News From Around the Web
> Introduction of 3-D technology for pain assessment could be a useful tool for doctors and patients alike, a new study in the Journal of Medical Internet Research. "The participants of this analysis believed that the introduction of 3-D technology in the process might be a useful mechanism for such a positive healthcare outcome," the study concluded. "The study's findings could also be used to make recommendations concerning the potential for inclusion of 3-D technology in current clinical pain tools for the purpose of improving the quality of healthcare." Study
> Researchers from Johns Hopkins University have created a kidney transplant decision support tool that would help them decide whether to take a kidney that is available, but not necessarily the most healthy. "Because the supply of the healthiest donor organs is too small, patients need to consider all organ offers or risk dying while waiting for an organ. But this is a very hard decision, and many people turn down transplant offers that, in reality, would provide them significant benefit. Often they would have done much better taking the organ at hand than waiting for the next available one," said study leader Dorry L. Segev, an associate professor of surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. "This is the most important decision of a transplant candidate's life, and we have developed a novel tool we believe can help patients make the best choice." Announcement
Health Insurance News
> Pennsylvania and Missouri officials are trying to reach deals to expand their Medicaid programs under the health reform law, while Louisiana is standing firm in its opposition to any expansion-related proposal. Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett could be willing to expand Medicaid if the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services can meet some of his demands, including making changes to the state's current Medicaid program to keep it financially viable, The Patriot-News reported. Article
Provider News
> Early elective deliveries plunged 83 percent in one year at a group of hospitals that implemented policies guiding when labor should be induced or cesarean sections performed, a new study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology found. The elective delivery rate for babies at 37 week to 38 weeks fell from almost 28 percent to less than 5 percent at the 26 participating community and academic hospitals, according to the study abstract. Article
And Finally… I almost never enjoy in-flight movies, but not enough for the FBI to get involved. Article