MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'department of health'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:57:19 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159836&cid=t_169607_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FAhQvJIfu6qE%2F Concerns about conflicts of interests are all the rage these days. The FDA is debating whether to loosen rules over complaints that an insufficient number of experts are available for its advisory committees. And the National Institutes of Health just issued new rules covering academics who receive federal funding for their research and also have ties to industry (see here and here). As it turns out, the US Department of Health & Human Services, which oversees both agencies, has its own problems with conflicts. A new report by the HHS Office of Inspector General found most conflict-of-interest waivers issued two years ago were not documented as recommended in federal ethics regulations and only a minority of waivers were signed and dated by HHS employees receiving them. These waivers... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159836 Thu, 25 Aug 2011 15:12:11 +0100 5159836 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5107665&cid=t_169607_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fuk-offers-us-chance-learn-failure So far, it seems reasonable to believe that HITECH is working, but where could things go wrong? read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5107665 Tue, 09 Aug 2011 11:43:50 +0100 5107665 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5077688&cid=t_169607_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fcan-pharmacogenomic-tests-help-to-improve-public-health%2F2011.07.29 Adverse drug events are a serious public health problem. Consider the following facts: an estimated 82% of American adults take at least one medication and 29% take five or more; 700,000 emergency department visits and 120,000 hospitalizations are due to adverse drug events annually; $3.5 billion is spent on extra medical costs of adverse drug events annually; at least 40% of costs associated with adverse drug events occurring outside hospitals can be prevented. How can genomics help? Pharmacogenomics is the study of genetic variation as a factor in drug response, affecting both safety and effectiveness. The intended applications of pharmacogenomics research include identifying responders and non-responders to medications, avoiding adverse events, optimizing drug dose and avoiding unnece... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5077688 Fri, 29 Jul 2011 12:00:10 +0100 5077688 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5078036&cid=t_169607_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F0pYjzQ4aXt4%2F Earlier this month, the Florida Department of Health filed an administrative complaint against Peter Gleason, a physician, in connection with his 2006 arrest for off-label marketing of the Xyrem cataplexy drug, which is used to treat a sudden loss of muscle tone associated with narcolepsy. His talks were funded by Orphan Medical, which was bought by Jazz Pharmaceuticals. He recently pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor with no intent, sentenced to one year of probation and paid a $25 fine. However, the state failed to note one important detail - Gleason died this past February. The 57-year-old physician recently saw his medical licenses suspended in Pennsylvania and California, and the accumulated weight of the events apparently led him to commit suicide, according to his sister. We left mess... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5078036 Thu, 28 Jul 2011 15:44:42 +0100 5078036 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5077678&cid=t_169607_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2F5hHFowu-r40%2F On June 9, 2011, sanofi-aventis U.S. announced the “sanofi-aventis U.S. Innovation Challenge: Data, Design, Diabetes” at the National Institute of Health’s Health Data Initiative Forum. The challenge, which launched on July 1, integrates open data with a human-centered view into diabetes, and will award $220,000 in total prize money. The challenge is designed for fast learning, so that innovators can create the needed service solutions for people living with diabetes. It brings together the richness of open data sets made available on healthdata.gov, the values of human-centered design, and the leading edge methodology of the top innovation accelerators. Until July 31st, innovators can submit their concepts on www.datadesigndiabetes.com.  In early August, an independent panel of exp... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5077678 Thu, 28 Jul 2011 13:30:17 +0100 5077678 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5062500&cid=t_169607_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FdI34cgVq2EI%2F After two decades during which complaints have mounted over various aspects of clinical trials, the US Department of Health & Human Services has issued a proposal that would, presumably, better protect clinical trial subjects. There are various suggestions, but include improving consent forms for participants and mandating the use of a single institutional review board for multi-study sites. “The current regulations governing human subjects research were developed years ago when research was predominantly conducted at universities, colleges, and medical institutions, and each study generally took place at only a single site,” the HHS states in its proposal, which indicates comments can be submitted for 60 days as of July 25 - which is today - according to an HHS spokeswoma... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5062500 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 14:16:58 +0100 5062500 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5051233&cid=t_169607_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F_Ne7ygGc-0w%2F Faced with being banned from doing business with such federal healthcare programs as Medicare and Medicaid, Forest Laboratories ceo and president Howard Solomon recently retained former US Senator John Breaux as a lobbyist. The Louisiana pol is now a senior counsel with the Patton Boggs law firm, which has a large healthcare practice (see here). His lobbying registration form was filed on June 14, two months after the Office of Inspector General of the US Department of Health & Human Services notified the drugmaker that its 83-year-old executive was facing exclusion (read this). The Hill first reported Forest hired Breaux. Last year, Forest pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and made a $313 million payment that included $164 million in criminal penalties, and signed a corporate ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5051233 Fri, 22 Jul 2011 14:48:51 +0100 5051233 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934015&cid=t_169607_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F06%2F13%2Fdefunding-planned-parenthood-in-tennessee-tying-together-the-news%2F I posted on Friday about Nashville’s Department of Health deciding to accept the funds that would normally go to Planned Parenthood for family planning services, and stating when they did so they were taking the money on the condition that they did not have to serve the same number of people. A commenter here – who appears to be close to the issue – pointed out that the county would probably need more local tax dollars to provide the same amount of service that Planned Parenthood provided with a combination of those federal funds and private donations. I saw a few news items today that don’t make a coherent whole, but that I felt were related to the issue. 1. State Health Commissioner Susan Cooper reportedly sent a letter to the Metro Public Health Department urgin... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934015 Tue, 14 Jun 2011 00:19:41 +0100 4934015 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4820843&cid=t_169607_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FiNiaIFEqVdE%2F National Women’s Health Week is a weeklong health observance coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health. It brings together communities, businesses, government, health organizations, and other groups in an effort to promote women’s health. The theme for 2011 is “It’s Your Time.” National Women’s Health Week empowers women to make their health a top priority. It also encourages them to take steps to improve their physical and mental health and lower their risks of certain diseases. Those steps include: Getting at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous physical activity, or a combination of both, each week Eating a nutritious diet Visiting a h... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4820843 Fri, 13 May 2011 13:20:01 +0100 4820843 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4813208&cid=t_169607_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F05%2F10%2F2011-tennessee-womens-health-report-card-highlights%2F Today marked the release of the 2011 Tennessee Women’s Health Report Card, a publication which provides a snapshot of the health status of women in our state, and the disparities they experience. It’s a handy resource for anyone interested in making a case – or understanding the need – for improved health services and community programs, and includes statistics that clearly illustrate some of the challenges we face. Among them: 18.4% of us – or almost 1 in 5 – smoked while we were pregnant. The rate is highest (21.4%) among white women, and lower among African American (10.3%) and Hispanic (2.4%) women. African American women experience tremendous disparities in their infant mortality rate, with 16 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to 6 for... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4813208 Wed, 11 May 2011 00:48:20 +0100 4813208 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4642588&cid=t_169607_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FeM2gzPgZi_c%2F Women experience differences in their health care services and outcomes. The fact sheet, Healthcare Quality and Disparities in Women: Selected Findings, summarizes key findings from the National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Reports related to health care for women. Related posts:Update From Haiti: Despair Sets In And Women Consider Suicide The Society for Women’s Health Research: A Case Study of Advocacy for Women Disruptive Women on the Radio…with Real Women on Health (Source: Disruptive Women in Health Care) Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4642588 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 13:42:36 +0100 4642588 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4570545&cid=t_169607_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fa-helpful-vitamin-chart%2F2011.03.10 Lately I’ve been worrying about Kevin’s refusal to eat broccoli, and wondering what exactly is so good about those green bunches of roughage. In browsing the Web for more detailed information on the matter, I found a helpful vitamin chart. This table comes from the HHS–sponsored National Women’s Health Information Center — a good spot to know of if you’re a woman looking online for reliable sources. It’s a bit simple for my taste. In the intro, we’re told there are 13 essential vitamins our bodies need. After some basics on Vitamin A — good for the eyes and skin, as you probably knew already — the chart picks up with a quick review of the essential B vitamins 1, 2 ,3 ,5 ,6 , 9 and 12 (my favorite), followed by a rundown on Vitamins C, D, E, H (that would be biotin) and ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4570545 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 20:00:54 +0100 4570545 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4570531&cid=t_169607_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FBIcjiB8MLAc%2F By Tad DeHavenSpending at the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be an estimated inflation-adjusted 43 percent higher this year compared to just a decade ago. The following chart shows the dramatic rise in USDA spending from fiscal 1970 to the president’s projection for fiscal 2011: Most folks probably think of farm subsidies when they think of the USDA. However, farm programs only account for 19 percent of total USDA outlays. The vast majority of USDA spending, 69 percent, goes to food subsidies: food stamps, school breakfast and lunch programs, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). In fact, spending on food stamps alone this year will account for roughly half of total USDA spending. Why aren’t these programs housed at the Department ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4570531 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:04:19 +0100 4570531 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4525032&cid=t_169607_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fnot-enough-psychiatric-beds%2F2011.02.26 I read today that Eastern Ontario has started a bed registry to keep track of where open psychiatric beds are available. This is something I’ve long advocated. The United States now has less than 10 percent of the beds it used to have 50 years ago. Granted, treatment has improved and community resources are enhanced. But there are still areas that often do not have a sufficient number of hospital beds for folks needing acute inpatient psychiatric care. The Ontario story described in the Ottawa Citizen states that six of the area hospitals have been connected to a computerized “bed board” that provides real-time information on who has an appropriate bed available. This saves time in the ER and gets patients to needed treatment more quickly. Otherwise calls need to be made... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4525032 Sat, 26 Feb 2011 19:00:00 +0100 4525032 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4512378&cid=t_169607_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FhMJkfU3uRBc%2F By Jim HarperA fascinating enforcement action under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) shows what really matters in the world of privacy regulation. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has imposed a $4.3 million civil penalty against Maryland-based Cignet Health for violations of its regulations. HHS's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) found that Cignet violated 41 patients’ HIPAA rights by denying them access to their medical records, which they requested between September 2008 and October 2009. The penalty for these violations is $1.3 million. But Cigna's real crime was willful disobedience of the government. Who knows why, but according to the government: During the investigations, Cignet refused to respond to OCR’s demands to produce the record... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4512378 Thu, 24 Feb 2011 01:22:02 +0100 4512378 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4489687&cid=t_169607_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D4117 Jump to follow-up The long-awaited government decision concerning statutory regulation of herbalists, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and acupuncture came out today. Get the Department of Health (DH) report [pdf] It is not good news. They have opted for statutory regulation by the Health Professions Council (HPC). This is much what was recommended by the disgraceful Pittilo report, about which I wrote a commentary in the Times, and here, A very bad report: gamma minus for the vice-chancellor, and here. The DH report is merely an analysis of responses to the consultation, but the MHRA says "The Health Professions Council (HPC) has now been asked to establish a statutory register for practitioners supplying unlicensed herbal medicines. The proposal is, following cre... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4489687 Wed, 16 Feb 2011 18:04:09 +0100 4489687 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4411723&cid=t_169607_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FCJkmCAQ7CCQ%2F Earlier this week, the US Department of Health & Human Services trumpted its track record in recovering $4 billion from investigations of healthcare fraud, some of which was made possible thanks to qui tam, or whistleblower lawsuits alleging violations of the False Claims Act (you can read the report here). Many drugmakers were targets and paid big fines, (back story) and the implication offered was that more such settlements are in the offing. But how many investigations are actually under way? The answer came just a couple of days later courtesy of US Senator Chuck Grassley, who referenced some data the HHS provided him in a Jan. 24 letter that was written in response to a request he made last month for a breakdown of the fraud probes. And so we now learn that, as of Jan. 4, there w... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4411723 Fri, 28 Jan 2011 13:20:11 +0100 4411723 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4331239&cid=t_169607_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F25BnSsPy6VY%2F Next week, the US Supreme Court will hear arguments about a highly contentious issue in which hospitals and clinics want the right to file lawsuits against drugmakers, which they believe have overcharged by not offering discounts or reimbursements as part of what is known as the 340B program. This provides access to discounted prescription meds to healthcare entities certified by the US Department of Health and Human Services. However, the White House recently filed an amicus brief siding with the pharmaceutical industry over concerns that its administration will get mired in an unending number of lawsuits, even though this position is at odds with the notion that the 340B program is designed to ensure underprivileged patients get access to needed meds (read the brief here). “You can par... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4331239 Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:50:36 +0100 4331239 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4241722&cid=t_169607_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fcreate-a-public-health-app-and-win-some-cash%2F2010.12.08 Healthy People 2020, a continuation of Healthy People 2010, was started by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. It’s a nationwide health promotion and disease prevention plan that sets public health goals — with the deadline being 2020 in the latest iteration of the program. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is now launching a challenge for developers and researchers to make wellness applications for the Healthy People 2020 campaign — they are providing rich research data sets for free, some that can be found here, giving developers and researchers ample data to write applications with. They are also providing a list of topics for potential apps from a variety of categories, ranging from apps related to cancer to substance abuse. (more…) ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4241722 Wed, 08 Dec 2010 19:00:52 +0100 4241722 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4013299&cid=t_169607_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fmilestone-vocabulary-resources The Vocabulary Task Force of the HIT Standards Committee is hard at work specifying the vocabularies and codesets that should be publicly available to accelerate certification and meaningful use efforts. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4013299 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 19:42:42 +0100 4013299 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3965414&cid=t_169607_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmedical-insurance-pre-authorization-services-for-free%2F2010.09.13 The Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released an advisory opinion at the end of last month okaying a hospital’s proposal to provide insurance pre-authorization services free of charge to patients and physicians. This is an issue that has long vexed folks in the imaging world. Clearly, this is a free service provided to referral sources (to the extent they are obligated by contract with third-party payors to obtain the pre-authorization before referring a patient for an MRI, for example), so why is the OIG okay with it? In their opinion, the OIG blesses the arrangement for four reasons. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at HealthBlawg :: David Harlow's Health Care Law Blog* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3965414 Mon, 13 Sep 2010 14:00:13 +0100 3965414 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3907676&cid=t_169607_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fstrategic-management-studies-may-help-recs-help-providers While many healthcare providers are scrambling to apply the new Meaningful Use guidelines to their practices in order to qualify for HITECH incentives, RECs charged with assisting providers may want to look beyond financial incentives to other factors that support or inhibit organizational change. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3907676 Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:38:12 +0100 3907676 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3872636&cid=t_169607_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fprivate-sector-shows-support-meaningful-use Health IT is a team effort. The whole point is to increase communication and coordination among the different players in the health care system. You just can’t go it alone in this field. The good news is that, when you have a solid plan and a worthy objective, lots of talented people want to join the team and contribute to the effort. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3872636 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 12:59:33 +0100 3872636 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3858166&cid=t_169607_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D3311 Yesterday I was fired from the Conduct and Competence Committee of the CNHC. That is the organisation that was very quickly dubbed Ofquack in the blogosphere.  So now I am free to write what I like about about it. It has now become clear that voluntary self-regulation can not work. Recent events at the CNHC show how it has become a victim of its own rules [skip the background]. Background | Complaints | Why CNHC won’t work | Background The CNHC was the product of the late unlamented Prince of Wales’ Foundation for Integrated Health. The Prince’s Foundation was paid a large amount of taxpayers’ money, £900,000, by the Department of Health to come up with a scheme for voluntary self-regulation of various sorts of alternative medicine. There i... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3858166 Wed, 11 Aug 2010 15:03:34 +0100 3858166 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3812975&cid=t_169607_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdoes-healthcare-reform-involve-research-on-human-subjects%2F2010.08.02 Every time an experiment on human subjects in proposed in our hospital (or any hospital in the United States for that matter), there is an exquisitely sensitive tuning fork that exists to protect human subjects: the investigational review board or “IRB.” Any researcher who has ever brought a research proposal before an IRB knows that any hint of potential harm to a human subject that exists in a research project will kill the proposal faster than you can say “boo.” An IRB submission is required for all research projects using human subjects in accordance with the Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Rights 45 CFR 46, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations 21 CFR 50, 56 , and with the Federalwide Assurance granted by the H.H.S. Office of Human Resea... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3812975 Mon, 02 Aug 2010 22:00:00 +0100 3812975 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3690934&cid=t_169607_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fare-you-ready-data-breach The handling of data breach incidents has become a way of life for healthcare providers and with other HIPAA covered entities. With the passage of the HITECH Act last year, there are now substantial penalties that can be levied, up to $1.5 million. This fact, combined with a requirement to notify the Department of Health and Human Services as well as the media for data breach incidents that affect over 500 individuals has, for the first time, resulted in public records being kept for such incidents. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3690934 Wed, 23 Jun 2010 18:49:33 +0100 3690934 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3671840&cid=t_169607_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fthree-things-you-may-not-know-about-hitech-act-should There has been much discussion around the HITECH Act and what it means since the enactment of ARRA last year.  It is now widely known that the Department of Health and Human Services has issued regulations for breach notification by covered entities under HIPAA. Yet unlike the poor enforcement record of HIPAA regulations, the new HITECH Act provides for substantial financial penalties for failing to comply with these rules.  And we are seeing these penalties are actually starting to be enforced. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3671840 Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:21:49 +0100 3671840 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3573685&cid=t_169607_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FGoydcQ_e7dM%2F By Lynn Shapiro Snyder. Reproduced with permission from BNA’s Health Care Policy Report, 18 HCPR 680 (May 3, 2010). Copyright 2010 by The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. (800-372-1033) http://www.bna.com Health reform is a process, not an outcome. The health care industry needs to treat Phase II of health reform—–implementation by the Executive Branch—with the same focus and zeal as they did with Phase I—deliberation and passage by the Legislative Branch. It may not be as sexy as Capitol Hill but industry participation in shaping implementation through the Executive Branch could have an even greater impact for industry efforts. Phase II is when the rubber of ‘‘the law’’ meets the road of ‘‘the real world.’’ We are one month into implementation so now is the t... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3573685 Tue, 18 May 2010 11:57:20 +0100 3573685 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3482886&cid=t_169607_87_f&fid=36941&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mazecordblood.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D460 Ohio Governor Ted Strickland signed into law HB 102 requireing the Ohio Department of Health to place printable information on umbilical cord blood banking and donation on its website. The Department of Health also will encourage health care professionals to provide the information to pregnant women. (Source: Cord Blood News) Cord Blood News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3482886 Mon, 19 Apr 2010 14:39:14 +0100 3482886 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3453909&cid=t_169607_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D2914 Yet another university has stopped its homeopathy course. The particular interest of this course was that it was being run at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, the vice-chancellor which was Michael Pittilo, until his recent premature death. Pittilo is the person who recommended to the government that herbalists and Chinese medicine practitioners should get honours degrees and be regulated like doctors. His report, was, in my opinions, disastrously bad.  It recently emerged that this, very bad, advice would not be accepted by the Department of Health (DH), so the campaign against the Pittilo proposals, on this blog and elsewhere was successful. The alternative DH proposals look pretty silly, but we won’t really know until after the election exactly what will happen. ... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3453909 Fri, 09 Apr 2010 06:04:10 +0100 3453909 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3448959&cid=t_169607_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fpreparing-professionals-nationwide-health-care-transformation I know that health care providers are concerned about implementing new health information technology and finding professionals who can operate and maintain such systems. I know many clinicians are unsure how they will develop or strengthen their skill set to incorporate using health IT efficiently and effectively without jeopardizing their communication with patients during a clinical visit. It seems like a daunting transformation to clinicians themselves and, indeed, for our health care system overall. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3448959 Wed, 07 Apr 2010 20:36:33 +0100 3448959 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3370409&cid=t_169607_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2F0xDOaSRXyCI%2F Washington D.C. leads the nation with the highest HIV/AIDS rates in the country– 3% of all adults and adolescents in the District live with HIV/AIDS (any percentage over 1% is considered a severe epidemic by the World Health Organization). Officials have created an innovative partnership with a number of organizations and celebrities to distribute female condoms in HIV hotspots — and if you want to try them yourself, they’re now on sale at all the CVS’s in the District. Disruptive Women’s Wendy Grossman spoke for a few minutes with Mary Ann Leeper, senior strategic advisor for the Female Health Company — about the D.C. initiative that started this week. Q: Tell me about the DC initiative. A: The initiative is just the coming together of the five diff... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3370409 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:50:09 +0100 3370409 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3342615&cid=t_169607_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F07%2Fhealth-service-journal-2010-4th-march%2F Fade Fade: DH accused of ‘backroom deal’ over preferred provider case Fade Skinny: Primary care trusts in the East of England have been ordered by the Department of Health to suspend all procurements for community services. (Print subscription held at Fade Library) Filed under: Current Awareness, Journals Tagged: Community Services, Current Awareness, Department of Health, Journals, Primary Care Trusts, Procurement (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3342615 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 17:35:14 +0100 3342615 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3327068&cid=t_169607_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fproposed-rule-establishment-certification-programs-health-information-technology Today the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) outlining the proposed approach for establishing a certification program to test and certify electronic health records (EHRs). The HITECH Act mandates the development of a certification program which will give purchasers and users of EHR technology assurances that the technology and products have the necessary functionality and security to help meet meaningful use criteria. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3327068 Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:49:37 +0100 3327068 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3327069&cid=t_169607_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fproposed-health-it-certification-programs Today the Department of Health and Human Services released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the Establishment of Certification Programs for Health Information Technology (Health IT). The rule first proposes the creation of a temporary certification program for Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and EHR modules. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3327069 Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:45:57 +0100 3327069 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3283675&cid=t_169607_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fleaders-often-come-small-sizes When the Department of Health & Human Services rolled out its Beacon Community Program, it spoke in terms of supporting those healthcare communities that were leading the way in the move to implement new health IT. Some recent news should remind policymakers that while it’s easy to focus on big providers making big investments, those stakeholders are not the only ones moving ahead when it comes to implementing new health IT. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3283675 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:35:26 +0100 3283675 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3266931&cid=t_169607_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D2747 Every single request for information about course materials in quack medicine that I have ever sent has been turned down by universities, It is hardly as important as as refusal of FoI requests to see climate change documents, but it does indicate that some vice-chancellors are not very interested in openness. This secretiveness is exactly the sort of thing that leads to lack of trust in universities and in science as a whole. The one case that I have won took over three years and an Information Tribunal decision against the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) before I got anything. UCLAN spent £80,307.95.(inc VAT at 17.5%) in legal expenses alone (plus heaven knows how much in staff time) to prevent us from seeing what was taught on their now defunct “BSc (Hons) homeopa... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3266931 Fri, 12 Feb 2010 11:59:15 +0100 3266931 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3254498&cid=t_169607_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F02%2F09%2F7-office-depression-busters-tips-for-work-depression%2F In his classic, “The Prophet,” Kahlil Gibran writes: Always you have been told that work is a curse … But I say to you that when you work you fulfill a part of earth’s furthest dream, assigned to you when that dream was born. Unfortunately Kahlil’s words don’t jibe with a new Australian study that found almost one in six cases of depression among working people caused by job stress, that nearly one in five (17 percent) working women suffering depression attribute their condition to job stress and more than one in eight (13 percent) working men. In the last decade, the number of American workers that say job stress is a major problem in their lives has doubled. In fact, the US Department of Health reported that 70 percent of physical and mental complaints... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3254498 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:25:28 +0100 3254498 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3182143&cid=t_169607_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F18%2Fhealth-service-journal-2010-14th-january%2F Fade Fade: DH drawn into row over GP practice expansion Fade Skinny: The Department of Health has been dragged into a row between NHS Kingston and one of its GP practices. (Print subscription held at Fade Library) Posted in Current Awareness, Journals Tagged: Costs, Current Awareness, Department of Health, Funding, GP Practices, Journals (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3182143 Mon, 18 Jan 2010 10:23:23 +0100 3182143 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3118877&cid=t_169607_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D2544   Snow on December 18th                             Roaring fire Lindy contributes acute comments regularly here.  She is also an accomplished musician.  She has kindly allowed me to post here four of her re-written carols. Adam lay ybounden  |  Hark the Herald  |  Holly and the Ivy  |  Merry Gentlemen Adam lay ybounden The Middle English dialect is not easy to follow, so the original is reproduced in the right hand column.  The original, sung by choir of King’s College Chapel, is on YouTube. Atoms lay y’bounden In primordial soup; Six billion years did pass A’fore they coul... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3118877 Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:40:12 +0100 3118877 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3178780&cid=t_169607_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2Flondon-news-220307_NEW.wmv This article was meant to celebrate their collective efforts and to celebrate the fact that those efforts are beginning to percolate upwards to influence the powers that be. It seems invidious to pick on one example, but if you want an example of beautiful and trenchant writing on one of the topics dealt with here, you’d be better off reading Andrew Lewis’s piece "Meddling Princes, Medical Regulation and Licenses to Kill” than anything in a print journal. I was a bit disappointed by removal of the comment about the Prince of Wales.  In fact I’m not particularly republican compared with many of my friends.  The royal family is clearly good for the tourist industry and that’s important.  Since Mrs Thatcher (and her successors) destroyed larg... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3178780 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 07:01:58 +0100 3178780 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3089212&cid=t_169607_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F15%2Fsimplification-plan-year-four-2009%2F Title: Simplification Plan Year Four 2009 Skinny: Describes DH continuing efforts to deliver the Government’s 25 per cent target for reducing the administrative burden of compliance with regulations affecting the private sector. Work also continues to reform the regulatory framework for health and adult social care over the next year. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 59p. Published: 14/12/2009 Posted in Clinical Governance, Governance, Grey Literature, Standards Tagged: Bureaucracy, Clinical Governance, Department of Health, Grey Literature, Regulations (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3089212 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:30:54 +0100 3089212 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2999778&cid=t_169607_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Flimiting-breast-cancer-screening-is-an-assault-against-women%2F There is no question more women than ever before are surviving breast cancer. This is happening because of early screening and better and more aggressive treatment. So I was absolutely shocked today to hear that the United States Preventive Services Task Force (a committee appointed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) is now recommending that women do not get regular mammograms until their fifties and even then limit screening to every other year. In addition they are suggesting that breast self exams not be taught. ARE THEY CRAZY? There is no way to completely express my feelings about this. I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer at the age of 44, and the tumor was discovered through self breast exam and confirmed through a mammogram. This was only 18 months since a p... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2999778 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:25:20 +0100 2999778 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2927244&cid=t_169607_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F10%2F25%2Fthe-government%25e2%2580%2599s-response-to-the-health-select-committee%25e2%2580%2599s-report-on-the-use-of-management-consultants-in-the-nhs-and-the-department-of-health%2F Title: The Government’s Response to the Health Select Committee’s report on the use of management consultants in the NHS and the Department of Health Skinny: Government’s response to the House of Commons Health Select Committee’s report on the use of management consultants by the NHS and the Department of Health. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 8p Published: 22/10/2009 Posted in Corporate Governance, Governance, Grey Literature, Management, NHS Tagged: Consultants, Corporate Governance, Department of Health, Financial Management, Governance, Grey Literature, Management, NHS (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2927244 Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:01:32 +0100 2927244 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2890617&cid=t_169607_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fi0W33AuT26k%2F Two figures that say it all. Death Rates (deaths per 1,000 population), New York City, c. 1800-2007. Source: NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene. Summary of Vital Statistics (2008). H/T to William Briggs for making me aware of this figure. Infant Mortality Rate (deaths per 1,000 live births), New York City, 1898-2007. In 1898 IMR was estimated to be 140.9 Because of incomplete reporting of early neonatal deaths, this is almost certainly an underestimate. In 2007 IMR was 5.4 deaths per 1,000 live births. Source: NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene. Summary of Vital Statistics (2008) (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2890617 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:50:37 +0100 2890617 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2890648&cid=t_169607_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D2329 Two weeks left to stop the Department of Health making a fool of itself. Email your response to tne Pittilo consultation to this email address HRDListening@dh.gsi.gov.uk I’ve had permission to post a submission that has been sent to the Pittilo consultation. The whole document can be downloaded here. I have removed the name of the author. It is written by the person who has made some excellent contributions to this blog under the pseudonym "Allo V Psycho". The document is a model of clarity, and it ends with constructive suggestions for forms of regulation that will, unlike the Pittilo proposals, really protect patients Here is the summary. The full document explains each point in detail. Executive Summary Statutory regulation lends prestige, but needs to be balanced ... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2890648 Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:37:04 +0100 2890648 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2857412&cid=t_169607_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D2310 More boring politics, but it matters.  The two main recommendations of this Pittilo report are that Practitioners of Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine should be subject to statutory regulation by the Health Professions Council Entry to the register should normally be through a Bachelor degree with Honours For the background on this appalling report, see earlier posts. A very bad report: gamma minus for the vice-chancellor The Times (blame subeditor for the horrid title), and some follow up on the Times piece The Health Professions Council breaks its own rules: the result is nonsense Chinese medicine -acupuncture gobbledygook revealed Consultation opens on the Pittilo report: help stop the Department of Health making a fool of itself  Why degrees in Chinese med... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2857412 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 22:23:19 +0100 2857412 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2757755&cid=t_169607_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D2131 This report outlines areas of potential consensus to guide research funders, researchers, commissioners and complementary practitioners in developing and applying a robust evidence base for complementary practice.” As happens so often, there is implicit in this sentence the assumption that if you spend enough money evidence will emerge. That is precisely contrary to the experence in the USA where spending a billion dollars produced nothing beyond showing that a lot of things we already thought didn’t work were indeed ineffective. And inevitably, and tragically, NICE’s biggest mistake is invoked. “It is noteworthy that the evidence is now sufficiently robust for NICE to include acupuncture as a treatment for low back pain.” [p ] Did the advisory group not read... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2757755 Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:33:41 +0100 2757755 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2688658&cid=t_169607_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D2043 Conclusion This selection of slides shows that much of the stuff taught in degrees in herbal medicine poses a real danger to public safety and to public health. Pittilo’s idea that imposing this sort of miseducation will help safety is obviously and dangerously wrong. The Department of Health must reject the Pittilo recommendations on those grounds. Follow-up (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2688658 Mon, 10 Aug 2009 18:24:29 +0100 2688658 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2645546&cid=t_169607_150_f&fid=38374&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FePharmaSummit%2F%7E3%2FOmqKV93U2B8%2Flook-at-online-health-diagnosis.html (Source: ePharma Summit) ePharma Summit blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2645546 Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:05:00 +0100 2645546 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2634390&cid=t_169607_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D1950 Acupuncture has been in the news since, in a moment of madness, NICE gave it some credence, Some people still seem to think that acupuncture is somehow more respectable than, say, homeopathy and crystal healing. If you think that, read Barker Bausell’s book ot Trick or Treatment. It is now absolutely clear that ‘real’ acupuncture is indistinguishable from sham, whether the sham control uses retractable needles, or real needles in the ‘wrong’ places. There has been no clear demonstration of long-lived benefits in any condition, and it is likely that it is no more than a theatrical placebo. In particular, the indistinguishability of ‘real’ and sham acupuncture shows, beyond reasonable doubt that all the stuff about “energy flow in meridians&#8... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2634390 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 07:15:35 +0100 2634390 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2613820&cid=t_169607_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FtFN8J64JQs0%2F Yesterday I had the opportunity to moderate a fascinating panel: Drug & Food Safety in the Age of Social Media and Transparency. The panel was part of the Driving the Adoption of Health IT Through Innovations in Social Media conference in Washington DC. There were three panels in all. Mine was the second panel. After opening remarks by Craig Stoltz, Founder of Web 2.Oh…Really (and Former Editorial Director, Revolution Health and Former Editor of the Washington Post Health section), we heard from experts on H1N1 Influenza: How Social Media Improves Communication & Collaboration For Public Health. After my panel, we heard from experts (including Disruptive Woman’s March Man of the Month, Dr. Ted Eytan of Kaiser Permanente) on Electronic Health Records: Using Social Media To Driv... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2613820 Fri, 17 Jul 2009 20:26:30 +0100 2613820 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2613856&cid=t_169607_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D1899 Jump to follow-up .The University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) is the first place I asked to see teaching materials that were used on its homeopathy “BSc” course. The request was refused, and subsequent internal appeals were refused too, Clearly UCLAN had something to hide. An appeal to the information commissioner took almost two years to be judged, but the case was won. The eventual decision by the Information Commissioner rejected all the grounds that UClan had used to evade the Freedom of Information Act. UClan appealed against the judgement and I still haven’t got the stuff but that hardly matters now, because the course in question shut its doors. In any case, plenty of stuff from similar courses has leaked out already. Meanwhile, in September 2008,... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2613856 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 22:21:41 +0100 2613856 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2610924&cid=t_169607_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D1899 .The University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) is the first place I asked to see teaching materials that were used on its homeopathy “BSc” course. The request was refused, and subsequent internal appeals were refused too, Clearly UCLAN had something to hide. An appeal to the information commissioner took almost two years to be judged, but the case was won. The eventual decision by the Information Commissioner rejected all the grounds that UClan had used to evade the Freedom of Information Act. UClan appealed against the judgement and I still haven’t got the stuff but that hardly matters now, because the course in question shut its doors. In any case, plenty of stuff from similar courses has leaked out already. Meanwhile, in September 2008, UCLAN announced an in... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2610924 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 22:21:41 +0100 2610924 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2523000&cid=t_169607_97_f&fid=36415&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D1796 We report the findings from a quality based review, with a strong strategic overview, on the use of “note pads” across all service user interfaces. This involved extensive consultation with focus groups and key stakeholders at blue sky thinking events (previously erroneously known as brain storming). This quality assured activity has precipitated some heavy idea showers, allowing opinion leaders to generate a national framework of joined-up thinking. This will take this important quality agenda forward. A 1000 page report is available to cascade to all relevant stakeholders. The concentric themes underpinning this review are of confidentiality. Notes have been found on the visual interface devices on computers and writing workstations throughout the NHS work space. Although no ... DC's Improbable Science blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2523000 Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:21:01 +0100 2523000 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2473436&cid=t_169607_97_f&fid=36415&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D1704 Jump to follow-up This is another short interruption in the epic self-destruction of chiropractors.  In a sense it is more serious.  One expects quacks to advocate quackery.  What you don’t expect is that the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) will endorse it.  Neither do you expect the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to betray its mandate to make sure that medicines work. The saga of the NICE low back pain guidance has been the subject of a deluge of criticism, It seems doubtful that the guidance can survive, not least because of its absurd endorsement of chiropractic, at a time when chiropractic is undergoing self-immolation as a consequence of the persecution of Simon Singh by the British Chiropractic Association (see he... DC's Improbable Science blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2473436 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:37:28 +0100 2473436 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2452541&cid=t_169607_97_f&fid=36415&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D1606 This article, which was some time in gestation, appeared shortly afte the last degree in homeopathy in the UK closed its doors. So perhaps it should have been called The Return of Reason. What’s interesting is that it has become commonplace for the mainstream newspapers to print articles like this and to dump some of their whackier lifestyle articles. The print version had a much better title too, The Retreat from Reason, with a two-page spread.. They published the entire ‘Patients’ Guide to Magic Medicine‘ as a sidebar on page 4. To these has now been added, inspired by Jack of Kent, Libel: A very expensive remedy, to be used only when you have no evidence. Appeals to alternative practitioners because truth is irrelevant One part of the article that I particular... DC's Improbable Science blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2452541 Wed, 03 Jun 2009 08:18:35 +0100 2452541 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2414821&cid=t_169607_97_f&fid=36415&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D1466 This study is no more informative than the infamous Spence (2005) ’study’ of the same type, which seems to be the only thing that homeopaths can produce to support their case. There is an excellent analysis of the Northern Ireland ’study’ by Andy Lewis, The Northern Ireland NHS Alternative Medicine ‘Trial’.  He explains patiently, yet again, what constitutes evidence and why studies like this are useless. His analogy start ” . . . the Apple Marketing Board approach the NHS and ask for £200,000 to do a study to show the truth behind the statement ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away’. The Minister, being particularly fond of apples, agrees and the study begins.” 16.30 Social enterprise and whole systems integrated care.  Dee Ky... DC's Improbable Science blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2414821 Sun, 17 May 2009 07:18:25 +0100 2414821 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2398872&cid=t_169607_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fhealth-it-stimulus-and-fqhcs-dont-forget-about-us There is a critical element in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) that targets funds for Federally-Qualified Community Health Centers (FQHCs).  (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2398872 Fri, 08 May 2009 15:48:31 +0100 2398872 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2390014&cid=t_169607_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FEmrAndHipaa%2F%7E3%2FohS0R02MYQ0%2F I’m not sure how many of my readers have heard about the Virginia Prescription Monitoring Program being hacked yesterday. The Prescription Monitoring Program is used by pharmacists and others to discover prescription drug abuse. The story gets really interesting since it looks like the hackers encrypted over 8 million patient records and over 35 million prescriptions. Then, the hackers posted the following note on the Virginia Prescription Monitoring Program website (according to wikileaks): “I have your [expletive] In *my* possession, right now, are 8,257,378 patient records and a total of 35,548,087 prescriptions. Also, I made an encrypted backup and deleted the original. Unfortunately for Virginia, their backups seem to have gone missing, too. Uhoh :(For $10 million, I will ... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2390014 Tue, 05 May 2009 20:06:26 +0100 2390014 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2365187&cid=t_169607_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fncvhs-examine-meaningful-use As the Department of Health and Human Services attempts to make sense of the stimulus legislation and create a health IT incentive program, the National Council on Vital and Health Statistics is holding a hearing next week on "meaningful use" of health information technology. Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, HHS must define that term before the end of 2009. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2365187 Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:54:15 +0100 2365187 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2260414&cid=t_169607_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F10%2Fpreliminary-findings-of-a-large-british-study-indicate-that-ca-125-blood-test-transvaginal-ultrasound-test-can-detect-early-ovarian-cancer%2F This report summarises the outcome of the prevalence (initial) screen in [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2260414 Wed, 11 Mar 2009 05:18:27 +0100 2260414 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2236459&cid=t_169607_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Ffive-recommendations-onc-head-who-understands-health-it-innovation Now that the legislative language of the HITECH Act -- the $20 billion health IT allocation within the economic stimulus package -- has been set, it's time to identify a National Coordinator (NC) for Health IT who can capably lead that office. As many now realize, the language of the Bill can be ambiguous, requiring wise regulatory interpretation and execution to ensure that the money is spent well and that desired outcomes are achieved. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2236459 Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:04:33 +0100 2236459 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2217362&cid=t_169607_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D1196 Recently I wrote a piece for the National Health Executive (”the Independent Journal for Senior Health Service Managers”), with the title Medicines that contain no medicine and other follies. In the interests of what journalists call balance (but might better be called equal time for the Flat Earth Society), an article appeared straight after mine, [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2217362 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:36:36 +0100 2217362 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2218814&cid=t_169607_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Felephant-middle-room-need-national-patient-identifier The healthcare delivery system is complex in many ways that cannot be simplified.  Human beings present a limitless number of variations to busy clinicians who work under financial constraints to deliver high quality care with technologies and therapies that are constantly changing.  One aspect of healthcare delivery that can be simplified, however, is patient identification.  (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2218814 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:38:26 +0100 2218814 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2414827&cid=t_169607_97_f&fid=36415&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D1196 Recently I wrote a piece for the National Health Executive (”the Independent Journal for Senior Health Service Managers”), with the title Medicines that contain no medicine and other folliesonline casino. In the interests of what journalists call balance (but might better be called equal time for the Flat Earth Society), an article appeared straight after mine, Integrating Homeopathy into Primary Care. It was by Rachel Roberts “Research consultant for the Society of Homeopaths”. This defence was so appalling that I sent them a response (after first doing a bit of checking on its author).  To my surprise, they published the response in full [download pdf of printed version]. Their title was As always, the first step is to Google the author, to find out a bit more. It s... DC's Improbable Science blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2414827 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 08:09:35 +0100 2414827 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2185158&cid=t_169607_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fregional-health-it-extension-centers In an editorial I wrote this week for Health Affairs (to be published in the March IT issue), I emphasized the need for Regional Health IT Extension Centers - local support organizations that help doctors install electronic health records and use them to achieve improved quality, efficiency, and continuity of care. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2185158 Fri, 13 Feb 2009 14:44:42 +0100 2185158 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2178788&cid=t_169607_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fblog-shared-roadmap-and-vision-health-it Today’s economic crisis has highlighted our need for breakthrough improvements in the quality, safety and efficiency of health care. The nation’s business competitiveness is threatened by growing health care costs, while at the same time our citizens risk losing access to care because of unemployment and the decreasing affordability of coverage. Meanwhile, the quality variations and safety shortfalls in our care system have been well documented. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2178788 Wed, 11 Feb 2009 12:06:17 +0100 2178788 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2104904&cid=t_169607_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D790 I’m perfectly happy to think of alternative medicine as being a voluntary, self-imposed tax on the gullible (to paraphrase Goldacre again). But only as long as they do no harm and only as long as the obey the law of the land.  Only too often, though, they do neither. When I talk about law, I don’t [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2104904 Thu, 15 Jan 2009 10:49:10 +0100 2104904 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2075526&cid=t_169607_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D675 The National Health Executive (”the Independent Journal for Senior Health Service Managers) asked for an article about quackery. This is a version of that article with live links. Download the pdf version. On May 23 th 2006 a letter was sent to the chief executives of 467 NHS Trusts. It was reported as a front page [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2075526 Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:27:28 +0100 2075526 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2056508&cid=t_169607_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D645 Herbal medicine is, unlike homeopathy, not ridiculous, It is merely Pharmacology, as practised up to circa 1900.  Whereas good trials have now shown acupuncture to be sham and homeopathy to be a placebo, there has been very little good research on herbs. Most herbalism could fairly be described giving to sick patients an unknown dose [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2056508 Mon, 22 Dec 2008 08:13:45 +0100 2056508 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1886537&cid=t_169607_85_f&fid=36195&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealth.tesstermulo.com%2F%3Fp%3D537 I’ve previously posted the first batch of milk and milk products tested by BFAD for melamine.  I just want to repost it here now for continuity, plus the list of the second batch that has been recently released by DOH.  I’ll just update this post as needed. TESTED POSITIVE FOR MELAMINE Green Food Yili Fresh Milk (from first batch of tested products) Mengniu Drinks (from first batch of tested products Jolly Cow Slender High Calcium Low Fat Milk (1 Liter package) (from second batch of tested products) Lotte Strawberry Snack Koala Biscuit (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20081015-166544/Fourth-China-product-has-melamine–BFAD) TESTED NEGATIVE FOR MELAMINE First Batch released by DOH Anchor Lite Milk Anlene High Calcium Low Fat Milk Bear Brand Instan... Prudence, M.D. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1886537 Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:45:50 +0100 1886537 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1862985&cid=t_169607_85_f&fid=36195&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealth.tesstermulo.com%2F%3Fp%3D537 I’ve previously posted the first batch of milk and milk products tested by BFAD for melamine.  I just want to repost it here now for continuity, plus the list of the second batch that has been recently released by DOH.  I’ll just update this post as needed. TESTED POSITIVE FOR MELAMINE Green Food Yili Fresh Milk (from first batch of tested products) Mengniu Drinks (from first batch of tested products Jolly Cow Slender High Calcium Low Fat Milk (1 Liter package) (from second batch of tested products) TESTED NEGATIVE FOR MELAMINE First Batch released by DOH Anchor Lite Milk Anlene High Calcium Low Fat Milk Bear Brand Instant Chichok Milk Chocolate Farmland Skim Milk Jinwei Drinks Jolly Cow Pure Fresh Milk Kiddie Soya Milk Egg Delight Lactogen 1 DHA Infant Formula M&M Pea... Prudence, M.D. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1862985 Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:11:50 +0100 1862985 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1837786&cid=t_169607_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D257 Jump to follow-up Alfred Joseph Clark FRS held the established chair of Pharmacology at UCL from 1919 to 1926, when he left for Edinburgh.  As well as his classic scientific works, like The Mode of Action of Drugs on Cells (1933) he also felt strongly about the fraud perpetrated on the public by patent medicine salesmen.  [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1837786 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:12:11 +0100 1837786 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1783155&cid=t_169607_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D254 There have been some really excellent books about quackery this year.  This isn’t one of them. Nice dedication uh? It is about a lot more than quackery  It is about the scientific method in general. and in particular about how often it is misunderstood by journalists.  Abuse of evidence by the pharmaceutical industry is treated just as [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1783155 Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:15:43 +0100 1783155 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1739650&cid=t_169607_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D251 The Times today has done a good job on giving publicity to the case against following the advice of the Pittilo report. It simply makes no sense to have government regulation of acupuncture, herbal medicine, traditional Chinese medicine until such time as there is evidence that they work. It makes even less [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1739650 Fri, 29 Aug 2008 08:04:15 +0100 1739650 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1655851&cid=t_169607_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D241 The article below is an editorial that I was asked to write for the New Zealand Medical Journal, as a comment on article in today’s edition about the misuse of the title ‘doctor’ by chiropractors. Titles are not the only form of deception used by chiropractors, so the article looks at some of [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1655851 Sat, 26 Jul 2008 11:00:31 +0100 1655851 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1607018&cid=t_169607_118_f&fid=36984&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FHealthManagementRx%2F%7E3%2F330860404%2Fis-it-all-in-genes-part-i-us-dhhs.html *Blogger's notes:1. Commentary crossposted @nexthealth.nl.2. This is a long post. To skip the running panel transcript, scroll down the page for thoughts on the current state of consumer-direct genomics and where the sector may be headed. Matthew Holt is up next at the Ronald Reagan International Center in DC (July 6, 2008), where the US DHHS has arranged today’s “Understanding the Needs of Consumers in the Use of Genome-based Health Information Services” workshop. Michael Cowan, Bearing Point and former Navy Surgeon General – opens the panel with a bang, comparing the healthcare sea change taking place courtesy of genomic advances to the recent release of Manhattan Project data. This area of medical investigation is high-impact, no doubt about it. To Matthew’s left on... Health Management Rx blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1607018 Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:53:00 +0100 1607018 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1230286&cid=t_169607_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F02%2F14%2Fthe-right-result-payment-by-results-2003-07%2F details how Payment by Results (PbR), has been embedded across the NHS and has helped hospitals to be more business-like.  It should start to deliver the significant increases in productivity and efficiency across the NHS that the policy was designed to achieve.The PbR policy was introduced by the government four years ago and is a system of paying hospitals nationally set prices for the number of patients and types of conditions they treat. It is designed to encourage hospitals to treat more patients, more efficiently without compromising quality of care. This Audit Commission report finds that under PbR most hospitals have improved their financial management and now have a better understanding of how much it costs them to treat patients. The impact on the NHS in terms of efficiency and... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1230286 Thu, 14 Feb 2008 05:19:38 +0100 1230286 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1221288&cid=t_169607_145_f&fid=35710&url=http%3A%2F%2Fstoryofhealing.com%2F2008%2F02%2F10%2Fthe-health-care-commotion%2F Michael Moore’s Sicko was just one of the manifestations of many Americans’ seeming discontent on the current status of its policies affecting health care. All of a sudden, there is this more-than-romantic urgency to get packing for France! Or quite simply, curse the insurance companies. This so called commotion has started long before the movies came out. And now, it is election time. Along with these varied degrees and reasons for this noise, there is this apparent expression of the desire to see changes. Among a gamut of issues in town, health care is one closest to the heart and probably the first card people want laid out on the table by the candidates. Is America’s health care going to change? How is America’s health care going to change? Where will the next l... the story of healing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1221288 Mon, 11 Feb 2008 01:09:28 +0100 1221288 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=979242&cid=t_169607_134_f&fid=35152&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsstrumello.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Finsulin-vials-topped-with-rubber.html What do you all think of this ad?It's powerful, but don't expect to see it run, as this ad was shelved in favor of a less effective ad that ran for a very short time (see below for that ad).Apparently this was a concept ad that was proposed to the Department of Health and Human Services in an attempt to raise the nation's historically low rate of breast-feeding. A few years ago, federal health officials commissioned an attention-grabbing ad campaign to try and convince mothers that their babies faced genuine health risks if they did not breast-feed. The campaign featured striking photos of not only insulin vials and syringes, but also asthma inhalers topped with rubber nipples (see BrandWeekNRx.com for all of the pictures).But this ad, along with several others, were apparently caught up i... Scott's Web Log blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=979242 Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:30:00 +0100 979242 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=612149&cid=t_169607_133_f&fid=35452&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.graphictruth.com%2F2007%2F05%2Fusual-hiring-practices.html Another phony crony is revealed;The former head of the federal agency overseeing family planning programs misled the public about his qualifications and background, a RAW STORY investigation has found. Appointed by President George W. Bush in late 2006 as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Population Affairs at the Department of Health and Human Services, Dr. Eric J. Keroack resigned unexpectedly in March of this year after Massachusetts officials launched a formal investigation into allegations of Medicaid fraud during his tenure in private practice. The Raw Story | Heckuva job? Bush Administration vaunted bogus credentials for birth control czar, records showAnother HHS spokesperson, Rebecca Ayer, said that HHS had never had an official biography for Dr. Keroack, but provided assurances ... Graphictruth blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=612149 Wed, 16 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 612149