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Actual Imaging Use Far Below President's Recommend 95 Percent Utilization Rate For Medicare
The amount of time imaging equipment is in use in outpatient settings does not approach use rates President Obama and the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) recommend Medicare utilize to calculate reimbursement for imaging, according to data recently collected by the Radiology Business Management Association (RBMA), a national association of business professionals in radiology.
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Washington D.C., Makes Improvements On HIV/AIDS Efforts, But More Work To Be Done, Report Finds; District Expands STD Testing Program For Students
The fifth annual report card from the Washington, D.C.,-based Appleseed Center for Law and Justice examining the district"s response to HIV gives the city "high marks for rapid testing, interagency coordination, surveillance and fighting the disease in the D.C. Jail," but finds that the city falls short in other areas, the Washington Examiner reports (Neibauer, 8/5). "The government also received above-average grades for leadership, managing grants to groups that help people with the illness, and monitoring the effectiveness of those programs," the Washington Post reports. However, "While Mayor Fenty and his administration deserve recognition for the continued support of ò€¦ numerous [HIV/AIDS Administration] initiatives, his public appearances and statements about the epidemic have fallen short of his enthusiasm for action inside the government," the report said. The report added that the district could do more to address HIV and recommended that HAA assess whether the improvements they have made are reducing the spread of the virus, according to the Post (Fears, 8/5).
News of the day
Intervention Program Targets Siblings
"Siblings are Special," a pilot prevention program targeting fifth graders and their younger siblings, recently received $1.45 million from the National Institute on Drug Abuse as part of the National Institutes of Health"s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding. The award is for two years.
Public Health

Smoking Ban 'Has Potential For Positive Changes In Mental Health Units'

New research published in the June issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry, shows most mental health settings in England have faced challenges in introducing smoke-free policies. However, the results also suggest that the policies can bring about positive changes, including behavioural changes in patients. Researchers at the University of Nottingham"s Centre for Tobacco Control Studies surveyed all 72 English NHS trusts providing mental health in-patient services. In addition, telephone interviews were conducted with 7 trusts and site visits made to a further 5 trust. According to the survey responses, most trusts (91%) believed that mental health settings faced "particular challenges" in implementing smoke-free policies when compared to other settings. These included the high prevalence of smoking among service users, safety risks, and potential interactions with antipsychotic medication. But despite these challenges, almost all the trusts (92%) surveyed believed going smoke-free had been quite or very successful. Fears of an increase in aggressive or violent incidents among patients have also proved largely unfounded. The in-depth telephone and face-to-face interviews conducted with trusts revealed a number of positive effects. Writing in the British Journal of Psychiatry, the study authors said: "One respondent reported that patients were sleeping better as a result of closing smoking rooms at social gathering points where the consumption of nicotine and often caffeine had been frequent and heavy both during the days and evenings. "Another said that patients were reported to get up and out of their rooms earlier in the mornings, since they were no longer allowed to smoke indoors. Three respondents reported that individuals specifically welcomed the use of newly-created recreational spaces that had been provided in former smoking rooms, and that this was having a positive impact on their behaviour and sense of well-being." The researchers observed that "considerable efforts" have been made to implement smoke-free policies in mental health in-patient units, and overall the outcome has been positive. However, they concluded: "Challenges are widely perceived. These need to be explored further and addressed adequately to support trusts in complying with the Health Act and maximising the benefit of the law." Reference: "Implementation of smoke-free policies in mental health in-patient settings in England" Ratschen E, Britton J and McNeill A (2009) British Journal of Psychiatry, 194: 547-551 Royal College of Psychiatrists


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