Other Helpful Listings

Duluth-based health system bans pharmaceutical logos January 2008

SMDC Health System, based in Duluth, Minnesota, has voluntarily banned pens, notepads, mouse pads, mugs, calculators, and other paraphernalia that display logos from pharmaceutical companies. Such marketing and promotional items will be eliminated and sent to Cameroon in order to preserve professional integrity in prescribing medications, independent of commercial influence. St. Mary's / Duluth Clinic includes 17 clinics and four hospitals in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Star Tribune article Jan. 18, 2008

Guides on Health Problems involving Illegal Activity

Fifty four (54) guides from the Center for Problem-Oriented Policing designed to reduce the harm caused by specific crime problems. Includes guides related to gangs, bullying, bomb threats, drug dealing, underage drinking, child pornography, prostitution, prescription fraud, acquaintance rape, rave parties and more

Minnesota: How Much Does It Cost? (word doc)  

Short document from the Minnesota Council of Health Plans, 2005, displays average charges (from 2003) for nearly 50 common medical treatments (including endoscopy, ear tubes, hysterectomy, tonsillectomy, having a baby, and some prescription drugs), using Minnesota data. An interesting comparison is the cost for the same problem (e.g. sore throat or ear ache), depending on whether the patient seeks office care, urgent care or ER care. This report adds together charges from both the hospital and the physician - not commonly seen in reports of charges. In a time when price data are so difficult to get, this report earns an Editor's Pick as a starting point. After all, did you know that stepping on a rusty nail could cost over $1000, or that a colonoscopy could be a $2000 question?

New York and New Jersey 2008 HMO and Hospital Report Card (nyshaf.org)  

Compare cost and quality ratings for HMOs such as Aetna, AmeriHealth, Blue Choice, CDPHP, CIGNA, Community, Empire, GHI, Health Net, HIP, Independent, MVP, Oxford, Preferred Care, United & Univera side-by-side in NY and NJ, for diabetes, asthma, postpartum care, some cancer care, mental health, antibiotic use for children, low back pain care, Board-certified physicians, monthly health insurance premiums, overall patient satisfaction experience & more. Hospital quality comparisons on heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia and surgical infections also provided for NY hospitals. Inpatient volumes, average length of stay and average price (charges) provided for appendectomy, asthma, maternity (incl. newborn & c-section delivery), chest pain, depressive neuroses, diabetes, gall bladder surgery, heart failure, hip replacement, hysterectomy, stroke, cardiac procedures, pneumonia, and COPD. Some survival ratings. Impressive list of measures, too numerous to mention. Health Care Report Card prepared by the NYS Health Accountability Foundation - a partnership of the NY Business Group on Health and IPRO (the QIO). Dates of data vary; HMO premiums are supposed to be current to the month

Pharmaceutical Companies - Code of Ethics 2009 (pdf)

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) updated its voluntary Code on Interactions with Health Professionals, to be effective in January 2009. The new code eliminates free mugs and pens from drug companies and drug reps, and limits meals; 36 pp.

WA Premera Blue Cross - Medical Clinic Quality & Patient Satisfaction Ratings 2008  

Fifteen (15) clinics participating in Premera Blue Cross' Quality Score Card report quality performance on asthma, breast and cervical cancer screening, diabetes, ear infection and well child visits, heart disease, cholesterol screening, use of generic drugs; patient satisfaction with appointment times, waiting times and overall quality, and more. Clinics: Columbia, Lakeshore, Madrona, Minor & James, MultiCare, Pacific, Pediatric Associates, Physicians (Spokane), Rockwood, Swedish, Everett Clinic, Polyclinic First Hill, UW Medicine Neighborhood, Virginia Mason Medical, and Wenatchee Valley. Washington state including Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Bellevue, Bothell, Bellingham

Warning: Risperdal, Seroquel, Zyprexa & Clozaril (Jan. 2009)

Patients ages 30 to 74 who took atypical antipsychotics such as risperidone (sold as Risperdal), quetiapine (Seroquel), olanzapine (Zyprexa) and clozapine (Clozaril) had significantly higher risk (double) of sudden cardiac death than patients who did not take these medications. Risk of death increased with higher doses of the drugs taken and was similar to the death rate for patients taking typical antipsychotics, including Haldol and Mellaril. Study [Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs and the Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death] published in January 15, 2009 issue of New England Journal of Medicine

Wisconsin Medical Society bans gifts to physicians from health product companies (pdf)

The WI Medical Society adopted a policy that physicians NOT accept gifts of any kind or sort, from health product companies (pharma, medical device, etc.) that provide products doctors might ultimately prescribe to their patients. Banned gifts include food, travel, personal items, office supplies, and payment for online CME participation. Published Oct. 2008