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January 24, 2013

Top Story

Newly approved influenza vaccine is made without chicken eggs
The newly approved Flublok vaccine for adults can be produced more rapidly than other influenza vaccines because it does not use chicken eggs in the manufacturing process. Manufacturer Protein Sciences said it uses an insect virus expression system and recombinant DNA technology to create a vaccine that has three times the active ingredients of other vaccines and is 44.6% effective against all circulating flu strains. AAFP News Now (1/23)

Clinical News

Risks for female smokers reach a new high
Female smokers face higher mortality risk from lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease than they did two decades ago, according to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine, demonstrating risk on par with that of men. The shift is likely explained by women starting smoking at younger ages. However, a second study in the same journal emphasized that although lifelong smokers lose about a decade of life compared to those who never smoked, quitting can help give years of life back to patients. "You're never too old to quit," said Dr. Michael Thun. WebMD (1/23) , HealthDay News (1/23)

Patient-reported triggers set off few migraines in small study
In a University of Copenhagen study of 27 people with a history of migraine with aura, just three suffered migraine with aura after exposure to light and exercise -- perceived triggers -- or exercise alone, while three others had migraine without aura. However, light alone did not result in migraines. The findings appear in the journal Neurology. WebMD (1/23) , MedPage Today (free registration) (1/23)

Practice Management

White paper links primary care EHR success to 6 practice areas
A white paper by the nonprofit consulting company Qualis Health analyzed the experiences of almost 700 primary care practices and found the successful adoption of electronic health records hinges on how well they are integrated into six practice areas. The report shows common errors that practices make when implementing EHRs and says leaders at the highest organizational levels are responsible for setting goals for EHR implementation. AAFP News Now (1/23)

Highmark says it will expand PCMH pilot project in Pa., W.Va.
Highmark said it will expand its patient-centered medical home pilot project that pays primary care physicians more for providing care coordination because initial findings show it reduced health care costs 2% for 45,000 plan members. The program will expand from 160 primary care physicians to 1,050 doctors in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (1/23)

ACO uses telehealth services to enhance patient care
Clermont, Fla.-based accountable care organization Primary Partners is working with AMC Health to enhance the telemonitoring of Medicare patients with medical conditions such as diabetes, congestive heart failure and hypertension. The ACO plans to use AMC Health's remote care and home telehealth services to lessen patient admissions and readmissions as well as prevent complications. MobiHealthNews.com (1/22)

Health Policy & Legislation

CMS proposes higher cost-sharing for Medicaid
The Obama administration proposed allowing state Medicaid officials to charge higher premiums and copayments for prescription drugs, doctors' services and some hospital care. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (1/22)

White House to release new rules on ACA's individual mandate soon
The White House Office of Management and Budget is reviewing new rules on the individual mandate for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act and may release them this month. The rules cover exceptions to the minimum essential coverage. The Hill/Healthwatch blog (1/21)

Professional Issues & Trends

Filling out death certificates may present challenge for doctors
Physicians should provide as much specific information as possible when filling out patient death certificates but it is not always a straightforward process and doctors may get little training, coroners said. Family physician and AAFP board member Robert Wergin, M.D., says practicing in the small town of Milford, Neb., gives him the advantage of having long-term relationships with patients, which makes it easier to fill out death certificates but more difficult personally. American Medical News (free content) (1/21)

Inside the AAFP

Asking tough questions about abuse can save lives
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has updated its screening recommendations for domestic violence. In the latest AAFP Leader Voices Blog, Academy Board Director Wanda Filer, M.D., M.B.A., discusses how asking the right questions and offering the right referral can improve outcomes for patients in need.

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