Medicare patients treated at U.S. top-rated hospitals for the most common diagnoses and procedures are 27 percent less likely to die, on average, than those admitted to all other hospitals, according to a study released Jan. 27 by HealthGrades, an independent healthcare ratings organization. Patients who undergo surgery at these hospitals also have an average 8 percent lower risk of complications during their stay.

The department of radiation oncology at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center in Calif., has installed BSD Medicals BSD-2000 hyperthermia system for ongoing clinical investigations of the use of deep hyperthermia, delivered using the BSD-2000 in with radiotherapy for the treatment of patients suffering from locally advanced, persistent or recurrent deep tumors of the pelvis under an FDA approved protocol.

Calypso Medical Technologies has reported that Duke University Medical Center is the first in the United States to install its 4D Localization system with the Adaptive Workflow Efficiency option to optimize radiation treatment for cancer patients.

A portion of President Barack Obama's recovery program advanced through the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday with a 35-22 party-line vote of approval to spend $358 billion on a blend of public works programs, including investments in healthcare IT systems.

The extension of the ICD-10 implementation date issued last week by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) could be delayed, as the White House proceeds with a review of any new or pending regulations issued under the Bush administration.

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONCHIT) stated that medical identity theft is quickly becoming one of the biggest security threats a healthcare IT administrator needs to consider, given the rich trove of personal data medical records typically include. However, the industry hasn't yet reached a consensus on how to address this exploding problem.

Beta-blockers can help older patients with heart failure live longer lives, but only if their condition is caused by a poorly-functioning left ventricle, according to a study in the Jan. 13 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The researchers believe their findings could lead to clarification of guidelines on beta-blocker drug use among older patients.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), in outlining ways to reduce costs in the Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) program, reported that the Medicare Part A Hospital Insurance Trust Fund may be depleted in seven years, due in part to the current economic crisis.