News From Around the Web
> A new report concludes healthcare assistants need more training before taking up basic duties in hospitals and care homes, TopNews United States reported. The NHS in England has no minimum standard of care for healthcare assistants before they can work without supervision. Article
> Thanks to a computer glitch, insurers may limit healthcare reform's tobacco-use penalties for older smokers, the Associated Press reported. However, young smokers could see higher-than-expected penalities. Article
> Contaminated ultrasound gel was tied to an outbreak of healthcare-associated infections at Beaumont Health System near Detroit, according to a study published in the August issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology. Abstract
Health Insurance News
> Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has saved about $155 million in three years with its patient-centered medical home program, while also improving quality care, according to a study published in the journal Health Services Research. Article
> Advertisements and promotions for the healthcare reform law are starting to pop up throughout the country--both for and against the legislation. Article
And Finally… A politician everyone loves. Article