AHA President Gibbons says U.S. healthcare must change
Rising costs and coming demographic changes threaten the quality and future of health care in the United States and other developed countries.
Healthcare
Conner Lecturer – Healthcare changes must focus on value
A transformation in health care requires vision, values and leadership ? and physicians are best poised to be transformative leaders, according to Ian Morrison, Ph.D., president emeritus of the Institute for the Future.
Health :: Bariatric surgery complication rates high in some hospitals, new HealthGrades ratings and study show
In-hospital bariatric surgery complication rates vary dramatically among the nation’s hospitals, according to a study released today by HealthGrades, the leading healthcare ratings company. The study of 86,520 bariatric-surgery procedures performed over the years 2002 through 2004 finds that a typical patient receiving the procedure in a five-star rated hospital would have, on average, a 66 percent lower chance of developing one or more major inhospital complications compared with a one-star rated hospital.
Cancer :: Peer and family support tops needs of young adult cancer survivors
Adolescent and young adult cancer patients rank support from family, friends and other cancer survivors as high priority healthcare needs, according to a new University of Southern California study.
Heart :: AHA to launch heart magazine – Heart Insight
Heart Insight will give readers practical advice, new treatment recommendations … and encouragement. The American Heart Association announces the launch of a new patient magazine, Heart Insight, for heart patients, their families and caregivers.
Pharmacy :: Bayer Outlines New Global R&D Structures
Bayer HealthCare announced today a structural realignment of its global pharmaceutical research and development organization. The company also outlined its future U.S. pharma site plan, and said that New Jersey will be home to its U.S. headquarters for pharmaceuticals. These moves follow Bayer?s acquisition of Schering AG, Germany in June 2006 and are part of the company?s plan to integrate its pharmaceutical operations with those of Schering AG and Berlex Inc. (the U.S. subsidiary of Schering AG).
Rheumatoid Arthritis :: ORENCIA, abatacept demonstrate continued efficacy in adults with rheumatoid arthritis
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) today announced that two-year data from three Phase III pivotal trials demonstrate the long-term efficacy of ORENCIA? (abatacept) in adult patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have had an inadequate response to one or more disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) such as methotrexate and TNF antagonists. The data also demonstrate that ORENCIA provided clinically meaningful improvements in multiple aspects of health-related quality of life and physical function, sustained improvements in pain and had a consistent safety and tolerability profile through two years of treatment. These data will be presented at the upcoming 2006 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Annual Scientific Meeting.
Health :: Medication Costs Infrequently Addressed When Newly Prescribed, UCLA Study Finds
A new UCLA study has found that physicians discuss cost and aspects of obtaining newly prescribed medications only about one-third of the time during patient/doctor interactions.
Prostate Cancer :: Largest PSA Bounce Study Eases Worry of Prostate Cancer Returning
Prostate cancer patients who have a temporary rise in their prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels after radiation therapy – called a PSA bounce – are not at an increased risk of their cancer coming back any more than those who don?t have a temporary rise, according to the largest study of its kind presented November 8, 2006, at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology?s 48th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia.
Health Care :: Medication Costs Infrequently Addressed by Physicians
A new UCLA study has found that physicians discuss cost and aspects of obtaining newly prescribed medications only about one-third of the time during patient/doctor interactions.