Grant money is growing for studies examining how we spend our health care dollars. A short while back two different studies questioned the wide spread use of mammography. Last week a study questioned the growing use of imaging in stage 4 Medicare cancer patients. As pressure grows to decrease the cost of health care more [...]
We all know that most of our medical expenses occur at the end of life. This study reported by AuntMinnie showed that stage 4 Medicare cancer patients were being sent for advanced imaging studies more frequently than those with earlier stages of disease. The conclusion drawn by the investigators was that guidelines have to be [...]
http://www.gao.gov/assets/600/593078.pdf In case you forgot what it means here's a working definition for Meaningful Use. From a publication of the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation: Glossary of Health Care Quality Terms, Meaningful use— Meaningful use is a qualification to receive federal funding for health information technology. For instance, if a health information technology (HIT) system is used in a meaningful [...]
Health Imaging an online medical news magazine on July 25th reported on a study done by GE and MIT. They examined the reasons for the slowdown in medical imaging that began in 2006. It's an interesting read and relevant to all sellers and users of medical imaging devices. Here's the link: http://www.healthimaging.com/index.php?option=com_articles&article=34664
In the interview they discuss the FDA UDI (unique device identifier) regulation and the 2.3% excise tax on capital equipment imposed under the ACA and the potential for each to affect the medical equipment markets. If you missed the interview on DOTmed News here's a second chance to follow this interesting discussion with the experts. [...]
The IAMERS FDA Committee has also been reviewing the proposed regulations concerning the Unique Device Identification System. The proposed rule was published for comment in the July 10, 2012 Federal Register. Comments on the proposed rule are due by September 10 as they pertain to information collection issues under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 [...]
IAMERS met with tax counsel from a senior member on the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee to discuss some need for clarification of the medical device excise tax (currently set for assessment in January 2013. Under the proposed regulations a tax will be imposed on the sale of any "taxable medical device" by its [...]
Following the Supreme Court decision on the constitutionality of certain aspect of the ACA last month everyone with an opinion has chimed in either for or against. Today there is an interesting post reporting on the impact to the cost of implementing the ACA after the Supreme Court Decision. Here is how the Congressional Budget [...]
For some it means Bring Your Own Device. For others who experienced network crashes from viruses contributed by people hooking their personal device into the company network it means Bring Your Own Disease or Destruction. In this modern age the mobile device is a wonderful addition to our ability to communicate. But if you are [...]
Here’s another study questioning the usefulness of screening mammography. This one is from Sweden and reported in DOTmed news on July 18. Here’s the link: http://www.dotmed.com/news/story/19165?utm_campaign=2012-07-19&utm_source=DOTmed+News&utm_medium=email […]