The Medical Quack .... by Barbara Duck

Axxent Brachytherapy System Recall-Device Released Particles of Tungsten Throughout Woman’s Breast During Treatment-Lawsuit

The Medical Quack — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 17:01:00 GMT

I can only imagine what the patient is going through after specifically waiting for this device to become available as a safe method of treating her breast cancer. This happened at Hoag Hospital in Orange County and luckily enough the particles...(read more)

SRI International–Where Science, Drugs and Device Technology Begin and Come Together-daVinci Surgical Robot (Intuitive Surgical) and Nuance Speech Recognition Began Here

The Medical Quack — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 08:16:00 GMT

The SRI was founded 1946 as part of Stanford University. This is fascinating place to work I would guess. Robert Scoble recently took a tour and provided videos that cover some of what they do there. They have everything from contract...(read more)

Kaiser Permanente of Georgia Undergoing Major Expansion of Medical Offices and Hiring New Physicians

The Medical Quack — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 08:06:00 GMT

Being in California I always think of the company’s presence here since this is where they began but they also have been expanding into several other regions of the country and Georgia is one where they are expanding to serve more of the community. ...(read more)

Loyola University Chicago Sells Hospital Business to Catholic Trinity Health Care

The Medical Quack — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 07:44:00 GMT

Catholic ownership of hospitals is renewing in the US in some areas. Trinity updates 48 acute care hospitals and is the 4th largest non profit Catholic Healthcare system in the US. In other recent news Ascension Health has announced a joint...(read more)

Anthem Blue Cross Rate Increase in California Becomes Effective May 1, 2011-As High as 39% For Cumulative Year

The Medical Quack — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 07:00:00 GMT

Individual plan members have been sent letters advising of the increase. Anthem Blue Cross still states they have not made any profits on individual policies and thus we have another increase coming. Last year rates increased by 14% after...(read more)

Johnson & Johnson DePuy Worldwide President Says “I’m Out of Here”

The Medical Quack — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 20:36:00 GMT

He has submitted his resignation and will effective at the end of March. I can guarantee this is not a fun job right now with the recalls and all the issues the DePuy division has faced. He’s an executive in charge of running a failing implant...(read more)

Stem Cells Explained-Dr. Michael West Founder of Geron Corporation Stresses The Need For Continued and Accelerated Funding

The Medical Quack — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 21:51:00 GMT

I sat in on a webinar this week and as a healthcare blogger I was the lowest denominator attending but wanted to listen in and find out about what others, scientists, doctors and the Geron CEO had to say. I do quite a few posts on the Quack here...(read more)

Looking Up My Back Door-Colonoscopy Time (Humor-Video) Song By “ButtMeddler”

The Medical Quack — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 20:40:00 GMT

This is just too cute and funny and some talent put in to make the video. Happy Hospitalist found quite a few videos and he has more at his site, a couple that have been here in the past and some other new ones, so if you want to view a few more...(read more)

FDA Approves Intel-GE Innovations Software And Home Monitoring Device-Engaging of Consumers Lacking Here - Payer Benefits Taking Center Stage With Current Marketing

The Medical Quack — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 16:52:00 GMT

We have a lot of choices today for devices for remote and home monitoring but one suggestion for those who create these products would be to go lightly on the payer benefits, as with rising health insurance costs, do consumers care if they benefit, not...(read more)

UnitedHealthcare Lays Off 180 Employees In Orange County-Initial Notification Sent By Instant Message to Those Affected

The Medical Quack — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 08:15:00 GMT

Talk about drama when getting a lay off notice, an instant message to meet in the lobby and then taken to a hotel for the official word. Drama king tactics seem to exist with layoffs today. It sounds almost like people are being round...(read more)

Bill Gates -TED Long Beach Talks About States Budgets (Where Are You Getting Those Algorithms) and Educational Needs

The Medical Quack — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 07:27:00 GMT

Bill Gales was the curator this year for the Long Beach Convention and when it was his turn to talk he addressed budgets and the need for better education. Bill Gates Serving as “Guest” Curator for the Annual TED Conference In March 2011 Also one of my...(read more)

TED Long Beach-Attendees Get to Take a Ride in the Google Autonomous Car

The Medical Quack — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 04:58:00 GMT

I know that parking structure in Long Beach but last time I was there no Google car. If I am not mistaken, the Google car is the forward workings of Stanford who built the autonomous car, Junior that competed in the last Darpa Urban Challenge and...(read more)

Digital Illiterate GOP Senators Asking President to Withdraw Don Berwick Nomination-Back to the 8 Track Mentality

The Medical Quack — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 22:54:00 GMT

Here we go again, back to the soap operas and and attention getting commentaries. I am guessing once more, based on what I read here that we have a return of the 70s folks with 8 track tape values. Dr. Berwick has not even had enough time...(read more)

SkinPut A Projected Touchscreen That Controls Your Phone Or Game Console Technology on Your Skin

The Medical Quack — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 22:09:00 GMT

Back in October of 2010 I wrote about Skinput and thought it was the solution for input and that was before Kinect came along and it still could be a mobile solution with using one’s arm for both control and data. Kinect of course allows gesture...(read more)

McKesson Buying British Software Company, System C-A Microsoft Technology Partner

The Medical Quack — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 21:42:00 GMT

The software company has been around in the UK for a number of years and when you go to the website you can see where last year they were the winner of the Public Sector contest for Microsoft Partner of the Year for 2010. McKesson uses Microsoft...(read more)