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As many providers already know, the Stark law prohibits physicians from making referrals to providers who render designated health services (DHS) if the referring physicians have an ownership or investment interest in, or compensation arrangement with, the provider.
Exceptions to these general rules were published in the form of final regulations on Jan. 4, 2001, and are known as Phase I Stark rules. On March 26, 2004, Phase II Stark regulations were published as interim final rules in the Federal Register.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which has been criticized for not being more directive and aggressive on preventing needlestick injuries, has posted an impressive, interactive workbook on the issue.
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Medication errors associated with patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pumps most often are caused by inadequate patient and staff education, misuse by well-intentioned family members, and improper patient selection, according to results of a recent survey by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices in Huntingdon Valley, PA.
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Health care delivery has grown more sophisticated and complex in response to changing patient needs and emerging technologies. Regardless of length and breadth of the patient care continuum, the goal should be to deliver seamless, patient-centered care. However, with few exceptions, that goal has not been realized.
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Nursing organization adopts 2004 platforms; OSHA and CDC establish hand hygiene policies; CMS tightens claims processing requirements.
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The E. coli geneticists are working on ways to facilitate rapid diagnosis, and in time, to purge eae positive strains from bovine reservoirs.
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The following is a summary of selected abstracts from 3 meetings. The 43rd Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) met in Chicago September 14-17, 2003. The Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) met in San Diego October 9-12, 2003. The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene met in Philadelphia December 3-7, 2003.
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Multivitamins delay progression to AIDS; Tenofovir Decreases Atazanavir Levels; Breakthrough Chickenpox in Vaccinated Kids; Find the VRSA in the MRSA: Get an Etest!
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Cognitive Effects of Estrogen Therapy; Vitamin Therapy and Restenosis; Echinacea and the Common Cold; Effects of Paxil in Children Under 18; FDA Actions.
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