Family Practice News articles from June 2006

Family Practice News archives from June 2006

2nd varicella dose may be advised.(News)(Disease/Disorder overview)
June 1, 2006... Available data support the move to a routine two-dose varicella vaccination policy, according to members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' varicella working group. The working group recommended a shift to a two-dose...

Alcohol use disorders deemed treatable in PC: naltrexone is effective, acamprosate isn't.(News)(Drug overview)
June 1, 2006... San Diego -- A study that is perhaps the most important conducted on alcohol dependence treatment in recent years has found that use of the opiate antagonist naltrexone reduces drinking, but use of acamprosate does not. The study, known as...

Noninvasive test rules out bladder Ca in hematuria.(News)(Disease/Disorder overview)
June 1, 2006... Paris -- The noninvasive NMP22 BladderChek assay gives primary care physicians a way to screen asymptomatic patients with hematuria during office visits, Dr. H. Barton Grossman said at the annual congress of the European Association of Urology....

Criteria modified for evaluating febrile infants.(News)(Disease/Disorder overview)
June 1, 2006... San Francisco -- A new, large study has concluded that the Rochester criteria--for determining which febrile infants are at low risk of having a serious bacterial infection--are not as sensitive as once thought. But with a modification...

Ovarian cancer care subpar for many in the U.S.; half of women with early disease are not adequately staged; 25% are treated by low-volume surgeons.(News)
June 1, 2006... Palm Springs, Calif. -- A significant number of women in the United States are not receiving the recommended surgical procedures for ovarian cancer, results from an analysis of hospital discharge data suggest. "Approximately 50% of women...

FDA: infections from lens solution tied to design flaws, user issues.(News)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Rockville, Md. -- The Food and Drug Administration has preliminarily determined that a design flaw in Bausch & Lomb's MoistureLoc contact lens solution seems to have led to an increase in Fusarium keratitis infections, and as a result, the...

FluMist halved the flu rate of shots in tots.(News)
June 1, 2006... San Francisco -- A refrigerator-stable formulation of FluMist was significantly more effective than flu shots in a study of children aged 6-59 months. In the randomized, double-blind, phase III trial that enrolled more than 8,000 children,...

Refrigerator-stable FluMist more convenient, as effective as frozen.(News)
June 1, 2006... San Francisco -- An experimental refrigerator-stable formulation of the live attenuated influenza vaccine marketed as FluMist was comparable to the approved frozen formulation in a phase III trial presented in a poster at the annual meeting of...

Consider COX-2s for chemoprevention.(Guest Editorial)(Disease/Disorder overview)
June 1, 2006... Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors are appropriate as a supplemental strategy in the prevention of colorectal cancer in patients at highest risk for the disease. The current standard for preventing colon cancer, colonoscopy and polypectomy,...

HPV vaccine won't replace screening.(Letters)(Disease/Disorder overview)
June 1, 2006... The article on Gardasil highlights a very important issue about which many physicians maybe underinformed: the fact that the HPV vaccine will be an important contribution to the elimination of cervical cancer, but will not replace the need for...

Psychiatry: 'treatment of the soul'.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2006... Trained in Poland before I received my medical diploma, I did recite the Hippocratic Oath in Latin: "Primum non nocere," which means, "First, do no harm" ("Drug-Induced Parkinsonism Often Overlooked," April 1, 2006, p. 44). At one of the...

Migraine with aura linked to higher CHD risk.(Cardiovascular Medicine)(Disease/Disorder overview)
June 1, 2006... San Diego -- Healthy women aged 45 years and older who have migraine with aura have a significantly increased risk of coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization, and angina, results from the largest study of its...

Ultrasound clarifies unexplained hypotension: search for fluid in the peritoneal cavity or around the heart; rule out gross cardiac abnormalities.(Cardiovascular Medicine)
June 1, 2006... South Lake Tahoe, Calif. -- Bedside ultrasound should be used in the emergency department for patients with undifferentiated hypotension, Dr. John S. Rose said at an emergency medicine conference sponsored by the University of California,...

CPR guidelines specialized for lone rescuers of children and adults.(Cardiovascular Medicine)(cardiopulmonary resuscitation)
June 1, 2006... Chicago -- The American Heart Association's renewed emphasis on compression versus ventilation in its latest cardiopulmonary resuscitation guidelines folds children and adults into the same category when only one rescuer is present. In the...

Pyridostigmine raises Standing BP in orthostatic hypotension.(Cardiovascular Medicine)
June 1, 2006... Pyridostigmine significantly improves standing blood pressure in patients with orthostatic hypotension, and it does so without worsening supine hypertension, reported Dr. Wolfgang Singer and his associates at the Mayo Medical Center, Rochester,...

Candesartan Tx triples hyperkalemia risk in HF.(Cardiovascular Medicine)
June 1, 2006... Atlanta -- Candesartan therapy triples the already significant background risk of potentially serious hyperkalemia in patients with heart failure, according to a new secondary analysis of the Candesartan in Heart Failure--Assessment of...

Four JCAHO measures prove vital to heart failure outcomes.(Cardiovascular Medicine)(Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations)
June 1, 2006... Madrid -- The four criteria now used to measure hospitals' performance in treating patients with heart failure also have a significant impact on patient survival, based on a review of more than 2,000 patients. In 2002, the Joint Commission...

Depression post MI elevates short-term, but not long-term mortality.(Cardiovascular Medicine)
June 1, 2006... Atlanta -- Depression after MI is associated with markedly increased mortality risk in the first several months following the coronary event, but not increased long-term mortality, Dr. Kapil Parakh said at the annual meeting of the American...

Statin copays adversely affect outcomes.(Cardiovascular Medicine)
June 1, 2006... Atlanta -- Higher prescription statin copayments have unintended negative consequences, Teresa B. Gibson, Ph.D., said at the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology. Her study of the health records of more than 93,000 statin...

Vytorin lowers C-reactive protein.(Cardiovascular Medicine)
June 1, 2006... Atlanta -- The ezetimibe/simvastatin combination pill Vytorin has a markedly greater anti-inflammatory effect, as reflected in C-reactive protein--lowering, than either agent alone, Dr. Christie M. Ballantyne said at the annual meeting of the...

Athletes with cardiac arrest often resuscitated.(Cardiovascular Medicine)
June 1, 2006... Atlanta -- The resuscitation rate in athletes who experience sudden cardiac arrest as a result of ventricular fibrillation during sports events may be much better than widely assumed, Dr. Christine E. Lawless said at the annual meeting of the...

Paget's disease of bone.(Drug Update)(Disease/Disorder overview)
June 1, 2006... Paget's disease of bone can be focal or multifocal and affects both men and women. A patient with Paget's may be asymptomatic or may present with musculoskeletal pain or disability. The disease occurs in 2% of people older than age 60, and is...

Etanercept cuts CRP in metabolic syndrome.(Metabolic Disorders)
June 1, 2006... Etanercept, a tumor necrosis factor--[alpha] antagonist usually used to treat inflammatory arthritis, decreased C-reactive protein levels and improved other inflammatory markers in patients with metabolic syndrome, reported Dr. L. Elizabeth...

Insulin resistance in RA may underlie cardiovascular risk.(Metabolic Disorders)
June 1, 2006... Glasgow, Scotland -- Highrates of insulin resistance among patients with rheumatoid arthritis may help explain these patients" increased risk for cardiovascular disease, according to a poster presented by Dr. George D. Kitas at the annual...

CVD risk dramatically higher in type 1 diabetics: intervene early.(Cardiovascular disease)(Disease/Disorder overview)
June 1, 2006... Major cardiovascular disease is four times more common in men and eight times more common in women with type 1 diabetes, compared with nondiabetic men and women, Sabita S. Soedamah-Muthu, Ph.D., reported. Type 1 diabetes also dramatically...

Simvastatin raises retinal blood flow.(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Simvastatin increases retinal blood flow and decreases intraocular pressure in healthy subjects, making it a potential treatment for diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, according to Dr. Taiji Nagaoka of Asahikawa (Japan) Medical College and...

Sertraline staves off depression.(Drug overview)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Maintenance therapy with sertraline prevents a recurrence of major depression in diabetic patients whose mood disorder initially responds well to the drug, reported Patrick J. Lustman, Ph.D., of Washington University, St. Louis. Clinical...

Give diabetics ACE inhibitors, ARBs.(Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Most, if not all, elderly people with diabetes have at least one indication for ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, but only about 40% are receiving the drugs, according to a national survey. Dr. Allison B. Rosen of the University...

Diabetic neuropathic pain requires perseverance.(Drug overview)
June 1, 2006... Most patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain will experience significant relief and improved quality of life when treated with tricyclic antidepressants, duloxetine, controlled-release oxycodone, pregabalin, or a combination of these...

Guidelines advise monitoring diabetics for chronic kidney disease.(Disease/Disorder overview)
June 1, 2006... Chicago -- Guidelines developed for the first time by the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative provide detailed information on how to improve clinical outcomes in patients who have both diabetes and chronic kidney disease, Dr. Robert...

Novel antiresorptives well tolerated.(Drug overview)
June 1, 2006... Destin, Fla. -- Investigational antiresorptive agents with novel methods of action and dosing regimens may improve patient compliance and persistence, but will not reduce the risk of fracture associated with osteoporosis beyond that seen with...

Don't immediately switch bone agents if BMD fails to improve.(Bone mineral density)(Drug overview)
June 1, 2006... Destin, Fla. -- A lack of increase in bone mineral density does not necessarily indicate a failure of antiresorptive therapy for osteoporosis, and is not a reason to switch a patient's drugs, Dr. Michael McClung said at a rheumatology meeting...

Three-year diabetes initiative aims to improve quality of care.
June 1, 2006... Philadelphia -- The American College of Physicians' 3-year diabetes initiative is off and running, Dr. Vincenza Snow said at a press briefing during the college's annual meeting. The program, announced last year, is funded by a $9.27...

Global survey elucidates antibiotic compliance.(Clinical report)
June 1, 2006... Nice, France -- Although many people are concerned about antibiotic resistance, far fewer understand how their actions contribute to the problem, according to a global patient survey. Results from the COMPLy (Compliance, Modalities by...

Prescribing patterns of oral antibiotics vary by specialty.(Infectious Diseases)
June 1, 2006... Nice, France -- Family practitioners prescribe penicillins most often, whereas surgeons prescribe fluoroquinolones more frequently than any other specialty. These are some of the findings from a 3-year study examining prescribing patterns...

Pneumonia may be tamed effectively by short-course antibiotics.(Infectious Diseases)
June 1, 2006... Nice, France -- Clinicians should consider shorter, less burdensome regimens as part of an overall strategy to improve antibiotic compliance, Dr. Thomas File Jr. said at the 16th European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious...

Program fails to cut hospital-acquired infections.(Disease/Disorder overview)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Nice, France -- A campaign to improve hand hygiene at a Danish hospital failed to decrease hospital-acquired infections, Dr. Sussie Laustsen and colleagues reported in a poster at the 16th European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and...

Early vancomycin linked to hearing loss in children.(Infectious Diseases)(Drug overview)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Asignificant increase in hearing loss occurred among children with pneumococcal meningitis who received vancomycin less than 2 hours after a first dose of cefotaxime or ceftriaxone, reported Dr. Steven C. Buckingham of the University of...

Hormonal precursor could make Dx of sepsis easier.(Clinical report)
June 1, 2006... Glasgow, Scotland -- Swiss researchers have identified a hormonal precursor that may make it easier for physicians to identify patients suffering from sepsis, according to a study presented at the 8th European Congress of Endocrinology. ...

Suspect chronic zoster in all compromised kids.(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... San Francisco -- Suspect chronic varicella zoster in all immunocompromised children, not just those with HIV, Dr. Christopher Bohyer said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology. Test zosterlike lesions in...

Multiple vaccinations pose minimal risk to children.(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... The measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccine can safely be given at the same time as other childhood vaccines are administered, reported Dr. Henry Shinefield of the University of California, San Francisco, and his colleagues. The...

Stress hyperglycemia predictive in sepsis.(Disease/Disorder overview)
June 1, 2006... Nice, France -- A new study suggests that stress hyperglycemia may be an important predictor of morbidity and mortality in nondiabetic patients with sepsis. The investigation included 242 patients without diabetes who were hospitalized...

Play, stress management work in childhood PTSD.(Posttraumatic stress disorder)
June 1, 2006... San Francisco -- A behavioral medicine program of play combined with stress reduction and management techniques significantly reduced symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder in a group of children whose community had been decimated by two...

Survey: teens 'huff' more, fret less over risks.(Inhalant abuse)(Clinical report)
June 1, 2006... Inhalant abuse, known as "sniffing" or "huffing," appears to be increasing among teens, and shifting attitudes about the practice are cause for alarm, according to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. In a new survey of 7,200 7th-12th...

Screen patients with panic attacks for drinking issues.(Disease/Disorder overview)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Miami -- Higher self-reported alcohol consumption among men with panic attacks carries important implications for patient screening, according to a poster presentation at the annual conference of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America....

Comorbidities vary in compulsive hoarders.(Disease/Disorder overview)
June 1, 2006... Miami -- Compulsive hoarding occurs across disorders, according to a community-solicited study of people who reported hoarding behaviors and a wide range of comorbidities. Traditionally, researchers assess a group of people with...

Partial PTSD more common than full in PC.(Posttraumatic stress disorder )(Primary care )(Disease/Disorder overview)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Toronto -- A significant portion of primary care patients may have partial posttraumatic stress disorder and appear to have health and physical functioning problems and medical care utilization similar to patients with the full-blown disorder,...

Bipolar depression therapy findings forthcoming.(Clinical report)
June 1, 2006... San Juan, P.R. -- New data--especially on bipolar depression--are starting to emerge from randomized studies conducted within a bipolar disorder observational treatment study, according to an update presented at the annual meeting of the...

5-FU cream underused in basal cell carcinoma.(Skin Disorders)(Drug overview)
June 1, 2006... Koloa, Hawaii -- Topical 5% 5-fluorouracil cream is a highly effective yet underutilized treatment option for superficial basal cell carcinomas, Dr. Leon H. Kircik said at the annual Hawaii dermatology seminar sponsored by Skin Disease...

Tumor thickness can predict nodes in Merkel cell carcinoma.(Disease/Disorder overview)
June 1, 2006... San Diego -- Tumor thickness correlates with sentinel lymph node status in Merkel cell carcinoma and merits further investigation as a prognostic factor, Dr. Michael D. Alvarado reported in a poster at a symposium sponsored by the Society of...

A black dot sign appears to flag early basal cell carcinoma.(Disease/Disorder overview)
June 1, 2006... Los Cabos, Mexico -- Jet-black dots that resemble marks from a ballpoint pen may be an easily overlooked sign of basal cell carcinoma, Dr. Jennifer L. Vesper said at the annual meeting of the Noah Worcester Dermatological Society. Dr....

C-section ups placenta previa, abruption risk.(Clinical report)
June 1, 2006... Toronto -- Women whose first babies are delivered by cesarean section face an elevated risk of placenta previa and placental abruption in their second pregnancies. And with two previous cesarean deliveries the risk of placenta previa is...

Ultrasound's value for diagnosing abnormal placentation confirmed.
June 1, 2006... Miami Beach -- Pelvic ultrasound is accurate for ruling out placenta accreta, and should be used as the primary screening tool in patients at high risk for this condition, Dr. Card Warshak said at the annual meeting of the Society for...

Gastrointestinal agents: Part III.(Drugs, Pregnancy, and Lactation)
June 1, 2006... The final part of this series covers the use of infliximab, anticholinergics / antispasmodics, gastrointestinal stimulants, and anorectal preparations in pregnant and lactating women. * Infliximab (Remicade): Infliximab is a monodonal...

Age, care access mitigate ovarian ca detection.(Disease/Disorder overview)
June 1, 2006... Palm Spring, Calif. -- Routine medical care and comprehensive health insurance coverage seem to improve the early detection of epithelial ovarian cancer in women aged 59 and younger, but not in those aged 60 and older, Dr. Sherry H. Weitzen...

Conception after conization tied to preterm birth.(Women's Health)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Toronto -- Women who undergo cervical conization for the treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia may benefit from delaying conception for about 1 year to reduce their risk of preterm birth. And African American women may need to delay...

Agitation in dementia: start Tx nonmedically: confounding environmental, psychological factors, as well as medications, often cause the condition.(Geriatric Medicine)
June 1, 2006... San Francisco -- At least 80% of patients with dementia will experience agitation, Dr. Josepha A. Cheong said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Clinical Psychiatrists. The temptation, especially at in-patient facilities, is to go...

Atypicals ameliorate behavioral problems modestly in dementia.(Geriatric Medicine)
June 1, 2006... San Juan, P.R. -- Atypical antipsychotics appear to have a modest effect on behavioral symptoms in elderly patients with dementia, but the effectiveness of nonpharmacologic treatments is less clear, according to a metaanalysis presented at the...

Joint hypermobility syndrome underdiagnosed.(Musculoskeletal Disorders)
June 1, 2006... Glascow, Scotland -- Joint hypermobility syndrome is profoundly underdiagnosed and its impact underestimated despite its being one of the most common causes of widespread chronic pain--and indeed may be the most common rheumatic disorder, Dr....

Arthroscopic hip surgery extends athletic careers.(Clinical Rounds)
June 1, 2006... Chicago -- Arthroscopic decompression for hip impingement can prolong the careers of professional athletes with hip pain, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. "In our study,...

Supplements may trigger organ rejection.(Clinical Rounds)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Madrid -- OTC supplements can stimulate the immune system and trigger acute organ rejection in transplant recipients, as seen in a series of five cases at one hospital. This experience highlights the importance of asking transplant...

Family physicians targeted by CFS campaign.(Clinical Rounds)(Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Advisory Committee)
June 1, 2006... Washington -- Education of physicians--and family physicians in particular--on the diagnosis and management of chronic fatigue syndrome has become a central objective of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CFS "is something...

Identifying a genetic basis.(Clinical Rounds)(chronic fatigue syndrome)
June 1, 2006... The new CDC study on chronic fatigue syndrome--coined the "CFS Computational Challenge"--involved 227 adult residents of Wichita, Kan. The participants spent 2 full days in a hospital undergoing clinical and psychiatric evaluations, sleep...

Sacral nerve stimulation curbs incontinence.(Clinical Rounds)(InterStim)
June 1, 2006... Fort Lauderdale, Fla. -- Chronic sacral nerve stimulation with the implantable InterStim system bridges the gap between conservative treatment for urinary incontience and highly invasive procedures such as urinary diversion, Dr. Gamal M....

White patients more likely to receive kidney transplantation.(Clinical report)
June 1, 2006... Chicago -- As the demand for kidney transplants for patients with end-stage renal disease continues to increase, disparities in transplantation rates among U.S. minority populations continue. Dr. Robert S. Gaston, a nephrologist whose...

Low hemoglobin levels better in long-term kidney disease.
June 1, 2006... Chicago -- Maintaining a lower hemoglobin level may help prevent morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease, according to a study of 1,432 patients who were randomized to two different hemoglobin goals. Almost half of...

Dopamine agonists may fuel compulsive behavior.(Drug overview)
June 1, 2006... San Diego -- The specific drug combination of a dopamine agonist and levodopa may trigger the onset of pathological behaviors, including compulsive gambling, hypersexuality, and compulsive shopping in a subset of patients with Parkinson's...

Deep brain stimulation for PD linked to suicide.(Parkinsons disease)(Disease/Disorder overview)
June 1, 2006... San Diego -- Parkinsons disease patients who have undergone subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation have higher rates of completed and attempted suicide than do others with the disease, Dr. Valerie Voon reported at the annual meeting of the...

Four Parkinson's practice parameters hailed.(Clinical report)
June 1, 2006... San Diego -- Use of alternative therapies in the management of Parkinson's disease is supported only by weak data, according to one of four new practice parameters issued by the American Academy of Neurology at its annual meeting. ...

Parkinson's-related olfactory deficits seen on MRI.(Magnetic resonance imaging)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Washington -- Researchers in Japan have used functional magnetic resonance imaging to identify brain activation deficits associated with olfactory dysfunction in patients with Parkinson's disease, according to data presented at the World...

Early interferon therapy can delay onset of MS.(Multiple sclerosis)
June 1, 2006... San Diego -- A multiple sclerosis diagnosis can be delayed by as much as 1 year if interferon-1b is administered to people who do not meet the diagnostic criteria for the disease but who are considered to be at high risk for developing it, Dr....

Hydrocephalus symptoms in elderly can mimic dementia.(Disease/Disorder overview)
June 1, 2006... Grapevine, Tex. -- At least 6% of patients diagnosed with dementia are actually suffering from normal pressure hydrocephalus, which often can be treated, Dr. Mark S. Maxwell said at the annual meeting of the American College of Osteopathic...

Open-ended questions lacking in most office visits with migraineurs.
June 1, 2006... San Diego -- Physicians aren't asking enough open-ended questions during encounters with patients who suffer from migraine headaches, Dr. Richard B. Lipton reported in a poster session at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology....

Composite MRI potentially predicts MS prognosis.(Multiple sclerosis)(Magnetic resonance imaging)
June 1, 2006... San Diego -- A composite magnetic resonance imaging score comprised of conventional metrics has the potential to be useful as a surrogate measure of future clinical disability in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis, according to a report...

Alzheimer's risk linked to midlife fat distribution.(Disease/Disorder overview)
June 1, 2006... San Diego -- The increased risk of Alzheimer's disease may be more closely related to midlife distribution of adiposity rather than to being overweight or obese, according to the results of a large-scale study presented at the annual meeting of...

High-dose steroids may up AFib risk.(Atrial fibrillation)(Drug overview)
June 1, 2006... High-dose corticosteroid therapy appears to raise the risk of atrial fibrillation sixfold, reported Dr. Cornelis S. van der Hooft of Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and his associates. Their finding indicates that...

Lifestyles not swayed by family history.(Disease/Disorder overview)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Family history of colorectal cancer did not predict healthier lifestyles in a study of 32,374 subjects, Dr. Harvey J. Murff reported at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research. No significant differences in diet,...

In the most delightful way.(Treating dysphagia)(Drug overview)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Using jelly, applesauce, or another semisolid chaser instead of water is a better way to have patients swallow pills or tablets, particularly in patients with dysphagia. Pills swallowed with water tend to get stuck in the esophagus fairly...

Complications are common with hydrocephalus.(Disease/Disorder overview)
June 1, 2006... San Francisco -- Shunt revisions are necessary m a "startlingly high rate" in patients with hydrocephalus diagnosed in infancy or childhood, Dr. Nalin Gupta said at the annual meeting of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. ...

Allergies slip through the cracks.(Clinical report)
June 1, 2006... Miami Beach -- Although primary care and emergency department physicians provide care to a growing number of patients with food allergies, they aren't necessarily comfortable doing so. That's the conclusion of a needs assessment survey of...

New assay promises early detection of anaphylaxis.(Disease/Disorder overview)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Miami Beach -- Mast cell carboxypeptidase shows promise as a new clinical marker for anaphylaxis, Dr. Xiaoying Zhou and her associates reported at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Assays for...

Effect of pay for performance on PC uncertain.(Primary care)
June 1, 2006... Philadelphia -- The effect that any future Medicare-run pay-for-performance program would have on primary care physicians is still very much up in the air, experts said at the annual meeting of the American College of Physicians. Medicare...

Performance measurement could help narrow the racial care gap.
June 1, 2006... Philadelphia -- Performance measurement is one way to help eliminate racial disparities in health care, Dr. John Z. Ayanian said at the annual meeting of the American College of Physicians. Public and private payers must also do their part...

Registries help track quality for less than EHRs.(Electronic health record)
June 1, 2006... Philadelphia -- A costly electronic health record system is not necessary to engage in quality improvement and participate in the growing number of pay-for-performance programs, Dr. Rodney Hornbake said at the annual meeting of the American...