TOP STORIES
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted 510(k) clearance for Roche’s test for C.difficile. Its Cobas Test targets the toxin B gene found in toxigenic C. difficile strains in stool samples from symptomatic patients.
LIFE SCIENCE
When Investment Rhymes with Canada
Canada has a proud history of achievement in the areas of science and technology, and the field of biomanufacturing and life sciences is no exception.
A “smart knife” to identify cancerous brain tumors is being developed by researchers at Imperial College London.
Cybersecurity advice for medical device manufacturers.
A merger between BurnsAdler Pharmaceuticals and Tanner Pharmaceuticals has produced Tanner Pharma Group.
PAYERS-PROVIDERS
We’ve heard of a physician shortage, a nursing shortage, but some Canadian provinces are experiencing a midwife shortage and are having trouble keeping up with demand.
United Health Foundation published its third installment of senior health in the U.S. and looks at senior health issues state by state and nationally. Among the findings: preventable hospitalizations are down 9 percent and hip fractures fell 15 percent. But physical inactivity is up 15 percent.
TECH
Telemedicine provider TrueClinic has inked a deal with HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Utah. It will use TrueClinic’s technology for discharge planning and follow-up care.
It looks like Google may be the latest to unveil an Internet of Things platform at the I/O Developer Conference this week.
POLITICS
Several media reports weigh in on approaching Supreme Court date next month to review the latest challenge to Obamacare, focusing on subsidies for 7.5 million people. Politico explores what’s at stake for Republicans if the justices rule against the subsidies. The New York Times article looks at four words in the 700 page Affordable Care Act law — “established by the state” — that have become the source of so much contention
An Ohio bill would allow doctors to prescribe drugs for sexually transmitted diseases to patients’ partners without examining in a move to reduce infection. Ohio is currently one of four states without laws on the books to do this.
A LITTLE EXTRA
A cuddly bear toy that’s also an anthropomorphic device is the focus of a Google patent application. Its eyes contain hidden cameras and its ears have microphones with the idea that it could automatically translate voice commands that can activate smart TVs, DVRs, DVD players.
The Morning Read provides a 24-hour wrap up of everything else healthcare’s innovators need to know about the business of medicine (and beyond). The author of The Read published it but all full-time MedCity News journalists contribute to its content.
Photo: Stock.xchng user caramdesig
