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People in state high-risk insurance plans often feel left behind
The federal health law set up new plans that are cheaper and more comprehensive than the older ones run by states but consumers need to go without insurance for six months to qualify.
Hospital News
New cancer drugs offer hope — but at an often staggering cost
Julie Grabow, an oncologist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, recently prescribed an exciting new therapy for a 60-year-old woman with metastatic breast cancer — Afinitor made by Novartis. There was a catch, though. Novartis is charging $10,000 per month for the drug
Hutch hosts lecture series for the public next month
Next month, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center offers its annual “Science for Life” series in which the center’s top researchers will explain the latest science in a fun and informal atmosphere.
Teens and young adults talk about coping with cancer in new video series
Teens and young adults with cancer talk about their experiences with the disease – from treatments and hair loss, to dealing with school, friends and family.
Seattle Children’s opens urgent-care clinic in Mill Creek
The clinic will provide treatment for children, teens and young adults ages 0-21 needing non-emergency medical care in the evenings, over the weekends and during the holidays.
Washington state program helps vets on Medicaid get their VA benefits
Many veterans on Medicaid qualify for the more generous benefits offered by the VA. Washington state’s program has helped these vets obtain those benefits while a the same time helped reduced costs for the state’s cash-strapped Medicaid program. Two state officials explain how the program works.
Employers, health-care providers team up to cut costs, improve care
“I practiced for 30 years without knowing how long patients waited to see me,” says Dr. Robert Mecklenburg of Seattle’s Virginia Mason. After meeting with employers, “you realize how important it is to see patients when they need to be seen,” Mecklenburg says,. “Any wait is not OK.”
Hospital round trips more common for U.S. heart attack patients
U.S. heart attack patients tend to be sent home sooner than other countries, but were more likely to be back within 30 days. Better post-hospital care may explain why other nations do better.
For hospitals, there’s no app for that
Hospitals are usually eager to embrace the latest medical technology, but the road to deploying tablet computers has been bumpy.
Video: Healthy holiday drinks by Swedish’s Chef Eric Eisenberg
Chef Eric Eisenberg, executive chef at Swedish Medical Center, has come up with some healthy holiday drinks to help those watching their weight get through the season’s celebrations.
How doctors die, Newt’s health care heresies and other top stories of the week
How doctors die (Hint: Not like the rest of us). Can vaccines end cancer? Newt Gingrich’s health-care heresies. Should your doctor take money from drug companies? — This week’s top stories.
Reducing your risk of being injured by a medical error
Errors are often the result of poor coordination within the health care system and poor communication on the part of physicians, nurses and patients. What can you to protect yourself and loved ones?
Without autopsies, hospitals bury their mistakes
Hospital autopsies have become a rarity. As a result, experts say, diagnostic errors are missed, opportunities to improve medical treatment are lost, and health-care statistics are skewed.
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