication possession ratio (MPR), with MPR < 0.8 defining nonadherence. Among patients identified for inclusion (N = 3,119), 58% were male and mean age was 69 years. Mean MPR was 0.58 and 61% of patients were ...

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Fed up with fat and saying something about it

L.A. Times - Health — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:00:00 +0100

As obesity rates rise alongside healthcare costs, slimmer people are saying enough already. Slim society's tolerance is wearing thin. (Source: L.A. Times - Health)

Vision self-management for older adults: a randomised controlled trial.

The British Journal of Ophthalmology — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion Addition of self-management significantly improved general health and vision-specific rehabilitation outcomes for older adults with ARVL. PMID: 20139291 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The British Journal of Ophthalmology)

Fed up with fat and saying something about it

L.A. Times - Health — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 04:04:45 +0100

As obesity rates rise alongside healthcare costs, slimmer people are saying enough already. Slim society's tolerance is wearing thin. (Source: L.A. Times - Health)

Increasing Copays: Penny-wise but Pound-Foolish? (CME/CE)

MedPage Today State Required CME — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:43:17 +0100

Raising seniors' copayments for ambulatory care to offset rising healthcare costs may backfire on insurers, researchers asserted. (Source: MedPage Today State Required CME)

The Healthcare Burden Imposed by Liver Disease in Aging Baby Boomers

Current Gastroenterology Reports — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:01:27 +0100

Abstract The Baby Boomer generation is composed of 78 million Americans who are just beginning to reach their retirement years. Most Boomers have at least one chronic health problem, and these significantly increase the expense of providing medical care. Liver disease is the 12th most common cause of death in the United States, representing a relatively small portion of overall healthcare costs compared with cardiovascular disease and malignancy. Nonetheless, hepatitis C and fatty liver disease are more common in the Boomers and may play a more dominant role as they age. As a consequence, primary liver cancer is likely to become more prevalent. As with most chronic illnesses, prevention rather than disease management is likely to have the greatest impact. For those already...

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Freedom Meditech Presents Data Showing Benefits Of Non-Invasive Diabetes Screening And Glucose Monitoring In The Eye At London Conference

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:00:00 +0100

People with diabetes or who are at risk of developing the disease - now estimated at over 400 million globally - could reduce complications, improve quality of life and reduce healthcare costs by using new non-invasive technology to screen for and monitor the illness, according to a presentation by Freedom Meditech at the 6th Annual Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy Conference in London, England... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Freedom Meditech Presents Data Showing Benefits Of Non-Invasive Diabetes Screening And Glucose Monitoring In The Eye At London Conference

Diabetes News From Medical News Today — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Despite a slowdown in the increase of healthcare costs, annual health spending in the US has reached $US2.3 trillion, or $7681 per person.

PharmacoEconomics and Outcomes News — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:07:08 +0100

(Source: PharmacoEconomics and Outcomes News)

Are CT Scans Over-Utilized for the Diagnosis of Appendicitis?

Journal of Surgical Research — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:41:43 +0100

Introduction: Acute appendicitis a challenging diagnosis to make for surgeons and emergency medicine physicians alike. It is by far the most common non-traumatic surgical emergency coming through the emergency departments. Over the years, CT scan has become an important adjunct diagnostic tool. Unfortunately, over utilization of CT scanning has been questioned since it increases time patients spend in the emergency department, subject patients to additional radiation, and increases healthcare costs. The purpose of this study is to determine the utility of CT scans for accurate diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children. Methods: Medical records for 961 consecutive patients aged 0 to 21 years who underwent appendectomy for appendicitis at a tertiary care children's hospital in Buffalo, NY ...

Incidence and Risk Factors for Surgical Site Infection in the Cancer Population: A Prospective Cohort Study

Journal of Surgical Research — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:40:35 +0100

Introduction: Surgical site infection (SSI) is associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Although patient- and procedure-related risks factors for SSI have been redefined in the general population, they have not been well studied in cancer patients. Our objective was to examine the incidence of SSI in a contemporary population of cancer patients, to evaluate specific clinical factors associated with this outcome and to identify independent predictors of SSI for this group of patients. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in surgical oncology patients treated at a tertiary referral cancer center (2007). Patient, peri-operative, and cancer-related variables were prospectively recorded. SSI, defined using the Center for Disease Control and Prevention...

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Immunotherapy reduces healthcare costs for children with allergic rhinitis

MedWire News - Pediatrics — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 15:16:07 +0100

Allergen immunotherapy reduces total healthcare costs by around a third and prescription costs by around 16% in children with allergic rhinitis, say US researchers. (Source: MedWire News - Pediatrics)

A Little Less Salt Would Save Many Lives, US

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Even a small reduction in daily salt intake could mean fewer heart attacks, strokes and deaths said US researchers who estimated cutting back by as little as half a teaspoon a day could prevent 92,000 deaths and nearly 100,000 heart attacks in the US every year. The researchers, from the University of California, San Francisco, Stanford University Medical Center and Columbia University Medical Center, suggest the benefits of cutting salt intake are on a par with reducing smoking and could save the US about 24 billion dollars in healthcare costs... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Reducing Salt Intake -- Even In Small Amounts -- Could Mean Fewer Heart Attacks, Strokes And Deaths

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:00:00 +0100

Reducing salt in the American diet by as little as one-half teaspoon (or three grams) per day could prevent nearly 100,000 heart attacks and 92,000 deaths each year, according to a new study. Such benefits are on par with the benefits from reductions in smoking and could save the United States about $24 billion in healthcare costs, the researchers add. A team from the University of California, San Francisco, Stanford University Medical Center and Columbia University Medical Center conducted the study... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Reducing Salt Intake -- Even In Small Amounts -- Could Mean Fewer Heart Attacks, Strokes And Deaths

Cardiovascular / Cardiology News From Medical News Today — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:00:00 +0100

Reducing salt in the American diet by as little as one-half teaspoon (or three grams) per day could prevent nearly 100,000 heart attacks and 92,000 deaths each year, according to a new study. Such benefits are on par with the benefits from reductions in smoking and could save the United States about $24 billion in healthcare costs, the researchers add... (Source: Cardiovascular / Cardiology News From Medical News Today)

Immunotherapy reduces healthcare costs for children with allergic rhinitis

MedWire News - Respiratory — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:46:15 +0100

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Caris Diagnostics Announces Name Change of Parent Company to Caris Life Sciences, Inc.

Medical News (via PRIMEZONE) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:30:00 +0100

IRVING, Texas, Jan. 19, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Caris Diagnostics (Caris Dx) today announced that its parent companyâs name has been changed to Caris Life Sciences, Inc., effective immediately.Â The new name reflects the Companyâs successful evolution into a multi-faceted organization that is pioneering precision healthcare, leading to improved patient outcomes while lowering healthcare costs.Â Caris Life Sciences is focused on five key areas of personalized medicine: Anatomic Pathology, Molecular Profiling, Proprietary Blood-Based Diagnostics, Pharmaceutical Services, and Research and Development. (Source: Medical News (via PRIMEZONE))

Survey: Only half of hospitals compliant with "meaningful use"

Medical Economics - Technology — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

U.S. hospitals are only halfway to qualifying for government incentive payments aimed at controlling healthcare costs while improving the quality and effective delivery of patient care, according to a survey released by technology consulting firm CSC. (Source: Medical Economics - Technology)

The Effect of Cuts in Reimbursement on Stroke Outcome. A Nationwide Population-Based Study During the Period 1998 to 2007.

Stroke — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The mortality rate of patients with stroke rose under increased financial strain from cuts in reimbursement. Therefore, stroke outcomes are more likely to be affected by hospital financial pressures. It is imperative to monitor stroke outcomes and develop strategies to maintain levels of stroke care as cuts in reimbursement are adopted. PMID: 20075356 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Stroke)

Survey: Only half of hospitals compliant with "meaningful use"

Modern Medicine — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Survey: Only half of hospitals compliant with "meaningful use"

Medical Economics - Technology — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

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Tube feeding, the microbiota, and Clostridium difficile infection.

World Journal of Gastroenterology : WJG — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:44:55 +0100

Authors: O'Keefe SJ Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is now the leading cause of nosocomial diarrhea in the USA, accounting for 30% of patients with antibiotic-associated diarrhea, 70% of those with antibiotic-associated colitis, and most cases of pseudomembranous colitis. The organism has evolved over the last 8 years to become more virulent and resistant to antimicrobials (NAP1/027 strain) causing a more severe form of the disease that has increased mortality and healthcare costs. While it is generally accepted that the problem results from the overuse of antibiotics, and in particular second and third generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones and macrolides, recent studies suggest that acid suppression with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may be equally culpable. A further commo...

Healthcare Costs Slashed by One Third When Allergic Children Receive Immunotherapy

Medscape Today Headlines — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 03:39:28 +0100

The cost of prescriptions was also reduced by 16% after immunotherapy initiation in children with allergic rhinitis. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Incidence of surgical site infection following adult spinal deformity surgery: an analysis of patient risk

European Spine Journal — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 06:44:41 +0100

Abstract Surgical site infection (SSI) following spinal surgery is a frequent complication and results in higher morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs. Patients undergoing surgery for spinal deformity (scoliosis/kyphosis) have longer surgeries, involving more spinal levels and larger blood losses than typical spinal procedures. Previous research has identified risk factors for SSI in spinal surgery, but few studies have looked at adult deformity surgeries. We retrospectively performed a large case cohort analysis of all adult patients who underwent surgery for kyphosis or scoliosis, between June 1996 and December 2005, by our adult spine division in an academic institution to asses the incidence and identify risk factors for SSI. We reviewed the electronic patient reco...

Anti-retroviral therapy lowers HIV costs

Health News - UPI.com — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 18:11:59 +0100

BALTIMORE, Jan. 11 (UPI) -- High anti-retroviral therapy adherence, a major predictor of HIV disease progression and survival, has lower healthcare costs, U.S. researchers say. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

What connects the elderly and sports people? Smart sensor technology

ScienceDaily Headlines — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 15:40:06 +0100

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What Connects The Elderly And Sports People? Smart Sensor Technology

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 09:00:00 +0100

Innovative smart sensing devices promise to boost mobility and quality of life for the elderly, reduce healthcare costs and even give sports people an edge through more effective training. The wireless devices are currently being sold by McRoberts, a Netherlands-based company that developed them as part of the SensAction-AAL project, an EU-funded initiative to create remote mobility monitoring solutions coordinated by the University of Bologna... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

What Connects The Elderly And Sports People? Smart Sensor Technology

Seniors / Aging News From Medical News Today — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 09:00:00 +0100

Health IT Industry Applauds Definition Of "Meaningful Use" Of Electronic Health Record Systems

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 02:00:00 +0100

WHAT The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services (CMS) and the Office of the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology have announced that the definition of "meaningful use" will include the use of evidence-based order sets and clinical decision support at the point of care. This is good news because the peer-reviewed scientific literature has repeatedly shown that clinical decision support and evidence-based order sets can save patient lives and reduce overall healthcare costs... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Adherence to HIV Therapy Cuts Healthcare Costs (CME/CE)

MedPage Today State Required CME — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 14:43:18 +0100

High adherence to HIV therapy saved healthcare dollars as well as lives in a South African cohort, researchers found. (Source: MedPage Today State Required CME)

Clinical and economic outcomes associated with potentially inappropriate prescribing in the elderly.

The American Journal of Managed Care — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: The use of certain BHS PIMs in the elderly may increase AEs or healthcare costs. PMID: 20059286 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The American Journal of Managed Care)

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Physician attitudes toward health information exchange: results of a statewide survey.

Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Physicians perceive that HIE will have generally positive effects, though a considerable fraction harbor concerns about privacy. While physicians may be willing to participate in HIE, they are not consistently willing to pay to participate. HIE business models that require substantial physician subscription fees may face significant challenges. PMID: 20064804 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association)

Evolution of capecitabine dosing in colorectal cancer.

Clinical Colorectal Cancer — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Sun W Fluoropyrimidines remain the cornerstone of chemotherapy regimens in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), even with the availability of newer cytotoxic and targeted biologic agents (eg, irinotecan, oxaliplatin, bevacizumab, cetuximab, and panitumumab). Though 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) can be administered via bolus or infusional schedules, the intermittent infusional schedule has been a mainstay of fluoropyrimidine-based regimens. This strategy, however, requires the insertion of central venous catheters and infusion pumps, which represent major inconveniences for patients and are associated with an increased risk for complications. Capecitabine is an orally administered fluoropyrimidine carbamate that is absorbed intact from the gastrointestinal tract and be...

Coaching the patient-physician relationship: a successful approach to lower healthcare costs with improved medical outcomes.

The Journal of Medical Practice Management : MPM — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Cassatly MG In the 1990s, managed care became the model for healthcare delivery in the United States with the goals of delivering healthcare to a greater number of patients at reduced costs. Although the goals were laudable, the increased number of patients receiving healthcare has resulted in less time per encounter, thereby weakening the patient-physician relationship. In this article, professional coaching skills are presented that show how to regain the quality of the physician-patient relationship. This improved rapport will result in more successful patient outcomes and reduced healthcare costs. PMID: 20222259 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The Journal of Medical Practice Management : MPM)

Healthcare "just around the corner": the role of geographic distribution strategies and healthcare costs.

The Journal of Medical Practice Management : MPM — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Keegan DW Proponents of the healthcare reform agenda continually compare per capita healthcare spending in the United States to other nations and cite this as one of the clear mandates for healthcare reform. The purpose of this article is to draw attention to the cost of geographic distribution strategies adopted by healthcare organizations and the impact this has on per capita healthcare costs. It is important to quantify the cost of such strategies and to weigh their merits, if the intent is to substantially reduce the cost of healthcare in the United States. PMID: 20222258 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The Journal of Medical Practice Management : MPM)

Is fenofibrate a cost-saving treatment for middle-aged individuals with type 2 diabetes? A South African private-sector perspective.

Cardiovascular Journal of Africa — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Based on this exploratory analysis, it seems that Lipanthyl(R) treatment in middle-aged patients resulted in a cost saving due to the prevention of cardiovascular events when it was used in the treatment of type 2 diabetics, as in the FIELD study. It should therefore be considered to be cost effective, even when just the cardiovascular risk reduction effect is considered. PMID: 20224845 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa)

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Healthcare Costs in Renal Transplant Recipients Using Branded versus Generic Ciclosporin

Applied Health Economics and Health Policy — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:36:00 +0100

(Source: Applied Health Economics and Health Policy)

The effectiveness of physical activity monitoring and distance counselling in an occupational health setting - a research protocol for a randomised controlled trial (CoAct)

BMC Public Health - Latest articles — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This article describes the design of the study and the participant flow until and including randomization. Methods: CoAct is a randomised controlled trial with two arms: a control group and intervention group with daily activity monitoring and distance counselling. The intervention focuses on lifestyle modification and takes 12 months. The study population consists of volunteers from 1100 eligible employees of a Finnish insurance company. The primary outcomes of this study are change in physical activity measured in MET minutes per week, work productivity and sickness absence, and healthcare utilisation. Secondary outcomes include various physiological measures. Cost-effectiveness analysis will also be performed. The outcomes will be measured by questionnaires at baseline, after 6, 12, and...

Relationship between anxiety, depression, and health satisfaction among veterans with PTSD

Journal of Affective Disorders — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:37:29 +0100

Conclusions: While both depression and anxiety are related to more negative reported health satisfaction among veterans in a PTSD clinic, depression appears to be a main contributor.Limitations: Evaluation and treatment seeking veterans may differ from a full range of veterans with PTSD. Closer examination with measures of depression and anxiety that more precisely separate these constructs is warranted. Finally, it is not known whether reported health satisfaction is related to an objective difference in health status or is more indicative of subjective expression of distress. (Source: Journal of Affective Disorders)

Perspectives from deductible plan enrollees: plan knowledge and anticipated care-seeking changes

BMC Health Services Research — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Early in their experience with a deductible, patients had limited awareness of the deductible and little knowledge of the details. Many who knew of the deductible reported that it would cause them to delay or avoid seeking care and were concerned about their healthcare costs. (Source: BMC Health Services Research)

Healthcare: Prevention efforts can be costly

OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Preventive healthcare has been touted by politicians as a sure-fire method to slash healthcare costs by saving on future treatment expenses. And it's easy to believe them -- surely, we reason, it's better to treat high cholesterol before it turns into a... (Source: OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research)

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Healthcare: Prevention efforts can be costly

L.A. Times - Health — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 22:04:34 +0100

Stopping disease before it starts may be a noble goal, but don't count on such a strategy to save money. Preventive healthcare has been touted by politicians as a sure-fire method to slash healthcare costs by saving on future treatment expenses. And it's easy to believe them -- surely, we reason, it's better to treat high cholesterol before it turns into a heart attack or catch cancer early on. (Source: L.A. Times - Health)

Med Sci Monit 2010; 16(1):PH1-13 "Federal Funding for Needle Exchange Programs"

Medical Science Monitor — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:13:00 +0100

The HIV/AIDS pandemic has affected millions across the globe. The sharing of needles, for reasons of economy or social relations, has become the most common mode of HIV transmission among injection drug users. Needle exchange programs, which provide many services in addition to the exchange of clean needles for contaminated needles, have proven effective in reducing HIV rates among injection drug users in their communities. Although these programs have proven to be one of the most effective strategies in the efforts to reduce HIV rates, there has been a federal ban on the use of federal money for needle exchange programs since 1989. This ban was introduced by Congress in accordance with the drug war ideology, a narrow and elusive plan to completely eradicate drug use in the United States. ...

Harvard Study: IT Can't Cut Healthcare Costs

Sound Medicine — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 04:00:01 +0100

You've heard it a hundred times, on this program, and elsewhere: once hospitals and doctors switch to electronic medical records, all sorts of problems will be solved. Care will improve, costs will go down, there will be fewer drug interactions, etcetera. However, our first guest today would say, "Not so fast." Dr. David Himmelstein recently completed a study that looked at what really happe.... (Source: Sound Medicine)

Role of 64-slice cardiac computed tomography in the evaluation of patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome

La Radiologia Medica — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 07:07:05 +0100

Conclusions In this type of emergency, coronary CT angiography could lead to considerably lower healthcare costs by identifying patients without coronary disease and allowing immediate discharge without any need for further diagnostic procedures. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Cardiac Radiology / CardioradiologiaDOI 10.1007/s11547-009-0482-7Authors A. Romagnoli, Università di Tor Vergata Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Imaging Molecolare, Radiologia Interventistica e Radioterapia Viale Oxford 81 00133 Roma ItalyE. Martuscelli, Università di Tor Vergata Cattedra di Cardiologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna Roma ItalyM. Sperandio, Università di Tor Vergata Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Imaging Molecolare, Radiologia Interventistica e Ra...

New Investigational Drugs for the Management of Acute Heart Failure Syndromes.

Current Medicinal Chemistry — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Tamarg J, Amorós I, Barana A, Caballero R, Delpón E Acute heart failure syndromes (AHFS) enclose a broad spectrum of conditions with different clinical presentations, heart failure history, pathophysiology, prognosis and treatment. AHFS represent a major public health problem because of their high prevalence, high rates of mortality and readmissions and significant healthcare costs, and a therapeutic challenge for the clinicians because management strategies vary markedly. Traditionally used drugs for the treatment of AHFS, including diuretics, vasodilators and positive inotropics, improve clinical signs and symptoms as well as hemodynamics, but present important limitations, as they fail to reduce and may even increase in-hospital and postdischarge mortality, especi...

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Financial access to health care in Karuzi, Burundi: a household-survey based performance evaluation.

MSF Field Research — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:23:17 +0100

CONCLUSION: The flat fee policy was found to reduce cost barriers for some households but, given the generalized poverty in the area, the fee still posed a significant financial burden. This report showed the limits of a programme of fee exemption for indigent households and a flat fee for others in a context of widespread poverty. (Source: MSF Field Research)

MDI Healthcare software predicts trouble

bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:47:40 +0100

There is an old adage on business, “You can’t manage what you don’t measure.” Employers have found increasingly difficult to manage their healthcare costs, partly due to immeasurable, unforeseeable medical events in the lives of their employees. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines)

MDI Healthcare software predicts trouble

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:47:40 +0100

American Academy Of Ophthalmology On NEI Report On Sharp Rise In Myopia In Americans

Eye Health / Optometry News From Medical News Today — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:00:00 +0100

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the 66.4 percent increase in myopia in Americans since the 1970s, as reported in the recent National Eye Institute (NEI) study, is significant and will impact healthcare costs as well as vision quality. Today, 47 million Americans aged 20 and older are myopic and billions of dollars are spent annually on glasses and contact lenses... (Source: Eye Health / Optometry News From Medical News Today)

American Academy Of Ophthalmology On NEI Report On Sharp Rise In Myopia In Americans

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:00:00 +0100

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the 66.4 percent increase in myopia in Americans since the 1970s, as reported in the recent National Eye Institute (NEI) study, is significant and will impact healthcare costs as well as vision quality. Today, 47 million Americans aged 20 and older are myopic and billions of dollars are spent annually on glasses and contact lenses. In addition, the majority of LASIK and related refractive surgical procedures in the United States are performed to correct myopia... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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American Academy Of Ophthalmology On NEI Report On Sharp Rise In Myopia In Americans

Eye Health / Optometry News From Medical News Today — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:00:00 +0100

Evaluating the financial protection of patients with chronic disease by health insurance in rural China

International Journal for Equity in Health — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: A significant proportion of patients with chronic diseases face catastrophic healthcare costs and these are especially heavy for the poor. The NCMS offers only a limited degree of financial protection. The heavy financial burden of healthcare for chronic disease poses an urgent challenge to the NCMS. There is an urgent need for a clear policy on how to offer financial protection to those with chronic disease. (Source: International Journal for Equity in Health)

Implementing Group Medical Visits for Older Adults at Group Health Cooperative

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

In a pair of randomized controlled trials in the Kaiser Permanente delivery system in Colorado in the 1990s, group visits for older adults (monthly non-disease-specific group medical appointments for a cohort of patients led by primary care teams) were proven to reduce costs, decrease hospitalizations, and improve patient and provider satisfaction. As part of a translational effort, this group visit intervention was replicated in a delivery system in Seattle, Washington, and the log of total healthcare costs was measured in the first year of the intervention. Utilization and patient and physician satisfaction were secondary outcomes. For the cost and utilization analysis, a retrospective case[ndash]control design compared 221 case patients aged 65 and older with high outpatient usage in th...

Healthcare costs cause some to buy less

Health News - UPI.com — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:05:41 +0100

DALLAS, Pa., Dec. 4 (UPI) -- Two-in-five Americans plan to spend less this holiday season because of rising healthcare costs, a U.S. survey indicates. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

'Multiple action fixed combination. Present or future?'

Fundamental and Clinical Pharmacology — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most common cause of death in Western countries and will continue to be so in upcoming years. A close correlation has been demonstrated among CVD, stroke, ischemic heart disease, renal failure and a number of modifiable risk factors. As cardiovascular (CV) risk factors commonly co-exist, high-risk patients with hypertension, obesity and diabetes may well benefit from a multiple action combination of CV agents with synergistic efficacy. Control of blood pressure (BP) and the other CV risk factors is still far from the optimal rates and achievement of internationally accepted goals must be imperative. The benefits of achieving these goals, including significant reductions in CV morbidity and mortality, are well documented. Thus, a rigorous effort to improv...

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Melanoma costs: A dynamic model comparing estimated overall costs of various clinical stages.

Dermatol Online J — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:46:04 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant cost decrement when melanoma is diagnosed at an earlier stage, with a T4b lesion being approximately 2200 percent more expensive to diagnose and treat than an early in situ melanoma and 1000 percent more expensive than a stage T1a tumor. Although a direct comparison with other cancers would require the use of the same dynamic model, it is apparent that the high costs of melanoma care places it at the top of the most expensive cancers to diagnose, follow, and treat. These high costs for advanced-stage melanoma warrant an increased emphasis on developing effective strategies for its early diagnosis and treatment. PMID: 19951637 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Dermatol Online J)

U.S. osteoarthritis: $186 billion annually

Health News - UPI.com — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:57:43 +0100

STONY BROOK, N.Y., Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Osteoarthritis increases U.S. healthcare costs yearly by $186 billion, medical researchers say. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

Macrovascular complications linked to low productivity, increased healthcare costs

MedWire News - Diabetes — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Patients with diabetes and macrovascular comorbid conditions have significantly higher healthcare costs and miss more days of work than other diabetics, show study results. (Source: MedWire News - Diabetes)

Impact of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease on Work Absenteeism, Presenteeism and Productivity in Daily Life: A European Observational Study

Medscape Gastroenterology Headlines — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:00:00 +0100

What impact does GERD have on productivity and healthcare costs? Health and Quality of Life Outcomes (Source: Medscape Gastroenterology Headlines)

Bone metastases from advanced cancers.

Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Fitch M, Maxwell C, Ryan C, Löthman H, Drudge-Coates L, Costa L Bone metastases are associated with considerable morbidity and can result in skeletal-related events (SREs), including pathologic fractures, the need for palliative radiotherapy, spinal cord compression, the need for surgery to bone to prevent or treat a pathologic fracture or spinal cord compression, and hypercalcemia of malignancy. Such SREs have been associated with decreases in survival and increases in healthcare costs. Skeletal morbidity and bone pain from metastases can also reduce patients' functional capacity and undermine their quality of life. Patients who develop bone metastases from advanced cancers commonly receive bisphosphonates to not only delay the onset of SREs and reduce their frequency bu...

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PSA screening for prostate cancer 'means overtreatment and large costs'

MedWire News - Prostate Cancer — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 13:47:29 +0100

The introduction of a widespread prostate-specific antigen screening program for European men would mean substantial increases in healthcare costs for prostate cancer, of which screening costs would only be a small part, calculate researchers. (Source: MedWire News - Prostate Cancer)

PSA screening for prostate cancer 'means overtreatment and large costs'

MedWire News - Oncology — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Skeletal morbidity in lung cancer patients with bone metastases: Demonstrating the need for early diagnosis and treatment with bisphosphonates

Lung Cancer — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Skeletal morbidity is an important concern in patients with NSCLC. The incidence of SREs is expected to increase as survival improves in this setting. Prevention of SREs with therapies such as ZOL may preserve patients’ QOL and possibly reduce healthcare costs. (Source: Lung Cancer)

White House pushes IT as 'pillar' of cost-containing health reform

Healthcare IT News — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:41:46 +0100

White House officials said Wednesday that healthcare IT is key to containing healthcare costs in the future. In a conference call with reporters, Peter Orszag, director of the Office of Management and Budget, and Nancy-Ann DeParle, director of the White House Office of Health Reform, said healthcare IT adoption is one of the four pillars upon which the Obama Administration is basing its healthcare strategy. (Source: Healthcare IT News)

No Hospital Savings With Electronic Records: U.S. Study

Medscape Today Headlines — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:07:43 +0100

New electronic record systems installed in thousands of U.S. hospitals have done little to rein in skyrocketing healthcare costs, Harvard University researchers said in a study released on Friday. Reuters Health Information (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

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No hospital savings with electronic records: study

Reuters: Health — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:02:15 +0100

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - New electronic record systems installed in thousands of U.S. hospitals have done little to rein in skyrocketing healthcare costs, Harvard University researchers said in a study released on Friday. (Source: Reuters: Health)

Study: Health IT fails to reduce healthcare costs

CMIO.net: The News Weekly for Health IT Executives — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100

The increased computerization of U.S. hospitals hasn't made them cheaper or more efficient, although it may modestly improve the quality of care for heart attacks, Harvard researchers reported in today's online edition of the American Journal of Medicine. (Source: CMIO.net: The News Weekly for Health IT Executives)

Study: Health IT fails to reduce healthcare costs

Health Imaging News — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Study: Health IT fails to reduce healthcare costs

Health Imaging News — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Study: Health IT fails to reduce healthcare costs

Cardiovascular Business News — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100

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'Hospital at home' care model as an effective alternative in the management of decompensated chronic heart failure

European Journal of Heart Failure — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:06:20 +0100

Conclusion Hospital at home care allows an important reduction in the costs during the index episode compared with hospital care, whilst maintaining similar outcomes with respect to cardiovascular mortality and morbidity and quality of life at 1 year follow-up. (Source: European Journal of Heart Failure)

Cost-effectiveness of balloon kyphoplasty in patients with symptomatic vertebral compression fractures in a UK setting

Osteoporosis International — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:39:21 +0100

Conclusion In conclusion, the results indicate that BKP provides a cost-effective alternative for treating patients with hospitalised VCFs in a UK-setting. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00198-009-1096-6Authors O. Ström, i3 Innovus Stockholm SwedenC. Leonard, Medtronic Ltd Watford UKD. Marsh, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital Stanmore UKC. Cooper, University of Southampton MRC Epidemiology Resource Centre Southampton UK Journal Osteoporosis InternationalOnline ISSN 1433-2965Print ISSN 0937-941X (Source: Osteoporosis International)

Peer support intervention trials for individuals with heart disease: A systematic review

European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Despite some evidence supporting peer support for individuals with heart disease, methodological problems preclude generalizations. Further research with greater methodological rigor is warranted. (Source: European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing)

Report: Obesity, smoking soak up most U.S. healthcare dollars

Health Imaging News — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:06:43 +0100

Smoking and obesity were rated the most significant risk factors affecting the health of Americans and the rising healthcare costs, according to the 2009 America’s Health Ranking report. (Source: Health Imaging News)

Report: Obesity, smoking soak up most U.S. healthcare dollars

Health Imaging News — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:06:43 +0100

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Report: Obesity, smoking soak up most U.S. healthcare dollars

Cardiovascular Business News — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:06:43 +0100

Impact of prior irregular infliximab dosing on performance of long-term infliximab maintenance therapy in Crohn's disease

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

We examined differences in need for medical and surgical hospitalizations as well as associated healthcare costs between the 2 groups.In all, 104 CD patients met criteria for 3-year maintenance infliximab treatment (SM n = 64; PI n = 40). The rates of CD-related surgeries (60.9% and 55.0%, P = not significant [N.S.]) and medical hospitalizations (35.9% and 37.5%, P = N.S.) prior to infliximab initiation was similar between the 2 groups. However, the rate of medical (26.5% versus 47.5%, P = 0.035) and surgical hospitalizations (21.8% versus 48.7%, P = 0.009) were significantly lower in the SM compared to the PI group. During the third year of treatment the excess costs per patient for the PI group compared to the SM group amounted to $11,464 in spite of both cohorts being on SM therapy.Pati...

Medica creates mobile app for comparing healthcare costs

Managed Healthcare Executive Magazine Online — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Medica releases iPhone app based on MainStreetMedica.com, which helps consumers compare costs of medical procedures. (Source: Managed Healthcare Executive Magazine Online)

Healthcare Costs and Obesity Prevention: Drug Costs and Other Sector-Specific Consequences

PharmacoEconomics — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:59:40 +0100

(Source: PharmacoEconomics)

Demographics, health risks drive geographic healthcare spending variance

Cardiovascular Business News — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:43:12 +0100

As U.S. healthcare costs inflate, factors such as insurance status, demographics and increased patient health risk must be investigated when defining ways to realign healthcare spending, according to a report released by the American Hospital Association this week. (Source: Cardiovascular Business News)

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Demographics, health risks drive geographic healthcare spending variance

CMIO.net: The News Weekly for Health IT Executives — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:43:12 +0100

Demographics, health risks drive geographic healthcare spending variance

Health Imaging News — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:43:12 +0100

Demographics, health risks drive geographic healthcare spending variance

Health Imaging News — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:43:12 +0100

Changing doctor pay best bet to curb costs

Health News - UPI.com — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:59:10 +0100

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Nov. 12 (UPI) -- The most-promising option for curbing healthcare costs is changing the way doctors and hospitals are paid, a analysis by a U.S. non-profit group found. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

Italian Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Infectious Disease Management of Osteomyelitis and Prosthetic Joint Infections in Adults

Infection — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:57:29 +0100

This article presents the recommendations for the diagnosis and management of osteomyelitis and prosthetic joint infections in adults developed by Bone and Joint Infections Committee for the Italian Society of Infectious and Tropical Diseases. It contains data published through to November 2007. An evidence-based scoring system that is used by the Infectious Diseases Society of America was applied to treatment recommendations. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory ReviewDOI 10.1007/s15010-009-8269-2Authors S. Esposito, Seconda Università di Napoli Dipartimento Malattie Infettive Naples ItalyS. Leone, U.O.C. Malattie Infettive, A.O.R.N. “San Giuseppe Moscati” Avellino ItalyM. Bassetti, A.O.U. San Martino Clinica Malattie Infettive Genova ItalyS. Borrè, A.S.O. “Maggiore della ...

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Unidrugs Marks Another Step Forward in Cheap Healthcare

PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:34:31 +0100

Unidrugs.com has made it possible for patients to reduce their healthcare costs by availing of cheaper medicines online by making a comparison of various online retailers. Price comparison charts are emailed instantly to patients to be used as reference for savings. (PRWeb Nov 10, 2009) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/11/prweb3174584.htm (Source: PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals)

[Cost of illness and health service patterns in Morbus Parkinson in Austria.]

Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:18:03 +0100

CONCLUSION: PD is an economic challenge for the Austrian healthcare system. Direct costs account for the most part and are on account of the national healthcare system. In addition, patients bear considerable costs by personal contribution. PMID: 19890747 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift)

Mayo Clinic, STMicroelectronics to develop heart-monitoring platform

Healthcare IT News — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:14:50 +0100

The Mayo Clinic and STMicroelectronics, a Swiss-based semiconductor company, are collaborating on a platform for remotely monitoring patients with chronic cardiovascular disease. As planned, a patient would wear a small device that continually monitors a number of relevant physiological parameters. This approach has many potential benefits, including maintaining wellness, earlier detection of developing health conditions, improving lifestyle and lowering healthcare costs. (Source: Healthcare IT News)

Study: Higher healthcare costs force docs to discuss economics with patients

CMIO.net: The News Weekly for Health IT Executives — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:50:28 +0100

As healthcare costs soar and insurance plans require patients to pay more out-of-pocket expenses, physicians are put in the tricky situation of balancing healthcare at an economical price, according to research published in the November issue of the Journal of Family Practice. (Source: CMIO.net: The News Weekly for Health IT Executives)