News From Around the Web
> Mount Sinai Medical Center has received $5 million in funding from NYC Economic Development Corporation for new technology institute. According to an announcement, the funding will be used to transform existing space on the campus of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai into several facilities for the program, dubbed MSIT. The goal is to "radically transform biomedicine through the discovery, design, development and delivery of entrepreneurially-driven, technology-based solutions to critical unmet medical needs." Announcement
> A tiny capsule that can carry out a chemical analysis of stomach contents could identify the presence of so-called "occult" blood at very low levels. The data is broadcast to an external monitoring device for detection of early stage stomach cancer. Details of the invention and initial trials are described in a forthcoming issue of the International Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology. Announcement
Provider News
> Holidays are a time for family and friends to gather and enjoy each other's company while swapping presents and eating meals together. But for patients and families stuck in the hospital during the holiday season, it can be a painful and lonely experience. That's why three Chicago-based hospitals are doing their best to make their pediatric patients and families feel a little closer to normal this holiday season. Article
Health Insurance News
> Debate continues about whether releasing healthcare provider payment data publicly is a good idea: Proponents say it will show taxpayers where their healthcare dollars are spent and how provider choices affect their pocketbooks. Opponents say, besides misleading the public, releasing payment data may increase healthcare costs. Article
And Finally… Everybody seems to be getting into the act these days. Article