RMS Warns; Be in the Driver Seat When Deciding on Your Software Solution

RMS Warns; Be in the Driver Seat When Deciding on Your Software Solution

Rod Sherr, CPA, President/CEO of Resource Management Solutions, suggests the following steps to keep your company in the driver's seat when selecting the right software application solution for your organization.

Los Angeles, CA (Vocus) February 28, 2009 -- Most companies understand they need help when looking at investing in a software solution. The real question is where they turn for help? If they turn to a software sales team before they are "ready", they could be making a very big mistake.

"Unfortunately, I have seen this happen too often," says Rod Sherr, CPA, President/CEO of Resource Management Solutions (RMS) (www.Consult-RMS.com), a California Corporation. "Many companies do not understand the protocol of selecting the right software application solution for their organization. They do spend time on researching what might work best for them but many neglect the first step to take before contacting the software vendors."

Sherr goes on to say that companies that give up the driver seat to a sales team may have already lost the battle. The dog and pony show does need to take place in the boardroom but the timing of this must be strategic. If vendors are invited in too soon, there may be promises made that cannot be fulfilled and companies may end up paying for a lot of customizations to get the software to perform to match their needs.

Sherr recalls walking into the boardroom of a very large client who had just signed a contract with a vendor to purchase their software. They got a great price but the ground work was not completed prior to the purchase. As a result, the company had well over 100 customizations to the software to get it to perform adequately. Due to the numerous customizations, this implementation took longer to complete and ended up costing this company more than the cost of the other vendor's solutions. With this many customizations, it made their software impossible to ever upgrade.

What is the proper protocol? Sherr suggests the following steps to keep your company in the driver's seat:

1. Document your company's current (AS IS) state. Sherr says, "you need to know where you are before you can determine the path of where you need to go."

2. Prepare a needs assessment, a list of your business requirements and objectives. Prioritize what is most important functionality wise to you. In other words, what are your "must haves" verses your "like to haves".

3. Once current state is defined and documented along with business requirements, a company is ready to write their requirements in the form of a request for proposal (RFP). This is then submitted to the public and is the formal invitation for software vendors to submit their proposals. Pay very close attention to how each vendor addresses your needs.

4. Once the proposals are reviewed, companies are now ready to invite vendors to the party. This is where vendors need to answer questions and show you the functionality of their software.

Sherr says, "make sure all questions get answered by the vendors. Do not leave anything unanswered." A good software salesperson will be able to show their potential client live scenarios of any areas of functionality that they have a question about. If vendors can't reproduce the scenario or don't answer the questions fully, don't sign their contract until they prove their case. Sherr urges companies to spend the time necessary to prepare for their software selection and be ready to ask the software vendors the tough questions. By following these steps, a company can greatly reduce under-performance and project failure risks.

Resource Management Solutions (RMS) (www.Consult-RMS.com) is a professional services consulting firm specializing in improving the processes that directly affect the productivity and management of Human Capital. By making improvements to the processes in these areas and with the use of today's technology, RMS is able to show their clients how to increase productivity and reduce labor costs thus affecting the company's profitability. These cost reduction procedures RMS implements are sustainable for years to come. RMS has been serving their clients since 2000. A California-based Corporation, RMS has a solid record of accomplishment. It has gained the reputation of doing whatever it takes to ensure projects are successful. RMS has helped companies with up to 45,000 employees successfully implement ERP and Workforce Management Technology solutions in a timely cost effective manner. Call one of our offices today and see why people call RMS "the missing piece" to their projects. RMS looks forward to serving you soon.

Contact:

NAME: Scott Siderman

EMAIL: SSiderman(at)Consult-RMS.com

PHONE: 866-361-1704 ext. 708

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Contact Information Scott Siderman

Resource Management Solutions

http://www.Consult-RMS.com

866-361-1704

Health Insurance Claims Top $2 Million Mark

Health Insurance Claims Top $2 Million Mark

Leading heath insurance fund Medibank Private has released a list of the most expensive benefit claims made by members.

Melbourne, VIC (PRWEB) February 27, 2009 -- A hospital bill of $364,859 for complex bowel surgery heads the annual Medibank Private "Chart Toppers" list of the most expensive health insurance (http://www.medibank.com.au/) benefit claims made by members of the fund.

The bowel surgery claim, costing 20 per cent more than last year's most expensive claim, helped push the total value of Medibank Private's top ten claims for the year (to 30 June 2008) to almost $2.4 million.

Second on the Chart Toppers list was a claim for neurosurgery which came in at $276,595. Third place was for 469 days of neonatal hospital care for which Medibank Private paid a benefit of $256,451 on behalf of the baby's parents.

Overall the number of very high cost claims on hospital cover (http://www.medibank.com.au/Health-Covers.aspx) has leapt, with Medibank Private covering 73 per cent more claims over $100,000, which increased from 86 to 149 during the period.

Medibank Private Industry Affairs Manager, Craig Bosworth, says the rising number of high cost claims indicates that the private health sector is increasingly carrying the burden of an ageing population and the complex, technologically intensive hospital care older people often require.

"The Medibank Private Chart Toppers list shows that providing quality healthcare is very expensive. With eight of the top ten claims for people aged 54 or over, it also illustrates that private health insurance (http://www.medibank.com.au/Health-Covers/About-Health-Insurance.aspx) is not just for elective surgery lumps and bumps, and members are increasingly using their private health insurance (http://www.medibank.com.au/Health-Covers.aspx) to cover themselves for the cost of complicated and potentially life saving surgery.

"Traditionally the high end surgeries would be borne by the public system. Now we are seeing people electing to use their private health insurance for these types of procedures, and enjoying the clear benefits it brings. These include choice of doctor, choice of hospital, and greater control over how soon the surgery can occur.

"This trend has been reflected in Medibank Private's hospital admission figures for 2007/08, which grew by 8 per cent over the previous year. In total we funded 810,000 hospital admissions, and as the Chart Toppers list shows, some of these are very expensive.

"Clearly the only way for most Australians to afford these type of medical procedures in a private hospital is with private health insurance", Mr Bosworth observed.

During 2006/07 Medibank Private spent $2.13 billion in benefit payments for hospital treatment. Overall the fund paid out $2.9 billion in hospital and ancillary benefits, an increase of 8.7 per cent on the previous year.

About Medibank Private:

Medibank Private is the largest Australian-owned provider of private health insurance covering more than three million people. Medibank Private offers health insurance to all Australians through retail and corporate products, as well as catering for overseas students and visitors.

Medibank Private has a 'Members Choice' network of contracted health providers consisting of over 449 private hospitals and day surgeries and 4,038 ancillary providers nationally. It has approximately 1,500 staff and 105 retail centres nationally, a national call centre and online access at www.medibank.com.au.

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Contact Information Nick Aridas

Medibank Private Health Insurance

http://www.medibank.com.au/

+613-8622-5132

Apply for Free, Youth Grief Support Camp Hosted by Hospice By The Bay in August

Apply for Free, Youth Grief Support Camp Hosted by Hospice By The Bay in August

North Bay, San Francisco, and East Bay children and teens, ages 6 to 17, who are coping with the death of a parent, loved one, or friend are invited to apply for Hospice By The Bay's 2nd annual grief support camp weekend, Camp Erin™ Oakland/Bay Area, which will be held August 21-23, 2009.

Larkspur, CA (Vocus) February 25, 2009 -- North Bay, San Francisco, and East Bay children and teens, ages 6 to 17, who are coping with the death of a parent, loved one, or friend are invited to apply for Hospice By The Bay (http://www.hospicebythebay.org/)'s 2nd annual grief support camp weekend, Camp Erin™ Oakland/Bay Area, which will be held August 21-23, 2009. Attendance is free of charge for campers, and includes accommodations, meals, traditional camp fun, and therapeutic activities. Transportation is provided to and from Marin County to Camp Erin at the beautiful CYO Retreat Center in the Sonoma County Redwoods.

Camper registration is limited, and preference will be given to first-time Camp Erin attendees. For information and an application, contact Hospice By The Bay at CampErin(at)hospicebythebay.org, or (415) 526-5699, ext. 8501. Download an application at the Camp Erin Oakland/Bay Area web site: www.hospicebythebay.org/Calendar/Events.html.

Along with recreational activities such as swimming, hiking, games, and campfires, campers will gain emotional support through therapeutic groups and activities led by professional counselors and an important sense of connection with other youngsters who are experiencing similar feelings of loss. As a previous Camp Erin participant said,

"It really helps to talk with other kids who have gone through a loss and understand how you feel. You don't feel so alone."

Campers will also have opportunities to express their feelings about the loss of their loved ones and learn ways to cope with their grief. A study by Ewalt & Perkins suggests that approximately 90 percent of youngsters will experience the loss of a family member or close friend before finishing high school. Research also indicates these children are at a much greater risk for depression, suicide, poverty, and substance abuse.

Hospice By The Bay (http://www.hospicebythebay.org/), a non-profit, regional hospice and palliative care organization, has long recognized that children need grief support different than that for adults. As part of its Youth Bereavement Program, which offers youth a full range of counseling services, Hospice hosted its first Youth Bereavement Camp in 2001.

Hospice hosts Camp Erin Oakland/Bay Area in partnership with The Moyer Foundation (http://www.moyerfoundation.org), which supplied partial grant funding for annual camps through 2018. The Seattle-based foundation was established by Major League All-Star pitcher Jamie Moyer and his wife Karen with a long-term goal of establishing 50 camps nationwide to support grieving children in cities with Major League Baseball teams. This year, 28 Camp Erin weekends will be held in 18 states. The foundation's Campaign for Kids is a national fundraising effort to continue to expand Camp Erin across the country.

The Oakland Athletics and A's third baseman Eric Chavez and his wife Alex are advocates for Camp Erin Oakland/Bay Area. Michael Crowley, Oakland Athletics President, says, "The Oakland A's organization is honored to be a part of The Moyer Foundation and its efforts to support grieving children through its Camp Erin efforts in the Bay Area, we would like to thank Jamie and Karen Moyer on their vision and dedication to such a worthy cause."

A co-sponsor of the 2009 Camp Erin is The CYO Retreat Center (http://www.cyocamp.org/retreatcenter/), a 216-acre facility in the redwoods, with a private lake, playing fields, two pools, and heated cabins. Hospice By The Bay requests that individuals and other businesses who wish to support Camp Erin through their tax-deductible financial or in-kind donations contact its Director of Development at (415) 526-5500 or donate online at www.hospicebythebay.org.

Hospice By The Bay, which serves Marin, San Francisco, Northern San Mateo, and Sonoma counties, is dedicated to providing the highest quality of end-of-life care to patients and their families regardless of their ability to pay. Hospice By The Bay also serves people whose lives have been affected by the loss of a loved one through its community grief support program.

Hospice By The Bay is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has been serving the Bay Area since 1975. Hospice By The Bay programs are funded through health care reimbursement and financial and in-kind donations from community members and businesses. For more information about Hospice By The Bay's care or to make a donation to support our work, call (415) 927-2273, or visit www.hospicebythebay.org.

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Contact Information Erin Henke

Hospice By The Bay

http://www.hospicebythebay.org

415-927-2273

Carla Mills, ARNP, Outlines Nurse Practitioner Rescue Plan for Health Care System in New Column for NP World News

Carla Mills, ARNP, Outlines Nurse Practitioner Rescue Plan for Health Care System in New Column for NP World News

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are poised and ready to take a leading role in health care reform, says Carla Mills (http://www.maverickhealth.com/about/), author of the award-winning health book (http://www.maverickhealth.com/smarthealthchoices/) A Nurse Practitioner's Guide to Smart Health Choices and founder of Maverick Health. Her new column, "NPs on the Edge," in NP World News (http://www.webnp.net/npwn08.html) will highlight the ways in which NPs can guide people to smart choices that will reduce their health risks.

(PRWEB) February 25, 2009 -- Carla Mills, author of A Nurse Practitioner's Guide to Smart Health Choices (http://www.maverickhealth.com/smarthealthchoices) and founder of Maverick Health, will write a new column for NP World News (NPWN) titled "NPs on the Edge." The Jan/Feb issue of the news magazine for nurse practitioners introduces Ms. Mills by profiling her career and reviewing her award-winning book, A Nurse Practitioner's Guide to Smart Health Choices. Starting with the Mar/Apr issue, her column will outline a NP rescue plan for a troubled health care system.

"With our health care system in crisis, it is more important than ever for Nurse Practitioners to take a leading role in health care reform. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to communicate with fellow NPs in NP World News." says Carla Mills. "NP Communications has long been a respected publisher for the nurse practitioner profession. It is a great honor to have the quality and importance of my book recognized by such a respected publisher.

In her NP World News column, Ms. Mills will be sharing her views on the role of nurse practitioners in health care reform as well as her common sense approach to reducing the burden of chronic diseases on both individuals and society. She will explain why NPs are the perfect primary care providers to help people make smart choices and choose behavioral changes that will significantly reduce their risk for developing major diseases long before symptoms ever appear.

"Carla Mills has written a book to make all NPs proud. A Nurse Practitioner's Guide to Smart Health Choices is a well written, how-to manual for those contemplating a lower-risk lifestyle. Carla captures completely the holistic, integrated orientation unique to NP practice. Included in this tremendous work are the major lifestyle and behavioral causes of disease, disability, and premature death - plus action steps that help you stick to lifestyle changes you choose." writes NPWN's Eileen T. O'Grady.

In 2008, Ms. Mills' book was named a National Best Book in Health: Medical Reference by USA Book News and was also a winner in the Health Category of the National Indie Excellence Book Award. In addition, it was a finalist in the Health/Wellness Category of the Next Generation Indie Book Awards. A Nurse Practitioner's Guide to Smart Health Choices is available for purchase exclusively online at www.maverickhealth.com. The Maverick Health Blog expands on the book to keep readers up to date on the national treatment guidelines for the most common health risks (http://www.maverickhealth.com/blog) and other timely health issues.

About Maverick Health

Maverick Health is dedicated to creating a health care system to complement the country's current sick care system. Its mission is to reduce chronic diseases and prevent catastrophic health events in both individuals and populations. Taking a very practical and measurable approach, Maverick Health teaches people with no prior medical knowledge how to effectively and efficiently manage their own health and health care. The cornerstone of its approach is outlined in the award winning book, A Nurse Practitioner's Guide to Smart Health Choices.

About Carla Mills, ARNP

Carla Mills, ARNP, has been a practicing clinician for more than 20 years. She is also a writer, entrepreneur, and a dynamic speaker who can offer insights on a variety of health care topics that address the role that wellness and illness play on both a personal and professional level. For more information, visit www.maverickhealth.com.

About NP Communications

NP Communications (http://www.webnp.net/) is a leading publisher that has served the Nurse Practitioner profession for over 15 years. In addition to publishing NP World News, NP Communications also publishes two peer reviewed professional journals. The American Journal of Nurse Practitioners includes articles of clinical relevance to NP clinicians and Women's Health Care is the official journal of NPWH (Nurse Practitioner's in Women's Health). As publishers, Louise and George Young have brought together key thought leaders within the NP profession and seen to it that their ideas are widely propagated. As friends of NPs, they have served tirelessly over the years on boards and committees helping NPs become more visible, better organized and better understood by both consumers and lawmakers.

# # #

Contact Information Charles Epstein

Backbone Inc.

561-470-0965

Bumrungrad International Hospital Won 1st Place as "Best Website for International Medical Travel"

Bumrungrad International Hospital Won 1st Place as "Best Website for International Medical Travel"

Bumrungrad International hospital - www.bumrungrad.com, won 1st Place as "Best Website for International Medical Travel" at the 2008 Consumer Health World Awards event in the US capitol. Bumrungrad.com is a hospital website serving international audiences, Thais, and expatriates. The Award organizers said the site "makes it easy for prospective patients to find the information they are interested in, provide an efficient way to make inquiries and request appointments, and provide information to help international medical travelers understand how to get care at Bumrungrad."

Bangkok, Thailand (PRWEB) February 24, 2009 -- Bumrungrad International (http://www.bumrungrad.com) won 1st Place as "Best Website for International Medical Travel" at the 2008 Consumer Health World Awards event in the US capitol.

Bumrungrad.com is a hospital website serving international audiences, Thais, and expatriates. The Award organizers said the site "makes it easy for prospective patients to find the information they are interested in, provide an efficient way to make inquiries and request appointments, and provide information to help international medical travelers understand how to get care at Bumrungrad."

JWT Connect, Bangkok, helped the hospital redesign its home page, focusing on audience segmentation and content architecture, earlier this year.

The award adds to a list of honors (http://www.bumrungrad.com/hospital-news.aspx) achieved by Bumrungrad in 2008, including "Thailand's Most Innovative Company" by Chulalongkorn University's School of Business; top medical tourism destination (Tourism Authority of Thailand); top Thai company for quality of products and services (Asian Wall Street Journal); and excellence in information technology (Assoc. of Medical Directors of Information Systems).

About Bumrungrad International

Bumrungrad International (http://www.bumrungrad.com), is Southeast Asia's premier private hospital and a regional referral center for advanced care, offering 554 beds, 30 specialty centers, 940 medical specialists and over 800 nurses. It is Asia's first JCI accredited hospital and serves more than one million patients yearly from 190 different countries.

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Contact Information Mr. Kaorop Wongprasert

Bumrungrad International Hospital

http://www.bumrungrad.com

+66-2-667-2212

Bederra Corporation Launches New Billing Services Division Expected to Add up to $500,000 in Revenue

Bederra Corporation Launches New Billing Services Division Expected to Add up to $500,000 in Revenue

Bederra Corporation (Pink Sheets: BEDA), a medical imaging and diagnostic Company launches new Physician Billing Services Division to provide small and medium sized doctor groups out sourced billing services as part of its commitment to synergistically diversify the company's business.

Houston, TX (PRWEB) February 24, 2009 -- Bederra Corporation (http://www.bederra.com) (Pink Sheets: BEDA), a medical imaging and diagnostic Company launches new Physician Billing Services Division to provide small and medium sized doctor groups out sourced billing services as part of its commitment to synergistically diversify the company's business.

Bederra Corporation (http://www.bederra.com), through its Lumar Imaging, Inc. subsidiary, has experienced staff that has been providing these services on a limited basis to select physicians. The new division is not only expected to generate new cash flow for the company, but will also increase the number of future physician referrals leading to additional revenue.

In today's market, many physicians have difficulty in navigating the constantly changing rules of Insurance providers, Medicare and Medicaid billing. Qualified individuals necessary to perform these services are in high demand and in short supply. Bederra has cultivated these types of professionals for years with careful training and will now offer those services to private practices.

Four percent of all insurance claims for services are rejected by insurance companies. Ninety-five percent of those rejected claims are due to input errors or incomplete information on the claim form. Millions of dollars per year go uncollected by physician's practices due to these errors. By correcting previous errors, and pursuing new monies generated, Bedderra can grow the working relation of the MRI practice and the private practice physician.

"Due to this demand for greater services, the company plans to offer this service to more physicians with the net effect of obtaining greater market penetration for its diagnostic imaging services and creating an additional profit center that will increase the overall company's sales and profits," stated Graham Williams, CEO of Bederra.

About Bederra Corp. (http://www.bederra.com):

Bederra Corporation (http://www.bederra.com), through its wholly owned subsidiaries Diagnos, Inc. and Lumar Imaging, Inc., provides multiple modality diagnostic medical imaging services to the greater Houston area and the world famous Texas Medical Center. The Company's business strategy is to continue to expand its current operations and seek out additional acquisitions that will complement its core offerings.

Under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The statements in the press release that relate to the company's expectations with regard to the future impact on the company's results from new products and services in development, including any planned acquisitions, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The results anticipated by any or all of these forward-looking statements may not occur. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes in the Company's plans or expectations.

Contact:                        

Bederra Corp.                    

info (at) bederra (dot) com

Investor Relations

Mark Jones

281-920-0955

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Contact Information Mark Jones

Bederra Corporations

http://www.Bederra.com

281-920-0955

Singapore Offers Hope to Patients with Facial Paralysis

Singapore Offers Hope to Patients with Facial Paralysis

To date, NUH remains the only medical center in the region apart from Australia that possesses the capability of performing the facial reanimation operation. The entire operation costs around US$6,500 and is relatively risk free.

Singapore (PRWEB) February 24, 2009 -- Singapore's willingness to try new and novel ways of performing hitherto complicated surgeries has given a new lease of life to countless hundreds who suffer from facial paralysis (http://www.singaporemedicine.com/healthcaredest/healthcaredest1.asp).

"A paralysis of the face severely hinders a person's ability to engage in social interaction. Even day to day activities like talking may be a problem," says Associate Professor Lim Thiam Chye, Head of the Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (http://www.singaporemedicine.com/intl_pts_guide/preparation.asp) at the National University Hospital (NUH).

Such a condition is usually caused by trauma to the brain, cancer or stroke. According to A/P Lim, who also teaches at the National University of Singapore, patients who suffer from paralysis of the face could benefit from a procedure called facial reanimation (http://www.singaporemedicine.com/leadingmedhub/leadingmedhub1.asp).

The surgical process, which was first engineered by Professor Wayne Morrison in Australia about two years ago, is surprisingly simple.

"The traditional method of facial reanimation involved a number of complicated surgeries. Now, patients at NUH are able to undergo a face-lifting procedure to elevate the facial tissues that have dropped down.

"The next step is to harvest a strip of fascia or tendon from the upper thigh. Only about 10cm is required. This works as a sling which is used to connect the facial skin to the temporalis muscle. By giving this muscle an alternative function, we help to reanimate the facial tissues in one single procedure," explains A/P Lim.

Patients will start moving the facial tissues by the end of the first week following surgery, says Dr Ong Wei Chen, a fellow Consultant at NUH.

To date, NUH remains the only medical center (http://www.singaporemedicine.com/hcp/hcp1.asp) in the region apart from Australia that possesses the capability of performing such an operation. The department has been doing about six cases a month for the past one year.

The goal of facial reanimation is basic, yet important. A patient whose face is paralyzed inevitably has a sad appearance, because the face tends to sag. With surgical help, both expression and symmetry can be restored.

"Facial paralysis is a very distressing condition. When half of your face cannot move, simple things that we take for granted become difficult. For example, the eye cannot close and constantly weeps. The mouth dribbles, the speech is interfered with and even a smile becomes difficult. What we try to do is not a matter of aesthetics. We are not making improvements for vanity's sake. We only seek to give the patient back what he or she has lost through some unfortunate circumstances," stresses A/P Lim.

He cautions, however, that while most trauma, brain cancer and stroke patients could potentially benefit from such a procedure, not all of them will be eligible candidates for facial reanimation.

"The thing about it is this - the patient must be very motivated. What we are grafting here is a voluntary muscle. Unlike the gut for example, which is involuntary and works without you having to consciously tell it to, this procedure works only if the patient consciously activates the muscle, especially in the first few months after surgery."

A/P Lim advises his patients to "practice smiling" in front of the mirror regularly, until such time when the act comes naturally and easily.

"The facial sling basically helps to pull the corner of the mouth upwards, resulting in a smile of sorts. This is achieved when the patient bites down on his teeth," he explains.

The entire facial reanimation operation costs around US$6,500 (http://www.singaporemedicine.com/healthcaredest/sg.asp) and is relatively risk free. Most patients would not need hospitalization beyond a couple of days.

"People whose faces are paralyzed are virtually social cripples. They are unwilling and even ashamed to go out or attend social functions. Hopefully, this procedure will restore their confidence and their social life," he says.

About the National University Hospital (NUH)

NUH is a specialist hospital that provides advanced, leading-edge medical care. Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities as well as dedicated and well-trained staff, NUH is a major referral centre that delivers tertiary care for a wide range of medical specialties. In 2004, NUH became the first Singapore hospital to receive accreditation by the Joint Commission International (JCI), an international stamp for excellent clinical practices in patient care and safety. It was also the first hospital in Singapore to receive a triple ISO certification concurrently for Quality, Environmental, and Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems. (www.nuh.com.sg)

About the NUH Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Center

The NUH Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Center (http://www.singaporemedicine.com/hcp/intl_pts_svcs_ctr.asp) is a one-stop clinic providing comprehensive and customized aesthetics and medical treatments for patients suffering from any medical or surgical conditions affecting the face and body. The Center seeks to help individuals find solutions for their cosmetic concerns using surgical or non-invasive surgical methods.

About SingaporeMedicine

Launched in 2003, SingaporeMedicine is a multi-agency government-industry partnership committed to strengthening Singapore's position as Asia's leading medical hub and international health care destination (http://www.singaporemedicine.com/). Led by the Ministry of Health of Singapore, SingaporeMedicine is supported by three government agencies: the Economic Development Board, which develops industry capabilities, the International Enterprise Singapore, which fosters regionalism by Singapore-based health care players, and the Singapore Tourism Board, which markets Singapore as a healthcare destination to inbound international patients and develops associated people-oriented services. (www.singaporemedicine.com)

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Contact Information Felicia Tan

Singapore Tourism Board - Singapore Medicine

http://www.singaporemedicine.com/

+65 6831-3505

Ugandan Children Receive Life-Saving Treatment For Heart Defects At Children's National Medical Center

Ugandan Children Receive Life-Saving Treatment For Heart Defects At Children's National Medical Center

Through partnership with Samaritan's Purse and Gift of Life, patients travel to United States **Media Note: Patients will be at Children's National for farewell visit on Tuesday, February 24**

Washington, DC --On February 12, two Ugandan children received life-saving procedures at Children's National Medical Center (http://www.childrensnational.org/?utm_source=pressrelease&utm_medium=2_23&utm_campaign=uganda) to correct severe heart defects. Without cardiac surgery, the young boys would likely have died before adulthood, but they now have a normal life expectancy.

As part of the Phase I of a global initiative to bring attention to the health needs of Ugandan children, 15-month-old Daniel Kamaramasu and 2 ½-year-old Allan Wassanyi traveled 5,000 miles to receive treatment unavailable at home. Daniel, who was born with a blocked valve between his heart and lungs, was successfully treated using a cardiac catheterization balloon procedure by Michael Slack, MD (http://www.childrensnational.org/FindADoctor/Doctor_Marqui.aspx?DocId=470&Name=Michael%20Slack?utm_source=pressrelease&utm_medium=2_23&utm_campaign=uganda). Allan, who had a very large hole in his heart, underwent successful open heart surgery by Richard Jonas, MD (http://www.childrensnational.org/FindADoctor/Doctor_Marqui.aspx?DocID=1195&Name=Richard%20Jonas?utm_source=pressrelease&utm_medium=2_23&utm_campaign=uganda).

The boys came to Children's National through a partnership with international relief organization Samaritan's Purse, Gift of Life International (GOLI), and other organizations. Through this partnership, pediatric cardiologist Craig Sable, MD (http://www.childrensnational.org/FindADoctor/Doctor_Marqui.aspx?DocId=424&Name=Craig%20Sable?utm_source=pressrelease&utm_medium=2_23&utm_campaign=uganda) has led seven medical missions to Uganda in an effort to provide treatment for patients and ultimately build a sustainable cardiac surgery program in Uganda. More than 100 children have received life-saving treatment since the program began in 2003.

"With the dedication of organizations like Samaritan's Purse and Gift of Life, patients from around the world have access to the expert pediatric care that is available to children in the United States," said Dr. Sable.

Added Cindy Bonsall, director of Samaritan's Purse's Children's Heart Project: "We're glad this partnership has enabled so many Ugandan children to receive the cardiac care they deserve. We're glad they will be returning home soon with a second chance at life."

A key component of the missions to Uganda has been training Ugandan surgeons. Through training provided by Dr. Sable and colleagues, Ugandan surgeons are now on the verge of doing simple cardiac procedures on their own. Dr. Sable directs the Telemedicine Program at Children's National, which provides training and educational opportunities around the world.

The groups have joined forces to implement "Our Hearts Are In Uganda," which will focus all of GOLI's efforts in Uganda. The first phase of the program included treatment for Daniel, Allan, and three other children at hospitals in the United States. The next phase will bring 25 more Ugandan children to hospitals throughout the world to receive life-saving treatment for heart defects.

"We have saved the lives of more than 10,000 children, and through this partnership, we hope to expand our reach, to ultimately create a program in Uganda to ensure that all the children have access to the medical care they need," said Lou del Rosario, vice chairman of GOL District 7230, who was instrumental in raising funds for Allan's operation.

MEDIA NOTE: The patients will be returning to Children's National for a farewell visit on Tuesday, February 24. The patients and Dr. Craig Sable will be available for interviews. Contact Emily Dammeyer or Jenn Leischer at 202-476-4500.

About Children's National Medical Center (http://www.childrensnational.org/about/?utm_source=pressrelease&utm_medium=2_23&utm_campaign=uganda)

Children's National Medical Center, located in Washington, DC, is a proven leader in the development of innovative new treatments for childhood illness and injury. Children's has been serving the nation's children for more than 135 years. Children's National is proudly ranked among the best pediatric hospitals in America by US News & World Report and the Leapfrog Group. For more information, visit www.childrensnational.org.

About Samaritan's Purse

Samaritan's Purse identifies children needing life-saving heart treatment through its' Children's Heart Project. The international relief organization identifies children overseas who need heart surgery, matches them with hospitals and specialists willing to donate their time and services, places them with a local host family, and arranges international travel and an interpreter. More than 550 children from nine countries have been brought to North America for medical and surgical care not available in their home countries.

About Gift of Life International

Gift of Life is a Rotary based program in more than 50 Rotary Clubs and Districts on 6 continents. GOLI aims to save as many children's lives as possible by providing life saving open heart surgery to children from infancy to 18 years of age with congenital heart defects. GOLI has been responsible for saving more than 10,000 lives during the past 33 years.

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Contact Information Emily Dammeyer

Children's National Medical Center

http://www.childrensnational.org

202-476-4500

The Challenge of Engaging and Motivating Employees in A Tough Economy: New eBook Details How to Drive Revenue by Keeping People Engaged

The Challenge of Engaging and Motivating Employees in A Tough Economy: New eBook Details How to Drive Revenue by Keeping People Engaged

A new free eBook, titled "Fully Engaged! Essential People Strategies for Tough Times," has just been released by Interaction Associates. Filled with practical advice and practical strategies for motivating employees, it is available for free download at www.interactionassociates.com.

Cambridge, MA (PRWEB) February 23, 2009 -- The latest in a popular series of eBooks from leading performance improvement and collaboration firm, Interaction Associates (IA), focuses on how fully engaged employees drive revenue in a tough economy. The eBook shows how to boost employee productivity (http://www.interactionassociates.com), and also provides practical strategies for motivating employees (http://www.interactionassociates.com) through greater employee engagement.

The eBook, titled "Fully Engaged! Essential People Strategies for Tough Times," has just been released by Interaction Associates. It is available for free download at www.interactionassociates.com.

"Fully Engaged! makes a strong, data-driven case for employee engagement and how it's critical for driving increased revenue in this economy," said Linda Dunkel, President and CEO of Interaction Associates. "Engaged employees bring their best selves to work every day: they are more passionate, perform better, achieve more, and work smarter than people at companies that don't value employee engagement," added Dunkel.

"Fully Engaged!" takes a solution-oriented approach to the topic of engaging employees, detailing three practical strategies to pursue for a greater level of employee involvement and increased employee productivity (http://www.interactionassociates.com). The three strategies focus on creating greater connection between senior management and employees; stressing transparency to genuinely live company values vs. merely talking about them; and adopting a decision-making structure focused on maximum appropriate involvement by employees in decisions.

"Employee engagement doesn't just happen because management says it's important," added Linda Dunkel. "It requires a disciplined approach, but the results are huge: employees who are more involved in the business are engaged at a higher level; they have a higher commitment to their work; they expend greater levels of discretionary effort; and all that drives bigger/better results," said Dunkel.

Fully Engaged! also points to the very real costs of disengaged employees, especially in today's challenging economic climate. "You need all-out effort from employees today, and yet fewer than 1 in 3 employees say they're fully engaged on the job," said Dunkel. Almost 20% of workers in North America claim to be disengaged, according to one study and Gallup statistics put the cost to the U.S. economy of disengagement at roughly $350 billion.

Added Linda Dunkel, "The companies that tap into the power of their people and involve them in decisions that impact the business and their lives - those are the companies that are successful and the ones where everyone wants to work. That's what it's all about for us: getting people fully engaged," she said.

To listen to a podcast about employee engagement strategy based on the eBook Fully Engaged! please go to www.interactionassociates.com.

About Interaction Associates:

Interaction Associates (IA) has nearly 40 years' experience in helping companies find breakthrough solutions to business challenges. Fortune 500 companies, government agencies and nonprofit organizations throughout the world have used IA's integrated management consulting and learning and development services. Interaction Associates helps these enterprises set strategic direction, inspire commitment, and build leadership capabilities, leveraging the power of collaborative action for long-term, sustainable results. Learn more at http://interactionassociates.com/.

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Contact Information MICHAEL TIRRELL

Interaction Associates

http://www.interactionassociates.com

312-945-5639

Two QHR Management Clients Celebrate "Trustee of the Year" Wins

Two QHR Management Clients Celebrate "Trustee of the Year" Wins

Gritman Medical Center and Rhea Medical Center Leaders Honored by Modern Healthcare

Brentwood, Tenn. (PRWEB) February 23, 2009 -- B.J. Swanson, chairman of the Board of Trustees at Gritman Medical Center in Moscow, Idaho, and Bob Carty, former board member at Rhea Medical Center in Dayton, Tennessee, have been presented 2009 Trustee of the Year awards by Modern Healthcare (http://www.modernhealthcare.com). The awards were announced in this week's issue of Modern Healthcare. Mr. Carty's award is being given posthumously.

"These awards are significant because they celebrate excellence in healthcare governance, which is critical to a hospital's success," said QHR (http://www.qhr.com) President and CEO James L. Horrar. "That B.J. and Bob were chosen from a field of 64 trustees, representing hospitals of varying sizes nationwide, says so very much about their dedication to and love for their respective hospitals."

B.J. Swanson has been a member of Gritman Medical Center's 10-member board of trustees since 1984. She was named board chair in 2001 and since then has guided the hospital through a series of changes and challenges, including the hospital's conversion to critical access hospital status in 2004, a debilitating flood in 2007, and, most recently, an $18 million new hospital expansion project.

"It's been my privilege and honor to have worked with B.J. during my nine years as president and CEO of Gritman Medical Center. Our hospital enjoys a favorable reputation throughout this region, and much of the reason for this is B.J. and her leadership," said hospital President and CEO Jeff Martin. "We are so excited and proud to see her recognized in this special way."

Bob Carty served on the board of trustees at Rhea Medical Center for nearly 20 years. He was chairman of the Finance/Strategic Planning Committee from 1991 until the time of his death in April 2008.

"Bob was a brilliant professional with a great community spirit; a fine Christian man," said Rhea Medical Center CEO Kenneth Croom. "He put all of his energy into hospital issues, even though it became more and more difficult for him to participate. He was a wonderful man and a great friend."

QHR (http://www.qhr.com) (Quorum Health Resources) has provided consulting, management and education resources to hospitals and health systems for three decades. QHR is the market leader in hospital management, with more than 150 current multi-year clients across the U.S. As a consulting resource, QHR is among the 15 largest healthcare management consulting firms in the U.S., and the QHR Learning Institute trains over 8,000 healthcare professionals each year. For more information, go to www.qhr.com.

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Contact Information Laura Alabed

Quorum Health Resources

http://www.qhr.com

615-371-4975

Many Hospitals Move to Color Coding Departments and Staff Members; blue sky scrubs Works to Accommodate the Many Requests

Many Hospitals Move to Color Coding Departments and Staff Members; blue sky scrubs Works to Accommodate the Many Requests

Recently, many hospitals have made a shift in uniform requirements. blue sky scrubs is working diligently to ensure that all of their clients who work in a hospital setting and are required to wear certain colors are able to order those colors from blue sky scrubs. blue sky scrubs is also offering a free scrub top to clients who order a scrub cap (details below.)

Austin, TX (PRWEB) February 21, 2009 -- Recently, many hospitals such as those in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, NM have made a shift in uniform requirements. Where nurses used to greet their pediatric patients with cheery Scooby Doo scrub tops, which would show that they are amicable and friendly to the children in that ward, they are now often required to wear one assigned solid color or a combination of two colors. While many would think this may stifle individuality, it has become a decision that many doctors, nurses, and other medical professional respect and support. Additionally, the patients are relieved by the changes as well. There aren't too many places people go that create the same level of anxiety and stress -- before even stepping inside -- as does a hospital. Having each department instantly recognizable helps the patient have confidence in the medical care he or she is about to receive.

Medical scrubs promote a clean, crisp image and first impressions are very important, not only in personal and business settings, but also in a hospital where a patient should feel as relaxed and at ease as is possible. Having the ability to distinguish between nurses, doctors, and other staff is key in easing a patient's mind and allowing for them to feel safe knowing who is caring for them and who to call on when they need medical attention.

Hospitals have made these changes not only for the patient's benefit, but also for the benefit of the staff. Choosing a nursing uniform is part of a medical professional's career that has immediate affects on those they work with as well as those they work around. For example, in emergency situations, the new requirement to wear color coordinated nursing scrubs can immediately give nurses and their colleagues a visual cue, alerting them to who they can call on for assistance even if they don't know their coworkers.

Nursing scrubs have been a significant part of the nursing field for over a century. Modern-day medical scrubs do not stop at functionality and are much more practical for today's faster paced society. Hospitals realize that a nurse is usually the first person someone sees when they enter the hospital, and often the last person they see on their way out. Having the new color requirement ensures the image hospitals are wanting to maintain and allowing nurses and other medical professional to be at ease knowing they are wearing the "right thing." Labor and Delivery Nurse Mary Elias says, "When I am getting ready for work, the last thing I need to think about is whether or not something looks 'good' on me or if it's not comfortable or if it matches. It's nice that the hospital where I work has chosen the color for me, as that's one less thing to think about in a very hectic and stressful department. All of my attention needs to be devoted to my patients and none of my attention needs to be worrying about what I am wearing." Elias also says, "Don't get me wrong - I do like to look and feel good at work, so I sometimes throw a little style in the mix and splurge on a pair of blue sky scrubs (http://www.blueskyscrubs.com), instead of always wearing the scrubs the hospital provides."

At most hospitals, as long as the color is correct, the brand is the decision of the employee. However, many of these colors are not offered by all scrub manufacturers. blue sky scrubs CEO David Marquardt says, "Our clients decide our products. We have recently added to our scrub line many new colors, all of which have been suggestions from our clients. We are hoping to offer all of the colors requested by the end of the year." blue sky scrubs did not previously offer Royal Blue, a color required by Memorial Hermann in Houston, TX, but thanks to the many email requests from medical personnel, blue sky scrubs now carries the color. Another color request was "O.R. Green" or "Surgical Green," which is one of blue sky scrubs' most recent additions, thanks to the many requests from the Emergency Room staff at Brackenridge Hospital in Austin, TX. Pine Green (also called Hunter green), and Pink and Turquoise (for the staff members who work on a Labor and Delivery team in Houston, TX) are also colors requested by staff members who are required to be color-coded. When asked if there were any other pending scrub colors, Marquardt answered, "We have recently had a number of requests for 'Caribbean Blue' and, of all colors I would not have expected to offer, white. We are hoping to find our special fabric in Caribbean Blue and we are also hoping to find a white fabric that is resistant to stains." Marquardt also said, "blue sky scrubs is constantly working to ensure that everyone who orders our scrubs is 100% satisfied."

If you would like to receive a free scrub top with purchase, visit www.blueskyscrubs.com and add both a scrub hat and a Simple scrub top to your cart. During checkout, enter code BS1ST40 and your cart will be deducted the price of the Simple scrub top. This offer is good through February 28, 2009.

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Contact Information Andrea Mueller

blue sky scrubs

http://www.blueskyscrubs.com

512-420-9018

FORTUNE's Best Places to Work Recognizes OhioHealth

FORTUNE's Best Places to Work Recognizes OhioHealth

Central Ohio hospital system claims 2nd highest rank among healthcare systems and the top spot for Ohio-based organizations on FORTUNE's list.

Columbus, OH (PRWEB) February 20, 2009 -- OhioHealth announced today that it has been named one of the country's "100 Best Companies to Work For" by FORTUNE magazine (http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/bestcompanies/2009/) for 2009. This is the third year in a row that OhioHealth has earned the award, reaching #19 in this year's ranking.

OhioHealth was the highest ranked organization in Ohio and the second highest ranked healthcare system (http://www.ohiohealth.com/homepage.cfm) in the nation.

OhioHealth ranking at a glance:

•    OhioHealth is ranked #19 on the list.

•    OhioHealth is ranked #2 for large healthcare systems nationwide.

•    OhioHealth is the highest ranked organization in Ohio. There are five other Ohio organizations on this year's list.

•    OhioHealth is ranked #10 as a large organization.

"We are again honored by FORTUNE's recognition of OhioHealth as one of the best places to work," said Dave Blom, president and CEO of OhioHealth. "It is an affirmation that, together, we have built a strong culture and a healthy work environment that ultimately results in better care for our patients. It is a tribute to our people -- nurses, physicians, staff and volunteers -- to have their work validated by a third party through such a rigorous process. Together, we can take great pride in the work of our associates and all our roles in achieving this award."

FORTUNE magazine's continued recognition of OhioHealth as an employer of choice each year goes beyond the people who are directly involved with patient care. Administrative staff, maintenance, environmental service workers and all of the people who work behind the scenes help contribute to the positive culture that exists at OhioHealth. And it is that positive culture, and OhioHealth's recognition of their service that has helped OhioHealth be successful and to provide thousands of Ohio jobs (http://www.ohiohealth.com/landing.cfm?id=18&fr=true) in our community.

"Every one of our associates contributes to make OhioHealth a great place to work," said Paul Patton, senior vice president of Human Resources and Organizational Development (Interim). "By sharing their talents and skills and modeling the OhioHealth values of compassion, excellence, integrity and stewardship with patients, families and each other, we have created a culture that people want to be a part of. Ultimately, that translates to compassionate and extraordinary patient care and that is the true bottom line for us."

How FORTUNE Picks the 100 Best:

To pick the "100 Best Companies to Work For," FORTUNE works with the Great Place to Work® Institute-a global research and consulting firm with offices in 30 countries-to conduct the most extensive employee survey in corporate America.

More than 81,000 employees from 353 organizations responded to the 57-question survey created by the Institute. Two-thirds of an organization's score is based on the survey, which is sent to a minimum of 400 randomly selected employees. The remaining third is based on an organization's responses to the Culture Audit questionnaire, which asks detailed questions about demographics, pay and benefits, and open-ended questions on philosophy, communication and more.

About OhioHealth:

Named by FORTUNE Magazine as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" in 2007, 2008 and 2009, OhioHealth is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit, charitable, healthcare organization serving and supported by the community. Based in Columbus, Ohio, it is a family of 17 hospitals, 23 health and surgery centers, home-health providers, medical equipment and health service suppliers throughout a 40-county area. OhioHealth hospitals in central Ohio are Riverside Methodist Hospital, Grant Medical Center, Doctors Hospital, Grady Memorial Hospital and Dublin Methodist Hospital. For more information, please visit our Web site at http://www.ohiohealth.com/.

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Contact Information Mark Hopkins

OhioHealth

http://www.ohiohealth.com/

614-544-4248

Endoscopy Systems Market to Reach $4.5 Billion by 2015, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Endoscopy Systems Market to Reach $4.5 Billion by 2015, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

The market for endoscopy systems is projected to reach $4.5 billion by 2015. Growth in this dynamic market is driven by increasing acceptance of endoscopic techniques among physicians, extensive use of endoscopy procedures and technology advancements in areas such as robotics, miniaturization, and imaging.

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) February 19, 2009 -- Endoscopy systems occupy a significant position in the medical device market with applications extending over several areas in medical surgery. The market is driven by an aging population, demand for preventive screening procedures such as colorectal screening, and growing awareness among people towards this medical discipline. Endoscopic procedures are less risky, less painful, and involve lesser patient recovery period, when compared to traditional methods. Owing to escalating opportunities and demand for Minimally Invasive Endoscopy Surgery (MIES) procedures, several medical equipment manufacturers are focusing on developing products that are highly capable of offering minimally invasive surgeries.

US, Japan, and Europe comprise the largest markets, accounting for a major share of the global endoscopy systems market (http://www.strategyr.com/Endoscopy_Systems_Market_Report.asp), as stated in a recent report published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc. Asia-Pacific with increasing penetration of endoscopy procedures represents a potential market for endoscopy systems with CAGR of 5.8% for the next few years. An expanding chronically ill and aging population, improvements in endoscopy technologies and advancements in minimally invasive surgery technologies are driving the endoscopes (http://www.strategyr.com/Endoscopy_Systems_Market_Report.asp) market in the region. Globally, the market for Visualization equipment (http://www.strategyr.com/Endoscopy_Systems_Market_Report.asp) is largely driven by technological advancements such as high-definition camera systems, NBI, MBI technologies, and advancement in video processing, recording, and communication technologies.

Among the application areas, gastrointestinal endoscopy is rapidly trenching new opportunities with growing demand for initial cancer screening tests that facilitates survival prospects of the patient before the risk of metastasis. The segment is also driven by advancements such as capsule endoscopy, which is finding useful application in imaging the gastrointestinal tract including the small intestine. Growth in the market is expected to be further driven by release of novel products and expanding product indications.

The global marketplace is characterized by presence of players such as Boston Scientific Corporation, Conmed Corporation, Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., Fujinon Corp., Given Imaging, Hoya Corporation, Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG, Medtronic Neurologic Technologies, Olympus Corporation, Richard Wolf Medical Instruments Corporation, Smith & Nephew Plc, and Stryker Corporation.

"Endoscopy Systems: A Global Strategic Business Report", published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc. provides a comprehensive review of major market dynamics, trends, technology advancements, and competition pertaining to the market. The report enumerates recent product introductions/innovations, developments, mergers, acquisitions and other strategic industry activities. Product segments analyzed in the study include Endoscopes and Visualization Equipment. Analysis is presented for the periods 1995-2005 and 2006-2015 for established and emerging markets including the United States, Canada, Japan, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Asia-Pacific and Latin America.

For more details about this research report, please visit http://www.strategyr.com/Endoscopy_Systems_Market_Report.asp

About Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Global Industry Analysts, Inc., (GIA) (http://www.strategyr.com) is a reputed publisher of off-the-shelf market research. Founded in 1987, the company is globally recognized as one of the world's largest market research publishers. The company employs more than 700 people worldwide and publishes more than 880 full-scale research reports each year. Additionally, the company also offers a range of more than 60,000 smaller research products including company reports, market trend reports and industry reports encompassing all major industries worldwide.

Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Telephone 408-528-9966

Fax 408-528-9977

Web Site http://www.StrategyR.com

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Contact Information Public Relations

Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

http://www.StrategyR.com/

(408) 528-9966

Landmark Trial Provides Vital Information for Cardiac Disease Treatment

Landmark Trial Provides Vital Information for Cardiac Disease Treatment

NorthShore University HealthSystem Ted Feldman, M.D., Lead Investigator

Evanston, IL. -- NorthShore University HealthSystem (http://www.northshore.org/) (NorthShore) has played a leading role in a landmark clinical trial comparing two forms of treatment for patients with severe coronary artery disease (CAD). The results were published on-line in this week's issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

The SYNTAX trial was a clinical research study that compared percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents and coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) in patients with three-vessel and left main coronary disease. The trial results did not show any statistically significant differences between PCI and CABG in rates of death or heart attack, an excess of stroke in the CABG treated patients, and a greater need for repeat PCI procedures in the stent treated patients. These are better outcomes for PCI than have been seen in prior trials in less complex patients.

"At NorthShore, we experienced stunning outcomes in patients whose only option would have previously been bypass surgery," said Ted Feldman, M.D, F.S.C.A.I., Director of Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, NorthShore University HealthSystem, and a lead investigator of the trial. "The data in this study will provide cardiologists with additional information as they determine treatment therapy for patients with complex CAD."

The trial is the first randomized, controlled clinical trial to compare these two treatments in patients with left main disease and/or three-vessel disease, who are typically treated with CABG and represent a population with far more complex anatomy and advanced disease than those studied in prior drug-eluting stent (DES) clinical trials.

There were 1,800 patients enrolled in the randomized arm of the trial. All patients were assessed by a multidisciplinary team including an interventional cardiologist and a cardiac surgeon. If both the cardiologist and surgeon felt that they could offer equivalent complete revascularization, patients were randomized 1:1 into one of the two treatment strategies. If either the cardiologist or surgeon felt that one or the other revascularization technique was the preferred option, due to technical considerations or co-morbidity, for example, then patients were recruited into one of two parallel, nested registries for PCI or CABG. Thus, patients in the PCI registry had been rejected for cardiac surgery.

About NorthShore University HealthSystem

Headquartered in Evanston, Ill., NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore) is a comprehensive, fully integrated, healthcare delivery system that serves the greater North Shore and northern Illinois communities. The system includes three Hospitals--Evanston Hospital, Glenbrook Hospital and Highland Park Hospital--and a fourth, Skokie-based Rush North Shore Hospital, to be added in January 2009. In addition, the healthsystem has more than 2,000 affiliated physicians, including a 550-physician, multispecialty physician group practice with over 70 office locations-- NorthShore University HealthSystem Medical Group. Further, NorthShore is committed to excellence in its academic mission and supports teaching and research as the principal teaching affiliate of the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Medicine. The NorthShore University HealthSystem Research Institute, with more than $100 million of grants, focuses on clinical and translational research, including leadership in outcomes research and clinical trials.

NorthShore has annual revenues of $1.5 billion and a staff of more than 8,000. The healthsystem has significant capabilities in a wide spectrum of clinical programs, including cancer, heart, orthopaedics, high-risk maternity and pediatrics. NorthShore is a national leader in the implementation of innovative technologies, including electronic medical records, (EMR ). In 2003, the healthsystem was among the first in the country to successfully launch a systemwide EMR with demonstrable benefits in quality, safety, efficiency and service to patients. NorthShore has been recognized by multiple national organizations for this notable achievement. Visit http://www.northshore.org/

CONTACT: Amy Ferguson

Senior Director, Public Relations

NorthShore University HealthSystem

(847) 570-3146

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Contact Information Amy Ferguson

Northshore University HealthSystem

http://www.northshore.org/

847-570-3146

Dr. Larry Kaskel, Medical Director of the Heart Attack Prevention Center, to Speak March 4th at CardioCareLive about FirstLine Therapy

Dr. Larry Kaskel, Medical Director of the Heart Attack Prevention Center, to Speak March 4th at CardioCareLive about FirstLine Therapy

CardioCareLive, a medical conference that takes place entirely online, announces participation of Dr. Larry Kaskel, Founder and Medical Director of the Heart Attack Prevention Center. Dr. Kaskel to present "Improved Patient Outcomes and Enhanced Revenue with Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes."

Needham, MA (PRWEB) February 18, 2009 -- CardioCareLive (http://www.cardiocarelive.com), the first of its kind online medical conference for primary care physicians and other healthcare professionals who work with patients with cardiometabolic risk factors, today announced Metagenics as an exhibitor at the March 3-4 event. Metagenics will also sponsor a session by Dr. Larry Kaskel, Founder and Medical Director of the Heart Attack Prevention Center, who will speak on "Improved Patient Outcomes and Enhanced Revenue with Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes." Attendees can watch this live video session and have their questions addressed in near real-time by Dr. Kaskel.

CardioCareLive provides an opportunity for healthcare practitioners to learn and interact with leading practitioners and stay informed about new treatments and therapies for patients with cardiovascular risk factors, such as Metagenics' FirstLine Therapy® program. This turn-key therapeutic lifestyle change program is easy to integrate into a practice and enables primary care physicians to provide lifestyle change therapies in a systematic way that is successful for the patient while also a revenue driver for the practice.

"Physicians recognize the need to guide their patients through lifestyle changes in order to achieve better outcomes," said Mike Katke, VP of Medical Marketing for Metagenics. "But time constraints and practice processes make ongoing care of this type challenging. FirstLine Therapy provides a systematic approach to aid patients in implementing lifestyle changes that can be truly successful."

CardioCareLive recognizes the need for time-constrained physicians to stay current with the latest healthcare innovations. The event delivers all the benefits of a physical medical conference, with live keynote presentations, lectures, peer networking and an exhibit floor, from the convenience of a computer. To view a complete list of speakers, agenda, or to register now for free, visit CardioCarelive.com (http://www.CardioCareLive.com).

About CardioCareLive

CardioCareLive, a medical conference that takes place entirely online, enables healthcare practitioners and others interested in understanding and managing cardiometabolic risk factors to learn, connect and interact through powerful Web-based software and services.

CardioCareLive is produced by PlatformQ (http://www.platformq.com), whose mission is to connect people, companies, organizations and associations worldwide to meet, interact and learn from leading experts and thought leaders through proven interactive tools at online events.

CardioCareLive and PlatformQ are trademarks of PlatformQ, LLC. All other trademarks or service marks are property of their respective owners.

About Metagenics

Metagenics, Inc. (http://www.metagenics.com) is a life sciences company and the premier manufacturer and distributor of science-based medical foods, nutraceuticals and therapeutic lifestyle change programs marketed to healthcare professionals. As a leader in the fields of nutrigenomics and functional medicine, healthcare practitioners around the world rely on Metagenics' products and services to help their patients achieve a lifetime of good health.

Press Contact: Sal Giliberto, 617-938-6006.

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Contact Information Martha Collins

PlatformQ, LLC.

http://www.CardioCareLive.com

(617) 938-6008