DMAA announces name change, honors corporate leaders, and releases second volume of Outcomes Guidelines Report at their Annual Meeting

The Disease Management Association of America, the organization that represents disease management groups, announced during it annual conference last week in Las Vegas that it is changing its name to reflect the expanded scope of its members. The new name is DMAA: The Care Continuum Alliance. In addition, DMAA honored corporate leaders and individuals for outstanding achievement. Click here to check out more news from their annual conference.

Watchdog group names top hospitals, identifies care gaps

Leapfrog Group named 41 hospitals to its list of the Top Hospitals for 2007 but advised that significant safety and quality issues exist in U.S. medical centers. The group found shortcomings in implementation of computerized physician order entry or prescriptions, staffing of intensive care units by ICU specialists, and high-risk delivery capabilities in neonatal intensive care units. Click here to read the story and download the report to see if your hospital is on the list.

PhRMA releases report that shows Medicare Part D is working

The professional trade group for the pharmaceutical industry released a report showing that Medicare Part D is largely effective. The Medicare Part D program appears to be lowering costs for people who had no drug coverage prior to the program’s implementation, as well as for beneficiaries who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, the PhRMA report says. Click here to read more.

What does it take to clean fresh food?

Listen to a story on NPR where Alison Aubrey talks with a food editor about this important topic, and learn important information you can put to use in your home. NPR

Health care reform: What we need to listen for from presidential candidates

In 2008 we will have a presidential election, and healthcare will be one of the key topics. Listen to this NPR podcast on some of the issues that the candidates should approach if their plan is to address the issues and improve the system for all.