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| AOPA In Advance SmartBrief |
| June 12, 2012 |
Bill seeking repeal of medical device tax clears House
The House of Representatives passed a bill that would strike down the 2.3% medical device tax included in the Affordable Care Act by a vote of 270-146. The strong bipartisan vote, which came in spite of the White House threatening to veto the measure, was an opportunity to roll back a tax that could cost jobs and stymie medical technology innovation, House Republicans said. Politico (Washington, D.C.) (6/7)
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Mildly obese diabetes patients may benefit from gastric bypass
After gastric bypass surgery, 88% of mildly obese subjects experienced a remission of their type 2 diabetes, and an additional 11% showed glycemic improvement, according to a University of Washington study presented at the American Diabetes Association meeting in Philadelphia. Researchers concluded that gastric bypass "is a safe, effective procedure to ameliorate type 2 diabetes and associated comorbidities." MedPage Today (free registration) (6/10)
Plant-based skin grafts hold promise for burns and wounds
Eqalix has licensed plant-based synthetic skin graft technology and other techniques from Drexel University, the University of Pennsylvania and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The license includes vascular graft and tissue regeneration technologies and could be used in treating diabetic foot ulcers, among other skin conditions. Eqalix CEO Joseph P. Connell noted that synthetic skin grafts could eliminate the need to cull arteries from the patient or other donors. MedCityNews.com (6/7)
Hanger Orthopedic's new name reflects breadth of business
Hanger Orthopedic Group announced last week that it has officially shortened its name to Hanger Inc. The change reflects Hanger's growth into rehabilitation products and services, the company said. BusinessWeek.com/The Associated Press (6/8)
What employers should be doing with their health insurance plans
The Supreme Court has yet to announce its decision on the health care law, but companies need to take action to make sure they are ready. "[T]o be prepared, employers need to make sure they are offering a variety of insurance plans that can compete with a low-cost insurance plan in a health care exchange," said Danone Simpson of Montage Insurance Solutions. Smart Business online (6/7)
Research project aims to investigate EHR liability risks
The American Health Lawyers Association will conduct a study aimed at addressing malpractice liability and adverse events that may result from the use of EHRs. The year-long project, funded by a $45,000 donation from the American Society of Healthcare Risk Management, aims to create a checklist of best practices and tools to help reduce EHR-related medical errors. Modern Healthcare (subscription required) (6/5)
Myoelectric arm intercepts brain signals to guide movement
Dr. Todd Kuiken at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago uses electrodes implanted in the patient's chest to intercept signals from the brain and use them to guide movement in an artificial arm. To his surprise, the technology produced an additional benefit. "We were all excited to get motor commands going but after a few months we touched one patient on the chest and he actually felt his missing hand," said Kuiken. The West Australian (6/7)
Australian airport scanners will reveal breast prostheses
New security scanners in Australian airports will identify those who are wearing breast prostheses. Breast Cancer Network Australia has advised its 70,000 members to carry a doctor's letter and request discreet treatment from airport security staff. The Canberra Times (Australia) (free registration) (6/11)
Blind paraplegic selected to carry Olympic torch in Dublin
Mark Pollock, who lost his sight in 1998 and the use of his legs in 2010, was selected to be one of the Olympic torch bearers in Dublin. Although he carried the torch in a wheelchair, Pollock has been testing an exoskeleton made by Ekso Bionics in Berkeley, Calif. The Ekso is not yet commercially available, although 10 rehabilitation clinics in the U.S. are conducting trials. The Epoch Times (6/12)
Victim of Chernobyl disaster trains for Paralympics
Tatsiana Khvirsko was born in Belarus without a left foot and no right leg below the knee. Today, she is equipped with two carbon fiber prostheses from Prosthetic & Orthotic Associates (POA) of Orlando -- one of them a Cheetah -- and the 21-year old is hoping to run the 100-meter dash at the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro. The Kansas City Star (Mo.) (6/2)
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