Besides improving quality, integrating comparative effectiveness research (CER) into practice may also provide an outlet to help cut costs. To do so, CER must address a population of patients who soak up the most healthcare dollars: those with multiple chronic conditions. These patients account for more than 80 percent of Medicare costs and focusing on this population can help correct these cost disparities.  

Intended to improve the usability of medical devices, as well as reduce errors, injuries and product recalls, the FDA issued a draft guidance June 22 for conducting tests to see how humans interact with technology.

Writing that there is no such thing as a simple diagnostic test, researchers reported that women waiting for breast biopsy, hepatic chemoembolization and uterine fibroid embolization procedures experienced high levels of stress in a study published in the July edition of Radiology. The breast biopsy cohort also experienced highly abnormal anxiety levels, the researchers continued, and both factors could impact departmental operations.

Researchers are reporting promising results for earlier diagnosis of liver cancer. In lab tests, the team used gold nanoparticles ringed by a charged polymer coating and an x-ray scatter imaging technique to spot tumor-like masses as small as 5 mm. The approach, published June 6 in Nano Letters, is reportedly the first time that metal nanoparticles have been used as agents to enhance x-ray scattering signals to image tumor-like masses.

Withings has received FDA 510(k) clearance for its blood pressure monitor for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.

Last week, Texas Governor Rick Perry signed HB 2102 into law, which requires mammography facilities to provide women information about breast density.

Despite the fact that cardiovascular care is improving overall, significant racial, ethnic and gender disparities are still plaguing the field. As we move forward, it will be imperative to understand why these disparities exist and what can be done to foil them.

Legislation employing across-the-board budget cuts, such as the Commitment to American Prosperity (CAP) Act, which seeks to meet arbitrary federal spending caps, could have serious consequences for vulnerable U.S. citizens, such as the aged, disabled and impoverished, based on a Lewin Group report. The AARP, American Hospital Association, American Medical Association and American College of Cardiology supported the report.