Health Care


DOE Awards Contract for Hanford Site Occupational Medical Services

DOE's announcement said the total estimated value of the contract is up to approximately $152 million.

We have only about 10 percent (perhaps less) of the total number of AEDs required if rapid defibrillation is going to be available to most people experiencing SCA.

A New Model for Increasing Cardiac Arrest Survival Requires We Fix the National AED Shortage, Too

The obvious reason for the AED shortage is the fact these life-saving devices are, with a few exceptions, not legally required at most locations. But voluntary deployments are clearly not getting the job done on their own.

Pennsylvania Using New Tool to Report Suspicious Rx Drug Activity

Gov. Tom Wolf and Attorney General Josh Shapiro recently announced the creation of a tool for reporting suspicious activity surrounding the prescribing or dispensing of prescription drugs, including opioids.

Relaxed attitudes toward marijuana use come at a time when the drug is more potent than ever. (J.J. Keller & Associates photo)

Retail, Health Care Had Highest 2017 Drug Positive Rates

"Our analysis suggests that employers can't assume that workforce drug use isn't an issue in their industry. In fact, drug test positivity in the majority of industry sectors analyzed is growing," said Barry Sample, Ph.D., senior director, science and technology, for Quest Diagnostics Employer Solutions. "The highest rates were in consumer-facing industries, including jobs in retail and health care and social assistance."

Average U.S. Outpatient Visit's Cost Nears $500

The findings by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington were part of a larger study on funding and services needed for universal health coverage (UHC) in every country.

Agency Warns Dental Patients of Infection Potential

"Even though the risk of infection from this situation is likely to be low, we don't know the exact risk for each patient at this clinic," said Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. "Because infections can spread when good infection control practices are not followed, if you've been a patient at the George M. Davis Clinic, talk with your health care provider to help determine if you should get tested."

The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration projects a shortage of 20,400 primary care physicians by 2020.

HHS Wants Comments on HIPAA Changes

"We are looking for candid feedback about how the existing HIPAA regulations are working in the real world and how we can improve them," said OCR Director Roger Severino. "We are committed to pursuing the changes needed to improve quality of care and eliminate undue burdens on covered entities while maintaining robust privacy and security protections for individuals' health information."

$80 Million Fine Issued to Company for Failing to File Reports on Infections

"Medical device adverse event reporting requirements are designed to protect Americans by providing FDA with a tool to detect potential safety issues. When device manufacturers fail to report adverse events, unsuspecting patients are placed at risk," said FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb, M.D.



Investments Announced in Canadian Institute's Expansion

The NEOMED Institute is a non-profit organization located in Montreal. Its mission includes developing a business ecosystem and innovation networks in the greater Montreal area to boost the development and growth of life sciences and health technology businesses.

Report Spotlights Issues in Respiratory Protection for Health Professionals

In the report, the National Academies study committee said addressing the respiratory needs of health care workers across their wide range of settings and jobs is an ethical imperative, adding that it will require the design of innovative reusable respirators and implementation of robust respiratory protection programs.

Canadian Palliative Care Framework Proposed

Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Canada's minister of Health, said more must be done to improve care and equitable access "so that every Canadian has the best possible quality of life right up to the end of their lives."

IAEA Signs Agreement to Aid Nuclear Medicine Training

Every year, more than 35 million nuclear medicine examinations are performed globally, particularly to diagnose and manage cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. Countries often lack programs to train specialists and technical personnel to facilitate diagnosis and treatment, according to IAEA.

AKOSH Local Emphasis Program Focused on Health Care Workplaces

AKOSH's enforcement inspections under the program will focus on the types of hazards commonly found in hospitals and other health care settings: slips, trips, and falls; bloodborne pathogens; tuberculosis; workplace violence; and ergonomics.

MMWR Article Outlines Study of Newly Arrived Ticks

The Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) has been found in several U.S. states since it was first discovered here in New Jersey in August 2017.

Three Winners in HHS Easy EHR Issue Reporting Challenge

"Helping reduce the burden of health IT continues to be a key area of focus at the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, and we anticipate the winning submissions to the Easy EHR Issue Reporting Challenge will help with those efforts," said Dr. Don Rucker, M.D., HHS national coordinator for health information technology.

NYC Mayor Announces Bronx Opioids Action Plan

The Bronx surpassed Staten Island in 2017 as the borough with the highest rate of overdose deaths, according to Health Department data. "The Bronx needs more support to reduce drug overdoses, and the city is ready to provide that support," said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Herminia Palacio.

HHS Issues Draft Strategy to Reduce Burden of Health IT

“Usable, interoperable health IT was one of the first elements of the vision I laid out earlier this year for transforming our health system into one that pays for value,” HHS Secretary Alex Azar said. “With the significant growth in EHRs comes frustration caused, in many cases, by regulatory and administrative requirements stacked on top of one another."

South Dakota Reports First 2018-19 Flu Death

"Our sympathy is with the family. Their loss serves as a reminder to us all that influenza can be a very serious illness," said Dr. Joshua Clayton, state epidemiologist for the department. "It is not too late to get vaccinated for this flu season, and if you haven't yet received your annual flu vaccination, the time to do so is now."

Health Groups Release Recommendations on Drug Shortages

They include conducting a GAO study to identify factors that contribute to shortages and developing a list of critical drugs essential for emergency response and preserving life.

HHS Program Aids California Fire Victims

Uninsured residents of Butte, Los Angeles, and Ventura counties in California are eligible for no-cost replacements of critical medications that were lost or damaged by the wildfires in those three counties, thanks to the HHS Emergency Prescription Assistance Program.

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