News From Around the Web
> University of Toronto researchers have created a sensor for screening lung function following a transplant to avoid primary graft dysfunction, a lethal disorder, according to Scientific American. The sensor technology provides surgeon results of biomarker testing in 20 minutes compared to today's method, which takes hours. Researchers say the sensors should help patients awaiting lung transplants obtain necessary organ donation. Article
> A collaborative mHealth initiative in Africa, aimed at helping keep pregnant women healthier via a free text messaging service, is celebrating its first year anniversary and boasting some impressive results, according to a Huffington Post report. Over half a million women are enrolled in MomConnect and 34,000 healthcare workers have been train to register new members. The program is being run by the National Department of Health along with 20 partners. Article
Payer News
> Nonprofit insurer Blue Shield of California boosted pay to its executive employees by $24 million in 2012--an increase of 64 percent from the previous year. Article
> Insurers operating in Massachusetts, a closely watched state for its plan to lower costs and provide healthcare for all residents, haven't successfully saved money yet--though they have boosted alternative payments to providers. Healthcare costs in the state rose 4.8 percent last year, which is twice the amount of growth in 2013 and well over the 1.6 percent inflation rate, according to a new report from the Center for Health Information and Analysis, an independent state agency. Article
Health IT News
> A multi-stakeholder initiative to launch a next-generation health interoperability platform has announced two founding members and achieved status as a not-for-profit corporation. The Healthcare Services Platform Consortium has received commitment from Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Healthcare, and LSU Health Care Services Division, a Baton Rouge-based academic healthcare organization. Article
> With the launch of its new Health Cloud platform last week, San Francisco-based software company Salesforce aims to help doctors better manage patient care. Article
And Finally... 3 trillion trees sounds like a lot, but conservation needs to kick in. Article