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Medication Adherence Methods

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The high prevalence of medications as the primary method of treatment especially for chronic diseases has led to focus on ensuring that patients take the drugs that are prescribed for them. A review article examines the outcome of research on various intervention programs to encourage adherence.

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Venture Activity Improves

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Venture capital funding has been in the doldrums since the recession began but has rebounded along with the recovery. Two new reports suggest that exits have improved, allowing a refresh of the capital pool, and that VCs are more optimistic about 2011.

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Hospitalizations for Seniors

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The Agency for HealthCare Research & Quality released a brief on hospitalizations among the elderly. This category of service accounts for a significant and growing portion of national health spending and warrants attention if Medicare costs are to be contained at an affordable level.

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New Year Potpourri or 20ll Potpourri I

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Happy New Year and a prosperous 2011 to all of you, a prosperity which undoubtedly will be aided by the insights from our Potpourris, which this week include physicians’ use of patient satisfaction data, drugs for children, Medicaid quality measures, health reform provisions taking effect in 2011 and the FDA’s rate of drug approval in 2010.

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More on Hospital Pricing

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America’s Health Insurance Plans piles on hospitals in regard to their pricing, using data from Oregon and California. The analysis might be more persuasive if it weren’t coming from a trade association, but it is further evidence of a major source of health care cost increases.

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CMS’ IT Systems

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CMS released the initial report on its plan to modernize its computer systems, which understandably could cause trepidation among the millions of beneficiaries and providers who will be affected. The vision is solid, but will the execution be there?

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Physician Compensation Methods

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Researchers and policymakers keep searching for solutions to the problem of inappropriate utilization of services. Fee-for-service payment is often targeted as a key cause, but a recent survey suggests that productivity-based compensation may not be inconsistent with lower spending and better quality.

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Christmas Potpourri

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A very happy and relaxing Christmas Eve and Day to all our readers. To aid in the pursuit of that happiness and relaxation we offer up our scraps of enlightenment, this week covering EHR impact on productivity, e-prescribing systems, health insurance rate reviews, not-for-profit hospital executive compensation, Oregon’s state health plan and use of placebos to improve health.

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Use and Misuse of Imaging

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Health Affairs carries several articles analyzing imaging use, particularly in regard to physician interests in imaging equipment. The findings support the idea that physicians are often driven by their own economic advantage when making decisions about patient treatment.

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2010 Potpourri XLIV

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Another week, another Potpourri, this one detailing items including high deductible insurance and delay of care; another study looking at HDHP and well-child care; a quality comparison of Medicare Advantage and fee-for-service; video games to improve health and CMS’ report on several quality demonstrations.

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The Costs of EHRs

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EHRs are coming and great benefits are promised in the quality of patient care. A new brief looks at the possible costs and cost benefits of EHRs, particularly for smaller group practices. Some interesting findings are included in a survey of practices without EHRs.

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