Latest California Healthline Stories
Hospital Mortality Rates Differ Little Despite Rankings
Mortality rates for heart attack and pneumonia care are not significantly different at hospitals that score the highest and lowest on a CMS Web site of quality-of-care measures. Washington Post et al.
State Delays Sutter Health Bond Issue
The delay will allow the financing board more time to review the case. Sutter Health officials said the decision will delay important seismic upgrades and other expansion projects. San Francisco Business Times, Sacramento Bee.
Long Hours for Medical Residents Can Result in Medical Errors
A study found that medical residents were more likely to commit errors that harmed patients or resulted in a patient death when they work more than five “marathon shifts” in one month. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education limited work schedules for residents in 2003. USA Today.
Lawsuits Might Lead to Drug Pricing Changes
A health care consultant said pharmaceutical prices would be unlikely to decline if lawsuits require changes to the average wholesale price system that currently dictates what prices the government pays for medications. However, consumer advocates say changes could bring about pricing changes. San Francisco Chronicle.
Plan Would Widen Access to Experimental Drugs
The proposed guidelines would clarify that FDA could make drugs available during all stages of development and offer additional details on the circumstances under which experimental drugs can be made available. Washington Post et al.
Groups Raise Concerns About Quality-of-Care Reporting
Critics of the legislation to provide performance-based payments to physicians are concerned about the idea of government creating performance standards for health care and the feasibility of drafting the standards in a short period of time. New York Times.
California To Study Online Drug Monitoring System
The new system could reduce drug abuse and improve patient and physician accountability, but opponents worry about patient privacy. Contra Costa Times.
Editorial: HPV Vaccinations Should Remain Voluntary
Assembly member Sally Lieber (D-San Jose) would require all California girls entering the sixth grade to be immunized against human papillomavirus, unless a parent or guardian sought an exemption. HPV has been linked to cervical cancer. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Pharmacy Schools Will Provide Medicare Drug Benefit Assistance
UC-San Francisco will work with the six other pharmacy schools in the state to create a teaching system that will train students to help Medicare beneficiaries choose Medicare drug coverage. San Francisco Business Times.
Jockeys Consider Health Insurance Options
Monthly premiums for family coverage through the Jockeys Guild will more than double in 2007. A state fund traditionally has subsidized premiums for jockeys. Los Angeles Times.