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While the avenue to broader access to emergency contraception (EC) has hit a roadblock with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)s initial rejection of over-the-counter (OTC) status for the levonorgestrel-only drug Plan B, the drugs manufacturer is eyeing two alternative approaches for seeking OTC approval of the drug.
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Planned Parenthood of the Columbia/Willamette (PPCW) in Portland, OR, is using its Internet site, www.ppcw.org, to provide birth control pills, the Ortho Evra contraceptive patch (Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Raritan, NJ), and the NuvaRing contraceptive vaginal ring (Organon, West Orange, NJ) to women across the state. The pilot Contraception Online program, the first of its kind among Planned Parenthood of America affiliates, is allowing women to undergo an on-line assessment and place orders for these three forms of birth control without having to visit a providers office.
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What is the role of estrogen in protecting post-menopausal womens hearts? While recent research indicates that the hormone may not benefit cardiovascular health in older women,1-3 a group of privately funded researchers is re-examining the role of the hormone in women ages 40-55.
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Same-day surgery managers and infection control experts have long been aware of the risk of latex gloves to patients with latex allergies, but the risks posed by the powder in gloves to all patients now is being addressed by surgery programs.
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Wouldnt it be nice not to have to deal with staffing issues? Really, what do people expect of us? We try hard to accommodate everyone, but it seems like often we come up short.
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The era of noscomial infection rates protected as privileged and confidential information rapidly is coming to a close, warned several attendees recently in Philadelphia at the annual meeting of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA). Driven by scathing media reports and consumer groups carrying the banner of patient safety, the demand for infection data has increased with such speed that epidemiologists already are looking at state laws as a foregone conclusion.
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Does the security rule prohibit transmission of protected health information (PHI) by e-mail? Are health organizations responsible for the protection of unsolicited e-mails sent by patients?
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Effective April 1, 2004, hospitals receive special payments for four additional services under updates from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
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