The VEGF inhibitor fusion protein improved visual acuity in macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion, and was comparable to ranibizumab in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Medscape Medical News
Author: Medscape
Vermont Passes Plan for Universal Healthcare
Legislation passed by the Vermont state legislature today sets up an insurance exchange that could become the basis of a publicly financed health plan available to all its citizens. Medscape Medical News
Partners Who Don’t Pull Their Weight: Here’s the Solution
One physician is slacking off while the rest of you see more patients, take after-hours calls and pitch in when necessary. Find out the best ways to deal with this situation. Medscape Business of Medicine
CMS Removes Credentialing Barrier to Telemedicine
Small hospitals now can grant staff privileges to remote physicians on the basis of their privileges at the hospitals where they work in person. Medscape Medical News
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) 2011 Annual Meeting
Read clinically focused news coverage of key developments from the meeting. Medscape Ophthalmology
Vision Is in the Mouth of the Beholder With Adaptive Device
Coupling a sensor array placed in the mouth with a video camera lets the blind “see” obstacles with their tongues. Medscape Medical News
Treating Mustard Gas-Induced Eye Injuries
Two decades after tens of thousands of Iranian soldiers and civilians were exposed to mustard gas from Iraqi attacks during the Iran-Iraq war, devastation caused by the chemical weapons continues. Reuters Health Information
Avastin as Effective as Costlier Lucentis for AMD
A federally funded study also found that administering either drug on an as-needed basis works about as well as administering it monthly. Medscape Medical News
Watch Out for Staff and Partner Hostility During Clinical Trials
Your colleagues and staff may be annoyed about conducting clinical trials. Here’s how to deal with hidden or overt negative response. CenterWatch
Medicare Quality Bonuses More Than Doubled in 2010
However, the incentive program turns into a penalty program in 2015 for physicians who fail to report their performance on quality measures. Medscape Medical News
Society Introduces Template for Peer Reviewers Uneasy With Stats
Dr. Andrew Vickers provides a template for journal editors who wish to assist totally unqualified peer reviewers. Once again, with apologies to The Onion. Medscape Business of Medicine
The 10 Most Prescribed Drugs
A most-prescribed drug list differs from a list of drugs with biggest market share. WebMD Health News
Nine Drugs Added to FDA Watch List
A drug’s appearance on the watch list does not mean the agency has determined that the drug necessarily causes the adverse event in question. Medscape Medical News
Why Defensive Medicine Won’t Go Away…and Might Become Worse
Defensive medicine is a fact of life, and some of the proposals involved with healthcare reform may keep it alive and well, says this physician. Medscape Business of Medicine
Reporting EHR Meaningful Use for Medicare Bonus Begins Monday
Physicians who qualify as meaningful users of electronic health record systems will receive an extra $18,000 from Medicare this year, as early as May. Medscape Medical News
Congress Votes to Fund Government Through September 30
Lawmakers face harder decisions as they turn to budget proposals for fiscal 2012, long-term plans to reduce the federal deficit, and markedly different approaches to controlling Medicare and Medicaid costs. Medscape Medical News
Deficit Reduction Plan to Implement Feared Cost-Control Tool
The Independent Payment Advisory Board, already unpopular in medical circles, will work with a lower spending target for Medicare and possess more power to enforce spending cuts. Medscape Medical News
Survey Names EHRs Most Likely to Help Physicians Earn Bonus
Many providers believe they will receive a meaningful-use bonus even though they are not using all the necessary EHR software functions, according to a survey by the research firm KLAS. Medscape Medical News
Boing! What to Do When Your Patients’ Checks Bounce
When patients’ checks bounce, should you keep billing them, charge extra fees, or go to collection? Here’s advice on what to do and how to avoid receiving checks that bounce. Medscape Business of Medicine
Physicians Choose Different Treatments for Themselves
Faced with the hypothetical choice of treatment with better chance of survival but greater risk for adverse effects, physicians are more likely to recommend it for patients than choose it themselves. Medscape Medical News