Birmingham Medical News - Healthcare News of Birmingham for Physicians and the Medical Profession

Shelby Baptist Celebrates 60 Years with New Facilities and Enhanced Services

When a disease touches millions of lives, the silver lining is that it can be easier to find funding for research to prevent or cure it.

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Final Rule Updates CMS PACE Program

CMS recently updated regulations for Programs for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) to strengthen protections for participants and allow more operational flexibility for providers.

CMS Is Adding to Its Enforcement Toolbox

A well-equipped toolbox can be an asset when it comes to demolishing an outdated room in your home in order to allow for a better, newly-improved room to take shape.

Compact License Legislation Opens Alabama to Nurses from Other States

With a stated mission to promote excellence in nursing, the Alabama State Nurses Association (ASNA), seeks to affect policy and promote legislation that will benefit nurses.

Alabama Healthcare Fraud Summit

In September, the FBI, US Attorney's Office, BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama, and several local law firms participated in a full day educational summit focused on healthcare fraud.

Considerable Surprises May Lurk in "No Surprises" Legislation

The term "surprise billing" is used to describe the situation when a patient receives a bill for the difference between the out-of-network provider's fee and the amount covered by the patient's health insurance, after co-pays and deductible.

Shelby Baptist Celebrates 60 Years with New Facilities and Enhanced Services

Cities in Shelby County are among the fastest growing in Alabama. In conjunction with the expanding population, Shelby Baptist Medical Center in Alabaster has undergone upgrades and renovations within the hospital as part of a $10 million capital project which was completed in September in conjunction with the 60^th anniversary of the hospital.

The Dread River - Where Spirits, Beer and Wine Flow

A new business venture has joined Birmingham's successful craft brewing industry on the southside of the city.

Meal Timing Strategies Appear to Lower Appetite, Improve Fat Burning

Researchers at UAB have discovered that meal timing strategies -- like intermittent fasting or eating earlier in the daytime -- appear to help people lose weight.

New Trial of Long-Acting HIV Medication

A new clinical trial led by the National Institutes of Health will evaluate the effectiveness of a long-acting antiretroviral therapy, or ART, combined with conditional economic incentives for patients living with HIV who have had a history of non-adherence to daily oral medication and treatment.

Using Bag-Mask Ventilation During Intubation Improves Outcomes

New research published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that using bag-mask ventilation during intubation improves outcomes and could potentially change the standard of care.

Study: Low-carb Diet Provides Relief from Knee Osteoarthritis

A study conducted at UAB, published in Pain Medicine, shows a low-carbohydrate diet was more effective in reducing pain intensity than a low-fat diet in adults ages 65-75 suffering from osteoarthritis.

Discussions among Physician Groups - Avoiding Antitrust Issues

Driven by Federal Health Care Reform and a desire to remain independent of hospitals and health care systems, physician groups are actively exploring different collaborative and alignment options, including the formation of independent practice associations (IPAs), integrated care networks (ICNs), and participation in accountable care organizations (ACOs).

HHS Issues Final Rule on Conscience Protections

On May 21, 2019, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued the final regulations referred to as the Federal conscience and anti-discrimination laws.

DOJ: EHR Companies Should Consider Themselves on Notice

Make no mistake, the federal government intends to hold health information technology ("HIT") companies accountable for failures to develop HIT in accordance with federal certification standards and compliance with federal fraud and abuse laws, including payments for customer referrals.

HHS Publishes Guidelines on Cybersecurity

This December, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Healthcare & Public Health Sector Coordinating Councils issued voluntary guidelines to assist healthcare providers assess cybersecurity risks and suggestions for mitigating those risks.

Moving the Science Forward

Founded by nurses for nurses, IACRN supports clinical research nurses in their efforts to advocate for clinical trial participants and move medical science forward.

How do We Reduce Violence against Nurses?

Workplace safety is not a concern unique to healthcare institutions, but it is important. And as incidents of violence increase, it's most often nurses who are the victims.

Exploring the Genescape of the Brain

Of all the wonders in creation, perhaps the most amazing can be found in the beauty of a single thought. The ability of the brain to perceive, understand, feel, imagine and remember is as remarkable as it is complex and delicate.a

SRT Treatments for Skin Cancer Available in Birmingham

Birmingham now has access to a non-invasive, low-dose radiation treatment for non-melanoma skin cancer, the most common cancer in humans.

In Search of the Rare Gene

When a disease touches millions of lives, the silver lining is that it can be easier to find funding for research to prevent or cure it.

New Non-invasive Procedure Treats Essential Tremor

Essential tremor is a progressive neurological disease that affects about 10 million people in the United States. There is no known cause for the disease, but now there is an improved, non-invasive treatment option using the new Varian Edge® radiosurgery system, a novel delivery method using a so-called "virtual cone."

The Arrhythmia Institute at Grandview Promotes Care with New Initiatives

With improvements in technology, the physicians at Grandview Medical Center's Atrial Fibrillation Clinic are finding new ways to offer cardiac care to rural and out-of-state patients.

Ashley Ketchum, DO Joins Internal Medicine & Pediatrics of Cullman

Ashley A. Ketchum, DO has joined the Cullman Regional Medical Staff where she will practice with Internal Medicine & Pediatrics of Cullman.

UAB Receives Grant to Address HIV Disparities

Researchers in the UAB Division of Infectious Diseases and the Research Informatics Service Center at the Center for AIDS Research have been chosen as the national program office for HIV Care Connect. The new $7 million, five-year initiative is funded by the Merck Foundation.

Princeton Baptist Medical Center Marks 250th WATCHMAN™ Procedure

The heart team at Princeton Baptist Medical Center recently completed their 250th WATCHMAN™ procedure.

UAB opens Multidisciplinary Endocrine Tumor Clinic

On October 1st, the University of Alabama at Birmingham opened its new Multidisciplinary Endocrine Tumor Clinic. Located on the third floor of The Kirklin Clinic of UAB Hospital, the clinic is a one-stop shop for patients with thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas and adrenal tumors.