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 'illinois'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:54:59 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159312&cid=t_111593_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fsharp-focus-roundup I've been thinking about the Strategic Health IT Advance Research Projects (SHARP) Program lately and plan to give an update soon on some of the progress being made. SHARP has four major efforts underway at major collaborative efforts at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the University of Texas at Houston, Harvard University, the Mayo Clinic of Medicine, and Massachusetts General Hospital. The websites for each of these projects are: read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159312 Fri, 26 Aug 2011 13:27:50 +0100 5159312 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4789375&cid=t_111593_113_f&fid=34625&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FNeilVerselsHealthcareItBlog%2F%7E3%2FU-rcG8wBlho%2F It’s Thursday (at least for a few more minutes), which means I’ve got a new post on the EMR and HIPAA blog. This week, I lash out at yet another member of the medical establishment for rehashing many of the same tired excuses physicians have used for years to avoid changing their ways. In this case, it’s a past president of the Illinois State Medical Society who goes so far as to play the “doctor knows best” card. Click here to see what I wrote. Related posts:The Medical Records Institute is no more Podcast: Dr. Bill Bria on CMIOs and medical informatics HIPAA myths, ad nauseum (Source: Neil Versel's Healthcare IT Blog) Neil Versel's Healthcare IT Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4789375 Fri, 06 May 2011 05:03:55 +0100 4789375 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4789382&cid=t_111593_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.emrandhipaa.com%2Fneil%2F2011%2F04%2F28%2Fchicago-hospitals-embark-on-long-hie-journey%2F I live in Chicago, a highly competitive healthcare market with some world-class medical schools (Northwestern, University of Chicago, Loyola, Rush) and a pretty decent record of EMR adoption. At least four major institutions/health systems run similar Epic EMRs: University of Chicago Medical Center, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Rush University Medical Center and, in the northern suburbs, NorthShore University HealthSystem (formerly Evanston-Northwestern Healthcare). Three NorthShore hospitals–Evanston Hospital, Glenbrook Hospital and Highland Park Hospital–were among the first in the country to reach Stage 7 on the HIMSS Analytics EMR Adoption Model.(NorthShore’s Skokie Hospital since has reached Stage 7). Several others, notably Rush, Advocate Lutheran General Hospita... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4789382 Thu, 28 Apr 2011 21:01:25 +0100 4789382 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4337916&cid=t_111593_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F5B9bA0hn2vw%2F By Daniel J. MitchellThere is a very bizarre race happening in Illinois. The Governor and the leaders of the State Senate and General Assembly are trying to figure out how to ram through a massive tax increase, but they’re trying to make it happen before new state lawmakers take office tomorrow. The Democrats will still control the state legislature, but their scheme to fleece taxpayers would face much steeper odds because of GOP gains in last November’s elections. As a result, the Illinois version of a lame-duck session has become a nightmare, sort of a feeding frenzy of tax-crazed politicians. Here’s the Chicago Tribune‘s description of the massive tax hike being sought by the Democrats. The 3 percent rate now paid by individuals and families would rise to 5 perce... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4337916 Tue, 11 Jan 2011 19:15:04 +0100 4337916 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4119200&cid=t_111593_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fmeasuring-clinical-quality-cardiovascular-practices With cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of death in the United States, cardiovascular specialists have long used clinical quality guidelines to optimize care and enhance the quality of life for patients. Today, registry data is commonly used to help researchers evaluate the efficacy of standard care protocols across the country. Now, however, legislative incentives are lending additional impetus to these efforts.  As a solution, electronic health records (EHRs) become the logical answer to provide the foundation for measuring quality in a practice. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4119200 Tue, 26 Oct 2010 13:59:46 +0100 4119200 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3625634&cid=t_111593_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fnational-privacy-center-backed-trusted-entities Amidst all the millions of federal dollars slated for health IT adoption, HHS understands the importance of protecting patient information in electronic form. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3625634 Thu, 03 Jun 2010 12:59:26 +0100 3625634 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3607628&cid=t_111593_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fhow-can-we-make-ehrs-secure The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT awarded four Strategic Health IT Advanced Research Projects (SHARP) grants funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. One of the projects is being led by Professor Carl Gunter of the Department of Computer Science and the Information Trust Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3607628 Fri, 28 May 2010 13:12:18 +0100 3607628 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3533789&cid=t_111593_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2010%2F05%2F04%2Famerican-cancer-society-s-39th-annual-walk-and-roll%2F Filed under: Cancer eventsChicago residents who want to help fight cancer can walk, skate or bike this May to support the American Cancer Society, which is the the nation's largest non-governmental investor in cancer research. Walk & Roll, one of the Society's largest annual fundraisers in Illinois, includes events throughout the state. Chicago, Lake County, West Cook County and Richland County will all host events. This year, the organization hopes to attract more than 5,250 participants and raise $1.1 million statewide. Participants can take part in a 5-mile walk, 10-mile in-line skate or 15-mile bike ride. Visit the American Cancer Society for more information about charity events such as Relay for Life. Visit AOL Health for cancer information. Permalink | Email this&... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3533789 Mon, 03 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3533789 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3398880&cid=t_111593_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fyour-kids-eq-something-else-to-worry-about%2F You feed him “smart foods.” You read to him every night. You help him with homework. When it comes to little Timmy’s IQ, you’ve got it covered. But what about his EQ? Today, CNN reports a movement to foster “emotional intelligence” (or emotional quotient, a.k.a. EQ) in budding young brains. According to Roger P. Weissberg, Professor of Psychology and Education at the University of Illinois at Chicago, developing emotional wellness not only improves social behavior, but it also makes kids smarter. Weissberg’s research shows that children who “get good emotional and social training” score 11 percentage points higher on standardized tests. Teachers at Clarendon Hills Middle School near Chicago are currently test-driving this theory by inc... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3398880 Tue, 23 Mar 2010 22:38:29 +0100 3398880 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2939559&cid=t_111593_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FolKsJTYHnyw%2F Nursing homes throughout Illinois are being dosed with powerful psychotropic drugs, leading to tremors, dangerous lethargy and a higher risk of harmful falls or even death, according to an investigation by The Chicago Tribune. Thousands of elderly and disabled people have been affected, many of them drugged without their consent or without a legitimate psychiatric diagnosis that would justify treatment, according to state and federal inspection reports reviewed by the paper. The Trib identified 1,200 violations at Illinois nursing homes involving psychotropic medications since 2001. Those infractions affected 2,900 patients, the paper writes, adding that the actual numbers are likely far higher because regulators inspect some facilities just once every 15 months, and even then they usually... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2939559 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:54:55 +0100 2939559 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2858740&cid=t_111593_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2Fj4C1fBhG-6Y%2F For the first time since we had a chaotically late driver a few years ago, we’ve run into a snag with Alex’s school busing common to the autistic. The driver says Alex is constantly getting up while the bus is in motion and refuses to behave during transport. One part of us finds this hard to believe: Though Alex is certainly capable of disruptive behavior (our family holiday dinners being People’s Exhibit A), he is and always has been a model traveller. Never a whisper of a complaint from any bus company (never a whisper of a compaint from the airline whose planes he once travelled on, either). One part of me, however, believes he’s getting older and more willful, and I can well believe he might be getting up, which is of course unacceptable. “You have to sit... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2858740 Sun, 04 Oct 2009 01:22:05 +0100 2858740 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2846566&cid=t_111593_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2Ftbb554LxvTo%2F This is kind of eye-catching (especially if you have Jill’s eye), from a review in today’s New York Times TV section of “The Middle,” which premiers tonight: ”The youngest child, Brick (Atticus Shaffer), is peculiar, and not in a cute way, which makes him all the more appealing. His teacher describes him as ‘clinically quirky’ and wants him tested. ‘I just hope that he’s weird enough that our insurance covers it,’” says one character. Tested for? How weird would that have to be, exactly? Could the money-counters who govern prime time entertainment finally be realizing that one of every 150 kids could translate into a lot of interest from would-be sponsors? * * * President Obama has announced $5 billion in new research grants to... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2846566 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:08:58 +0100 2846566 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2814625&cid=t_111593_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FSYXcRX_vjj4%2F Pay Now Or Pay Later: Some 2,000 people attended a rally yesterday in O’Fallon, Mo., supporting legislation requiring insurance companies to cover therapy for children with autism, a lawmaking leap already taken in 14 states. Last legislative session, a bill mandating coverage passed in the Missouri Senate but failed to come up for a vote in the House. (Among proponents this time are state lawmakers whose own children have the disorder.) Not having enough on its plate right now in American history, the insurance industry opposes the mandate, arguing that everyone’s premiums will rise about 3 percent. Such legislation has also been bandied about in the healthcare reform debate. Photo courtesy of Kopper (flickr.com) Getting people to agree to open their wallets wider in a crappy... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2814625 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:45:46 +0100 2814625 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2774669&cid=t_111593_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F09%2F08%2Ftreating-internet-addiction-is-new%2F I’ve been loathe to give any additional attention to the tiny treatment center in Washington state that says it’s treating “Internet addiction” in a “first of its kind in the US” treatment program, seeing as it’s already had over 350 media mentions in the past few days, including the one below in none other than the New York Times. Apparently when you start a media snowball rolling downhill, it’s hard to stop for a moment and do any actual reporting on the topic. It is much easier to eat up the PR and repackage it with no critical eye on the claims made. One of the problems with the mainstream media’s reporting on the topic is that it’s acting as though this is the first treatment center to treat this mythical condition (I say &#8... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2774669 Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:40:23 +0100 2774669 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2788775&cid=t_111593_101_f&fid=38972&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FLifeUnderTheLights%2F%7E3%2FP19-lrhuhyM%2Fems-trendsetters-conference-2009.html (Source: Life Under the lights) Life Under the lights blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2788775 Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:26:00 +0100 2788775 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2605942&cid=t_111593_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FsisiX8EQ_Ms%2F Last week, I blogged about the fact that Chicago students’ NAEP test score gains were modest under Arne Duncan’s leadership, and statistically indistinguishable from the modest gains made in urban districts around the nation. My analysis — which contradicts the rosy impression given by Illinois’ ISAT test –  has just been released here. Secretary Duncan has said that state and district officials should not make inflated claims about student achievement based on misleading state test scores, and has used the NAEP to fact check their claims. He’s right about that. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2605942 Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:18:38 +0100 2605942 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2580187&cid=t_111593_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FURc_xQx_VMw%2F For seven months, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and the media have bombarded us with tales of how Duncan dramatically boosted student achievement as leader of Chicago Public Schools. Based on two new independent analyses, Duncan’s real impact appears to have been near zero.  The usual evidence presented for Duncan’s success is the rise in the pass rate of elementary and middle school students on Illinois’ own ISAT test. But state tests like the ISAT are notoriously unreliable (they tend to be corrupted by teaching to the test and subject to periodic ”realignments” in which the passing grade is lowered or the test content is eased). In January, the Schools Matter blog argued that exactly such a realignment had occurred in 2006. So to get a reliable ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2580187 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:54:02 +0100 2580187 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2458193&cid=t_111593_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fcatalyzing-app-store-ehrs (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2458193 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:18:11 +0100 2458193 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2447709&cid=t_111593_109_f&fid=34730&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychiatrist-blog.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F06%2Frecommend-app-to-newbie.html I got an iTouch!!!!!I can't even turn it on.Want to recommend an app?----- Listen to our latest podcast at mythreeshrinks.com or subscribe to our rss feed. (Source: Shrink Rap) Shrink Rap blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2447709 Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:50:00 +0100 2447709 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2347925&cid=t_111593_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F04%2Fconscience-clause-court-victory-in.html A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order against the Governor of Illinois, protecting two pharmacists from having to dispense "Plan B" contraceptive pills due to religious objections. From the story:A central Illinois judge has ruled that the state can't force two pharmacists with religious objections to abortion to dispense emergency contraception. Sangamon County Circuit Judge John Belz issued a temporary restraining order Friday until he can hear arguments against the rule from druggists who object on religious grounds.The pill reduces the chance of pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of sex. The pharmacists believe it's tantamount to abortion.Belz is the same judge who sided with the state and dismissed the lawsuit filed in 2005 by Luke VanderBleek and Glenn Kosirog, who... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2347925 Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:48:00 +0100 2347925 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2309574&cid=t_111593_97_f&fid=35606&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theangriestpharmacist.com%2F2009%2F03%2F26%2Fwhite-trash-serenadin%2F Now, I’ve made fun of plenty of shitty ass music and stupid lyrics before. See: My Lip Gloss Be Poppin’ and Fergie and her incessant spelling I heard this song today, and I was in awe. I’ve searched for the past five minutes, and I was unable to find the full lyrics. The name of this inbred, slack-jawed, deep south cackling was “DON’T MAKE ME TAKE MY EARRINGS OFF” by the sperm burping whore herself, Gretchen Wilson. I guess I shouldn’t expect much from the Queen of the Doublewides hailing from Pocahontas, Illinois (population 727). I’m sure fingers outnumber teeth in the vast majority of those 727. I’d like to check the county register there — I’d bet 50% of weddings are amongst cousins in that county.  That’s all tha... The Angriest Pharmacist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2309574 Fri, 27 Mar 2009 04:50:55 +0100 2309574 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2074415&cid=t_111593_140_f&fid=35448&url=http%3A%2F%2Fseemedlikeagoodideathetime.com%2F2008%2F12%2F30%2Ffan-effin-tabulous%2F Just when Blago couldn’t stoop much lower…he did. Yee-haw, looks like we got us a token prospective senate nominee.  *update* Not just any typical Illinois politician. This guy had ambition-so much so that he was willing to send an innocent man to death row, just to appear to be tough on crime.  Little details, such as [...] (Source: bipolar chicks blogging) bipolar chicks blogging blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2074415 Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:56:17 +0100 2074415 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2056349&cid=t_111593_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F489665912%2F The Illinois Supreme Court ruled a circuit court must consider a lawsuit brought by two pharmacists who claim they should not be required to dispense emergency contraception because it violates their religious beliefs, the Associated Press reports. At issue is the argument that the pharmacists are being forced to choose between livelihood and conscience. Three years ago, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich issued a rule prohibiting pharmacies from turning away women seeking emergency contraception, sometimes called the morning-after pill, which is sold as Plan B by Barr Pharmaceuticals. The pill reduces the chance of pregnancy if taken within three days after sex. It works by preventing ovulation or fertilization and interfering with implantation of a fertilized egg, which some people consid... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2056349 Fri, 19 Dec 2008 13:46:01 +0100 2056349 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2046916&cid=t_111593_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FhaC9uTz-zfE%2F With legislation for insurance for “autism treatment” under consideration around the country (in Virginia, in Florida, in Illinois), a question: The “treatment” called for is principally in the form of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). What other treatments might you wish to see covered and how might they be justified as the sort of treatment and therapy that health insurance must provide for? Tags: ABA, asd, asperger syndrome, autism, florida, illinois, Insurance, pdd-nos, virgniaShare This (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2046916 Thu, 18 Dec 2008 02:24:31 +0100 2046916 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2034255&cid=t_111593_133_f&fid=37107&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Faspieweb%2F%7E3%2F6vQ3jeJk5JQ%2F Today Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich signed into law today, which provides up to $36,000 a year in coverage.The bill argubly an attempt to take the attention off Gov. Blagojevich’s arrest by the FBI was signed into law today.  The bill mandates that insurance companies be required to cover diagnosis and treatment of Autistic individuals up [...] (Source: AspieWeb.net) AspieWeb.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2034255 Fri, 12 Dec 2008 22:00:08 +0100 2034255 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2522971&cid=t_111593_93_f&fid=35707&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fhemodynamics%2F%7E3%2FE3MMCX_CgiU%2Fblagojevich-complaint-hospitals-and.html The news about Governor Blagojevich's alleged corrupt behavior has focused, understandably, on his scams to try to get payback for Obama's Senate seat. Intrigued by some incidental details about a shakedown of a children's hospital CEO, I searched for the word "hospital" in the affidavit. It appears 22 times, with two separate incidents, the first being about a "Certificate of Need" for another hospital and the other being the Children's Memorial incident. The "Certificate of Need" saga will be familiar to those who were already following the Tony Rezko trial, but since I hadn't realized how deeply the Rezko trial was entangled in hospital construction, I include this along with the Children's Hospital CEO.It's just a reminder that healthcare, perhaps the largest segment of our GDP, is jus... hemodynamics blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2522971 Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:17:00 +0100 2522971 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1980899&cid=t_111593_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FxO3hUrTUj40%2F In Illinois, Gov. Rod Blagojevich is expected to sign a bill requiring insurance companies to cover autism diagnosis and treatment up to $36,000 a year until a patient turns 21, today’s Chicago Tribune reports. Sen. Dale Righter (R-Charleston) is arguing that “the measure would cause the number of people diagnosed with autism to grow, therefore increasing premiums for other policy holders”—-an assumption that people are going to get children diagnosed with autism specifically so they can qualify for treatment? In Oklahoma, a bill to provide insurance coverage for autism diagnosis and treatment has also been introduced in the state Senate, KTEN notes. The bill is called “Nick’s Law“—Nick is 11 years old and has autism—last year, the meas... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1980899 Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:07:08 +0100 1980899 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1883378&cid=t_111593_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FvRo_X15ST5A%2F Good news for the state of Illinois! Women who are at high risk for developing breast and/or ovarian cancer will receive insurance coverage under Medicaid. Genetic tests for BRCA1 and BRCA2, and counseling will be available for low-income women with a strong family history of breast cancer or previous cancer diagnosis, writes the Chigaco Tribune. Women with mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene are 3 to 7 times more likely to develop breast cancer, and have a 16 to 60 percent lifetime risk for getting ovarian cancer than women without the mutations. Last year, about 22,000 low-income women enrolled in Medicaid were treated for breast cancer. Let’s hope other states follow suit, so more women with very little resources can have themselves tested. What’s not clear from the article, and ... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1883378 Fri, 17 Oct 2008 03:09:42 +0100 1883378 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1862833&cid=t_111593_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FFP3Ezn6NyBc%2F There are private schools for autistic kids here in New Jersey that have waiting list of a couple hundred kids. In Palatine, Illnois, the privately operated, public funded New Connections Academy has also had to turn students away for lack of space, the October 7th Daily Herald reports. The school serves “high-functioning autistic children and teens” and currently has an enrollment of 40; it’s hoped that 60 students total can enroll if the school is able to expand. The new space would include an art therapy room, two classrooms and offices, and increase the number of staff to 37. Notes Daily Herald: Run by Libertyville-based Counseling Connections, New Connections is the only Chicago area school solely dedicated to students with high-functioning autism, according to Demps... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1862833 Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:09:08 +0100 1862833 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1859769&cid=t_111593_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F413463616%2F The drugmaker will settle claims with 33 states that allege the Zyprexa antipsychotic med, which was approved only for treating schizophrenia and bipolard disorder, was marketed off-label to patients, The New York Times reports. The settlement ends an 18-month investigation led by the offices of the attorneys general of Illinois and Oregon, which contended Lilly violated consumer protection laws by urging doctors to prescribe Zyprexa to patients who did not need it, the paper writes (back story). This is also the largest settlement paid by a drugmaker in a state consumer protection case, topping the $58 million that Merck paid to settle similar allegations about Vioxx, according to lawyers who spoke with the Times. The agreement may also signal another deal is near in a separate but relate... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1859769 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 04:51:00 +0100 1859769 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1825834&cid=t_111593_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FuviPYkswCb0%2F Of “qualified physical and occupational therapists” in particular, in southern Illinois via the The Southern—sadly, it’s a familiar story to me, and I suspect to many (if not all) of us. Share This (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1825834 Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:00:14 +0100 1825834 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1798230&cid=t_111593_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FobdxULquTbY%2F Last week, a bill calling for insurance coverage of autism did not pass the Illinois General Assembly, as reported in the September 12th Daily Journal. An article in today’s Boston Globe looks at recent and ongoing efforts in many US states to get insurance companies to cover treatment for autism, often in the form of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Currently, many families seek ABA and other educational therapies and services from school districts. Noting that some school districts are currently spending more than 20 percent of their budgets exclusively on special ed students, Paul Andrews, director of government services for the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, says: “Special-needs costs have escalated so high that it has reduced the amount of funding we ... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1798230 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:37:29 +0100 1798230 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1416438&cid=t_111593_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F282243438%2F This issue gets thornier all the time. A federal appeals court let stand a lower court ruling that allows Washington state pharmacists to refuse to sell the Plan B emergency contraceptive pill on religious grounds. The pill, which is sold by Barr Laboratories, prevents fertilized eggs from implanting, which some people believe is the same as abortion. Generally, Plan B is available over the counter to women who are at least 18 years old, but by prescription to those under 18. US District Judge Ronald Leighton found that the state rules force pharmacists into an unconstitutional choice between their religious beliefs and their work, Reuters writes. State officials and several women had asked the Ninth US Circuit Court of Appeals to suspend the judge’s preliminary injunction, which bar... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1416438 Fri, 02 May 2008 17:29:17 +0100 1416438 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1316637&cid=t_111593_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F03%2F20%2Fcasualties-of-a-system-that-worked%2F Kathryn Faughey died for de-institutionalization. As did Daniel Parmeter and Catalina Garcia. And Ryanne Mace and Julianna Gehant. And Gale Dubowski. In less than 48 hours six innocent people lost their lives and six families were thrust into unbearable agony. In the evening of February 12th David Tarloff walked into Dr. Kathryn Faughey’s office in New York and butchered her with a meat cleaver and a knife. The struggle was fierce and by all accounts she fought hard to live. But she died, and her last moments must have been terrifying and excruciatingly painful. She was slashed fifteen times, her blood was all over the office, and the meat cleaver was bent from the force of the blows. On the afternoon of February 14th Steven Kazmierczak walked onto a classroom stage at Northern Illino... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1316637 Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:02:12 +0100 1316637 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1243498&cid=t_111593_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F02%2Fresponding-to-tragedy.html "A wave of recent school shootings, including the bloody attack in Illinois last week, is again prompting calls around the country for reforms. But in Virginia, where the bloodiest rampage of all took place last spring at Virginia Tech, the initial demands for legislative and regulatory improvements have yielded disappointing results. Other states that have grappled with senseless killings can now look to Richmond as an example -- one not to emulate -- of minimal response to maximum trauma." - Washington Post EditorialThe Treatment Advocacy Center (www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org) is a national nonprofit dedicated to eliminating barriers to the timely and effective treatment of severe mental illnesses. TAC promotes laws, policies, and practices for the delivery of psychiatric care and supp... Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1243498 Tue, 19 Feb 2008 21:34:00 +0100 1243498 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1236941&cid=t_111593_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F02%2F16%2Fanother-campus-tragedy-niu%2F Northern Illinois University (NIU) is a peaceful university located in Dekalb, Illinois, about 65 miles west of Chicago. It has a beautiful campus and the town and university live in a beneficial co-existence. It is the last place you’d ever expect the kind of tragedy that unfolded on Thursday to happen. Stephen Phillip Kazmierczak, the gunman who killed five students and himself and injured 20 more at Northern Illinois University on Thursday still had guns and ammunition available when he turned the gun on himself. Campus police responded to the shooting within minutes, but could only call for ambulances; Kazmierczak was already dead upon their arrival. And according to the Detroit Free Press, Kazmierczak, 27, was the last person on earth you’d suspect as being capable of t... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1236941 Sat, 16 Feb 2008 13:30:16 +0100 1236941 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1233312&cid=t_111593_85_f&fid=36195&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealth.tesstermulo.com%2F%3Fp%3D429 Memories of Virginia Tech shootings, claimed to be the worst ever massacre in a school university in American history, are still fresh in our minds when here comes a SERIES of school shootings that occurred only days apart. The most recent of these is the shootings at the lecture hall of Northern Illinois university.  The gunman had been a white male, a student of the same university, who walked up to a large lecture hall where some 160 students and university professors are and started shooting at almost everybody.  He shot at 21 people, killed four instantly while the other two died in the hospital, and shot himself.  The intent to kill was very apparent from the victims’ wounds, which mostly are found on the head and on the chest.  The gunman’s identity is now known but ... Prudence, M.D. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1233312 Fri, 15 Feb 2008 08:17:03 +0100 1233312 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1219502&cid=t_111593_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F02%2Ftreatment-laws-vary-by-state.html The publicity of Britney Spears’ recent involuntary hospitalization and subsequent release is raising awareness about involuntary treatment laws. Since treatment laws vary from state to state a person receiving involuntary treatment in California may or may not qualify for treatment in another state. Fortunately for the citizens of Illinois a new treatment law that goes into affect this summer will help people with severe mental illnesses get treatment before they reach crisis levels. “It offers the hope of getting a loved one with mental illness into treatment,” said Lora Thomas, executive director of Illinois’ National Alliance on Mental Illness. “Illinois can no longer retain the right for people to remain dangerously ill. It means no one needs to hit bottom.”For mentally i... Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1219502 Fri, 08 Feb 2008 21:13:00 +0100 1219502 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1100212&cid=t_111593_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Ftac-honors-grassroots-advocates.html The board of directors of the Treatment Advocacy Center today announced that Karen Gherardini from Illinois, Janice DeLoof from California, and Jeanette Castello from Pennsylvania are the winners of its annual Torrey Advocacy Commendation.“Individuals are the heart of the effort to reform and improve our nation’s mental illness treatment system,” said president Dr. E. Fuller Torrey. “The system will not change without the untiring fortitude of individuals like Karen, Janice, and Jeanette. Fighting the entrenched establishment, especially on an issue like real treatment for people with severe mental illnesses, is far from easy. But legislators cannot look impassioned family members in the face and deny the need for real reform. That is why their work is so critical, and why I am so ... Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1100212 Mon, 17 Dec 2007 21:59:00 +0100 1100212 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1044108&cid=t_111593_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Ftragic-endings-to-bad-situation.html Over the weekend we were reminded again of the role law enforcement is forced to play in dealing with severe mental illness. The failure of the mental health community to properly treat those with severe illnesses so often ends in tragedy across the country. In Florida –A sheriff’s deputy in Indian River County shot and killed Byruss Green, a man with a mental illness who had not been taking his medication. In Illinois –A jury determined that officers were not to blame in the March 2000 shooting of Joseph T. Zagar that had been called a suicide-by-cop. Officers had been to the home of Zager multiple times and had taken him in for mental health treatment. This time, Zager was threatening the officers with what they thought was a gun.In Kentucky –Brenda Joy Woosley, a woman with a me... Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1044108 Tue, 20 Nov 2007 15:31:00 +0100 1044108 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=982593&cid=t_111593_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F175527748%2F Autism has been mentioned as a possible diagnosis in the recent court cases of two defendents. One is a 19 year old Japanese teenager who fatally stabbed a teacher and wounded another teacher and a dietitian at an elementary school in suburban Osaka in 2005. He has been sentenced to 15 years in prison by the Osaka High Court. In southern Illinois, 52-year-old Martha Hampton, a former coroner investigator, was accused in 2005 of stealing from dead people—-taking cash and a coin collection from the homes of two dead men and also stealing from a third man’s home. Her attorney has now filed a motion to have her declared “mentally unable to stand trial”: [John] Delaney described Hampton as a “very nice lady” who suffers from Asperger’s syndrome, a form ... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=982593 Fri, 26 Oct 2007 20:10:27 +0100 982593 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=882662&cid=t_111593_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F158228410%2F “It’s just a number. It doesn’t really measure what he can do.” I’ve said this to myself more than a few times when considering what Charlie scores on any intelligence tests. His difficulties understanding and using language lead me to think that IQ testing only provides a limited measure of his actual intelligence; in a prevous post, I’ve considered whether a different test than that usually used to test IQ (the Wechsler ) might better reflect what Charlie knows. Last Friday, New York Times columnist David Brooks wrote about the “diminishing influence of I.Q.”: I.Q., in other words, is a black box. It measures something, but it’s not clear what it is or whether it’s good at predicting how people will do in life. Over the past few years,... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=882662 Tue, 18 Sep 2007 20:14:15 +0100 882662 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=882663&cid=t_111593_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F158146623%2F Carmen McCullough is 13 years old, non-verbal, and receives (according to the September 17th WIFR (News 23), “receives 30 minutes of speech therapy 4 times a year.” That would be two hours of speech therapy for an entire school year—-that does not seem right, to me, at any rate. My son Charlie, who is minimally verbal and ten years old, receives 30 minutes of speech therapy 3 times a week at school. Lial and Doreen McCullough, Carmen’s parents, are seeking to have her attend a new autism school in Rockford, Illinois, the Autism Therapeutic School—I hope they can prevail. Share This (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=882663 Tue, 18 Sep 2007 16:56:04 +0100 882663 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=872216&cid=t_111593_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fsen-righter-new-law-will-help-avert.html Illinois Senator Dale Righter, major bill sponsor, on the passage of SB 234:The passage of SB 234 is a monumental victory for the mental health system in the State of Illinois. The legislation was brought to me by Karen Gherardini, who has struggled for years to help a loved one receive appropriate help and treatment. Karen’s perseverance, persistence and dedication to this issue, in addition to the support of so many other families who have loved ones that suffer from a mental illness have finally paid off.All too often, the criteria currently in law makes it very difficult and sometimes impossible for individuals suffering from mental illness to get the help they need. In many instances, the individuals have stopped taking necessary medications, and as a result, fail to realize that th... Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=872216 Fri, 14 Sep 2007 18:45:00 +0100 872216 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=869589&cid=t_111593_151_f&fid=35797&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewrecovery.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fanother-court-rules-that-aana-are.html A recent court case ruled that a parolee can sue a parole officer for damages if the parole officer requires the parolee to attend 12-step groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous when this violates the parolee's religious or non-religious beliefs.The case is titled Inouye v. Kemna, issued Sept. 7, 2007. The full text of the opinion is here. The court that issued the decision is the Ninth Circuit of the United States Courts of Appeal. The court's ruling is the law in California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Montana, Idaho, Nevada, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Ricky Inouye was imprisoned in Hawaii after conviction on drug charges, and served his time. As a Buddhist, he objected to participating in 12-step treatment programs because of their relig... New Recovery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=869589 Thu, 13 Sep 2007 14:49:00 +0100 869589 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=867380&cid=t_111593_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fmonumental-victory-in-illinois.html Yesterday, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich signed Senate Bill 234 into law. The measure – the culmination of a five-year effort – is a dramatic change to the Illinois commitment standard for both inpatient and outpatient assisted treatment. When SB 234 takes effect next June, the short and simple-appearing legislation will be the greatest reform to Illinois commitment law in decades. We cannot more commend the capability and compassion of Senator and chief bill sponsor Dale Righter, who doggedly pursued the measure over five years and three legislative sessions, and Representative David Leitch, who successfully guided SB 234 through the Illinois House.NAMI–Illinois stood steadfastly behind this monumental reform each and every step along its path to becoming law.But most of all –... Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=867380 Wed, 12 Sep 2007 16:45:00 +0100 867380 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=775555&cid=t_111593_109_f&fid=35677&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBrainBasedBusiness%2F%7E3%2F140078210%2Fculture_shapes_a_brain_in_uniq.html Culture  and its surroundings influence the way people’s brain see and react to their worlds. Do you see unique advantages for the workplace when these differences come to the surface? Or do problems slow down progress when cultures rise and clash? Denise Park of the University of Illinois tracked brains in action as people observed complex scenes such as an airplane flying over a city. Differences appeared striking as reported by the University News Bureau. The study found that our culture changes how we see things around us. The study concluded … for instance … that Asian and American see things from very different perspectives.Researchers analyzed the eye movements of East Asians and Westerners viewing identical images. They found that cultur... BrainBasedBusiness blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=775555 Thu, 02 Aug 2007 21:55:42 +0100 775555 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=682748&cid=t_111593_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F06%2F19%2Fdiabetes-awareness-a-long-way-to-go-in-chicago%2F Filed under: Type 2, Lifestyle, OpinionChicago has a long way to go when it comes to diabetes awareness amongst the general public, says pharmaceutical company Abbott. And if the picture in Chicago is representative of the nation as a whole, we should all be very concerned. Or should we? Yes, diabetes awareness - or lack thereof - is a problem. But is Abbott painting an overly pessimistic picture of the situation? Abbott's comments about Chicago came as it announced the results of a poll sponsored to evaluate public understanding of diabetes in the city. The initiative was in preparation for the American Diabetes Association's Scientific Sessions, which begin June 22 in Chicago. (Abbott's North American home base is in Abbott Park, Illinois, near Chicago.)Abbott's conclusion? Most people s... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=682748 Tue, 19 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 682748 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=659016&cid=t_111593_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F122483421%2F WMBD/WYZZ TV (Illinois) reports on a taped confession of Karen McCarron that was given in a courtroom this Tuesday afternoon. McCarron is accused of murdering her then-three-year-old autistic daughter, Katherine McCarron on May 13, 2006. A Morton woman accused of murdering her autistic daughter said in a taped confession that she was overwhelmed and wanted to take the autism out of her child. A Tazewell County judge heard Karen McCarron’s confession in court Tuesday afternoon. Mccarron’s attorney is trying to have the confession thrown out. The defense says the confession is no good because McCarrron was hospitalized when interviewed by police. In the tape, McCarron admitted to suffocating her daughter with a plastic bag, then putting her back to bed. The judge hasn’t ru... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=659016 Wed, 06 Jun 2007 00:08:37 +0100 659016 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=552215&cid=t_111593_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F04%2Ftreatment-reform-in-illinois.html The Chicago Tribune recently reported on SB 234 in Illinois; a bill that would update the strict treatment standard to provide treatment options for Illinois’ most seriously mentally ill before they are an imminent danger to themselves or others. The Treatment Advocacy Center’s executive director, Mary Zdanowicz was quoted in the article:We have an obligation to those who are hurting to not withhold treatment.Studies suggest that, when properly medicated, these folks are no more dangerous than the general population.New York state data showed significant decreases in homelessness, incarceration and psychiatric hospitalization among people who were ordered into involuntary treatment under Kendra's Law. There were fewer suicide attempts and fewer cases of physically harming others or dam... Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=552215 Fri, 13 Apr 2007 18:27:00 +0100 552215 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=539039&cid=t_111593_109_f&fid=34730&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychiatrist-blog.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F04%2F15-minute-med-checks.html I noted in today's Northern Star that Dr. Diana Kraft, Northern Illinois University's psychiatrist for 15 years, has retired after being told she must cut back on the amount of time she spends evaluating patients. The side bar in the paper indicates:"On March 8, Kraft was notified by her supervisor that the time allotted for her to see patients would be reduced from 60 minutes for a new patient to 45 minutes, and 20 minutes for a return patient down to 15 minutes. Incorporating paperwork and dictation, Kraft would only be allotted 30 minutes of face time for a new patient and 10 minutes for a return patient, she said."I hate it when administrators see patient care as an assembly line which can get speeded up when demand or profits require more efficient widget production. People are not wi... Shrink Rap blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=539039 Thu, 12 Apr 2007 13:11:00 +0100 539039