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Automated robotic device draws blood, performs analysis
Lynn Hetzler Medical & Allied HealthcareResearchers from Rutgers have developed an automated blood drawing and testing device that promises quick results. Speeding up blood testing could potentially improve hospital workflow and allow practitioners to spend more time treating patients. The research team published a description of their fully automated device online in the journal TECHNOLOGY. "This device represents the holy grail in blood testing technology," said Martin L. Yarmush, senior author of the study, in a press release.
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Research shows that physicians could be better served by EHRs
Scott E. Rupp Healthcare AdministrationSixty-three percent of physicians say electronic health records (EHRs) have led to improved patient care, and 66 percent are at least somewhat satisfied with their current systems. However, a large portion see room for improvement, translating to 59 percent who think EHRs need a complete overhaul; 40 percent who think there are more challenges with EHRs than benefits; and only 18 percent saying they are "very satisfied" with their current systems, a new report by Stanford Medicine points out.
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ADA appeals to Congress to expand HSA/FSA flexibility for 2019
Tammy Hinojos Oral & Dental HealthcareThe American Dental Association has a strong advocacy wing, whose primary role is to influence public policies affecting the practice of dentistry and the oral health of the American public. In a recent letter directed to the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health, the ADA asked Congress to increase the limits of health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for the coming year. The hope is that consumers will be more likely to use their tax-advantaged savings toward dental services if their plans are less limited.
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Help your doctors and nurses work better together
Lisa Mulcahy Healthcare AdministrationA great hospital administrator is always looking for ways to improve patient care and satisfaction. One very important component toward achieving that goal is properly integrating the collaboration between doctors and nurses — but unfortunately, this key relationship is rarely optimized. How can you encourage your doctors and nurses to work in tandem more closely and effectively to help your patients achieve better outcomes? Try these research-proven strategies.
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Reducing the need for corticosteroids in treating severe asthma
Dorothy L. Tengler Medical & Allied HealthcareSevere asthma includes up to 20 percent of asthma patients who have frequent and severe symptoms despite aggressive therapy with anti-inflammatory and other controller medications. Current treatments for severe asthma often include high doses of corticosteroids, such as prednisone, to control exacerbations. Reducing the need for corticosteroids with alternative treatments is preferable because these medications are associated with serious side effects from prolonged use, including multi-organ toxicities and immunosuppression.
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Parts of Obamacare deemed unconstitutional by DOJ
Joan Spitrey Healthcare AdministrationEver since the 2010 Affordable Care Act went into effect, it has been entrenched in court battles. One controversial provision in the law was that if Americans chose not to get health insurance, they faced a potential penalty. In 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Congress' ability to fine those who did not get health insurance as it deemed the financial penalty basically a tax. However, on June 7, the Justice Department said that the requirement for people to have insurance — the individual mandate — was unconstitutional.
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Right-to-try: Cause for hope or just hype?
Jason Poquette PharmaceuticalA 2010 movie entitled "Extraordinary Measures" starred Harrison Ford and was based on the real-life story of the parents of two children with a rare, terminal disorder known as Pompe’s disease. It was a good movie and an amazing story. The kids got the medicine during the trial phase and it worked. I wonder if the supporters of "right-to-try" measures for new, experimental drugs expect that the newly signed legislation will produce many more stories like this. Maybe it will.
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How house calls can benefit patients — and your practice
Lisa Mulcahy Healthcare AdministrationIn today's modern healthcare environment, you may think that house calls have gone the way of the horse and buggy. Not so: research shows that in recent years, the number of house calls made to out-of-the-office Medicare patients has more than doubled. Interestingly, this same study notes that those house calls are made by a smaller number of physicians than in previous years — leading to plentiful care opportunities for doctors who do practice in the real world.
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Don’t waste your time choosing the wrong topics for marketing your…
Jarod Carter MarketingWant to create content that actually drives patients to your clinic? Then you need to create content that your target audience will actually enjoy and find interesting. To get people clicking on what you post, you need to write articles or create videos about the things your target audience loves… and guess what, those things aren't physical therapy or healthcare. In this article, Jarod Carter explains how to choose what subjects to generate content about and give examples of great content that worked for him.
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HHS delays 340B program rule — again
Scott E. Rupp PharmaceuticalThe Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has pushed back a decision on the 340B Drug Pricing Program to July 2, 2019. If the proposed rule goes through, it would impose civil monetary penalties for drug manufacturers that knowingly and intentionally overcharge hospitals for outpatient drugs. According to the HHS' Health Resources & Services Administration, the 340B program enables covered entities to stretch scarce federal resources as far as possible, reaching more eligible patients and providing more comprehensive services.
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