Several Health Care Reform Provisions Take Effect
Several provisions of the federal Affordable Care Act took effect September.
New Policy Brief Explains Standards and Certification of Electronic Health Records
A new health policy brief from Health Affairs and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation explains the new federal Electronic Health Record Standards. Hospitals, doctors, and other clinicians can soon start receiving incentive payments under Medicare and Medicaid for making "meaningful use" of electronic health records (EHRs).
Physician Reimbursement Cut: Expect Another Postponement after November Elections
Rather than seeking a long-term solution for the physician reimbursement crisis, Congress will likely postpone the looming 23-percent cut from Dec. 1 to either Feb. 1 or March 1, Medscape Medical News reports.
ACGME Approves Graduated Standards for Duty Hours
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) announced that its board of directors has approved "a set of requirements that are a comprehensive approach to patient care, quality improvement, supervision, professionalism, transitions in care, and resident well-being.
Earn CME Credit Online: October Issue of SLEEP
AASM members have access to the full text of each article in the Oct. 1 issue of the journal SLEEP when you log in on the website.
AASM Publishes Updated Practice Parameters for Adult OSA Surgeries
The Oct. 1 issue of SLEEP includes new “Practice parameters for the surgical modifications of the upper airway for obstructive sleep apnea in adults” from the AASM.
New SLEEP Website Launches
The Associated Professional Sleep Societies launched a redesigned website for SLEEP Friday in preparation for the transition of the journal to a digital publication beginning in 2011 with volume 34.
Study Links Short and Long Sleep Durations in Early Pregnancy with Elevated Blood Pressure in the Third Trimester
A study in the Oct. 1 issue of the journal SLEEP found that getting too little or too much sleep in early pregnancy is associated with elevated blood pressure in the third trimester. The study suggests that improving prenatal sleep hygiene may provide important health benefits.
Obesity: Annual Cost Higher Than Expected, Study Finds
The annual cost of being obese in the U.S. is $4,879 for women and $2,646 for men, according to a study by George Washington University researchers.
AHRQ Launches New Look for NGC and NQMC Websites
The sites now allow users to find information faster, identify the right measures or guidelines with ease, and intuitively search thousands of records. Both sites include a side-by-side comparison feature, enhanced semantic search engine and easier navigation.