News From Around the Web
> Lawmakers have delayed final passage of the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act after being unable to come to a consensus on how to protect consumer information, according to an article at USA Today. In October, the legislation passed the Senate, but it is now stalled as lawmakers work to combine it with other cybersecurity bills proposed this year. The act may be added to the omnibus spending bill to keep the federal government running. Article
> Geisinger Health System, Penn State University and the University of Pennsylvania will soon work together to use big data to better understand obesity. The organizations were awarded a $4.4 million grant by the Keystone state's Department of Health that spans four years. Announcement
Health Finance News
> There was once little difference between what hospitals received to care for Medicare patients and those with private sector insurance. But times change--and so have those rates, according to a new study in the journal Health Affairs. Article
> Something needs to be done to curb the increasing prices of prescription drugs, according to officials from hospitals and other facets of the healthcare sector who testified this week at a U.S. Senate hearing. Article
Practice Management News
> Survival rates for patients who suffer in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) during their hospital stay are often low. Less than 25 percent of these patients live to return home. However, rates can vary significantly from hospital to hospital. A report published Thursday in Medical Care said that nurse staffing levels and working conditions in healthcare institutions play a key role in helping patients survive. Article
And Finally... TGIF. Article