01/05/2009
Antioxidants May Help Chronic Pancreatitis Patients
Antioxidant supplementation was found to be effective in relieving pain and reducing levels of oxidative stress in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP), according to a new study in
Gastroenterology.
Bariatric Surgery May Resolve Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an emerging problem related to the obesity epidemic, becoming one of the most common causes of liver disease in the nation. A new study published in
Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology reveals bariatric surgery results in improvement of histopathological features of NAFLD.
Sedationfacts.org Adds New Content, Features
Sedationfacts.org, launched in Spring 2008 for gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopists and gastroenterology nurses who assist with endoscopic procedures, recently added new content and features.
01/02/2009
Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium Program Announced
The 6th annual Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancers Symposium Press Program will highlight research on the prevention, screening and treatment of GI cancers
Tracing the Origin of Most-Common Diarrhea Cause
Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni), a foodborne organism contracted from untreated water, milk and meat, especially chicken, is one of the most important causes of bacterial diarrhea worldwide; however, its mode of pathogenesis is not clear.
12/31/2008
Las Vegas Center Reports Improper Disinfection Methods
The staff at Specialty Surgicare of Las Vegas, also known as Specialty Surgery Center, realized during a recent maintenance inspection that the disinfection cycle on the machine that cleaned the scopes used in colonoscopies and upper-endoscopy procedures was set at a time below the manufacturer’s recommendations.
12/30/2008
Stryker Endoscopy Launches HD Wireless Surgical Display
Stryker Endoscopy launched the world's first high-definition (HD) wireless video display for the operating room.
12/29/2008
Study: Medication Errors Still Too Common
A new report from the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) reveals that barriers still exist to the implementation of medication-related National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs) from the Joint Commission.
ECRI Names Top-10 Health Technology Hazards of 2008
The list — updated annually based on problems reported to and investigated by ECRI Institute — includes detailed descriptions of these hazards, as well as concrete information on how to avoid them. The article is being offered to healthcare professionals for free to help them understand and prevent these dangerous — and sometimes deadly — hazards.
12/24/2008
N.J. Senate Passes Surgery Center Physician Disclosure Bill
The New Jersey Senate approved legislation that would require physicians at outpatient surgery centers to inform patients about how their services will be billed and whether the doctors have any financial interests in a referral to such centers, the
Bergen County (N.J.) Record reports.
12/22/2008
Study: U.S. to Suffer Gastroenterologist Shortage
The “first of its kind” study illustrates that the aging population and increased colorectal cancer screening rates will create a shortfall of GI physicians and will challenge the nation’s ability to provide adequate screening and treatment for the nation’s second-most-lethal cancer.
12/19/2008
Study: Improved Care Has Led to Less Digestive Bleeding
WASHINGTON—Hospital admission rates for internal bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract fell 14 percent between 1998 and 2006 because of improved treatments for acid reflux disease, ulcers, arthritis and other conditions, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Probiotics Help People Stick with Antibiotic Therapy
NEW YORK—Diarrhea causes up to one in five people on antibiotics to stop taking their full course of antibiotic therapy, according to recent research.
12/18/2008
McKinsey Report Highlights Outpatient Industry’s Role in U.S. Healthcare
A new report from the
McKinsey Global Institute focusing on spending in U.S. healthcare, states that the outpatient care industry is not only a profitable one, but also spends the highest amount of any other healthcare segment in the country.
ACG Publishes IBS Evidence-Based Systematic Review
The American College of Gastroenterology today published a new evidence-based systematic review on the management of IBS as a supplement to the January 2009 issue of The American Journal of Gastroenterology.
Article Asks: Can Olympus Keep Videoscope Edge?
Digital camera sales are low among consumers these days, but in the medical realm, videoscope producer Olympus has a lot of potential, according to a story that ran today in BusinessWeek.
Web Site Offers GI and Sedation Resources
An online resource on endoscopic sedation, www.sedationfacts.org, that launched in the spring of 2008 for gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopists and gastroenterology nurses who assist with endoscopic procedures, recently added new content and features.
12/17/2008
ASP Releases Evotech Endoscope Cleaner and Reprocessor
Advanced Sterilization Products (ASP) this week announced availability of the EVOTECH™ Endoscope Cleaner and Reprocessor, the first commercially available system designed to eliminate labor-intensive manual cleaning of endoscopes.
12/16/2008
ASGE Responds to Colonoscopy-Accuracy Study
A study released today in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that colonoscopy is associated with lower death rates from colorectal cancer, however, the procedure missed lesions more often on the right side of the colon versus the left side.
Smoking Linked to Higher Colorectal Cancer Risk
Study: Colonoscopies Not As Reliable as Believed
A new study in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine claims that colonoscopies are not nearly as reliable in the detection of colon cancer signs as experts previously them to be.
FDA Commissioner Announces Resignation
12/15/2008
Experience Vital to Narrow-Band Imaging Polyp Detection
Researchers from Yale University School of Medicine compared narrow-band imaging (NBI) (without high magnification) to standard white light colonoscopy to discover how accurately the methods could differentiate colorectal polyps. The researchers found that NBI was not more accurate than white light colonoscopy.
Fleet Recalls Bowel Cleansers After FDA Warning
Following the issuance of FDA's safety alert on Thursday stating that oral sodium phosphates bowel cleansing solutions should be available by prescription only, C.B. Fleet Company immediately announced a voluntary recall of its over-the-counter products Fleet® Phospho-soda® and Fleet® Phospho-soda® EZ-Prep® Bowel Cleansing System.
12/12/2008
Las Vegas Hepatitis C Outbreak Triggers National Study
The study, in the planning stage but expected to be complete by February, will determine to what extent data are available on the frequency and characteristics of health care-associated infections in ASCs.
Olympus Partners With Advanced Surgical Concepts
Olympus has signed an exclusive and immediate deal to distribute the products of Irish company Advanced Surgical Concepts Ltd. (ASC) worldwide. ASC is the sole global provider of ports for state-of-the-art laparoscopic operative techniques via a single access point — the patient's navel. Olympus is now the exclusive distributor for the full range of products involved.
Given Imaging Acquires pH-Monitoring Business
Given Imaging Ltd. acquired the Bravo® pH monitoring business for the diagnosis of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) from Medtronic.
Protein Rates May Show Death Risk in Colorectal Cancer Patients
A pair of proteins may help explain why people with surgically removed colorectal cancer who are overweight, physically inactive and follow a Western-pattern diet may have an increased risk of dying of the disease or other causes.
12/11/2008
FDA Issues Boxed Warning for Visicol, OsmoPrep
FDA issues Boxed Warning for Visicol and OsmoPrep because they may cause acute kidney damage.
Real-Time Healthcare Communication Company Wins Award
Aetna's secure provider Web site via the NaviNet platform recognized for innovative connectivity achievement with Health Data Management magazine's 2nd Annual Editor's Choice Award for "Consumer Connectivity."
12/10/2008
Mayo Clinic Newsletter Highlights Colorectal Screenings
The December issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter describes how screenings can catch cancer before it spreads or even starts.
Group Raises $100,000 for Colorectal Research Programs
The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) Research Foundation raised more than $100,000 during its 4th annual “Meet the Challenge” program in Boston last month.
Researchers Identify ‘Border Patrol Agents’ of Guts
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have shown in mice how and under what circumstances the gut activates its defensive mechanisms to prevent illness.
Study: Calcium May Decrease Colorectal Cancer Risk
12/09/2008
Commercial Test Released for Colorectal Gene
Clarient, Inc. launched a commercially available test for the BRAF mutation in colorectal cancer.
FDA Releases Q&A about ESA Medication Guides
BETHESDA, Md.—FDA released answers to questions regarding the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) and their FDA-approved Medication Guides, which are now part of labeling for ESAs Aranesp®, Epogen® and Procrit®.
Metrex® Launches Enhanced Web Site
12/08/2008
Study: Bariatric Surgery May Resolve Liver Disease
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an emerging problem related to the obesity epidemic, becoming one of the most common causes of liver disease in the nation. A recent study reports bariatric surgery results in improvement of histopathological features of NAFLD.
12/05/2008
Medicare Expands Internet-based PECOS
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that Internet-based PECOS is available to physicians and non-physician practitioners in District of Columbia and 15 states.
12/03/2008
Research: Virtual Colonoscopy Can Spot Osteoporosis
Virtual colonoscopies also can be used to measure bone mineral density to identify a risk for osteoporosis.
12/02/2008
Etanercept Ineffective in Treating Alcoholic Hepatitis
A new study from Mayo Clinic finds the use of the drug therapy etanercept ineffective in treating alcoholic hepatitis.
Gastroenterology Office Gets Unique Accreditation Title
Validare, Inc. announced that Third Avenue Gastroenterology, PC, has been accredited by the Joint Commission and marks the 100th Office-Based Surgery (OBS) client in New York that Validare has guided successfully through the accreditation process.
ASGE Applauds Colorectal Cancer Death Decline
The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) heralded the recent news of a decline in U.S. cancer deaths and incidence rates, with colorectal cancer among the top three cancers with significant declines.
11/28/2008
Electronic Records Could Help Reduce Malpractice
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.— Use of electronic health records (EHRs) may help reduce paid malpractice settlements for physicians, according to a study in the Nov. 24 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
11/25/2008
Childhood Constipation a Significant Health Issue
New research conducted at Nationwide Children’s Hospital reveals that the burden of illness in children suffering from constipation and costs associated with this condition are roughly of the same magnitude as those for asthma and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
CT Colonography Radiologists Launch VirtuoCTC
Two leading CT colonography radiologists launched VirtuoCTC LLC to provide successful implementation of CT Colonography (CTC) practices.
11/24/2008
ASP Unveils Endoscope Infection-Prevention Product
Advanced Sterilization Products (ASP) announced the availability of the CLEANASCOPE System, a new infection-prevention solution designed to reduce the risk of cross-contamination of endoscopes and cross-infection of patients in healthcare facilities that provide GI procedures.
New Method Available for Small Bowel Intestinal Motility
A study in the October issue of Gastroenterology confirms the potential of a new approach to measuring small bowel intestinal motility based on video images obtained through small bowel capsule endoscopy.
11/21/2008
Lab Express Offers At-Home Colorectal Cancer Test
Lab Express is offering its new Immunoassay Colorectal Cancer Screening (iFOBT) at-home colon cancer screening kit.
The iFOBT kit, which costs $30, eliminates false positives and false negatives to offer a more accurate results.
New Toolkit Helps Doctors, Patients Understand EHRs
CHARLESTON, W. Va.—A wide range of new resources is available to help physicians, healthcare providers and consumers understand electronic health records, which are gradually replacing traditional paper records.
