Top 10 stories of 2013
December 27, 2013
Certainly, the Affordable Care Act was on your mind this year. But beyond how this massive law is changing health care, there was a story of a fatal accident as well as tales of medical malpractice that grabbed your attention. Here's our list of your favorite stories from 2013.
1.) CT scans of mummies debunk heart disease myths
At the American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions this year, scientists presented some surprising findings based on CT scans of mummies from four different parts of the world. Researchers found atherosclerosis, or hardened arteries, in 35 percent of the mummies they studied, prompting them to conclude that heart disease may be less dependent on diet and lifestyle, and perhaps more of a consequence of human aging.
Read the story here
2.) Gamma camera collapses, kills patient and prompts GE to recall system
This summer, a patient at a VA medical center in New York City went in for routine imaging but never came out. The victim was apparently crushed to death when an Infinia Hawkeye 4 SPECT/CT fell on him. As a result, GE Healthcare, the maker of the device, recalled the system. The company also issued warning letters and safety recommendations to customers.
Read the story here
3.) Will Obamacare kick sales reps out of the OR?
The days of having a sales representative physically present in the OR may be coming to a close. It's been a common occurrence as more physicians need support handling new medical devices, but it hasn't always been the most cost-effective way to go. Hospitals are experimenting with different approaches to handling suppliers as a result of health care reform, and medical device companies are looking for a new way to do business too.
Read the story here
4.) Spotlight: ANA president on health care reform
While health care reform might be causing a lot of chaos for providers, there's one group that sees it as more of an opportunity than a setback. Karen Daley, president of the American Nurses Association, told DOTmed News that nurses are going to be utilized more under the law — and even more so if nurse practictioners are allowed to practice as primary care providers, which they are qualified to do.
Read the story here
5.) Physicians reject most cost-saving measures in payment reform
Physicians are all for reducing the cost of health care — but most would rather the burden fall on insurance companies, device manufacturers, and patients, said a new survey from the Mayo Clinic. The survey asked around 2,500 U.S. physicians about their perceived role in addressing health care costs. Only 36 percent reported that practicing physicians have a "major responsibility" for reducing health care costs. In contrast, 60 percent said trial lawyers have a major responsibility, 59 percent chose health insurance companies, 56 percent chose device manufacturers and 52 percent agreed patients have a major role.
Read the story here
6.) iPad Mini-sized X-ray prototype developed
Scientists at the University of Missouri developed a battery-powered device a little smaller than an iPad Mini that can generate X-rays and could one day be used to take dental scans or search for dangerous contraband in ports. It would still take about three years to have a finished product, they told DOTmed News. The 6 inch-long device uses the vibration and expansion of a small crystal to magnify a thousandfold the input of small amounts of electricity to generate the energy required to create X-rays.
Read the story here
7.) 7 terrifying tales of medical malpractice
We ran this story on Halloween as it recounted several tales of doctors committing heinous crimes — everything from a famous 18th century surgeon in England seeking out human remains in graves for medical experiments to a clinical trial gone awry in 2006.
Read the story here
8.) Philips embarks on plan to change care delivery model
One unlikely partnership has already resulted from health care reform. This summer, Philips Healthcare announced that it was partnering with Georgia Regents Medical Center to transform the health care delivery model. Philips will provide the medical center with a comprehensive range of advanced medical technologies and imaging equipment, planning and maintenance services, and consumer products with predetermined monthly operational costs over a 15-year period. The agreement is worth approximately $300 million, the largest of its kind for Philips.
Read the story here
9.) Radiopharmaceutical cleared for breast and skin cancer
Oncologists got a new drug to help with the staging and management of breast and melanoma cancer patients when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved technetium Tc 99m tilmanocept (Lymphoseek) in March. The new radioactive diagnostic imaging agent is said to give physicians a more accurate way to find the sentinel lymph node, which in turn will help them determine where the patient's cancer has spread.
Read the story here
10.) Questions linger after medical device tax goes into effect
Many questions remained after the 2.3 percent tax on all medical device sales went into effect in January. For instance, OEM products are often leased, and lease payments are subject to the tax. After a back and forth with the IRS, it was agreed that future payments on leases signed in the second quarter of 2010 or later will be taxed. As for used equipment and parts, these will likely not be taxed, as the tax only appears to apply to the first sale of products.
Read the story here
1.) CT scans of mummies debunk heart disease myths
At the American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions this year, scientists presented some surprising findings based on CT scans of mummies from four different parts of the world. Researchers found atherosclerosis, or hardened arteries, in 35 percent of the mummies they studied, prompting them to conclude that heart disease may be less dependent on diet and lifestyle, and perhaps more of a consequence of human aging.
Read the story here
2.) Gamma camera collapses, kills patient and prompts GE to recall system
This summer, a patient at a VA medical center in New York City went in for routine imaging but never came out. The victim was apparently crushed to death when an Infinia Hawkeye 4 SPECT/CT fell on him. As a result, GE Healthcare, the maker of the device, recalled the system. The company also issued warning letters and safety recommendations to customers.
Read the story here
3.) Will Obamacare kick sales reps out of the OR?
The days of having a sales representative physically present in the OR may be coming to a close. It's been a common occurrence as more physicians need support handling new medical devices, but it hasn't always been the most cost-effective way to go. Hospitals are experimenting with different approaches to handling suppliers as a result of health care reform, and medical device companies are looking for a new way to do business too.
Read the story here
4.) Spotlight: ANA president on health care reform
While health care reform might be causing a lot of chaos for providers, there's one group that sees it as more of an opportunity than a setback. Karen Daley, president of the American Nurses Association, told DOTmed News that nurses are going to be utilized more under the law — and even more so if nurse practictioners are allowed to practice as primary care providers, which they are qualified to do.
Read the story here
5.) Physicians reject most cost-saving measures in payment reform
Physicians are all for reducing the cost of health care — but most would rather the burden fall on insurance companies, device manufacturers, and patients, said a new survey from the Mayo Clinic. The survey asked around 2,500 U.S. physicians about their perceived role in addressing health care costs. Only 36 percent reported that practicing physicians have a "major responsibility" for reducing health care costs. In contrast, 60 percent said trial lawyers have a major responsibility, 59 percent chose health insurance companies, 56 percent chose device manufacturers and 52 percent agreed patients have a major role.
Read the story here
6.) iPad Mini-sized X-ray prototype developed
Scientists at the University of Missouri developed a battery-powered device a little smaller than an iPad Mini that can generate X-rays and could one day be used to take dental scans or search for dangerous contraband in ports. It would still take about three years to have a finished product, they told DOTmed News. The 6 inch-long device uses the vibration and expansion of a small crystal to magnify a thousandfold the input of small amounts of electricity to generate the energy required to create X-rays.
Read the story here
7.) 7 terrifying tales of medical malpractice
We ran this story on Halloween as it recounted several tales of doctors committing heinous crimes — everything from a famous 18th century surgeon in England seeking out human remains in graves for medical experiments to a clinical trial gone awry in 2006.
Read the story here
8.) Philips embarks on plan to change care delivery model
One unlikely partnership has already resulted from health care reform. This summer, Philips Healthcare announced that it was partnering with Georgia Regents Medical Center to transform the health care delivery model. Philips will provide the medical center with a comprehensive range of advanced medical technologies and imaging equipment, planning and maintenance services, and consumer products with predetermined monthly operational costs over a 15-year period. The agreement is worth approximately $300 million, the largest of its kind for Philips.
Read the story here
9.) Radiopharmaceutical cleared for breast and skin cancer
Oncologists got a new drug to help with the staging and management of breast and melanoma cancer patients when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved technetium Tc 99m tilmanocept (Lymphoseek) in March. The new radioactive diagnostic imaging agent is said to give physicians a more accurate way to find the sentinel lymph node, which in turn will help them determine where the patient's cancer has spread.
Read the story here
10.) Questions linger after medical device tax goes into effect
Many questions remained after the 2.3 percent tax on all medical device sales went into effect in January. For instance, OEM products are often leased, and lease payments are subject to the tax. After a back and forth with the IRS, it was agreed that future payments on leases signed in the second quarter of 2010 or later will be taxed. As for used equipment and parts, these will likely not be taxed, as the tax only appears to apply to the first sale of products.
Read the story here