The Food & Drug Administration has approved four new drugs for the long-term care market. They are Symbicort, for asthma; Exforge, to treat hypertension; AzaSite, eyedrops for conjunctivitis; and Neupro,...
Researchers uncover reasons behind MRSA drug resistance
Mar 13, 2008
Streptococcus pneumoniae and MRSA, two drug resistant strains of bacteria, may soon meet their match at the hands of an old foe: penicillin.
Swallowing a ‘Bitter Pill’
By
Gary Tetz
Apr 11, 2013
The best med aides I’ve ever seen have an almost spooky knack for getting nursing home residents to take their medicine. It’s an art form, really. A mystical mix of command, humor and good,...
Reform could buy ailing Medicare some time
Apr 03, 2008
Changing the rules surrounding Medicare Advantage plan pay rates could stave off Medicare insolvency by 18 months, an actuary with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services told a House subcommittee...
MedPAC panel proposes Part D performance evaluation
Mar 11, 2008
Medicare Part D lacks sufficient measures with which to evaluate adequate beneficiary access to needed medications, according to a panel of healthcare plan experts who testified before the Medicare Payment...
IOM report: Nurses should have more independence, greater role in implementation of healthcare reform
Oct 06, 2010
The Institute of Medicine on Tuesday released a report calling for a larger role for nurses in the delivery of healthcare and in the implementation of healthcare reform.
‘Never event’ Medicare reimbursement rules now in effect
Oct 02, 2008
As of this month, Medicare no longer is reimbursing healthcare facilities for “reasonably preventable” medical errors. Also, hospitals are not allowed to charge patients directly for medical...
Lawmakers look to eliminate Medicare Part D gap earlier than planned
Oct 28, 2009
Lawmakers are stepping up efforts to close the Medicare Part D doughnut hole, a coverage gap in the prescription drug program for seniors. Political pressure may be driving them to change their timetable.
Newly appointed Orszag expected to play healthcare reform role
Dec 01, 2008
The recent appointment of Peter Orszag to director of the White House Office of Management and Budget indicates that the Obama administration is serious about controlling the rising costs of healthcare,...
New palliative care ethical guideline released
Jul 01, 2008
Palliative care workers are allowed to sedate some patients with intractable pain at the end of life–but only as a last-resort measure, according to a new ethical guideline approved by the American...