academic medical centers

The University of Connecticut Health Center may become the next academic medical institution to set limits on drug- and medical device-maker gifts to staff and students. A committee of administrators... Read more...

A new study suggests that academic medical centers have tight relationships with pharmas and medical-device makers, perhaps tighter than previously thought. The study, which was done by researchers... Read more...

It was kudos all around this week for the University of Kansas Hospital, which has gone from a state of financial and clinical crisis to being named as a top quality performer ranked with some of the... Read more...

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) is poised to implement a new policy banning physicians and other employees from accepting virtually any type of pharma or device-maker freebies. If it moves ahead, UPMC would join a growing list of academic medical centers and other facilities that have instituted tight controls on such gifts. Employees and physicians who break the rules could face written reprimands and even loss of hospital privileges.

To address concerns raised …

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While in theory, doctors say that they would reveal medical errors to patients, a new study has found that most don't actually do so when they have the chance. The study, done by the University of Iowa's Carver College of Medicine, surveyed faculty physicians, residents and medical students at academic medical centers to find out what factors affected whether physicians disclosed errors. Of the 538 respondents, 97 percent said that they'd disclose minor errors and 93 percent said they'd …

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Folks, today I'm delighted to announce the release of our first-annual …

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Most physicians will tell you that free drug samples are an important part of their practice. After all, patients who get samples can avoid co-pays, and more importantly, can begin treatment immediately. However, critics are increasingly protesting this practice, arguing that such samples prompt doctors to prescribe the new medications on hand rather than choosing the drug indicated by medical evidence. What's more, critics say, older drugs may sometimes be safer, as their side effects …

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As we've noted previously in FierceHealthcare, the long shifts worked by residents may not be good for patient care, as error rates shoot up when they get too tired. But according to one study, it could hit facilities in the pocketbook, and hard, if they were to work fewer hours. Why? Because someone else, probably physician assistants, nurse practitioners or hospitalists, would have to do the work. What's more, facilities might have trouble adding such workers, as each category …

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The issue of pharmaceutical swag has gotten hotter than ever of late. Many physicians wonder what all of the fuss is about, and continue to argue that their prescribing patterns aren't altered by pens, lunches and happy hours. But a growing number of physicians, including some at prominent academic medical centers, contend that it's time to shake up the traditionally cozy relationship between doctors and the pharma business. Article

The climate for pharma-to-doctor giveaways may have grown a few degrees colder yesterday, when a pair of advocacy groups kicked off a campaign intended to bring down further restrictions on giveaways. Healthcare consumer group Community Catalyst and Columbia University research group the Institute on Medicine as a Profession are beginning a national initiative calling for tighter limits on drug company relationships with doctors. The initiative is funded by a $6 million grant from the Pew …

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