Revised U.S. guidelines push for day-to-day asthma control

On Wednesday the NIH issued updated asthma guidelines that call for physicians to focus on prevention and address patients’ day-to-day symptoms as opposed to severe attacks alone. The guidelines, which are now divided into three age groups instead of two, suggest closer monitoring of the frequency and intensity of symptoms and regular check-ups to assess the illness and track severity and seasonal changes. Click here to download the guidelines.

Census Bureau cites rise in uninsured Americans

The number of Americans without health insurance increased to 47 million in 2006, according to Census Bureau data. The figures reveal that many of the newly uninsured are children or are from middle- and high-income families. Read the report - Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2006.

CDC: Vaccination rates for teens lag

The teen vaccination rate for the new hepatitis B vaccine, as well as the measles, mumps and rubella vaccines, was approximately 80 percent in 2006, but rates were much lower for other types of recommended inoculations, such as vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and chicken pox, the CDC reported Thursday. The report stated that vaccination rates among young children increased in 2006, and the age group may reach the Healthy People 2010 initiative’s goal of 80 percent total vaccination coverage within three years. CDC

An interview with Dr. Mark Chassin, new president of the Joint Commission

Hospital case managers will be interested to learn about the new president of the Joint Commission, Mark Chassin. In a recent interview, he was quoted as saying that hospitals must rapidly begin moving toward higher levels of safety and quality. He says the commission must be cautious in considering the public release of hospital performance data to ensure that the information leads to improved health outcomes. Wall Street Journal

Wi-Fi access increasingly common at many U.S. hospitals

Visitors and patients waiting for appointments or recovering from procedures can now access wireless Internet connections at hospitals across the country, as more and more facilities create Wi-Fi networks for public use. In the Indianapolis area, the guest networks are seen as one way to provide better overall customer service within a highly competitive health care market. The Indianapolis Star