News

CMS postpones HIPAA operating rules deadline

Enforcement of HIPAA operating rules for transactions has been moved to April, according to a CMS Office of E-Health Standards and Services statement. “Industry feedback suggests that HIPAA-covered entities have not reached a threshold whereby a majority of covered entities would be able to be in compliance with operating rules by Jan. 1, 2013,” according to the agency. BeckersHospitalReview.com (1/4)

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Conflicting HCV screening recommendations spark debate

Controversy arose in 2012 when the CDC recommended that all adults born from 1945 through 1965 be screened for hepatitis C, but the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force made a softer draft recommendation, saying HCV screening should be considered for baby boomers. Forty-five to 85% of adults with chronic HCV are unaware they have the disease, and 76.5% of Americans who have HCV are baby boomers, the CDC says. However, the USPSTF said routinely screening baby boomers would not yield a high benefit. MedPage Today (free registration) (12/27)

ACG note: ACG recently joined interested stakeholders in submitting comments to these proposed USPSTF recommendations. Read the joint letter.

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Doctors can help patients prevent foodborne illnesses

Foodborne illnesses may be becoming more common, but physicians can help prevent outbreaks by talking with their patients about safe food-handling practices, experts say. Properly washing hands, food preparation surfaces and utensils, and fruits and vegetables kills many bacteria that cause gastrointestinal problems. Cooking food to the right temperature, then promptly chilling leftovers also keeps food free of harmful levels of bacteria, and keeping certain foods separated prevents cross-contamination. American Medical News (free content) (12/24)

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CMS to assess preparedness in electronic quality reporting

The CMS on Friday asked hospitals to gauge the feasibility of EHR use for submitting patient-level information on quality measures. The move aims to boost efficiency and limit “the burden associated with hospital collection and submission of patient-level data on clinical quality measures,” the agency stated. Modern Healthcare (subscription required) (12/28)

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Experts compile best-of list from ACG’s conference

A study on the effect of mesalamine granules in patients who have IBS with diarrhea made gastroenterology professor Dr. Brian Bosworth’s list of his favorite work presented at the ACG’s Annual Scientific Meeting earlier this year. Dr. Filippo Cremonini said a study on the effects of linaclotide on symptoms in IBS patients with constipation provides “a set of useful information for clinicians on the mode and timing of onset of the drug’s clinical effect.” Dr. Timothy Gardner found a study of pancreatic cyst fluid following endoscopic ultrasound-guided pancreatic cyst ablation interesting, though he noted some limitations of the research. Gastroenterology & Endoscopy News (12/2012)

ACG Note:

Read the press releases from ACG 2012 and Access the related abstracts

Search all ACG 2012 abstracts

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Agency finalizes tool for assessing EHRs

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT has issued the final 2014 Edition Test Method for EHR certification, featuring 18 sets of test data and 48 test procedures to help vendors and providers evaluate and certify their systems under stage 2 of the meaningful use program. Modern Healthcare (subscription required) (12/17)

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Need for liver transplants rises as patients with HCV age

People born from 1941 to 1960 made up 81% of all new liver transplant registrants who have hepatitis C, University of Colorado researchers reported. Between 2000 and 2010, the number of new liver transplant candidates with hepatitis C and liver cancer increased fourfold in those born from 1941 to 1960, the study said. “Over the coming decade, the aging of those infected with [hepatitis C virus] will challenge the transplant community to reconsider current treatment plans given the projected increase in liver transplantation demand, particularly from patients with [hepatitis C virus] and liver cancer,” said lead author Dr. Scott Biggins. U.S. News & World Report/HealthDay News (12/19)

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Bacteria thought to protect gut may play role in Crohn’s

A study from the University of Aberdeen found Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, bacteria with anti-inflammatory properties thought to protect the gut, may play a role in the development of Crohn’s disease. The study in The American Journal of Gastroenterology found children with Crohn’s had elevated levels of the microbe, and while researchers expressed surprise, they cautioned that more studies are needed. NetDoctor (U.K.) (12/11)

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More hospitals require older doctors to undergo screenings

Some 42% of physicians in the U.S. are older than 55, according to data from the American Medical Association, while 21% are older than 65. With the number of older doctors increasing, some hospitals have adopted policies prompting senior physicians to undergo periodic cognitive and physical assessments in exchange for renewed privileges. The Washington Post/Kaiser Health News (12/10)

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Study links H. pylori gastritis to hyperplastic polyps

U.S. researchers reported in The American Journal of Gastroenterology that hyperplastic polyps are associated with Helicobacter pylori gastritis. Researchers said the risk increased with the stage of the neoplasm, as well as with the size and numbers of adenomas, but that location of lesions was not a factor. Read the abstract. MedWire News (U.K.) (12/6)

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