emrupdate.com

New Payment Rules Will Benefit Primary Care MDs – Drug Benefits Proposed to Move to Medicare Part D

The Medical Quack — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:16:00 GMT

For Oncologists, this stands to represent a big help in the chemotherapy area as the cost of maintaining the expensive drugs has been a rising cost over the last few years. The proposed changes are not due until the year 2010. Radiologists will be looking at a 30% reduction with the proposed adjustment and cardiologist around an 11% cut with left heart catheterizations, transthoracic echocardiograms, and EKG payments being reduced. I just posted about a hand held ECG device and...(read more)

Ovary Transplants – Frozen and Reimplanted later in Life

The Medical Quack — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 18:31:00 GMT

This is an area where I didn’t realize we had this potential, although it is tricky and still work in progress. The comments in the article state that the procedure needs to be 2 parts as the hormones that produce the eggs also have to function. A new technique has been developed to freeze the ovaries without the loss of very many eggs, which has also been an issue with older technologies. These procedures are and have been performed at Yale University. BD AP) -- Two new techniques...(read more)

Hospital Employee Injected Patient Drugs and Replaced Syringe content with Saline Solution

The Medical Quack — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 18:01:00 GMT

This is another one of those scary stories with a worker who took the injections herself instead of giving the medication to the patient, then filled the syringe with saline for the patient. The problem is the syringes were not sterilized and she had hepatitis C from an old drug habit. It appears that over 5,000 patients were potentially exposed. She is no longer employed and is in custody. The hospital hired her even though they knew she had hepatitis and had provided counseling...(read more)

Nevada EHR Program – SNMIC

EMR and HIPAA — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:01:36 GMT

For those who might have wondered I live in Las Vegas, NV. I must admit that despite living in Nevada I haven’t been that involved in the healthcare IT community before now. I guess I see this blog as more of a national and international thing and Read More......(read more)

Health Care on Brink of IT Revolution – CNBC Healthy Horizons Report on HealthVault and Amalga

The Medical Quack — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:53:00 GMT

Nice coverage on what’s happening in the world of Health IT, notice all the devices spotlighted in the video. One of the individuals speaking on the video is Steve Shihadeh, VP Microsoft Health Solutions Group,who was kind enough not too long ago to speak with me about Amalga, the HealthVault and what is being done today, along with what’s in store for the future. Steve Shihadeh, VP Microsoft Health Solutions Group – The Amalga Software Solution for Aggregating Hospital Information (Interview) Also...(read more)

Convicted Murderers Suing – The Drugs That Made them Do It – Zoloft and Accutane

The Medical Quack — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:18:00 GMT

The good news in all of this is that the judges are not buying it, thank goodness, one plans an appeal. We all worry about side effects but it still doesn’t stand up in court with hideous crimes and the suits get filed just because “they can”, a waste of taxpayer money. BD The first is Randall Robbins II, a convicted murderer who strangled the teenage mother of his child. Robbins is suing Pfizer , alleging that the Zoloft he was on led him to try to commit suicide and then take...(read more)

Digital Doctor Visits are Up and Rising in the US

The Medical Quack — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 06:57:00 GMT

Some visits are a simple email back and forth, while others are a bit more sophisticated. For a physician in order to collect it’s almost easier to use one of the pre-set formats, as this way you can collect and be sure all information is exchanged with an encrypted connection. There is a limit too as to what you can do online as some conditions really should be seen in person, and a web cam can also be very helpful, like looking at a wound or skin rash for a simple example. ...(read more)

Tapeless Bandages for Wounds, Diabetic Ulcers, and More…

The Medical Quack — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 06:15:00 GMT

The company, Tapeless Medical just announced some additional new products this week and for anyone who had had the sticky tape on any wound bandage, you know what I am talking about here. The wrap is re-useable too. I could think of sometimes in the past where I wished I would have had one of these versus the sticky tape. They even have one that looks like a full pair of underwear too and they are all washable. BD TAPELESS MEDICAL INTRODUCES 4 NEW...(read more)

Sanofi-Aventis Heart Drug Multaq Approved by the FDA for Atrial Fibrillation – Diabetes Drug Question with Lantus Still Lingers

The Medical Quack — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 06:02:00 GMT

This is almost like a good news/bad news day for the company. The big news is having the first drug on the market to treat atrial fibrillation, which has also been treated with devices. The cancer connection still lingers with their diabetes drug questioning the amount of time spent actually tracking patients, and the FDA will continue to review additional information and studies related to Lantus. BD Boston (DbTechNo) - The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) have just approved...(read more)

Bone growth Agents (Bone Putty) Increases Spinal Surgery Costs - Study

The Medical Quack — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:44:00 GMT

The story has been out about some of the information on the benefits of spinal putty to enhance bone growth from one physician, but I can’t help but think of this as being nothing but a benefit. As the article states with spinal surgery, the other alternative is to use chips from a patient’s pelvic bone, so now we are cutting at 2 areas. As long as the product does what it says it does, I think the extra expense is well worth it. I have had a small amount place in my jaw with oral...(read more)

Gleeman’s Daily News—07/03

Robert Gleeman — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:35:00 GMT

Happy Fourth of July in the time of recession

From Arizona to Ohio, savvy bureaucrats have spent the last week trying to save their good ole fashioned fireworks displays. What if, like some folks in Connecticut, they charged each car $5? What if, like Houston, they scaled back the display to something more affordable? What if they begged and bartered with any sponsor or city agency that could swoop in to save the show? Hey, it worked in Tucson, Ariz., where the Pascua Yaqui Tribe donated $20,000 to subsidize the once-canceled show.

Is it worth the money? Sure, why not. For the sake of all our safety, keep the public fireworks display, and get rid of the private fireworks—cheaper in the long run.

Novartis in Germany makes 1st swine flu vaccine in Europe

“With the adjuvant vaccine we have developed there's a good chance that you will be protected even if it comes back in a different form.”

Dr Andrin Oswald
Novartis Vaccines

Now work will focus on creating a vaccine from the seed virus.

So although Novartis is claiming to have created the first swine flu vaccine, it will not be until clinical trials are completed on a vaccine made from the seed virus and the first doses are delivered, that the race to get a vaccine will truly have been won.

Of interest to our doctors, this is a new way of making vaccine that does not use any eggs, but rather, a cell culture. The method of production is a big story.

Senate bill would fine people who refuse to pay for affordable medical coverage

In this file photo, patients wait at the Emergency Room entrance at Riverside County Regional Medical Ctr in Moreno Valley, just outside Los Angeles. Senate Democrats today are unveiling a new non-partisan analysis of their health care reform plan that dramatically cuts the estimated cost -- and that includes a ?public option? for health insurance. (Getty Images)

The Congressional Budget Office estimated the fines will raise around $36 billion over 10 years. Senate aides said the penalties would be modeled on the approach taken by Massachusetts, which now imposes a fine of about $1,000 a year on individuals who refuse to get coverage. Under the federal legislation, families would pay higher penalties than individuals.

I hope the government does not create a new class of criminal—the health insurance evader—and what if you don’t pay the fine, jail time?

Former Cigna exec will blow the whistle on Capitol Hill

Wendell Potter, the former Vice President of Communications for Cigna Insurance Company in Philadelphia is scheduled to testify at 2:30 pm before the Senate Commerce Committee. He is expected to describe how the health insurance industry purposefully uses "confusing language" for consumers as part of its business strategy. He worked in the health insurance industry for 20 years for both Cigna and Humana health insurance companies.

There is no doubt that confusing language is the least of the deceptive activities of insurance firms, to whom the avoidance of care equals making a profit.

Doctors assure patients they will be OK if Vicodin and Percocet are banned

Following a vote by an FDA expert panel that favored banning drugs that combine drugs that combine acetaminophen with narcotics such as Vicodin and Percocet, doctors are reassuring chronic pain patients that alternative options do exist.

(ABC News Photo Illustration)

Rosenberg is one of millions of Americans who fill prescriptions each year for an acetaminophen-based narcotic – or combination drugs – such as Vicodin or Percocet, the two most popularly prescribed drugs in the country.

This story tells of a patient who would have a very painful life without his meds, but it talks of alternative pain meds, of which there seem to be many.

Walt Mart Supports Employer Health Insurance But Employees Say Wal-Mart’s Plan is "too expensive"

The Medical Quack — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:21:00 GMT

Only a little over 50% have opted for the employer insurance plan, as when wages are $7.00 to $10.00 an hour, over 20% of their income goes towards health insurance. With stats as such it would seem logical that Wal-Mart would maybe entertain the government insurance plan too so the rest of the employees can also have coverage. BD While mega-retailer Wal-Mart announced yesterday that they supported an employer-funded health care plan, in accordance with the Obama administration's...(read more)

Medical Device Vibrates to Breaks Up Plaque in patients' clogged Leg and Heart arteries

The Medical Quack — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:08:00 GMT

The device sounds almost like it is Roto Rooter for the arteries. Patients are feeling immediate relief after the procedure. Doctors are now able to open arteries with the device that couldn’t be touched before. The article states it can also be used in the heart area as well as in the legs. The catheter creates creating high frequency vibrations to break up the plaque. The procedure for this patient, once the catheter was in place was a matter of 31 seconds and she...(read more)

CCHIT Task Force Process

EMR and HIPAA — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:28:35 GMT

I was reading through a short article entitled “CCHIT TASK FORCE TO FOCUS ON STIMULUS PACKAGE REQUIREMENTS” which is actually a bit misplaced since the article really seems to talk about the CCHIT Task Force for Long Term and Post Acute Care Read More......(read more)

Citibank Unveils New Program – Cell Phone Becomes your Credit Card

The Medical Quack — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:31:00 GMT

The pilot program is taking place in India. Pretty soon the cell phone will be doing just about everything. Soon they will be used for Ultra Sound diagnostics as well. I guess next the big challenge will be to extract your payment while providing the ultra sound test all at once (grin). The old credit cards we have known for years could be a thing of the past in a few years, video below on how the ultra sound works. BD Mobile phones often double for other practical...(read more)

AMA Now Says Government Funded Insurance Would be OK – CMS Proposes 21.5% Medicare Physician Pay Cut

The Medical Quack — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:14:00 GMT

Just a few weeks ago, we heard a different story of just the opposite, interesting how things are changing so rapidly today and new opinions emerge to the opposite. The AMA didn’t like the idea of Medicare for all as it is going broke, but so are many hospitals so is it a race of who goes broke first? Also today was the proposed Medicare Pay cuts, 21.5% which has been an event every year in which Congress has rushed in to save the day, but this year it appears to be a bit different...(read more)

Send in the Clouds – Microsoft Opening 2 more Data Centers this Month

The Medical Quack — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:53:00 GMT

The one in Chicago will be using ocean containers and when you see how many servers are in each one, there’s quite a few around 2000 in round numbers for each container. That’s a lot of servers and thus with the new room too Microsoft is looking for data base customers to synch SQL Server in the cloud. BD Microsoft Seeking Database Customers to Test Synchronizing SQL Server with the Cloud In order to fulfill the ever growing demand of data centers (Online Live and Cloud services...(read more)

Polypharmacy – It Means taking Several Drugs A Day or Week

The Medical Quack — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:43:00 GMT

This was a new term for me, but one out of 5 seniors practices “polypharmacy”. In addition, many are seeing more than one physician, so it’s a good idea that each physician you see, knows exactly what you are taking. BD Polypharmacy is a catchy name but it is one of the most expensive nouns in the dictionary. Polypharmacy means a person is taking several drugs a day or week (sometimes an average of 10 over the age of 65). If you're taking prescription medications or OTC , over...(read more)

Gleeman’s Daily News—07/02

Robert Gleeman — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:34:46 GMT

Fireworks pose a burn and blast hazard, should be left to the pros

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the leading authority on fire, electrical and building safety, says legal or not, fireworks are too risky for amateurs.

The Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks (ASCF) is a group of health and safety organizations, coordinated by NFPA, that urges the public to avoid the use of consumer fireworks and instead, to enjoy displays of fireworks conducted by trained professionals. They also warn that after a firework display, children should never pick up fireworks they may find on the ground. The pyrotechnic devices may still be active and are extremely dangerous.

Also see: http://www.crescent-news.com/news/simple_article/4620257

This is fireworks season, and I hope our doctors will be spared the usual burns and self-destructive blast effects of “consumer fireworks”. Happy 4th.

Obesity rates increase in 23 states, decrease in none

And the number of obese and overweight children has now climbed to 30 percent in 30 states, a troubling trend that could signal decades of weight-related health problems such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease as these children become adults.

Those are just some of the worrisome findings in an annual report on obesity in America, released Wednesday by the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

This study shows that our country is struggling with weight gains, and as I found out, if you want to make your doctor happy, just lose weight, you’ll be a star.

Swine flu now showing resistance to Tamiflu

The drug has been offered to those with close contact to swine flu

Roche Holding AG confirmed a patient with H1N1 influenza in Denmark showed resistance to the antiviral drug.

David Reddy, company executive, said it was not unexpected given that common seasonal flu could do the same.

The news comes as a nine-year-old girl has become the third to die in the UK with swine flu.

This was bound to happen, but I still haven’t figured out how you’re supposed to get the Tamiflu when you’re not supposed to leave the house with the flu.

Panel makes case for banning Percocet and Vicodin due to their mix of acetaminophen

An FDA panel has recommended that Tylenol be used in lower doses than now recommended. The panel also recommends banning Percocet and Vicodin. (JB Reed/ Bloomberg News/ File 2008)

Outside advisers to the Food and Drug Administration voted 20 to 17 yesterday in Adelphi, Md., for the ban on Percocet and Vicodin, which also contain a narcotic. The panel agreed earlier that Johnson & Johnson’s Tylenol should be given in lower doses than now recommended and the extra-strength version should be sold by prescription only.

Acetaminophen, an aspirin alternative in use for five decades to reduce pain and fever, has been a leading cause of liver injury for more than a decade, the FDA said. The agency under President Obama is “taking a harder look at safety’’ than in previous administrations, said Les Funtleyder, a healthcare analyst at Miller Tabak & Co. in New York.

I always thought acetaminophen was added to powerful narcotics in order to limit the abuse—too much abuse, you die of liver failure. Am I right?

Wimbledon tournament – 28 Staff Members told to say home – Swine Flu

The Medical Quack — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:34:00 GMT

Players and others were all advise to make sure and wash their hands when using the computers in the lounge area. It looks like we are not anywhere near being done with the virus yet. BD LONDON, England (CNN) -- A total of 28 staff at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships have been asked to stay at home with suspected swine flu. It was reported Wednesday that two players competing at the tournament are believed to have contracted the virus. According to the UK's Daily Mail newspaper...(read more)

Blumenthal’s Address at MIT HIT Symposium

EMR and HIPAA — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:43:03 GMT

Blumenthal gave a recent speech at the HIT Symposium at MIT. I must admit that as I’ve heard Blumenthal speak I’ve grown pretty fond of what he’s trying to do within the bounds of what’s available to him. Here’s a quick look Read More......(read more)

Painkillers and the FDA – Warnings and Other advisories

The Medical Quack — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:44:00 GMT

Acetaminophen is the newcomer to the FDA tracking list. The dosages of the painkiller were also reduced today. Also the panel was recommending something be done with Percocet and Vicodin. If those are abolished, perhaps others with some other potential side effects could play havoc. For short term pain relief, i.e. after surgery they seem to be a strong choice. Warnings on products are always fine as long as the products need them. Alcohol overdoses still kill...(read more)

Gleeman’s Daily News—07/01

Robert Gleeman — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:41:48 GMT

Canada: Dangers of Tylenol earn it new warnings on the label

Packaging of Tylenol rolls down a conveyer at the McNeil Consumer and Specialty Pharmaceuticals in Fort Washington, Pa. on Monday, Oct. 31, 2005. (AP / Bradley C Bower)

Canada plans to bring in new warning labels on acetaminophen -- the key ingredient in Tylenol, Excedrin and other medications -- while government experts in the United States on Tuesday said the maximum dose should be reduced to avoid lethal overdoses.

Acetaminophen is one of the most widely used drugs in the U.S and Canada. Many patients find it easier on the stomach than other painkillers like ibuprofen and Aspirin, which can cause ulcers.

Also in question are the many OTC drugs which contain acetaminophen, which when combined, can overdose the liver and cause permanent damage. Ouch.

Wal-Mart supports employer insurance mandate in their letter to Obama

The letter to President Obama states clearly, "We are for shared responsibility...We are for an employer mandate which is fair and broad in its coverage." It also recognizes the varying ability of employers to contribute by saying, "Not every business can make the same contribution, but everyone must make some contribution."

Read the letter at the link above to see what the nation’s largest employer thinks about mandated insurance and lowering costs. They big enough to be the news.

Stimulus money put to good use by health clinics serving poor

Kristen Wyatt/AP Photo

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Homeless teenagers at a central Colorado shelter are feeling the effect of the government's economic stimulus package. It's the feeling of a dentist's drill.

The 20 runaway youths living at the Urban Peak shelter had no regular dental care until this spring, when a $1.3 million stimulus grant to a community health center paid for a mobile dental and medical clinic to visit once a month. The residents now get medical and dental screenings, and cavities filled, right from their shelter's parking lot.

Interesting to me the extent to which dental care has been pushed to the back, yet it is so important to a person’s general health. Much room for reform there.

Institute of Medicine Report: Which Health Care Approaches Work Best

WASHINGTON, D.C.—A new report from the Institute of Medicine recommends 100 health topics that should get priority attention and funding from a new national research effort to identify which health care services work best.

The report also spells out actions and resources needed to ensure that this comparative effectiveness research initiative will be a sustained effort with a continuous process for updating priorities as needed and that the results are put into clinical practice.

Here is a report doctors may be interested in reading, this detailed story gives a good description of how it was compiled and the politics involved in implementing some of these plans.

Hong Kong Private Doctors Not Ready for e-Health Records – but are using plenty of computer technology

The Medical Quack — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:22:00 GMT

This sounds like a lot of what we have here, perhaps not an official electronic medical record, but Word documents, images, etc. stored on the hard drives of computers in doctors offices with 76% commenting in this direction from the survey. BD Nearly 80 percent of private doctors in Hong Kong feel they lack IT know-how and relevant training when it comes to e-health record, though at the same time the same percentage of them support the introduction of a territory wide e-health record...(read more)

Billy Mays from Television Commercials for OxiClean Dies from an Apparent Heart Attack

The Medical Quack — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:11:00 GMT

Medically he seemed to have a bit going on with recovering from 2 hip surgeries and a bump on the head from an air flight. One more personality the victim of heart disease. I think we are living in a very stressful world today. BD Beloved TV pitchman Billy Mays most likely died of heart failure, not from being hit on the head during a rough landing on a US Airways flight, the medical examiner in Tampa said. The autopsy done this morning reveals no evidence of head trauma or...(read more)