Healthcare is ever changing, so it’s important to stay up to date on advancements and issues that may impact the development, operation, maintenance, and growth of your services. Here are some important developments:

Having an irregular heartbeat does increase risk of heart attack, major study finds

One million people in Britain who suffer from an irregular heartbeat are also at greater risk of heart attacks, heart failure and chronic kidney disease a new study has shown. Previously it was thought that atrial fibrillation only significantly raised the risk of suffering a stroke. Oxford University and MIT in the US analyzed the results of 104 studies involved more than nine million participants to find out if the condition effects other deadly diseases. Continue reading…

Making the transition to population health: Healthcare leaders share challenges, opportunities and a roadmap for success

As the healthcare landscape evolves, provider organizations are expanding their focus beyond individual patient care and looking toward managing the health of populations. Although the goal of population health is clear, the transition path is still murky. To provide some clarity, athenahealth brought together 79 executives from 72 accountable care organizations, health systems, provider organizations or consulting firms for a series of roundtable discussions to find out what it takes to successfully transition to a population health model of care. Continue reading…

Shilpa Medicare gets USFDA nod for Azacitidine injection

In October, Shilpa Medicare said it received US health regulator’s nod to sell Azacitidine injection, used in treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome, in the US market. “The company has received an approval from the United States Food & Drug Administration (USFDA) for Azacitidine- Injection ANDA of SEZ formulations facility situated at Jadcherla, near Hyderabad,” Shilpa Medicare said in a BSE filing. Continue reading….

Some increased bleeding risk seen with blood thinner Xarelto vs. Pradaxa

The blood thinner Xarelto may pose a slightly greater risk of serious bleeding than Pradaxa in patients with the abnormal heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation, new research suggests. Most patients with the condition take a blood thinner to reduce the risk of stroke. Although these drugs help prevent stroke, they can also cause uncontrollable bleeding, which can be fatal, the researchers said. Continue reading…

Little-known state laws are hurting patients and making hospitals worse

The Certificate-of-Need laws (CON) require providers to seek permission from their state’s government before opening a new practice, expanding services and making certain investments in devices and medical technology. It has become increasingly clear, however, that these laws have failed to achieve their goal. Adding to the skepticism, we are now beginning to understand the real effect they have on the provision of health care in America. CON laws may be diminishing hospital quality, and even raising death rates in some cases. Continue reading…

Only 11% of physicians say ACOs will improve care & truncate costs

The 2016 Survey of America’s Physicians survey found physicians are not confident accountable care organizations will improve quality and lower costs, according to McKnight’s. The survey reported that less than 11 percent of physicians said ACOs will improve care and lower costs and less than 16 percent reported being unsure as to an ACO’s structure and the program’s purpose. Continue reading…