alcohol

C. diff threat growing across the U.S.

Mon, 05 May 2008 06:59:56 -0400

Clostridium difficile has long been known to providers as a common but easily-treated bug whose symptoms aren't a big deal. However, of late a drug-resistant strain of C. diff has become more common, posing far greater risks to patients. In fact, some health officials now rank C. diff on par with MRSA as a top infection acquired in hospitals. And it's tough to fight; typical germicides and alcohol sanitizers don't kill it, nor does routine cleaning of surfaces.

Overall C. diff infections in the U.S. have more than doubled since 2000. The NAP1 type of the bacteria, which produces 20 times the toxins of a more benign form, can cause devastating symptoms that can sometimes be lethal. In 2005, almost 10 percent of the patients who were diagnosed as having the bug died. However, some officials think the infection and death rates from C. diff may be much higher, as providers currently aren't required to report the presence of the bug.

To learn more about C. diff's spread:
- read this MSNBC.com article

Related Articles:
Study: C. diff infections, deaths up in hospitals
CDC warns C. diff a threat for hospitals
MDs, hospitals face tough C. diff battle
C. diff deaths shoot up in Ohio

More pluses than minuses in eventful week for retail clinics

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 07:59:59 -0400

So, it looks like retail clinic news has been a matter of two steps forward, one step back. For example, Cigna has just announced that it would pay for care delivered at another retail clinic chain, increasing its reach to quite a large number of such clinics. This bodes well for other larger commercial insurers to take similar steps, which can only help accelerate the growth of the industry.

On the negative side of the column, meanwhile, retail clinic chain Medical Marts has shuttered operations. And more worrisome, for people pushing the retail clinic model, the state of Illinois is pondering rules that would slip in a provision preventing stores that host clinics from selling tobacco or alcohol, a requirement most retailers just couldn't afford. My gut feeling is that this won't pass, though you never know how regional politics will play out. It seems transparently on the punitive side, which will turn off all but the most ardent clinic opponents.

Still, there's no sign that the industry as a whole is slowing down. For example, Walgreens has already rolled out almost 150 Take Care brand clinics, and plans to have 400 in its stores by the end of 2008. CVS/Caremark, for its part, opened its 500th clinic last week. And let's, by no means, forget about Wal-Mart, which is steamrolling ahead toward its larger goal of implementing about 2,000 clinics over the next several years--at this point, focusing largely on partnerships with providers.

Sure, if they can get away with it, state medical societies are going to continue to push measures that will limit or even prevent the emergence of retail clinics. But I don't think they will. From where I sit, the retail clinic industry may be evolving into a model where existing providers, rather than smaller entrepreneurial companies, are likely to drive the train, but I'm pretty confident the train will keep rolling. - Anne

CA auditing drug programs for health professionals

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 07:59:54 -0400

Last year, the Medical Board of California shut down its confidential addiction treatment program for doctors after a series of audits concluded that the program wasn't working. The program, which let drug- and alcohol-abusing healthcare providers avoid public discipline by getting treatment and agreeing to random drug tests, wasn't doing enough to protect the public from harm caused by impaired doctors, the board concluded. Now, the state is taking a hard look at similar "diversion" programs for nurses, pharmacists and other health professionals. Currently seven other healthcare boards offer such programs. Advocates for health professionals, for their part, were disappointed by the Medical Board's decision to drop the diversion program, and hope the legislature will step in and create an alternative option. Otherwise, they suggest, impaired professionals will be more likely to cause harm, since they'll hide their condition as long as possible.

To learn more about this issue:
- read this Los Angeles Times piece

Related Articles:
CA plan to kill addicted-doctor program sparks controversy. Report
NC law makes medical board info public. Report
Virginia's medical board tightens discipline process. Report
Study: Medical board discipline varies widely. Report