MedWorm: Healthcare Costs

Expert: Healthcare mandate constitutional

Health News - UPI.com — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:09:42 +0100

NEW HAVEN, Conn., Feb. 6 (UPI) -- When people cannot afford healthcare, billions of uncompensated healthcare costs are shifted to private insurers who pass on the costs, a U.S. researcher said. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Hernias and High-Deductibles: A Healthcare Costs Discussion

Physicians Practice — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0100

What is more painful: hernia surgery or finding out the exact cost of the procedure when you have a high-deductible health plan? (Source: Physicians Practice)

Use and Costs of Prescription Medications and Alternative Treatments in Patients with Osteoarthritis and Chronic Low Back Pain in Community‐Based Settings

Pain Practice — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Patients with OA and CLBP used a variety of pain‐related and adjunctive medications. Although, alternative treatments are widely recommended, we found limited use of several of these in clinical practice, potentially due to the source of our data (commercial claims). Further research is needed to ascertain the extent to which such therapies contribute to the total costs of OA and CLBP management. (Source: Pain Practice)

A workplace physical activity program at a public university in Mexico can reduce medical costs associated with type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

Salud Publica de Mexico — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: This research meets the call to use health economics methods to re-appraise health priorities, and devise strategies for optimal allocation of financial resources in the health sector. PMID: 22286825 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Salud Publica de Mexico)

Healthcare Costs Associated with Osteoarthritis in US Patients

Pain Practice — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Newly diagnosed osteoarthritis patients incurred higher annual costs, but lower pain‐related prescription drug costs in the year following diagnosis than patients with existing osteoarthritis. (Source: Pain Practice)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Hardship financing of healthcare among rural poor in Orissa, India

BMC Health Services Research — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Rural poor households are subjected to considerable and protracted financial hardship due to the indirect and longer-term deleterious effects of how they cope with out-of-pocket healthcare costs. The social network that households can access influences exposure to hardship financing. Our findings point to the need to develop a policy solution that would limit that exposure both in quantum and in time. We therefore conclude that policy interventions aiming to ensure health-related financial protection would have to demonstrate that they have reduced the frequency and the volume of hardship financing. (Source: BMC Health Services Research)

NJ Offers Help to Quit Smoking, but Health Experts Say It’s Not Enough

RWJF News Digest - Public Health — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:45:35 +0100

New Jersey is spending $1.2 million this year on anti-smoking programs through the state Department of Health. Public health experts say that’s not enough, and discussions are underway in Trenton to find more money to discourage the use of tobacco, whose annual statewide toll is estimated at more than 10,000 deaths and several billion dollars in healthcare costs. (Source: RWJF News Digest - Public Health)

Experts Warn Cost Of Asthma Caused By Traffic-Related Air Pollution Is Much Higher Than Previous Estimates

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0100

The total cost of asthma due to traffic-related air pollution is much higher than previous estimates, according to new research. The study, published online ahead of print in the European Respiratory Journal, has revealed the true extent of the healthcare costs associated with living close to a busy road. The researchers studied Long Beach and Riverside; two communities in Southern California that have high levels of regional air pollution and where there are large roads close to residential neighbourhoods... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Video: Medical tests: Do you really need all of them?

Health News: CBSNews.com — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:14:35 +0100

Healthcare costs in the U.S. have ballooned, in part, because of unnecessary medical tests. Medical contributor Dr. Holly Phillips and "CBS This Morning" contributor Lee Woodruff join Gayle King and Erica Hill to discuss the issue. (Source: Health News: CBSNews.com)

IT Tools Help Patients Cut Prescription, Exam Costs

ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:13:52 +0100

Source: Nicole Lewis, InformationWeek Healthcare Content: “It’s the start of a new benefits year for most employers, and workers are only beginning to tap into their companies’ offering of 2012 healthcare coverage. However, they can expect to face rising healthcare costs and be asked to pay larger co-pays and deductibles than ever if recent years [...] (Source: ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Healthcare's personal and financial costs

USATODAY.com Health — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 01:46:26 +0100

Healthcare costs impact everyone -- sometimes, even the doctors -- and rising expenses can come from surprising places. (Source: USATODAY.com Health)

Health tips from the medical blogosphere

USATODAY.com Health — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:47:22 +0100

Health tips, true stories, myths, controversies and healthcare costs: Our roundup of the best of this month's medical blogosphere reviews it ... (Source: USATODAY.com Health)

Physician Referral Rates Nearly Double in 10 YearsPhysician Referral Rates Nearly Double in 10 Years

Medscape Today Headlines — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:47:34 +0100

A rise in referrals could increase healthcare costs; referral guidelines are lacking. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Similar rates of relapse and time to return to normal activity with 2 or 5 days of systemic corticosteroids after asthma exacerbation but study confirmation of equivalence would require further study

Evidence-Based Medicine — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Context Asthma is common and flare-ups associated with exposure to a variety of triggers may result in emergency department (ED) visits, school and work absenteeism, hospitalisations and significant healthcare costs. The majority of adult patients presenting with acute asthma are discharged home following management in the ED. Many national and international guidelines have been developed on this topic.1 In the outpatient setting, care is focused on the use of systemic (SC) and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) agents to regain asthma control. While prednisone is the most common SC used, there has been an interest in reducing the duration of treatment using agents with longer half life such as dexamethasone. Due to compliance and palatability concerns, this question has been most frequently add...

Osteoporotic Fractures: A Systematic Review of US Healthcare Costs and Resource Utilization

PharmacoEconomics — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:53:51 +0100

(Source: PharmacoEconomics)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Hospital bills man $44 million for treating his pneumonia

NaturalNews.com — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 06:00:00 +0100

Anyone who has ever looked at an itemized hospital or doctor bill already knows just how absurdly inflated the nation's healthcare costs truly are. But when 28-year-old Alexis Rodriguez from New York recently received a bill from Bronx - Lebanon Hospital for $44 million... (Source: NaturalNews.com)

Design of a trial-based economic evaluation on the cost-effectiveness of employability interventions among work disabled employees or employees at risk of work disability: The CASE-study

BMC Public Health - Latest articles — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Discussion: The CASE-study is the first to conduct economic evaluations of multiple different employability interventions based on a similar methodological framework. The cost-effectiveness results for every employability intervention will be published in 2014, but the methods, strengths and weaknesses of the study protocol are discussed in this paper. To contribute to treatment options in occupational health practice and enable the development of guidelines on how to conduct economic evaluation better suited to this field; this paper provides an important first step. Trial Registration: Four trials involved in the CASE-study are registered with the Netherlands Trial Registry: Care for Work (NTR2886), Health and Motion (NTR3111), Guidance to Excel in Return to Work (NTR3151), Care for Comp...

Clinical outcomes, quality of life, and costs associated with implantation of vagus nerve stimulation therapy in pediatric patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.

European Journal of Paediatric Neurology — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: VNS in pediatric patients is associated with decreased resource use and epilepsy-related events, cost savings, and QALY gain. PMID: 22261080 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: European Journal of Paediatric Neurology)

Penny-per-ounce soda tax saves $17 billion

Health News - UPI.com — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:56:45 +0100

NEW YORK, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- A penny-per-ounce tax on sugar-sweetened beverages could generate $13 billion a year in tax revenues but save more in healthcare costs, U.S. researchers say. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

Activated Mesenchymal Stem Cells Increase Wound Tensile Strength in Old Mouse Model Via Macrophages

Journal of Surgical Research — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 22:29:14 +0100

Introduction: Tissue damage with a subsequent delay in wound regeneration affects morbidity, mortality, and increases healthcare costs. This is especially true for older population groups where the natural ability to regenerate tissue has been diminished. We have previously observed that a treatment of 50,000 dose of autologous MSC activated with interferon gamma (aMSC) increased tensile strength in a younger mouse model. Drawing from these observations, we tested the extent to which aMSC could improve wound tensile strength in an older mouse model. in addition, we also explored the possible role of macrophages in aMSC's augmentation of wound healing. Methods: A B6 mouse model testing 5 therapies was used to determine the extent to which activated MSCs augmented wound tensile strength in o...

Comparison of medical costs among patients using adalimumab and infliximab: A retrospective study (COMPAIRS)

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions:Patients with CD using ADA had lower healthcare costs than patients using IFX; this difference was partly driven by outpatient medical costs. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2012;) (Source: Inflammatory Bowel Diseases)

Impact of a National Shortage of Sterile Ethanol on a Home Parenteral Nutrition Practice: A Case Series.

JPEN Journal Of Parenteral And Enteral Nutrition — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Corrigan M, Kirby DF Abstract Catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) is a common and life-threatening infectious complication of home parenteral nutrition (PN). CRBSI is associated with hospital admissions, morbidity, mortality, loss of venous access, and healthcare costs. Ethanol has bactericidal and fungicidal properties, making it an ideal locking solution for preventing CRBSI. The authors report 6 patients with a recurrence of CRBSI when ethanol lock (ETL) was withheld due to a national shortage. This is the first known report of the ramifications of a national ethanol shortage on redevelopment of CRBSI in home PN patients with a history of CRBSIs. This series further supports the existing literature showing that ETL is a viable therapy for the prevention of CR...

Microcalcifications Increase Coronary Vulnerable Plaque Rupture Potential: A Patient-Based Micro-CT Fluid-Structure Interaction Study.

Annals of Biomedical Engineering — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, a highly detailed model was reconstructed from a post-mortem coronary specimen of a patient with observed VP, using high resolution micro-CT which captured the microcalcifications embedded in the fibrous cap. Fluid-structure interaction (FSI) simulations were conducted in the reconstructed model to examine the combined effects of micro-Ca, flow phase lag and plaque material properties on plaque burden and vulnerability. This dynamic fibrous cap stress mapping elucidates the contribution of micro-Ca and flow phase lag VP vulnerability independently. Micro-Ca embedded in the fibrous cap produced increased stresses predicted by previously published analytical model, and corroborated our previous studies. The 'micro-CT to FSI' methodology may offer better diagnostic tools for cl...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

White House Cheers News that Health Law Not Adding to Healthcare Costs

RWJF News Digest - Quality/Equality — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The Obama administration on Monday cheered new evidence that the president's healthcare reform law isn't making healthcare more expensive. (Source: RWJF News Digest - Quality/Equality)

BMJ: Discipline Researchers Who Withhold Research Results

MedPage Today State Required CME — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 22:43:16 +0100

(MedPage Today) -- Drug research, even from clinical trials sponsored by the federal government, routinely is suppressed, harming patients and increasing healthcare costs, according to a series of reports published by BMJ. (Source: MedPage Today State Required CME)

Defensive Medicine as a Bane to Health Care

Journal of Pakistan Medical Students — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, evidence based medicine rather than defensive medicine should be practiced. Evidenced-based medicine should be practiced and preferred because it uses the best available evidence gained from the scientific method for the purpose of clinical decisions making. Proper implementation of evidence-based medicine to improve patients’ care and to prevent practice of defensive medicine, requires the healthcare professionals to gain skills assess, apply, integrate and communicate new knowledge in clinical decision-making. [13] If our healthcare system becomes successful in overcoming resistance to adopt evidence-based guidelines, evidenced-based medicine would lead to improved performances and better clinical outcomes. In my opinion defensive medicine is really a bane to healthcare ...

Understanding implementation processes of clinical pathways and clinical practice guidelines in pediatric contexts: A study protocol

Implementation Science — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

This study focuses on improving health outcomes for common paediatric acute health concerns by evaluating strategies that improve knowledge translation and reduce clinical practice variation.Design/Methods: Using a multiple case study design, qualitative and quantitative data will be collected from four Emergency Departments in western Canada. Data sources will include: 1) pre- and post-implementation focus group data from multidisciplinary health care professionals, 2) individual interviews with the local champions, KT intervention providers and unit/site leaders/managers, 3) Alberta Context Tool (ACT) survey data, and 4) aggregated patient outcome data. Qualitative and quantitative data will be systematically triangulated and matrices will be built to do cross-case comparison. Explanatio...

Ethanol Lock Therapy in Reducing Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections in Adult Home Parenteral Nutrition Patients: Results of a Retrospective Study.

JPEN Journal Of Parenteral And Enteral Nutrition — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the efficacy and safety of ELT in reducing CRBSI-related admissions in HPN patients and potentially helps reduce the burden of CRBSI-related healthcare costs. This novel technique shows great promise as a standard prophylaxis for CRBSI in HPN patients and must be incorporated in routine practice. (JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. XXXX;XX:xxx-xxx). PMID: 22205580 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: JPEN Journal Of Parenteral And Enteral Nutrition)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Endogenous technological change in medicine and its impact on healthcare costs: evidence from the pharmaceutical market in Taiwan

The European Journal of Health Economics — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 16:44:55 +0100

Abstract Although the technological change in medicine has been recognized widely as the major driver of rising healthcare costs, there is very little research that estimates this effect directly. This paper uses both a single-equation and a simultaneous equations approach to investigate empirically the interactive relationship between technological innovation and the growth of health expenditure in the context of the pharmaceutical market in Taiwan. Based on observing 182 therapeutic groups between 1997 and 2006, we find evidence to support the argument that technological innovation and health expenditure are determined simultaneously as technological innovation, and that the growth of health expenditure are endogenous rather than exogenous. Specifically, we find that the...

Gay Marriage May Reduce Healthcare Costs, UseGay Marriage May Reduce Healthcare Costs, Use

Medscape Medical News Headlines — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 23:17:39 +0100

Same-sex marriage in Massachusetts may be linked to lower healthcare costs and use among gay minority men. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines)

Reducing Hospital Readmissions Conference, 5-6 March 2012, Singapore

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0100

Avoidable hospital readmissions, which affect one in five patients, accounts for billions of the current global healthcare costs. When patients end up back in the hospital, it's often because their care didn't continue appropriately when they were first discharged. Patients leaving the hospital should receive detailed instructions about what they need to do to take care of themselves - ranging from what they should eat and how much they should move around to which medications they should take and what kind of medical care they should get. There are many points where this can go wrong... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Same Sex Marriage Laws Reduce Healthcare Costs

Medical Headlines From Ivanhoe.com — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Ivanhoe Newswire) – Gay men are able to lead healthier and less stressful lives when states offer legal protection to same sex couples, according to this study. (Source: Medical Headlines From Ivanhoe.com)

Patient education in the management of coronary heart disease.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 01:00:04 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: We did not find strong evidence that education reduced all cause mortality, cardiac morbidity, revascularisation or hospitalisation compared to control. There was some evidence to suggest that education may improve HRQofL and reduce overall healthcare costs. Whilst our findings are generally supportive of current guidelines that CR should include not only exercise and psychological interventions, further research into education is needed. PMID: 22161440 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

AHRQ: Hospitals need policies to mitigate risks with mobile devices

CMIO.net: The News Weekly for Health IT Executives — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:50:59 +0100

While IT systems have the potential to enhance patient safety, improve quality of care and reduce healthcare costs, John Halamka, MD, MS, CIO of Boston-based Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, believes that they also introduce new opportunities for error that need to be addressed before health IT can achieve maximum effectiveness. (Source: CMIO.net: The News Weekly for Health IT Executives)

HHS Names 32 ‘Pioneers’ in Key Program to Cut Healthcare Costs

RWJF News Digest - Quality/Equality — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

The Health and Human Services Department on Monday named 32 organizations that will take the lead in testing out the healthcare law’s biggest effort to cut costs and improve quality. (Source: RWJF News Digest - Quality/Equality)

Pentec Health Initiates Study to Analyze Healthcare Costs Associated...

PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:42:16 +0100

Highlights complex nature of patient group and associated costs to a health plan(PRWeb December 14, 2011)Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/12/prweb9039825.htm (Source: PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals)

Blue Cross Blue Shield of RI Pilot Showed Lowered Monthly Costs and Improved Patient Care Through EHRs

ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:15:41 +0100

Source: Steve Campbell, EMR Daily News Content: “Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) today announced results from a multi-year pilot program designed to increase the use of electronic health records, transform the way healthcare is delivered, improve members’ health and help moderate healthcare costs. Results of the pilot, which ultimately became [...] (Source: ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

An integrated model of care for inflammatory bowel disease sufferers in Australia: Development and the effects of its implementation

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion:Our data to date suggest that an integrated model of care for patients with IBD may yield superior long‐term outcomes in terms of medication use and hospitalization rates and reduce healthcare costs. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2011;) (Source: Inflammatory Bowel Diseases)

Combatting Cancer and Malnourishment

Managed Healthcare Executive Magazine Online — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 04:21:10 +0100

Cancer drives healthcare costs — to the tune of $124 billion on cancer drugs in 2010 alone — according to Medco, a pharmacy benefit manager. But nutritional counseling of cancer patients is often ignored, even though by some estimates most cancer patients will develop clinical malnutrition. (Source: Managed Healthcare Executive Magazine Online)

Updating and Normalization of the Nursing Management Minimum Data Set Element 6: Patient/Client Accessibility.

Computers, Informatics, Nursing : CIN — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Kunkel DE, Westra BL, Hart CM, Subramanian A, Kenny S, Delaney CW Abstract Patient/client accessibility is one of 18 Nursing Management Minimum Data Set data elements developed to evaluate contextual factors at the nursing unit or service level of care. The Nursing Management Minimum Data Set 06 patient/client accessibility was developed to capture variability in time and distance required to access patients. Variability in access to patients, needed supplies, equipment, and information for patient care has an impact on the amount of time available for direct patient care. Limitations in time available to provide safe and quality care may negatively affect patient outcomes, nurse retention, and, as a result, a healthcare organization's accreditation and finances. Since 200...

Multiplex PCR-based reverse line blot assay to simultaneously detect 22 virulence genes in uropathogenic Escherichia coli.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Kudinha T, Kong F, Johnson JR, Andrew SD, Anderson P, Gilbert GL Abstract Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the commonest bacterial infections and are responsible for significant morbidity and healthcare costs world-wide. The main bacterial cause of uncomplicated UTI is Escherichia coli, which possesses numerous virulence factors (VFs). Many studies of the pathogenesis of E. coli UTI have centered on VF genes. Hence, the development of better molecular assays to study VF genes would facilitate these studies. We developed a highly sensitive and specific multiplex PCR based reverse line blot (mPCR/RLB) assay to simultaneously detect 22 VF genes of uropathogenic E. coli, then used it to characterize 180 isolates from non-pregnant women of child-bearing age with cystit...

Health Affairs: Registries promote better care, U.S. needs to get up to speed

Cardiovascular Business News — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 09:32:23 +0100

As healthcare costs increase around the world, many countries are beginning to rely on disease registries, which can produce substantial savings. An international study of 13 registries in five countries (Australia, Denmark, Sweden, the U.K. and the U.S.) found that registries enable healthcare professionals to engage in continuous learning as well as identify and share best clinical practices. (Source: Cardiovascular Business News)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Price Transparency in Healthcare: Why All the Secrecy?

Physicians Practice — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:00:01 +0100

Detailing physician fees in an online listserv got my post banned. Why all the secrecy about salary, fees, etc. when all we talk about is cutting healthcare costs? (Source: Physicians Practice)

Estimating the Costs of Induced Abortion in Uganda: A Model-Based Analysis

BMC Public Health - Latest articles — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Induced abortions are associated with substantial costs in Uganda and patients incur the bulk of the healthcare costs. This reinforces the case made by other researchers - that efforts by the government to reduce unsafe abortions by increasing contraceptive coverage or providing safe, legal abortions are critical. (Source: BMC Public Health - Latest articles)

More Negative Exams Following Self-Referral

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0100

Physicians who have a financial interest in imaging equipment are more likely to refer their patients for potentially unnecessary imaging exams, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). "Self-referral," whereby a non-radiologist physician orders imaging exams and directs patients to imaging services in which that physician has a financial interest, is a concerning trend in medicine and a significant driver of healthcare costs... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

The potential for intelligent decision support systems to improve the quality and consistency of medication reviews

Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Discussion: The two systems performed well, achieving accuracies of approximately 80% and 90%, after being trained on only a small number of cases (126 and 244 cases, respectively). Through analysis of the available data, it was estimated that without the system intervening, the expert training the first prototype would have missed approximately 36% of potentially relevant DRPs, and the second 43%. However, the system appeared to prevent the majority of these potential expert errors by correctly identifying the DRPs for them, leaving only an estimated 8% error rate for the first expert and 4% for the second.What is new and conclusion: These intelligent decision support systems have shown a clear potential to substantially improve the quality and consistency of medication reviews, whi...

Adjunctive aripiprazole for depression: predictive value of early assessment.

The American Journal of Managed Care — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Week 2 was a clinically meaningful time point to identify early improvers, and lack of improvement early in treatment was a highly significant predictor of lack of later remission. Early assessment of changes in symptoms could prove useful in clinical practice and more appropriately target healthcare costs. PMID: 22216750 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The American Journal of Managed Care)

Hidden healthcare costs pricey to consumer

Health News - UPI.com — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 04:35:02 +0100

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Co-payments, deductibles, over-the counter products and care provided to others all constitute hidden costs of healthcare, a U.S. health economist says. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

Adenosine Stress Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance–Observation Unit Management of Patients at Intermediate Risk for Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Possible Strategy for Reducing Healthcare-Related Costs

Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 04:53:01 +0100

Opinion statement Although clear algorithms for diagnosis and treatment of patients with chest pain at low or high risk for an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) exist, they are less well delineated for patients presenting with chest pain with an intermediate risk for ACS. In patients presenting acutely or subacutely to emergency departments (EDs) at high risk for ACS, such as those with ST segment elevation on their 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), immediate contrast coronary angiography is performed. On the other hand, chest pain observation units (OUs) are recommended for managing those with chest pain at low risk for an ACS event. In this setting, these OUs are associated with lower healthcare resource utilization and improved cost-effectiveness. Cost-effective diagnosis an...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

[Postoperative abdominal adhesions and their prevention in gynaecological surgery: I. What should you know?]

Gynecologie, Obstetrique et Fertilite — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Audebert A, Darai E, Bénifla JL, Yazbeck C, Déchaud H, Wattiez A, Crowe A, Pouly JL Abstract Adhesions are the most frequent complications of abdominopelvic surgery, causing important short- and long-term problems, including infertility, chronic pelvic pain and a lifetime risk of small bowel obstruction. They also complicate future surgery with increased morbidity and mortality risk. They pose serious quality of life issues for many patients with associated social and healthcare costs. Despite advances in surgical techniques, including laparoscopy, the healthcare burden of adhesion-related complications has not changed in recent years. Adhesiolysis remains the main treatment although adhesions reform in many patients. The extent of the problem of adhesions has been under...

Impact of early hospital discharge on healthcare costs in MRSA Skin and soft tissue infections: Category: Scientific free paper

Journal of Infection — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 11:05:46 +0100

Prolonged hospital stay due to health care associated infection (HAI) may further increase hospital associated morbidity, including malnutrition, depression and secondary HAIs as well as increasing health care costs. HAI costs may be substantial, previously estimated at 0.5 million excess bed days and an additional £183 million per year in Scottish hospitals. We previously retrospectively identified 110 adults with MRSA Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) who completed IV therapy (69% Vancomycin) as inpatients (IP) in Glasgow hospitals over 16 months. Mean length of stay was 16 days and earlier hospital discharge (via OPAT or oral switch therapy) was considered possible for the 37 patients who survived, received IV therapy for ≥72 hours and who discontinued therapy within 72 hours p...

Management of infective endocarditis in the OPAT setting; a descriptive analysis: Category: Scientific free paper

Journal of Infection — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 11:05:46 +0100

Out-patient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) is appealing because it reduces hospitalisation, lowers healthcare costs and limits nosocomial infection. Models of OPAT delivery include hospital clinic-based infusion, self-administration, or home-infusion services. OPAT has been used to manage serious infections such as infective endocarditis (IE) for several years. (Source: Journal of Infection)

Evaluation of the use of Xpert MRSA PCR Assay as a point of care test in two clinical areas: Category: Lesson in Microbiology & Infection Control

Journal of Infection — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 11:05:46 +0100

This study aims to assess whether rapid screening for MRSA using the Xpert MRSA PCR assay could be used in preadmission clinics and on the ward. Patients in an orthopaedic preadmission clinic and on a vascular ward were screened for MRSA using the Xpert MSRA PCR assay. Duplicate swabs were taken for culture. Results for each method were then compared in these two clinical settings. (Source: Journal of Infection)

More firms using incentives to prod employees to fitness

USATODAY.com Health — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:25:52 +0100

More employers are using rewards and penalties to get employees to adopt healthy habits and reduce healthcare costs. (Source: USATODAY.com Health)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

The Most Tax-Savvy Use Of A Health Savings Account

Forbes.com Healthcare News — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:31:34 +0100

More workers than ever are being offered (or pushed into) high deductible health plans at work. While having to pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars in deductibles may sound off-putting at first, there’s a silver lining: these plans often come with an optional health savings account. For savvy savers, it’s an incredible hidden way to prefund healthcare costs in retirement. (Source: Forbes.com Healthcare News)

Patient isolation measures for infants with candida colonization or infection for preventing or reducing transmission of candida in neonatal units.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 22:06:03 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The review found no evidence to either support or refute the use of patient isolation measures (single room isolation or cohorting) in neonates with candida colonization or infection.Despite the evidence for transmission of candida by contact and evidence of cross-infection by health care workers, no standard policy of patient isolation measures beyond routine infection control measures exists in the neonatal unit. There is an urgent need to research the role of patient isolation measures for preventing transmission of candida in the neonatal unit. Well designed trials randomizing clusters of units or hospitals to a type of patient isolation method intervention are needed. PMID: 22071827 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews)

Are you obese? Do you smoke? Your company could soon penalize you with higher healthcare premiums

NaturalNews.com — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 07:00:00 +0100

(NaturalNews) The US healthcare system is a mess, as both health insurance and medical treatment costs continue to soar exponentially year after year. But one way some companies are helping to address this dire situation is to begin penalizing workers that represent the biggest drain on the system (smokers and the obese) with higher healthcare premiums.Reuters reports that Veridian Credit Union, a Waterloo, Iowa-based company, recently unveiled a new wellness and screening program aimed at helping those in high-risk health categories to get healthier. But part of the plan includes charging smokers and obese employees higher healthcare premiums beginning in 2013, which some allege is unfair and an intrusive breach of personal privacy.But the truth of the matter is that many who smoke or are...

Best practice in fall prevention: Roles of informal caregivers, health care providers and the community. - Lach HW, Krampe J, Phongphanngam S.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 00:39:42 +0100

Falls are an important public health problem for older adults, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality, as well as healthcare costs. Evidence supports the assessment of older adults' fall risks and implementation of interventions to reduce these r... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

New study reveals expensive MRIs pushed on women for breast cancer screening have no medical benefit

NaturalNews.com — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 06:51:52 +0100

(NaturalNews) The use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, better known simply as MRI, for breast cancer screening is increasing and so is its use in guiding breast surgery when cancer is discovered. Obviously, that means healthcare costs are soaring, too, as more and more women are advised to get MRIs in addition to mammograms. The push started in 2007. At that time, the New York Times reported a breast MRI cost $1,000 to $2,000, and sometimes more -- at least 10 times the cost of mammography. So for every million breast MRIs performed each year, healthcare costs spike by at least a billion dollars. Sometimes, but not always, these test are covered by Medicare and insurance.Of course, despite this enormous cost, the only reason doctors and medical centers would be urging women to have these exp...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

PwC: Growing public appetite for healthcare innovation

CMIO.net: The News Weekly for Health IT Executives — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0100

As a number of policy initiatives aimed at extracting more bang for the buck out of healthcare costs are being rolled out and implemented, healthcare consumers are showing enthusiasm for the benefits that they propose. (Source: CMIO.net: The News Weekly for Health IT Executives)

Use of copay coupons for branded drugs will raise healthcare costs

PharmacoEconomics and Outcomes News — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:01:00 +0100

(Source: PharmacoEconomics and Outcomes News)

Best practice in fall prevention: roles of informal caregivers, health care providers and the community

International Journal of Older People Nursing — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 05:24:41 +0100

This article addresses the roles of these additional stakeholders in providing and supporting best practices in fall prevention. Together these stakeholders can assist older adults in self‐management of fall prevention, based on the preferences of the individual, local resources, and available programmes and healthcare services. (Source: International Journal of Older People Nursing)

Long-term results of office-based pneumatic retinopexy using pure air

British Journal of Ophthalmology — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions Office-based pure-air PR achieves acceptable reattachment rates with good visual outcomes and long-term efficacy. Eliminating the need for expansile gases makes this approach more widely available, decreases recovery time and lowers healthcare costs. (Source: British Journal of Ophthalmology)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Public employers search for healthcare savings

Modern Medicine — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Public employers can find savings on healthcare costs and still deliver high-quality benefits, according a study released on Tuesday. (Source: Modern Medicine)

Healthcare Costs in Patients with Metastatic Lung Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy

BMC Health Services Research — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Our study sheds additional light on the burden of metastatic lung cancer among patients receiving chemotherapy, in terms of total cost thru end of life as well as component costs by setting and type of service, and may be useful in informing medical resource allocation in this patient population. (Source: BMC Health Services Research)

JAMIA: Clinical decision support systems are not cost effective

Cardiovascular Business News — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Computerized decision support systems (CDSSs) are believed to reduce healthcare costs while enhancing patient care, but a new research study determined that the implementation of a CDSS to treat patients with type II diabetes was too expensive for the health improvements associated with it. (Source: Cardiovascular Business News)

Community hospitals push ahead with IT, despite tight budgets

Healthcare IT News — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:09:06 +0100

A new survey from Anthelio finds that a majority of community hospitals report having low operating margins due to rising healthcare costs and lower Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement. Nonetheless, most hospitals surveyed are still working to put in place an array of health IT. The report finds community hospitals targeting several priorities as they work to put in place technology solutions to improve operations, and improve patient satisfaction and performance: No read more (Source: Healthcare IT News)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Public employers search for healthcare savings

Reuters: Health — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 22:50:27 +0100

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Public employers can find savings on healthcare costs and still deliver high-quality benefits, according a study released on Tuesday. (Source: Reuters: Health)

What's the Price of Climate Change? $14 Billion in Lost Lives and Health Care

Scientific American - Official RSS Feed — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:31:00 +0100

Flood, famine, fire and disease climate change is expected to have an impact on all of these threats, by altering the earth in many ways, from changes in the planet’s water cycle to making a broader swath of the planet amenable to insect-born illnesses such as malaria. A new study in the November issue of Health Affairs by public health scientists (most of whom work for an environmental group, the Natural Resources Defense Council) attempts to put a price on all that change.These researchers picked six representative disasters and tallied up the economic impact as a first estimate of the kinds of health-related costs climate change might bring. By the group’s calculation, the six “climate change-related” disasters ranging from the Red River floods in North Dakota ...

Increasing maternal age at first pregnancy planning: health outcomes and associated costs

Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions Spontaneous conception and mode of delivery are most susceptible to increasing maternal age leading to involuntary childlessness and non-spontaneous labour. The increase in assisted reproduction technology, twin pregnancies and delivery complications results in higher costs along with fewer ongoing pregnancies at higher age. (Source: Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health)

Statistics and Effects of Alzheimer's Disease

About Alzheimers Disease — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

According to the Alzheimer's Association, November is National Alzheimer's Awareness Month and Family Caregiver Month. I love that we are highlighting both the disease and the caregivers in the same month. So, first the disease. More than 5.4 million people have Alzheimer's in the United States. Worldwide, that number is 35.6 million and counting. As our country and world ages, those numbers will jump up exponentially. Let's talk about the caregivers now. The statistics vary, but there are between 10 and 15 million family caregivers for individuals with Alzheimer's. That's a lot of caregivers. How many people are affected in some way by Alzheimer's disease? Those directly affected could include anywhere from 15-20 million, if we add up the above numbers. According to the United States C...

Drug non-adherence costs $290 billion year

Health News - UPI.com — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:51:31 +0100

BALTIMORE, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- Nearly three out of four Americans do not always take medication as directed, adding $290 billion per year to U.S. healthcare costs, federal officials say. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Cost-effectiveness of a shared computerized decision support system for diabetes linked to electronic medical records.

Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

ConclusionThe web-based prototype decision support system slightly improved short-term risk factors. The model predicted moderate improvements in long-term health outcomes. This disease management program will need to develop considerable efficiencies in terms of costs and processes or improved effectiveness to be considered a cost-effective intervention for treating patients with type 2 diabetes. PMID: 22052900 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association)

Treatment Costs Higher When HIV Diagnosis Is Delayed Treatment Costs Higher When HIV Diagnosis Is Delayed

Medscape Today Headlines — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:57:08 +0100

Patients presenting late with HIV incur significantly higher healthcare costs. Much of the difference is attributable to increased hospital admissions, but drug costs are also higher. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Healthcare costs pushing Indians below poverty line: WHO

The Economic Times — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:38:22 +0100

Rising cost of diagnosis, medicines and hospitalisation will push millions of Indians below the poverty line, an official of WHO said. (Source: The Economic Times)

Cost‐effectiveness analysis of burning mouth syndrome therapy

Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Topical clonazepam, which previous analyses of clinical evidence have shown to be the drug of choice for BMS, also proved to be the most cost‐effective of the drugs analysed for this condition. (Source: Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Enhancing ventilation in homes of children with asthma: cost-effectiveness study alongside randomised controlled trial.

The British Journal of General Practice — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusion This novel and pragmatic trial, with integrated economic evaluation, reported that tailored improvement of the housing of children with moderate to severe asthma is likely to be a cost-effective use of public resources. This is a rare example of evidence for collaboration between local government and the NHS. PMID: 22054337 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The British Journal of General Practice)

Incidence of Healthcare‐Associated Infections in a Pediatric Population With an Extracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device

Artificial Organs — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

AbstractDuring the last decade, ventricular assist devices (VADs) have become a precious tool to support children with end‐stage heart failure. However, thromboembolic events, bleeding, and infections may have a considerable impact on outcome. We retrospectively analyzed the incidence of healthcare‐associated infections (HAIs) in nine patients supported by EXCOR Pediatric (Berlin Heart [BH]) VAD in a pediatric cardiosurgical intensive care unit between January 1, 2009 and March 31, 2011 (27 months). Median age was 8 months (interquartile range [IQR] 6–11), median weight 7.5 kg (IQR 4.5–8.5). Seven patients were supported with a left VAD, two with a biventricular VAD (BiVAD). Six patients with a left VAD underwent heart transplant after 89 days (median, IQR 41–143) of support. O...

Bill seeks legal protection for EHR users

Healthcare IT News — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:18:12 +0100

A bill introduced last week seeks to provide greater legal protection to Medicare and Medicaid providers that use electronic health records. U.S. Rep. Tom Marino introduced H.R. 3239, the Safeguarding Access For Every Medicare Patient Act, on Oct. 26. The Pennsylvania Republican's bill is designed to ensure patient access to Medicare and Medicaid providers, reduce healthcare costs, guarantee incentives to providers to remain in the Medicare and Medicaid programs and promote participation in health information technology. No read more (Source: Healthcare IT News)

A real-world study of patients with type 2 diabetes initiating basal insulins via disposable pens.

Advances in Therapy — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: This real-world study demonstrates that patients initiating GLA-P were more likely to persist with and adhere to treatment, with better glycemic control and similar overall hypoglycemia rate at no increase in healthcare cost. PMID: 22038703 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Advances in Therapy)

Activity-Based Costing and Management in a Hospital-Based GI Unit

Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 20:45:41 +0100

Over the last 2 decades, a number of attempts have been made to slow the rise in healthcare costs. Among them were Health Maintenance Organizations, which lowered costs through capitation. In most cases, this resulted in quality being sacrificed for cost and ultimately, many patients rejected the Health Maintenance Organization concept due to the lack of choice and access. The economic downturn and the passage of the Affordable Care Act have again focused scrutiny on rising healthcare costs. In the next several years, the healthcare industry will be challenged to provide more care to more people with fewer resources. (Source: Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Healthcare Costs Actually Matter for Patients Paying Out of Pocket

Physicians Practice — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 12:00:00 +0100

Bringing costs into the healthcare equation, and in particular inserting them as a mistress in the doctor-patient relationship, is replete with challenges. (Source: Physicians Practice)

Post-myocardial infarction depression: Increased hospital admissions and reduced adoption of secondary prevention measures — A longitudinal study

Journal of Psychosomatic Research — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Post-MI depressive symptoms were shown to be associated with increased hospital admissions, particularly cardiac admissions, and with reduced adoption of secondary prevention behaviors. These findings have implications for patients' prognosis and quality of life and for healthcare costs. Depressive symptoms, even at the sub-clinical level, should be monitored in post-MI patients in order to identify those at greater risk of rehospitalization. (Source: Journal of Psychosomatic Research)

Economic Costs of Excessive Alcohol Consumption in the U.S., 2006

American Journal of Preventive Medicine — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 16:00:32 +0100

Conclusions: On a per capita basis, the economic impact of excessive alcohol consumption in the U.S. is approximately $746 per person, most of which is attributable to binge drinking. Evidence-based strategies for reducing excessive drinking should be widely implemented. (Source: American Journal of Preventive Medicine)

Obesity and Disability: Time to Act

American Journal of Preventive Medicine — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 16:00:32 +0100

Today, 34% of Americans have a BMI above 30. The dramatic rise in obesity has generated considerable concern because of the increased risk that excess weight poses for chronic diseases. The economic burden is substantial, with medical spending estimated to be 42% higher for someone who is obese and obesity-related healthcare costs estimated at $147 billion annually. Although smoking is the leading preventable cause of U.S. mortality, obesity causes greater morbidity, and some speculate that deaths due to poor diet and inactivity may exceed those from smoking. (Source: American Journal of Preventive Medicine)

Most in Massachusetts want state push on health costs

Reuters: Health — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 22:00:13 +0100

BOSTON (Reuters) - Most Massachusetts residents want their state government to take action to reduce high healthcare costs that they blame on drug and insurance companies charging too much, a survey showed on Friday. (Source: Reuters: Health)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Wal-Mart trims some U.S. health coverage

Reuters: Health — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 21:01:06 +0100

(Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc will no longer offer health insurance to new part-time U.S. employees who work fewer than 24 hours a week and will charge workers who use tobacco more for coverage as healthcare costs rise, the company said on Friday. (Source: Reuters: Health)

Wal-Mart trims some U.S. employee health coverage

Reuters: Health — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 17:29:09 +0100

Walmart trims certain employee health coverage

Reuters: Health — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 15:38:30 +0100

(Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc will no longer offer health insurance to new part-time employees who work fewer than 24 hours a week and will charge workers who use tobacco more for coverage as healthcare costs rise, the company said on Friday. (Source: Reuters: Health)

Swiss healthcare cost containment policies and their impact on anaesthetists' density and satisfaction.

Swiss Medical Weekly — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 15:05:03 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Implicit rationing policies introduced in Switzerland to limit healthcare costs and the number of physicians has had no impact on anaesthetists' workforce density, working conditions and overall satisfaction in Latin Switzerland. This opens the question of the real usefulness of these policies, at least for anaesthetists. PMID: 21971666 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Swiss Medical Weekly)

Without new doc adoption, are EHR dollars truly ‘incentives’?

ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 14:48:59 +0100

Source: Marla Durben Hirsch, FierceEMR Content: “The Medicare and Medicaid electronic health record incentive program is meant to propel widespread adoption of electronic medical record keeping, largely in an effort to improve patient care and reduce healthcare costs. But a recent iWatch News analysis released by the Center for Program Integrity reveals that about half of [...] (Source: ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Patients' education, and its impact on care outcomes, resource consumption and working conditions: Data from the International Diabetes Management Practices Study (IDMPS).

Diabetes and Metabolism — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: Diabetes education is an efficient tool for improving care outcomes without having a major impact on healthcare costs. PMID: 22019715 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Diabetes and Metabolism)

Identification of Patients with Sleep Disordered Breathing: Comparing the Four-Variable Screening Tool, STOP, STOP-Bang, and Epworth Sleepiness Scales

Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine : JCSM — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 21:58:03 +0100

Conclusions:In community populations such as the SHHS, high specificities may be more useful in excluding low-risk patients, while avoiding false positives. However, sleep clinicians may prefer to use screening tools with high sensitivities, like the STOP-Bang, in order to avoid missing cases that may lead to adverse health consequences and increased healthcare costs.Citation:Silva GE; Vana KD; Goodwin JL; Sherrill DL; Quan SF. Identification of patients with sleep disordered breathing: comparing the Four-Variable screening tool, STOP, STOP-Bang, and Epworth Sleepiness Scales. J Clin Sleep Med 2011;7(5):467-472. (Source: Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine : JCSM)

New $100M investment fund focused on lowering healthcare costs

Healthcare IT News — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:09:25 +0100

Gary and Mary West, co-founders of the West Wireless Health Institute, announced Oct. 19 the formation of a $100 million investment fund with a mission to lower healthcare costs. The West Health Investment Fund, LLC was created to spur the development and adoption of healthcare innovations specifically focused on making healthcare more affordable. Display on Best Hospitals page: No read more (Source: Healthcare IT News)

Thinking Outside the Doctor’s Office to Build a Strong, Healthy Nation

RWJF News Digest - Public Health — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Healthcare costs are spiraling upward, and the country is not getting healthier for the money spent. Nearly half of all Americans have at least one chronic illness today, signaling more complications and higher costs tomorrow. We cannot spend our way out of this — we need a new approach. (Source: RWJF News Digest - Public Health)

Binge Drinking Tacks Billions on to Healthcare Costs

MedPage Today Primary Care — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 22:15:28 +0100

(MedPage Today) -- Binge drinking cost the U.S. nearly $224 billion in 2006, and more than a tenth of that total was attributable to healthcare expenses, CDC researchers said. (Source: MedPage Today Primary Care)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Costs and Health Resources Utilization Following Switching to Pregabalin in Individuals with Gabapentin‐Refractory Neuropathic Pain: A post hoc Analysis

Pain Practice — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The cost of care in patients with gabapentin‐refractory peripheral neuropathic pain appeared to be significantly reduced after switching to pregabalin treatment, alone or in combination with other analgesic drugs, in a real‐life setting. (Source: Pain Practice)

Identification of Patients with Sleep Disordered Breathing: Comparing the Four-Variable Screening Tool, STOP, STOP-Bang, and Epworth Sleepiness Scales

Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine : JCSM — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 23:23:52 +0100

Adherence to guidelines for antibiotic prophylaxis in surgery patients in German hospitals: a multicentre evaluation involving pharmacy interns

Infection — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:43:25 +0100

Conclusions The study revealed that many patients do not receive the appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis despite the fact that guidelines are in place. Based on these results, we conclude that PIs may play an important role in antibiotic prophylaxis management. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Clinical and Epidemiological StudyPages 1-7DOI 10.1007/s15010-011-0204-7Authors C. Hohmann, Department of Medicine, Centre for Drug Information and Pharmacy Practice (ZAPP), Federal Union of German Associations of Pharmacists (ABDA), Jaegerstraße 49-50, 10117 Berlin, GermanyC. Eickhoff, Department of Medicine, Centre for Drug Information and Pharmacy Practice (ZAPP), Federal Union of German Associations of Pharmacists (ABDA), Jaegerstraße 49-50, 10117 Berlin, GermanyR. Rad...

Pay-for-performance in disease management: a systematic review of the literature

BMC Health Services Research — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: The number of P4P schemes to encourage disease management is limited. Hardly any information is available about the effects of such schemes on healthcare quality and costs. (Source: BMC Health Services Research)

Insurers Turn Over Claims Data

Managed Healthcare Executive Magazine Online — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Aetna, Humana, Kaiser Permanente and the UnitedHeath Group will provide data for more than 5 billion medical claims to the Health Care Cost Institute (HCCI) to offer new insights into healthcare costs, utilization, and intensity. (Source: Managed Healthcare Executive Magazine Online)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Does Treatment Adherence Therapy reduce expense of healthcare use in patients with psychotic disorders? Cost-minimization analysis in a randomized controlled trial

Schizophrenia Research — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Because TAT did not reduce total healthcare costs, it did not contribute to cost-minimization. Its benefits are therefore questionable. No other adherence intervention has included analysis of cost-effectiveness or cost-minimization. (Source: Schizophrenia Research)

Doctor Reveals Massive Cost Savings Hidden In Electronic Medical Records

ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 07:42:53 +0100

Source: MarketWatch Content: “Several recent studies have shown the vast majority of doctors in the U.S. have not adopted the standardized use of Electronic Health Records (EHR). Dr. Angel Garcia, CEO of EHR solutions provider Global Medical Consultants, believes it’s one of the driving forces behind rising healthcare costs. He addresses this problem in his [...] (Source: ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics)

Risk of venous thromboembolism and benefits of prophylaxis use in hospitalized medically ill US patients up to 180 days post-hospital discharge

Thrombosis Journal — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: In this analysis, VTE and major bleeding event rates were lower for patients who received prophylaxis compared with those who did not. Prophylaxis use was associated with lower healthcare costs. (Source: Thrombosis Journal)

Cost-effectiveness of exercise therapy versus general practitioner care for osteoarthritis of the hip: design of a randomised clinical trial.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

DISCUSSION: The results of this trial will provide insight into the cost-effectiveness of adding exercise therapy to GPs' care in the treatment of OA of the hip. This trial is registered in the Dutch trial registry (www.trialregister.nl): trial number NTR1462. (Source: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders)

First multi-epitope subunit vaccine against extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli delivered by a bacterial type-3 secretion system (T3SS).

International Journal of Medical Microbiology — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

This study shows that a vaccine encompassing distinct epitopes of virulence-associated ExPEC proteins (i) can be applied for a T3SS-dependent vaccination strategy, (ii) elicits T-cell responses and (iii) confers protection after a single application. PMID: 22000741 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: International Journal of Medical Microbiology)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

AJR: How to stop worrying and love the ACO model

Health Imaging News — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:29:54 +0100

An expert panel considered the role of radiologists in reducing healthcare costs and offered strategies for responding to the accountable care organization (ACO) model during a Masters of Radiology discussion. An article based on the transcript of the discussion appeared in the October issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology. (Source: Health Imaging News)

Time for a Policy Change for Coronary Artery Calcium Testing in Asymptomatic People?⁎

Journal of the American College of Cardiology — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 01:54:11 +0100

Recent clinical practice guidelines for coronary artery calcium (CAC) testing in asymptomatic people vary in their advice about routine testing from moderately enthusiastic support to frank opposition. The 2010 Clinical Practice Guideline Panel of the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) published an extensive published data review and assessment of the utility of a large number of tests and procedures for risk assessment of the asymptomatic adult (). Recommendations for CAC scoring ranged from Class IIa (reasonable to perform the procedure) to Class III (should not be done). The ACC/AHA recommendations for CAC testing, by different patient categories, are shown in . Level of evidence for all of the ACC/AHA CAC recommendations was regarded as B, prima...

6 tips for HIE sustainability

Healthcare IT News — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:12:03 +0100

The widespread development of health information exchange is happening quickly, and with it comes worries about confidentiality, privacy and security. But its benefits far outweigh potential concerns and include improved quality of care and reduced healthcare costs. Display on Best Hospitals page: No read more (Source: Healthcare IT News)

MASSPIRG Testifies on Rx Drug Marketing Bills Urges Committee to Support Bills That Rein in Healthcare Costs

Drugs.com - Pharma News — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 16:00:20 +0100

Boston—MASSPIRG testified today before the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Public Health on a handful of bills that would add to or work to decrease Massachusetts’ highest-in-the-nation healthcare costs. Specifically,... (Source: Drugs.com - Pharma News)

Nocebo in fibromyalgia: meta‐analysis of placebo‐controlled clinical trials and implications for practice

European Journal of Neurology — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Nocebo is remarkably prevalent in FM patients participating in RCTs. Because nocebo contributes to drug intolerance and treatment failure in clinical practice, identification of predisposing factors and efforts to prevent nocebo by educating these patients appropriately may be important for FM outcome. (Source: European Journal of Neurology)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Evaluation of value-based insurance design with a large retail employer.

The American Journal of Managed Care — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: VBID may be effective in improving medication adherence and reducing total healthcare costs when active counseling is provided to high utilizers of care. PMID: 21999676 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The American Journal of Managed Care)

Insecure attachment is an independent correlate of objective sleep disturbances in military veterans

Sleep Medicine — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

This study examines the association between interpersonal attachment styles and sleep in a high-risk cohort of military veterans with PTSD symptoms.Methods: Participants were 49 military veterans (85% male) enrolled in a treatment study of combat-related sleep disturbances. Data were collected at pre-treatment baseline. Attachment anxiety and avoidance, clinical characteristics, and subjective sleep quality were characterised via self-report. Polysomnographic sleep measures were averaged from two nights of in-laboratory sleep studies and included: visually scored duration and continuity, the percentage of stage 3+4 sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, and quantitative electroencephalographic (QEEG) measures of delta and beta power during NREM and REM sleep. Linear regressions evaluate...

Savings in targeted care for back pain

Management in Practice — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 11:09:00 +0100

GPs can "substantially" reduce healthcare costs by removing a "one size fits all" treatment to back pain, researchers suggest (Source: Management in Practice)

Consumers can control health costs

Health News - UPI.com — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 01:54:16 +0100

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Sept. 29 (UPI) -- People with high-deductible health plans and a health savings account or a health reimbursement arrangement reduced healthcare costs, U.S. researchers say. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

Trends in laboratory medicine

Jornal Brasileiro de Patologia e Medicina Laboratorial — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:16:28 +0100

A patologia clínica/medicina laboratorial é uma especialidade direcionada à realização de exames complementares no auxílio ao diagnóstico, com impacto nos diferentes estágios da cadeia de saúde: prevenção, diagnóstico, prognóstico e acompanhamento terapêutico. Diversos elementos apontam para maior utilização da medicina diagnóstica no futuro. Para discutirmos as principais tendências na medicina laboratorial, descrevemos os fatores que colaboram e são fundamentais para o crescimento desse mercado denominados, neste estudo, drivers de crescimento. As principais tendências que terão forte impacto na medicina laboratorial, e que serão descritas neste artigo, são: ferramentas de gestão, inserção de novos testes no mercado e rol de procedimentos, qualidade dos serviço...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

UCLA School of Nursing HIV Medication Adherence Program Recognized Among Top HIV Behavioral Interventions by CDC

NurseZone.com Nursing News — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:26:22 +0100

September 27, 2011 - The Prevention Research Synthesis Project at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control has identified the ATHENA HIV medication adherence program, developed through the UCLA School of Nursing research department, as one of the strongest HIV behavioral interventions available today. Medication adherence programs are critical to stopping the spread of HIV and reducing HIV-related healthcare costs. (Source: NurseZone.com Nursing News)

Targeted back pain care 'better'

BBC News | Health | UK Edition — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 00:45:41 +0100

More targeted treatment for back pain improves care and "substantially" reduces healthcare costs, say researchers. (Source: BBC News | Health | UK Edition)

What’s Holding Back Health IT Innovation?

ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:36:12 +0100

Source: Neil Versel, InformationWeek Content: “The U.S. healthcare system is so complicated and the status quo so entrenched that many good IT ideas fail to take hold. But the future of healthcare–and of the U.S. economy itself–depends on such innovators finding ways to get healthcare costs under control, according to Mark Smith, president and CEO [...] (Source: ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics)

Population level determinants of acute mountain sickness among young men: a retrospective study

BMC Public Health - Latest articles — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Before a group of young men first enter a high altitude area, it is important that a health service plan should be made referring to the group's travel profile and with respect to young men's ethnicity and province of birth. Low-cost Chinese traditional prophylactic drugs might have some effect on decreasing the risk of AMS, although this needs further verification. (Source: BMC Public Health - Latest articles)

Long term outcomes and costs of ESCAPE‐knee pain: An integrated rehabilitation programme for chronic knee pain

Arthritis Care and Research — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions.Clinical and cost benefits of ESCAPE‐knee pain were still evident 30 months after completing the programme. ESCAPE‐knee pain is a more effective, efficient model of care, that could substantially improve many people's health, wellbeing and independence, while reducing healthcare costs. © 2011 by the American College of Rheumatology. (Source: Arthritis Care and Research)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Many MDs say patients get too much care

Health News - UPI.com — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 00:12:10 +0100

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, Vt., Sept. 26 (UPI) -- Economists say U.S. healthcare costs more than twice that of any other developed county -- and many doctors say some patients get too much medical care. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

Psychological and pharmacological interventions for depression in patients with coronary artery disease

NeLM - Disease Focused Reviews — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Source: Cochrane Library Area: Evidence > Disease Focused Reviews Background Depression occurs frequently in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and is associated with a poor prognosis. Objectives To determine the effects of psychological and pharmacological interventions for depression in CAD patients with comorbid depression. Search strategy CENTRAL, DARE, HTA and EED on The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, ISRCTN Register and CardioSource Registry were searched. Reference lists of included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were examined and primary authors contacted. No language restrictions were applied. Selection criteria RCTs investigating psychological and pharmacological interventions for depression in adult...

Pain Education in North American Medical Schools

The Journal of Pain — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

This study assessed the scope and scale of pain education programs in U.S. and Canadian medical schools. Significant gaps between recommended pain curricula and documented educational content were identified. In short, pain education was limited and fragmentary. Innovative and integrated pain education in primary medical education is needed. (Source: The Journal of Pain)

Economic burden of injuries in South Korea

Injury Prevention — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions The estimates were considerably understated because they did not include losses in household production and quality of life. Nevertheless, the size and main components of the injury burden were identified; this information should aid decision-making about research priorities and improve monitoring of the effects of policy initiatives. (Source: Injury Prevention)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

U.S. firms expect healthcare costs to rise at lowest rate since 1997

L.A. Times - Health — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Companies expect to pay 5.4% more on average for health benefits next year, the smallest increase in more than a decade, a survey says. Workers, however, may see their share of the costs outpace their earnings growth.Healthcare expenses for U.S. employers are expected to increase next year at the lowest rate in more than a decade, but the cost of benefits for workers is likely to outpace the growth of their earnings, a national survey has found. (Source: L.A. Times - Health)

CDC: Rotavirus Vaccine Cuts Kids’ Hospitalization Rates

RWJF News Digest - Public Health — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Since the 2006 introduction of routine inoculation against rotavirus -- a leading cause of diarrhea in infants and young children -- almost 65,000 fewer American children have been hospitalized and about $278 million in healthcare costs have been saved, according to new research. (Source: RWJF News Digest - Public Health)

AIM: Cost-conscious care could help cut $700B in healthcare spending

Health Imaging News — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 14:01:23 +0100

Healthcare costs are the new “elephant in the room” and providing cost-conscious care should be the seventh general competency for U.S. physicians, according to an editorial appearing in the Sept. 20 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine. The approach includes reducing unnecessary imaging studies to help cut the estimated $700 billion in wasted healthcare spending annually. (Source: Health Imaging News)

HFSA: HF readmissions could be even lower

Cardiovascular Business News — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:57:25 +0100

BOSTON--Fifty-four percent of overall healthcare costs are related to rehospitalizations. While less than half of rehospitalizations are related to heart failure (HF), integrated strategies that could prevent HF rehospitalizations currently are being underutilized, Prakash C. Deedwania, MD, chief of cardiology at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, said during a presentation Sept. 19 at the 15th annual Heart Failure Society of America’s (HFSA) scientific sessions. (Source: Cardiovascular Business News)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Four payors pool data to assess nationwide costs, utilization

Cardiovascular Business News — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 06:50:18 +0100

The Health Care Cost Institute (HCCI), a health research initiative led by payors Aetna, Humana, Kaiser Permanente and UnitedHealthcare, was launched to allow researchers and policymakers access to a collection of health plan and government payor data. The HCCI said this initiative will offer new insights into healthcare costs, utilization and intensity, as well as inform the public policy process and assist in developing new solutions to long-term problems confronting the healthcare system. (Source: Cardiovascular Business News)

Systematic kidney disease management in a population with diabetes mellitus: turning the tide of kidney failure

Quality and Safety in Health Care — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Problem A significant proportion of patients with diabetes mellitus do not get the benefit of treatment that would reduce their risk of progressive kidney disease and reach a nephrologist once significant loss of kidney function has already occurred. Design Systematic disease management of patients with diabetes and kidney disease. Setting Diverse population (approximately 800 000) in and around Birmingham, West Midlands, UK. Key measures for improvement Number of outpatient appointments, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at first contact with nephrologist, number of patients starting kidney replacement therapy (KRT) and mode of KRT at start. Strategy for change Identification of patients with low or deteriorating trend in eGFR from weekly database review, specialist diabetes...

Healthcare Cost Institute to provide data from four private sector insurers

Healthcare IT News — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:26:02 +0100

A new health research initiative called the Health Care Cost Institute was launched Tuesday, providing researchers and policymakers access to medical claims data from four major insurers and the federal government in order to offer new insights into healthcare costs, utilization and intensity. Officials said the new tool will inform the public policy process and assist in developing new solutions to long-term problems confronting the healthcare system. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Healthcare Costs Accelerate

Managed Healthcare Executive Magazine Online — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Data released by S&P Indices for the S&P Healthcare Economic Composite Index indicate that the average per capita cost of healthcare services covered by commercial insurance and Medicare programs increased by 5.61% over the 12-months ending June 2011. (Source: Managed Healthcare Executive Magazine Online)

New generation dynamic, wireless and remote cardiac monitorization platform: A feasibility study

International Journal of Cardiology — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

A major aim in cardiovascular medicine is to improve the lives of cardiac patients and to reduce healthcare costs by improving cardiac events prevention, and new technologies may help to reach this purpose . Nuubo's dynamic ECG (nECG Platform) is a new generation proprietary wireless remote monitoring platform, which consists of a non-invasive and single-lead dynamic ECG system that incorporates biomedical e-textile technology (). (Source: International Journal of Cardiology)

Psychological and pharmacological interventions for depression in patients with coronary artery disease.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 09:32:03 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Psychological interventions and pharmacological interventions with SSRIs may have a small yet clinically meaningful effect on depression outcomes in CAD patients. No beneficial effects on the reduction of mortality rates and cardiac events were found. Overall, however, the evidence is sparse due to the low number of high quality trials per outcome and the heterogeneity of examined populations and interventions. PMID: 21901717 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews)

Counselling for mental health and psychosocial problems in primary care.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 09:32:03 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Counselling is associated with significantly greater clinical effectiveness in short-term mental health outcomes compared to usual care, but provides no additional advantages in the long-term. Participants were satisfied with counselling. Although some types of health care utilisation may be reduced, counselling does not seem to reduce overall healthcare costs. The generalisability of these findings to settings outside the United Kingdom is unclear. PMID: 21901675 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews)