Hospitals and Health Systems News

SUNNYVALE, CA–(Marketwire – September 24, 2010) – Spiracur, Inc. today announced important results from a clinical study highlighting the safety and efficacy of its SNaP Wound Care System for the treatment of chronic lower extremity wounds. The data was presented this week at the Fall 2010 Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) in Anaheim, Calif.

The 12-center, 65-patient randomized controlled trial (RCT) compared negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) between the KCI Wound V.A.C. Therapy System and the SNaP Wound Care System for the treatment of chronic lower extremity wounds. The Poster was presented by David G. Armstrong, DPM, M.D., Ph.D., William A. Marston, M.D., Alexander M. Reyzelman, DPM and Robert S. Kirsner, M.D., Ph.D. The subjects were randomly assigned to treatment with either the SNaP System or the V.A.C. System, and the trial evaluated treatment for up to 16 weeks, or until there was complete closure of the ulcer.

Planned interim analysis of the first 65 patients from 12 centers found no significant differences in the proportion of subjects healed between the two devices evaluated or in percent wound size reduction. Non-inferiority was demonstrated between the two therapies in percent wound size reduction to the *p < 0.05 significance level. The study also found no significant differences in wound related complications such as wound infections.

According to David G. Armstrong, DPM, M.D., Ph.D., professor of surgery at the University of Arizona and principal investigator on this study, “We have been using the technology for over a year now and our patients have responded well to this new portable therapy. For those of us dedicated to healing wounds and preventing amputations, this device provides an important tool for treating these chronic conditions. This novel technology may prove to hold substantial potential for patients requiring smaller NPWT treatment options.”

“We are thrilled to have such positive clinical data presented at SAWC, as they clearly demonstrate the unique opportunity the SNaP Wound Care System offers to patients and clinicians for the treatment of chronic wounds,” said Gary Restani, president and chief executive officer, Spiracur, Inc. “The response to our proprietary system has been extremely positive by both patients and clinicians, and we are confident that this new data will help increase awareness for and broaden adoption of the SNaP Wound Care System.”

About the SNaP Wound Care System:
The SNaP Wound Care System is an ultraportable negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) device that was approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in August 2009 in a new therapy category the FDA has defined as “non-powered” NPWT devices. The SNaP System provides the same level of negative pressure as competitive technologies; however, it requires no electric or battery power. In addition, the SNaP System, unlike powered NPWT, is silent, small and lightweight (weighing less than 3 oz.), which enables patients to wear the device under clothing and resume daily activity without exposing their wound care treatment to the world.

The FDA determined that the SNaP System is indicated for patients who would benefit from a suction device particularly as the device may promote wound healing. The SNaP System is used for the removal of small amounts of exudate from chronic, traumatic, dehisced, acute, subacute and ulcer (diabetic or pressure) wounds. Additional information can be found by visiting http://www.spiracur.com/snapproduct.html.

About Spiracur, Inc.
Spiracur, Inc. is a privately held medical device company focused on the development of innovative wound healing technologies. Spiracur was founded out of the Stanford Biodesign Innovation Program in 2007. Its first product, The SNaP Wound Care System, grew out of the notion that current negative pressure wound therapies were too cumbersome for patients and clinicians. Spiracur strives to develop products that are truly patient-centric. For more information, please visit http://www.spiracur.com.
SNaP, Spiracur and the Spiracur Design are registered trademarks of Spiracur Inc.

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BIRMINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM–(Marketwire – Sept. 24, 2010) – Shocking research has revealed that the UK is a nation of overweight people, with many classed as dangerously overweight or morbidly obese.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that 24.5 per cent of adults in England were classed as obese in 2008, amounting to an 8.8 per cent increase since 1994 when only 15.7 per cent of adults were classed as dangerously overweight.

As concerns for the state of people’s health in the UK grow, so too does the amount of people who are dangerously overweight sparking fears that the UK is stuck in the middle of an obesity crisis that shows no signs of slowing down.

According to the World Health Organisation, also known as WHO, the UK has featured far more frequently in the their top 10 most obese nations list in the last few years and according to Nation Master.com the UK is ranked as the third most overweight nation only to be beaten by Mexico and the United States.

With 46 per cent of men in England and 32 per cent of women in England classes as overweight and an additional 17 per cent of men and 21 per cent of women classed as obsess it is hardly surprising that the NHS has seen an increase in the number of surgical procedures performed on obese patients in the last five years.

Those who are worried about being overweight should book a consultation with an expert bariatric surgeon at The Hospital Group.

The Hospital Group is the UK’s biggest provider of weight loss surgery, including gastric bands, gastric bypasses and gastric balloons.

David Ross, Chief Executive of The Hospital Group said: “Being overweight can affect every aspect of your life. Not only does it have a huge impact on your health, putting you at risk of diabetes, heart disease, strokes and depression but it can also cause low self esteem and confidence.

“Those who are overweight often find themselves in a vicious circle, they want to lose weight and become more healthy but are locked in a battle with overeating and don’t know how to change their bad and harmful eating habits.

“Our consultants ensure that, as well as having an absolute need for a gastric procedure, the patient understands that weight loss surgery isn’t a miracle cure and they would need to work with the band to achieve the healthier lifestyle they desire.”

Since The Hospital Group was established in 1992, it has risen to become the UK’s biggest weight loss surgery providers, performing more gastric procedures last year than the NHS.

The Hospital Group is committed to providing the very highest standards and all procedures are performed by an expert medical team in state-of-the-art facilities that are second to none.

For further information of The Hospital Group’s range of weight-loss procedures, surgery-seekers should visit the website www.thehospitalgroup.org or call our patient care coordinators on 0845 762 6727.

TAMPA, FL–(Marketwire – September 23, 2010) –  Bacteria breakouts that are surviving the best antibiotics available are spreading across the U.S. at an alarming rate, according to infectious disease experts. 

“Bugs, superbugs, MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and KPC (Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenamase) have cropped up in germ-infested health clubs, gyms and even dirty hospitals,” says Dr. Brad Spellberg, infectious disease specialist, scientist, author and researcher at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Harbor/UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. “Our industry is not developing any new antibiotics to combat this medical urgency.”

Spellberg, a recognized expert on the topic of antibiotic-resistant germs, and other physicians expressed alarm at the lack of antibiotics currently in development while testifying this past June during a U.S. House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee special hearing.

Dr. Spellberg, and other physicians who testified, raised concern for the spread of antibiotic-resistant microbes, including out of the hospital and into the community — with lethal results. 

“Everyone is at risk of these infections,” warned Dr. Spellberg, who spoke on behalf of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Dr. Spellberg is also a member of the Advisory Board of Zimek Technologies, a worldwide leader in infection control and biohazard remediation which has been developing and marketing its proven patented automatic Micro-Mist^® decontamination technologies for more than five years.

Zimek’s industry-leading technologies are used by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, Fire and EMS departments, healthcare facilities, public health agencies, transit systems, correctional facilities, and local law enforcement agencies across America. Zimek’s special products “micronize” disinfectants that can quickly and automatically decontaminate facilities, equipment and vehicles. Zimek’s germ-killing, revolutionary “micro-mist” can permeate crevasses and hidden surfaces where super-germs are untouched by standard sanitizing methods.

A dangerous new “superbug” gene created more attention last week. Labeled New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase, better known as NDM-1, it is a resistant gene proliferating in particular “superbugs” which have the potential of spreading around the world, and scientists say there are almost no drugs in the pipeline to treat it.

Antibiotic-resistant infections “are extremely difficult to treat and frequently recur,” Spellberg said. “These infections result in tremendous pain, suffering and disfigurement in adults, children and infants, and have caused millions of deaths worldwide.”

Nearly 100,000 Americans die annually from infections acquired in hospitals, and treatment-resistant strains are spreading into our health clubs and gyms, Spellberg added.

“Zimek’s proven rapid infection control application is a meaningful 21^st century best practices infection prevention technology which will add another weapon to our arsenal to combat the spread of infectious diseases,” said Kurt Grosman, CEO of Zimek Technologies. 

Spellberg, who is on the frontlines of the infectious disease battle, will discuss these concerns in a special investigative news story on the “CBS Evening News with Katie Couric” scheduled for broadcast on September 27^th and 28^th. (Please visit www.zimek.com for exact airdate/time.)

Spellberg will also be interviewed on an upcoming episode of “The Doctors,” the award-winning syndicated talk show airing daily in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Ireland, Sweden and Finland. “The Doctors” is distributed domestically and worldwide by CBS Television Distribution. (Please visit www.zimek.com for exact airdate/time.)

WEST HARTFORD, CT–(Marketwire – September 23, 2010) –  ORLive, the leader in online medical video, presents a live interactive broadcast of a hip replacement surgery featuring technology from Zimmer. On-demand features this month include our library of procedures and educational programming focused on atrial fibrillation. Additionally, ORLive invites you to take part in the latest installment of the Virtual Brain Tumor Board.

NEW ON ORLIVE

LIVE SURGERY VIDEO – Continuum® Acetabular System and Zimmer® M/L Taper with Kinectiv® Technology
Premieres Thursday, September 23, 2010 at 7PM EDT

On Thursday, September 23rd at 7 PM EDT Zimmer Medical Education will broadcast an ORLive Total Hip Arthroplasty featuring the Continuum Acetabular System and the Kinectiv Modular Neck Technology. The surgery will be performed by Dr. Mark Hartzband, Hartzband Center for Hip and Knee Replacement, L.L.C., Paramus, NJ and will be moderated by Dr. Paul Duwelius, St. Vincent Hospital, Portland, OR. The broadcast will last one hour and will show the entire surgical procedure. Following the live broadcast the surgery will be archived for future playback.

This opportunity allows for firsthand insight of the safe and effective implantation and surgical procedure involved with the Continuum® Acetabular System and the Zimmer® M/L Taper with Kinectiv® Technology.

This surgery video is available exclusively to members of the ORLive community, and members can interact and ask questions via the ORLive website. Learn more about this broadcast or get a reminder at ORLive.com, and be ready to view this exciting procedure by activating your free membership to ORLive today.

NOW ON-DEMAND – Artificial Disc Treatments for Cervical Disease
Now Available On-Demand

Until recently, spinal fusion was the surgical solution to cervical disc disease. ORLive invites you to watch footage of an Artificial Discectomy performed by William Kuhn, MD of Halifax Hospital, and join in on a live online discussion with the doctor and patient, Ali Rabatsky. 

Viewers of this video are invited to interact with the team via the ORLive website, where you can also request a reminder to alert you when this video is going live.

ORLIVE REFERRALS – Week of September 20, 2010
September is National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month, and each week ORLive highlights on-demand videos for our membership and visitors. 

Medical Education Referral: Paracardioscopic Ex-Maze, from FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital

CME Referral: Reality EP: Tackling Left Atrial Tachycardias after Catheter Ablation for AF from the Heart Rhythm Society

Viewer’s Referral: Convergent Procedure for Atrial Fibrillation, from FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital

HIGHLIGHTS

NOW ON-DEMAND – Surgical and Medical Treatments for Type 2 Diabetes
Now Available On-Demand

Type 2 diabetes can lead to potentially deadly complications for many patients, but the team at NewYork-Presbyterian remains on the forefront of research and treatment innovations. Join Dr. Francesco Rubino, Chief, Gastrointestinal Metabolic Surgery at the Weill Cornell Medical Center, Dr. Judith Korner, from Columbia University Medical Center, and Dr. Louis Aronne, from the Weill Cornell Medical Center as they review the advancements that are being made and see what happens when gastric bypass surgery results in a possible remission of diabetes.

Viewers of this video can still interact with the team via the ORLive website, where you can also request updates as they become available.

PREVIEW – Zimmer Patient Specific Instruments and the Gender Solutions™ Natural-Knee® Flex System
Premieres Tuesday, September 28, 2010 at 7PM EDT

On Tuesday, September 28th at 7 PM EST Zimmer Medical Education will broadcast an ORLive Zimmer Patient Specific Instrument surgery featuring Zimmer Patient Specific Instruments and Natural Knee. The surgery will be performed by Dr. Michael Bolognesi, Duke University Medical Center and will be moderated by Dr. Shawn Hocker from Atlantic Orthopedics, PA in Wilmington, NC. The broadcast will last one hour and will show the entire surgical procedure.

This surgery video is available exclusively to members of the ORLive community, and members can interact and ask questions via the ORLive website. Learn more about this broadcast or get a reminder at ORLive.com, and be ready to view this exciting procedure by activating your free membership to ORLive today.

About ORLive
ORLive is the leading provider of video communication channels to the healthcare community. Working collaboratively with hospitals and device manufacturers, ORLive produces and distributes customized, interactive, video programs that demonstrate the latest advances in medicine, surgical techniques and product innovations. The ORLive broadcasting network provides an intimate look at over 650 live and on-demand surgeries to a global audience, streaming over 50,000 hours of programming each month. The ORLive network can be found on-line at www.ORLive.com.

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN–(Marketwire – September 23, 2010) –  Indigo Identityware, a growing leader in the Identity & Access Management industry, has partnered with Netgain to market and deploy its software-only solution that offers Behavioral Strong Authentication, single sign-on and session management for the extended enterprise. Indigo’s secure identity management solutions, paired with Netgain’s data security and delivery, meet clinicians’ desire for increased productivity and simplicity. 

In the ever-increasing security conscious environment, healthcare providers are required to use multiple complex passwords when accessing patient records. With Indigo’s solution, it eliminates the cumbersome password process while maintaining security, allowing the doctor more time to focus on the patient.

“Our clients trust us to provide an all-encompassing solution that combines HIPAA-level security with ease of use, and we found that with Indigo. By utilizing their unique Behavioral Strong Authentication and Single Sign-on solution, providers are more productive and the patient’s experience is enhanced because doctors can focus on the patient instead of worrying about complex or forgotten passwords,” said Matt Riley, Netgain’s COO.

“We’re excited to work with an organization like Netgain, whose mission in healthcare IT so closely aligns with ours,” said John Woodward, COO and President of Healthcare for Indigo Identityware. “Our services are complementary to Netgain’s, and together we provide a complete solution that addresses a major issue for all healthcare organizations.”

About Netgain
Netgain, a privately held provider of healthcare information technology solutions, relieves the day-to-day burden of information technology operations for healthcare organizations. Netgain provides application hosting and infrastructure support with extensive technical expertise in securing sensitive data by deploying a rare combination of process excellence and personal service. 

About Indigo
Indigo Identityware, a leader in the identity and access management industry, distinguishes itself by offering the first and only Behavioral Strong Authentication and Single Sign-on solution for the extended enterprise. Indigo’s flexible design supports multiple strong authentication methods, including next generation biometrics, providing users with secure and fast access to information. It increases workflow productivity while helping customers ensure regulatory compliance. The software-only solution is cost-effective and deploys quickly for organizations of any size.  

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwire – Sept. 23, 2010) – Reduced wait times and better access to hospital services are among the benefits patients in BC’s health care system could expect with the implementation of Patient Focused Funding (PFF). In this model, patients are seen as a benefit to hospitals instead of a cost. Hospitals would be paid for every patient they treat providing the impetus to see everyone in a timely manner and increase the volume of services provided to patients. The measures used to determine success of PFF programs must be evidence-based, risk-adjusted, and developed in collaboration with patient representatives.

Recently, there have been various funding models discussed by government and other stakeholders in the quest to contain health care costs. Patient Focused Funding in this case is defined as any method of compensating providers – which can include physicians, nurses, and hospitals – that uses financial incentives to improve the appropriateness, quality, and efficiency of care for patients. The BC Medical Association has released its policy paper Valuing Quality: Patient-Focused funding in British Columbia, which offers ten recommendations on the structure, implementation and evaluation of PFF including:

• Any PFF program must be designed to support and improve the timeliness, safety, and health outcomes of patient care within a cost certain environment.
• A multi-stakeholder working group under the BC Health Services Purchasing Organization must be created and should include physicians and other health care providers.
• All PFF programs must be rigorously evaluated for their impact on patient care, access and costs.

“Our research has shown that PFF models need to be flexible and phased in to any situation in which they could be applied,” said Dr. David Attwell, Chair of the Working Group that developed the paper. “Implementation of a successful PFF program requires system-wide collaboration, commitment and leadership to achieve the highest level of quality for patients, for those who work in the health care system, and for government who pays for it.”

The BC government has recently announced its investment of $250 million, plus another $24.3 million, to launch and further develop its PFF model. Although the BC Medical Association supports many of government’s PFF initiatives, we also believe that patient safety and quality of care must be included as key measurement criteria. As well, more work needs to be done to ensure everyone involved in PFF from hospitals to health care providers to government share the same understanding of how PFF models function.

The policy paper can be found on the BCMA website at www.bcma.org.

PLYMOUTH, MN–(Marketwire – September 23, 2010) –  Hearing loss is now the third most common chronic, but manageable, health condition in the United States, after arthritis and high blood pressure, according to the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA). Yet, fewer than half of those with hearing loss who could benefit from hearing aids use them. “During Hearing Aid Awareness Week, October 3 – 10, we want to help everyone understand how important it is to take steps to detect and manage hearing loss early, before it has a chance to impact your quality of life and even your earning potential,” says Rebecca Younk, audiologist for Miracle-Ear.

According to the HLAA, 1 in 10 Americans experiences some type of hearing loss. And yet, fewer than half of those hearing-impaired individuals use any type of hearing aid. Why? One reason may be that hearing loss is so gradual over time, that most people don’t notice a change until it has become really pronounced. Other reasons may include embarrassment. “Even though eyeglasses and contact lenses have now become perfectly socially acceptable, we still have to work hard to ensure that hearing aid wearers are treated with the same respect as eyeglass wearers,” explains Younk.

“The impact that unmanaged hearing loss can have on your life goes way beyond missing a word in a conversation here and there,” emphasizes Younk. “Here are just a few good reasons, beyond simply enhancing your overall quality of life, to consider having a hearing test soon.”

• Hearing loss can starve the auditory centers of the brain of acoustic information, leading to auditory deprivation — and a resulting decrease in speech understanding. Hearing aids can help these auditory centers “stay busy,” to protect against this loss.
• Research available at The Better Hearing Institute (BHI) suggests that patients with unmanaged hearing loss suffer more from depression and social isolation compared to those of similar age who wear hearing aids.
• A study conducted by the BHI also suggests that hearing impaired patients choosing not to wear hearing aids earn less when compared to hearing impaired patients who choose to use hearing aids.

Today’s hearing aids offer discreet, customized hearing solutions, tailored to your lifestyle, age and activities. Miracle-Ear offers a comprehensive hearing assessment that includes a complete hearing health history, ear canal inspection, hearing threshold test and speech discrimination test. If these tests indicate a hearing loss, Miracle-Ear works with the client to determine which solution best meets his or her individual needs.

“Hearing loss is a growing problem in the U.S.,” says Younk, “but only about 13 percent of physicians routinely screen for hearing loss during a physical. You could have hearing loss and not even know it. It’s the people closest to you who may recognize it first. If your friends or family are advising you to have your hearing tested, you should listen to them!”

For more information on Miracle-Ear, please visit http://www.miracle-ear.com/.

About Miracle-Ear
A trusted resource for hearing solutions for over 60 years, Miracle-Ear uses state-of-the-art technology to remove the barriers of hearing loss. The Plymouth, Minn.-based company specializes in customizable hearing solutions that feature discreet, comfortable products designed to meet each individual’s hearing loss needs. Free hearing tests and consultations are available at all of the company’s 1,200 locations across the U.S., many of which are in Sears stores. Franchise opportunities are available for those interested in running their own Miracle-Ear business with the support of a nationwide industry leader. 

For more information, visit www.miracle-ear.com. 

SAN FRANCISCO, CA–(Marketwire – September 23, 2010) –  Medizone International, Inc. (OTCBB: MZEI) (OTCQB: MZEI) announced today the Company has filed a fourth U.S. Provisional patent application involving what it terms, “Advanced Oxidative Sterilization Processes.”

Dr. Michael Shannon, Director of Medical Affairs, explained, “We are now exploring a new development in the field of oxidative chemistry which we believe will have a significant impact on our future technology and the ease with which we can effectively decontaminate hospitals, chronic care facilities, veterinary facilities, hotels, cruise ships, sports facilities and the equipment therein. Our research to date clearly demonstrates that the combination of modest levels of ozone and low concentrations of peroxide, properly delivered at the right temperature and humidity, will reliably eliminate bacterial loads of at least 6 logs (sterilization standard) on a broad range of surface materials, including carpets, for all of the ‘Superbugs’ responsible for Hospital Acquired Infections. This new development, however, further enhances Medizone’s AsepticSure™ technology in a manner not anticipated. In fact, decontamination in the future will very likely be based on unique combinations of what we are calling ‘Advanced Oxidative Sterilization Processes’ which build on the existing technology by using a family of chemical moieties considered to be even more potent than either ozone or peroxide to destroy a broad range of potentially lethal pathogens. Research is now underway at our laboratories in Kingston on a parallel track with our hospital beta testing program to evaluate the merits of a multifactorial decontamination system which appears to further increase the potency of AsepticSure™ while dramatically reducing the exposure time, both of which have major implications for certain applications.”

Medizone’s CEO, Edwin Marshall, added, “With two international patent applications filed in addition to the four U.S. provisional applications now in place, we are taking the steps we believe necessary to fully protect the commercial rights of Medizone International. It is now clear that what began as a technology to decontaminate and sterilize hospital spaces has grown into the foundations of an entirely new sterilization industry. We are developing a family of solutions based on the nuances of specific applications. Given the outcomes of recent meetings with both private industry players and government, it is clear we are not alone in recognizing this concept. As I announced in a recent interview with Don Baillargeon for a segment of his show, ‘MoneyTV,’ to be aired this coming Saturday, we have even filed a patent application addressing the bed bug issue for the cruise ship and hotel industry. We are not making too much of it yet, as the science for that application remains to be completed. However, we are guardedly optimistic that we will be able to provide an effective and affordable solution to that market segment as well, and thus wanted to get the IP protection in place as soon as possible.”

Medizone International, Inc. is a research and development company engaged in developing its AsepticSure™ System to decontaminate and sterilize hospital surgical suites, emergency rooms, intensive care units, schools and other critical infrastructure. A government variant is being developed for bio-terrorism counter measures with additional variants for sports facilities and food processing applications and, potentially, the hotel and cruise ship industry for bed bug eradication and Norwalk virus.

This Press Release contains certain forward looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the results of ongoing clinical studies, economic conditions, product and technology development, production efficiencies, product demand, competitive products, competitive environment, successful testing and government regulatory issues. Additional risks are identified in the company’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – Sept. 23, 2010) –

Editors Note: A photo for this release will be available via Marketwire on the picture wire of The Canadian Press.

Ornge, a world leader in the field of transport medicine, is proud to introduce the most significant fleet upgrade in the history of aero medical transport in Ontario. The first of the new AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters were unveiled this morning at the Ornge base at the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. The new helicopters will transport Ornge’s medical teams who provide services for patients requiring advanced and critical levels of care during transport.

Ornge paramedics and pilots employed by CHL, the operator of Ornge rotor aircraft, will begin transporting patients in the new high-performance medium twin turbine helicopters over the coming months. Ornge purchased ten AW139 aircraft from AgustaWestland, a Finnmeccanica company, in 2008 to replace the older fleet of Sikorsky S76 helicopters currently in use at Ornge bases across the province. 

“As innovators in our field, we are on the cutting edge of both aviation and medicine,” said Dr. Christopher Mazza, Ornge CEO and Emergentologist. “The AW139 medically-equipped aircraft will help us to deliver a modern, high quality, sustainable transport medicine program for Ontario patients today and for generations to come.”

The AW139 is the most technologically advanced rotor wing aircraft in air medical transport today. The fastest helicopter in its class, it is capable of operating in a wide variety of weather conditions – from extreme heat to extreme cold – found across Ontario’s one million square kilometers. Ornge is the first AgustaWestland client in North America to have a full ice protection installed in medically equipped helicopters. The AW139 also has enhanced safety and environmental features.

Giuseppe Orsi, Chief Executive Officer, AgustaWestland said: “We are proud to be part of this new era in transport medicine in Ontario providing the best medium twin helicopter to such a leading operator and to the benefit of the large community they serve. The AW139 will enable Ornge to perform a quantum leap forward in operational capability to successfully accomplish the mission and save lives in the harshest conditions when other models would be confined to the hangar.”

Each helicopter is outfitted with an advanced full medical interior designed and configured by Ornge transport medicine physicians and paramedics in collaboration with Aerolite, a world leader in medical helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft interiors. 

In January 2006, Ornge began coordinating all aspects of the province’s transport medicine system. Since then, Ornge has transported nearly 95,000 patients more than 30 million statute miles – over 1,200 times around the earth — in its rotor and fixed wing aircraft, along with its critical care land units.

ABOUT ORNGE

Ornge is the world’s leading innovator in the emerging field of transport medicine, and operates from a number of bases across the province of Ontario and performs more than 20,000 admissions annually. It coordinates all aspects of Ontario’s aero medical transport system, the new critical care land transport program, paediatric transport program and the authorization of air and land ambulance transfers between hospitals. Ornge is dedicated to the provision of high quality patient care through innovative transport medicine.

ABOUT AGUSTAWESTLAND

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is a technology leader in its markets and has an unrivalled range of rotorcraft products designed to satisfy the requirements of commercial and military customers. AgustaWestland has its main operations in Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ–(Marketwire – September 23, 2010) – GetWellNetwork, Inc., today announced that David Wright, the Company’s chief outcomes officer, will address the New Jersey and Delaware chapters of HIMSS on how hospitals can strengthen their position in the “Pay for Performance” provisions of the new health care reform law. The fall regional health information symposium is being held from September 22-24th at the Atlantic City Caesars Hotel and Casino.

Mr. Wright will share with attendees how the “Pay for Performance” model impacts the quality measurements that are being evaluated in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s Value-Based Purchasing and Accountable Care Organizations programs. “Pay for Performance” programs measure a variety of performance indicators such as clinical processes of care, health outcomes, patient safety, patient experience and satisfaction, and information technology investment and use.

Mr. Wright will also explain how leading hospitals and health systems are using interactive patient care technology to achieve evidence-based outcomes and to improve hospital performance in these areas that directly impact “Pay for Performance” provisions.

Without a clear outcomes plan and technology solution in place, hospitals may see dramatic reductions in their Medicare reimbursements as early as October 2012 with payments made based on 2011-2012 performance(1). Using best practices and practical examples from leading hospitals, Mr. Wright will provide insights that will help hospitals formulate their own plans to become “high performers” in the era of health care reform.

“The regional HIMSS conference provides an opportunity to address the key issues hospitals must consider for implementing initiatives that affect the patient care factors of the Pay for Performance provision,” said David Wright, chief outcomes officer, GetWellNetwork, Inc. “To ensure continuation of maximum reimbursements from the Federal government, all hospitals need to have a core strategy that helps them excel in the new performance measurements that will be used to calculate their effectiveness in patient treatment.”

About GetWellNetwork
GetWellNetwork, Inc. uses the bedside TV to entertain, educate and empower hospital patients and caregivers to be more actively engaged in their care. This patient-centered approach improves both satisfaction and outcomes for patients and hospitals. GetWellNetwork is the leader in interactive patient care solutions and exclusively endorsed by the American Hospital Association. More information about GetWellNetwork can be found at www.GetWellNetwork.com.

(1) More information about CMS’ Value-Based Purchasing Program is available at http://www.cms.gov/AcuteInpatientPPS/downloads/HospitalVBPPlanRTCFINALSUBMITTED2007.pdf and http://www.cms.gov/QualityInitiativesGenInfo/downloads/VBPRoadmap_OEA_1-16_508.pdf

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NEW YORK, NY and HALIBURTON, ON–(Marketwire – September 23, 2010) – October is National Dental Hygiene Month (NDHM) and it’s also the perfect time to create new dental marketing materials to reach out to your dental patients, says Patient News, a leading dental marketing solutions company.

Effective dentist/patient communication is essential to keeping patients, and a multi-channel patient retention campaign is extremely effective because it’s a means of sharing ideas and knowledge, not selling. NDHM is a great time for dental practitioners to ramp up their communication/marketing efforts and provide much needed and appreciated dental patient education to their patients.

“To build a vibrant and profitable practice it’s important to include a patient-centered marketing approach. Even the healthiest practice can’t help but lose patients over time due to natural attrition, competition, dissatisfaction, and perceived indifference,” said Karen Galley, President of Patient News. “Perceived indifference sends customers away nearly five times more often than dissatisfaction and seven times more often than for competitive reasons. A patient newsletter shows your patients you care.”

A consistent effort to communicate and educate patients, especially when paired with the efforts of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association in October, can reap measurable rewards. The ADHA website includes information to help promote events planned in honor of NDHM. Patient News can improve dentist/patient communications through their extensive resources, including an exceptional article library featuring stories about the importance of dental hygiene — clearly linked to overall health and systemic diseases.

“Although people continue to score smile and appearance of teeth as most important to their personal appearance and place a high value on oral health, more than 80% remain fearful of the dentist. It takes time and quality dental patient education via email and mail to encourage existing and prospective patients to make even a positive change,” said Galley. This type of communication can also assist dentists reduce no shows and cancellations, improving the overall health of the practice and patient community.

For more information on NDHM, visit ADHA.org. For additional information on dental newsletters or dental email newsletter options from Patient News call 800.667.0268 or visit www.Patientnews.com.

Read more: http://www.patientnews.com/pressreleases/educate-patients-during-dental-hygiene-month.html.

About Patient News:

Patient News is North America’s most trusted resource in helping dental practices succeed. The company produces award-winning healthcare and dental marketing products in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

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OAKBROOK TERRACE, IL–(Marketwire – September 22, 2010) –  Accredited hospitals in the United States are providing higher-quality, evidence-based care for heart attack, pneumonia, surgical care and children’s asthma care, according to Improving America’s Hospitals: The Joint Commission’s Report on Quality and Safety 2010. The report presents scientific evidence of improvement and how it relates to these common medical conditions and procedures.

“It is very encouraging that this year’s report shows high rates of performance on these critical process measures and high levels of consistent excellence among hospitals on many measures,” said Mark R. Chassin, M.D., M.P.P., M.P.H., president, The Joint Commission. “Hospitals devote enormous resources and energy to using these performance measures to drive improvement in their clinical processes. This report demonstrates that these efforts are resulting in consistently improving patient care in America’s hospitals.”

The fifth annual report shows continual improvement over an eight-year period on accountability measures — quality measures that meet four criteria designed to identify measures that produce the greatest positive impact on patient outcomes. For example, the 2009 heart attack care result is 97.7 percent, up from 88.6 percent in 2002. A 97.7 percent score means that hospitals provided an evidence-based heart attack treatment such as aspirin at arrival and beta-blockers at discharge 977 times for every 1,000 opportunities to do so.

The data, drawn from more than 3,000 accredited hospitals, show:

• Significant progress in consistently using evidence-based treatments. In 2002, hospitals achieved 81.8 percent composite performance on 957,000 opportunities to perform care processes related to accountability measures. In 2009, hospitals achieved 95.4 percent composite performance on 12.5 million opportunities — an improvement of 13.6 percentage points.
• Hospital performance on measures of quality relating to inpatient care for childhood asthma has increased dramatically in the two years since being introduced. The 2009 children’s asthma care result is 88.1 percent, up from 70.7 in 2007.
• The 2009 pneumonia care result is 92.9 percent, up from 72.4 percent in 2002 — an improvement of 20.5 percentage points.
• The surgical care result improved to 95.8 percent in 2009 from 77.4 percent in 2004.

Although hospitals achieved 90 percent or better performance on most individual process of care measures, the report contends that more improvement is needed. For example, hospitals finished 2009 with relatively low performance on the following two measures introduced in 2005:

• Providing fibrinolytic therapy within 30 minutes of arrival to heart attack patients — only 55.2 percent of hospitals achieved 90 percent compliance or better.
• Providing antibiotics to intensive care unit pneumonia patients within 24 hours of arrival — only 67.5 percent of hospitals achieved 90 percent compliance or better.

The report, which focuses on accountability measures for the first time, is an effort to clearly demonstrate the impact that performance measures have on improving patient outcomes. Doing so will strengthen the partnerships hospitals have with physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other clinicians who are engaged in the hard work of improving the processes of care. Specific expectations for performance on accountability measures will be included in hospital accreditation standards by 2012.

Quality, safety and patient satisfaction results for specific hospitals can be found at www.qualitycheck.org. For a complete copy of the report Improving America’s Hospitals: The Joint Commission’s Report on Quality and Safety 2010, please visit www.jointcommission.org.

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 18,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 9,700 hospitals and home care organizations, and more than 6,800 other health care organizations that provide long term care, behavioral health care, laboratory and ambulatory care services. In addition, The Joint Commission also provides certification of more than 1,700 disease-specific care programs, primary stroke centers, and health care staffing services. An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Learn more about The Joint Commission at www.jointcommission.org.

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NORTHFIELD, IL–(Marketwire – September 22, 2010) – Pharos Innovations today congratulated the Care Continuum Alliance on the launch of its new brand and ongoing work on behalf of organizations and individuals providing healthcare at all stages of well-being.

The Care Continuum Alliance, established in 1999 as the Disease Management Association of America, has completed its transition to a new name and brand that reflect the industry’s evolution toward care across the continuum of health, from wellness and prevention to care management and more complex interventions.

Pharos Innovations, a Care Continuum Alliance member represented on the association’s Board of Directors, provides a unique IVR and Web-based remote patient monitoring/behavior change technology through its Tel-Assurance^® program.

“The continuum of care is as much about keeping the healthy well and minimizing health risks as it is about managing specific conditions,” said Randall E. Williams, MD, CEO of Pharos Innovations. “With its new brand, the Care Continuum Alliance captures the broad variety and value of programs and products we and other CCA members provide.”

Care Continuum Alliance (CCA) members are uniquely positioned to contribute to new models of care and the drive toward wellness, prevention and health information technology spurred by federal reform initiatives. Pharos Innovations and other CCA members offer extensive expertise in health risk assessment, innovative technologies to promote healthful behaviors, care coordination across multiple settings and physician collaborations — skills and activities at the core of the reform law.

Pharos Innovations will exhibit this year at The Forum 10, the annual meeting of the Care Continuum Alliance, Oct. 13 to 15, in Washington, D.C. Visit Pharos at booth #416, at the Hilton Washington hotel, the Forum host site. Learn more about the Forum at TheForum10.org.

About Pharos Innovations
Pharos Innovations is actively involved in transforming the U.S. healthcare delivery system. Pharos offers IVR and Web-based behavior change services and tools that enable payers and providers to cost-effectively and efficiently manage their chronic care population.

Pharos’ main offering, Tel-Assurance, engages, motivates and drives improved self-care. Through Tel-Assurance, participants self-report their health status daily through the phone or Web. This unique approach actively engages individuals with chronic conditions in their healthcare and provides care managers/nurses with real-time information to intervene before symptoms escalate. Tel-Assurance has been proven an effective way to reduce avoidable, all-cause hospital admissions and readmissions and reduce overall healthcare costs among diverse populations.

The Pharos’ solution is strongly validated to show measured clinical improvement and financial impact, is the recipient of the prestigious American Heart Association National Outcomes award and was selected for the first ever National Institutes of Health (NIH) sponsored evaluation of remote monitoring interventions. For more information visit www.pharosinnovations.com or join in on the discussion at our blog, www.thecollaborativeforum.com.

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NEW YORK, NY–(Marketwire – September 22, 2010) –  Send Word Now, the leading provider of emergency notification and on-demand incident management, alerting, and response services, announced today that The Wisconsin Hospital Emergency Preparedness Program will make Send Word Now’s Alert Service available to all hospitals in Wisconsin. The initiative sets a new standard for hospital management and a model for unified communications across a state-wide health care network.

“We were looking for a notification system that could meet our communications needs, and specifically for a system that is easy to use,” affirmed Bob Ritger, Operations Officer for the Emergency Preparedness Program. He added, “Having one system throughout the state will allow us to implement our messaging strategies more easily and consistently throughout Wisconsin hospitals. We look forward to working with Send Word Now on this project over the long-term.”

Tony Schmitz, President and CEO of Send Word Now, said, “We are extremely proud to be able to provide our services to hospitals in Wisconsin. Send Word Now is well suited to support these hospital emergency preparedness initiatives based on its experience and expertise in servicing healthcare providers and hospitals across the country.” 

About Send Word Now

Send Word Now is the leading provider of on-demand alerting and incident management services for both routine and emergency communication. The easy-to-use, web-based emergency notification service is used by government agencies, municipalities, universities, non-profit organizations and businesses, including many Fortune 500 companies, to ensure fast, effective, two-way communication in real-time. Send Word Now’s Alert Tracer® provides a full audit trail of messages sent and received for after-action reporting and follow-up. Designed to reach anyone, anywhere, anytime, with any device over any type of connection, Send Word Now’s mass notification system is capable of transmitting hundreds of thousands of voice and text messages in minutes. The company is headquartered in New York City. Visit Send Word Now on the web at http://www.sendwordnow.com or email us at [email protected]. Follow Send Word Now on Twitter at http://twitter.com/sendwordnow and check out our new blog for industry news and insights at http://www.sendwordnow.com/Company/Blog.

About The Wisconsin Hospital Emergency Preparedness Program

The Wisconsin Hospital Emergency Preparedness Program supports hospital emergency preparedness planning and response to mass casualty incidents or pandemic events. The Wisconsin Hospital Emergency Preparedness Program is funded by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). 

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ANAHEIM, CA–(Marketwire – September 22, 2010) – Leading wound care experts will present a Poster highlighting results from a multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) between the SNaP® Wound Care System from Spiracur, Inc., of Sunnyvale, Calif., and the Wound V.A.C.® Therapy System from Kinetic Concepts, Inc. of San Antonio, Texas, for the treatment of chronic lower extremity ulcers. The Poster will be presented at the Fall 2010 Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) in Anaheim, Calif.

Background:  The SNaP Wound Care System is an ultraportable and disposable NPWT device that was approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in August 2009 in a new technology category the FDA defined as “non-powered” NPWT devices. It is currently available for purchase in the U.S. The new system produces the same level of negative pressure as competitive technologies; however, it requires no electric or battery power making treatment completely silent. In addition, the therapy system weighs less than three ounces, enabling patients to wear the device under clothing and resume daily activity during the course of treatment.

About Spiracur, Inc.
Spiracur, Inc. is a privately held medical device company focused on the development of innovative wound healing technologies. Spiracur was founded out of the Stanford Biodesign Innovation program in 2007. Its first product, the SNaP Wound Care System, grew out of the notion that current negative pressure wound therapies were too cumbersome for patients and clinicians. Spiracur strives to develop products that are truly patient-centric. For more information, please visit http://www.spiracur.com.

SNaP and Spiracur are registered trademarks of Spiracur, Inc.

BOCA RATON, FL–(Marketwire – September 22, 2010) –  Vicor Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: VCRT), today announced that CEO David Fater’s interview by The Wall Street Transcript for its September 20, 2010 Medical Devices Report is now available for download at the company’s website: www.vicortech.com. Vicor Technologies is a biotechnology company focused on the development of innovative, non-invasive medical devices using its patented, proprietary PD2i^® nonlinear algorithm and software. Vicor is currently in the process of commercializing diagnostics that accurately risk stratify specific target populations for future pathological events including cardiac death resulting from arrhythmia or pump failure, and autonomic nervous system dysfunction, and trauma victims in need of lifesaving intervention.

“We are gratified to have been given the opportunity to discuss Vicor’s product commercialization status in The Wall Street Transcript‘s Medical Devices Report. This is an exciting time for Vicor and we’re eager to share our progress with those following the evolving medical device industry,” stated Mr. Fater.

About Vicor Technologies, Inc.
Vicor Technologies is a biotechnology company creating innovative non-invasive diagnostics employing its patented, proprietary point correlation dimension algorithm (PD2i^®). The PD2i^® nonlinear algorithm is a deterministic, nonlinear measure of electrophysiological potentials that predicts future pathological events with a high degree of accuracy in target populations.

Vicor currently has three products employing the PD2i^® nonlinear algorithm. The PD2i Analyzer™, which has FDA 510(k) marketing clearance, measures heart rate variability; physicians performing diagnostic tests with the PD2i Analyzer™ are able to receive reimbursement under existing CPT codes. The PD2i VS™ (Vital Sign), in clinical trials under a collaborative effort with the U.S. Army Institute for Surgical Research (http://www.usaisr.amedd.army.mil/), risk stratifies combat and civilian trauma victims. The PD2i CA™ (Cardiac Analyzer), in multiple clinical trials, identifies patients at risk of sudden cardiac death.

Vicor anticipates additional applications employing the PD2i^® nonlinear algorithm to enable early detection and risk stratification for a variety of other disorders and diseases. Additional information is available at www.vicortech.com.

Disclaimer
The appearance of name-brand institutions or products in this media release does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Army Institute for Surgical Research of the information, products or services contained therein.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Forward-looking statements in this press release are based on current plans and expectations that are subject to uncertainties and risks, which could cause our future results to differ materially. The following factors, among others, could cause our actual results to differ: our ability to generate revenues from the sale of the PD2i Analyzer™; our ability to obtain FDA approval of our 510(k) submission to secure a claim for the PD2i CA™(Cardiac Analyzer) for risk stratifying congestive heart failure patients at elevated risk of cardiac mortality and our ability to obtain marketing clearance from the FDA for the PD2i VS™ (Vital Sign) for military and civilian applications; our ability to continue to receive financing sufficient to continue operations and complete critical clinical trials; our ability to continue as a going concern; our ability to successfully develop products based on our technologies; our ability to obtain and maintain adequate levels of third-party reimbursement for our products; the impact of competitive products and pricing; our ability to receive regulatory approval for our products; the ability of third-party contract research organizations to perform preclinical testing and clinical trials for our technologies; the ability of third-party manufacturers to manufacture our products; our ability to retain the services of our key personnel; our ability to market and sell our products successfully; our ability to protect our intellectual property; product liability; changes in federal income tax laws and regulations; general market conditions in the medical device and pharmaceutical industries; and other matters that are described in Vicor’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of the press release, and we assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements or the reasons why actual results could differ.

Release 10-16

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ST. LOUIS, MO–(Marketwire – September 22, 2010) –  Life Uniform, the leader for today’s healthcare fashion trends, will be launching a new and exclusive collection of Laura Ashley medical apparel on September 30^th, 2010 nationwide. Building on a tradition of providing fashion-forward styles, innovative products, the most popular brands, and exclusive styles for 45 years, Life Uniform will introduce their latest fashion in medical scrubs under the Laura Ashley name. Laura Ashley has granted exclusive licensing rights to Life Uniform to design, manufacture, and sell medical scrub tops and pants through their retail outlets and online.

“The Life Uniform and Laura Ashley collaboration is a great opportunity to offer consumers fashionable, affordable, and premium quality medical apparel that encompasses the essence of two great brands,” says Life Uniform’s President and CEO Jim Rudd. “We are excited to bring another fashion choice to our customers who look for distinctive designs that reflect their own individual style.”

“The field of healthcare is dominated by women who are looking for styles and colors that reflect their individual personalities,” says Laura Ashley Vice President of Licensing Penne Cairoli. “We believe the classic yet contemporary style of Laura Ashley will resonate exceptionally well with so many of the dedicated professionals throughout this field.”

The new Laura Ashley medical scrubs can be found in all Life stores and online beginning September 30^th, 2010 with a special in-store celebration on that day to include refreshments and drawings.

About Life Uniform
Life Uniform, headquartered in St. Louis, MO, has been providing fashionable medical uniforms and accessories since 1965. With nearly 200 stores nationwide, on premise hospital stores and a sophisticated online store, Life Uniform is a one-stop shopping destination for all healthcare apparel, medical uniforms, scrubs, nurses shoes, lab coats, hosiery and healthcare accessory needs. Life Uniform represents top brands including Cherokee, Dickies, Barco, Landau, Koi, Dansko and many others, including exclusive merchandise that only Life carries including the new Laura Ashley line of medical scrubs. They also sell their own product line, Life Uniform, which reflects the Life philosophy of STYLE and VALUE.

For more information, visit Life Uniform or call Deb Weis, VP of Marketing at 314-824-2906.

About Laura Ashley
Laura Ashley, Inc., headquartered in Fort Mill, S.C., is the master franchising and licensing holder of the Laura Ashley brand in North and South America. The company strives to be the ultimate destination brand for home products, women’s wear and children’s wear. Licensed categories include bed linen, mattresses, women and children’s clothing and accessories, and much more. For additional information visit www.lauraashley-usa.com.

WOODLAND HILLS, CA–(Marketwire – September 21, 2010) –  Great American Group, Inc. (OTCBB: GAMR), a leading provider of asset disposition, valuation and appraisal services, today announced a complete disposition of all medical and support equipment assets of a now-closed Springfield, Ohio hospital.

Great American Group will conduct a public auction sale of the 100+ bed facility on behalf of Community Mercy Health Partners piece-by-piece in an online-only, timed sale event, with bidding open from September 23 through 28, 2010.

Having conducted complete asset dispositions and valuations for dozens of hospitals and clinics of all sizes over the last decade, Great American Group is uniquely positioned to perform this specialized sale. The asset management firm has garnered a wealth of experience and built a strong following of healthcare equipment buyers throughout the modernized world. 

“Good, used medical equipment is in demand everywhere, so it is not uncommon for us to see the healthcare assets we sell at auction redeployed on a global scale,” commented Mark Weitz, President of Great American Group’s Wholesale and Industrial Services. “When a hospital such as this closes, it results in a positive opportunity for other regional hospitals, clinics, and specialized healthcare facilities to expand or modernize their operations at an economical cost,” Mr. Weitz continued.

A Great American Group online auction allows buyers to bid from their computer over the course of the timed sale event. Buyers who tender the highest bid on each item or lot offered will be awarded those items after the close of the auction. Inspection of all items will take place at 1343 N. Fountain Boulevard in Springfield, Ohio on Wednesday, September 22, or by appointment. Bidding will close on September 28, 2010.

About Great American Group®

Great American Group, Inc. is a leading provider of asset disposition solutions and valuation
and appraisal services to a wide range of retail, wholesale and industrial clients, as well as
lenders, capital providers, private equity investors and professional service firms. Great
American Group has offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, London, Los Angeles, New
York, and San Francisco. www.greatamerican.com

*Great American Group and the Eagle Design are trademarks registered in the US Patent and
Trademark Office and are exclusive property of Great American Group, Inc.

GAMR-G

LONDON–(Marketwire – September 21, 2010) –  The Autism Treatment Center of America is launching a free lecture series in U.K. cities in October. The lecture details highly effective treatment techniques for use by parents of children with Autism and related developmental difficulties. Lecture attendees have seen miraculous changes in their children since attending.

“I would urge parents to grab the chance to go to a lecture,” said Mark O., whose son was diagnosed with Autism. “The Son-Rise Program has seen my six-year-old’s abilities improve so dramatically in the last year, that he is almost ready for a mainstream school. It helped him improve his verbal skills, flexibility and emotional ties, and improved the quality of life for me, my wife and our 10-year-old daughter.”

Lee J. agrees. “Prior to attending Raun’s lecture, my son Adam, who had been diagnosed with Autism, had no language, rarely looked at us, avoided physical contact, and flapped his hands,” he says. “My wife and I went to Raun’s lecture and it felt like someone had finally given us the answer. Four years later, our son has progressed beyond our expectations. He speaks in full sentences now! When I hear him say ‘Night, night Daddy,’ it melts my heart. That two-hour lecture was a turning point for all of us.”

Attendees will be given techniques to use immediately from The Son-Rise Program at the lecture, presented by Raun K. Kaufman, international Autism lecturer and Director of Global Education of the Autism Treatment Center of America. Mr. Kaufman is the subject of the book Son-Rise: The Miracle Continues, which details his own recovery from Autism.

Register now at: http://www.AutismHelpuk.org/uk. Lectures are free to the public. NOTE: Children cannot be accommodated at the lectures.

LONDON — 9 October, 10 a.m. & 3 p.m. — Regents College
LONDON — 14 October, 6:30 p.m. — Regents College
LONDON — 16 October, 10 a.m. & 3 p.m. — UCL Institute of Child Health
MANCHESTER — 2 October, 10 a.m. — University of Salford
LEEDS — 3 October, 3 p.m. — Leeds College of Music
SHEFFIELD — 5 October, 6:30 p.m. — Ponds Forge
LEICESTER — 7 October, 6:30 p.m. — Leicester Tigers Walker Stadium
BIRMINGHAM — 10 October, 3 p.m. — Aston University
NOTTINGHAM — 12 October, 6:30 p.m. — St. Peter’s Church

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DENVER, CO–(Marketwire – September 21, 2010) –  Rose Pediatrics, a provider network dedicated to delivering true customer service to patients and families, this month launched RosePediatrics.com, a comprehensive health and wellness resource for families everywhere. This innovative and informative website offers advice from leading pediatricians to help parents make informed decisions about their children’s health.

“RosePediatrics.com leverages the expertise of leading pediatricians, which in turn, empowers parents to make educated decisions when it comes to their children’s health,” said Andrew Lieber, MD, co-founder and chief medical officer of Rose Pediatrics.

A popular feature available at RosePediatrics.com is the dosages resource. This interactive tool provides accurate dosage information — in amounts and frequency — for common childhood medications depending on an individual’s age and weight.

“The website incorporates a steady stream of health and wellness advice from Rose Pediatrics physicians,” said Howard Lieber, co-founder and chief executive officer of Rose Pediatrics. “It’s designed to be a user-friendly tool for families across the country.”

RosePediatrics.com offers advice related to caring for kids from birth to age 21; ranging from jaundice in newborns, to managing flu shots and other immunizations, to recognizing the symptoms of commonly seen childhood illnesses, among other topics. Also available on the educational website are how-to articles, answers to FAQs, and book reviews focused on children’s common health issues. In addition, RosePediatrics.com offers engaging, helpful blogs written by parents and some of the medical providers who are sharing their stories, successes, counsel, and concerns.

The site’s goal is to empower parents to better understand their child’s illness or injury and visit their pediatricians armed with the appropriate questions.

Rose Pediatrics, which operates two clinics in Colorado, launched the user-friendly website as an extension of the company’s mission: “our family caring for your family.” This family run, service-based medical provider network plans to open six additional clinics in the Denver metro area over the next several years.

For more information, visit RosePediatrics.com.

About the Rose Pediatric Provider Network
Rose Pediatrics is a provider network dedicated to delivering true customer service to patients and families. Led by chief medical officer, Andrew Lieber, MD, the network’s pediatric team has more than 35 years of pediatric practice experience and 20 years of specialized training in asthma, diabetes, obesity, allergies, flu and other child health issues. Receiving the highest quality designations from every insurance company, the pediatric network aims to provide high quality treatment while delivering efficiency and cost effectiveness to patients. As a family-run organization with Dr. Lieber’s brother, Howard Lieber, serving as CEO, Rose Pediatrics is committed to treating each patient like family. Through its online resource, RosePediatrics.com, the Rose Pediatric Provider Network is dedicated to providing education and services to families across the nation. For more information about Rose Pediatrics’ clinics in Denver and Highlands Ranch, or to find a pediatrician, visit RosePediatrics.com.

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NEW YORK, NY–(Marketwire – September 21, 2010) –  The Patient Channel and the Newborn Channel, part of the nation’s largest hospital-based health television network, currently available in over 2,700 hospitals nationwide, today announced the addition of twelve exciting new programs designed to promote patient wellness and parenting success.

A survey* commissioned by the Patient Channel shows that 43% of Americans felt that they didn’t receive enough information regarding their own or a loved one’s condition during their last hospital stay, and hospitalized patients often have difficulty getting health information at the very time they want it most — at the point of care.

The new programs, which range in content from helping dads become more involved in infant care to how patients can finally quit smoking, deliver important health information and advice in an entertaining and engaging format that positively affects patient lifestyle decisions upon discharge.

All programs are developed by the Patient Channel and the Newborn Channel, with the clinical guidance and expertise of its distinguished medical advisors and review board. Videos are shot on location and feature national health experts and patient stories told by the patients and their physicians. This unique storytelling helps patients better understand and cope with what is required to manage their care.

“With the increases in fiscal restrictions and regulations, it is more difficult than ever for doctors and nurses to give each patient the personal care and attention they would like and as a result, the patient may miss out on important information,” said Dave Ross, Chief Operating Officer, Interactivation Health Networks. “We’ve added programs designed to help hospitals not only meet requirements for regulatory compliance and reimbursement but also supply patients with a source of poignant and credible advice.”

“The Patient Channel and Newborn Channel provide our nurses with the resources they need to supplement their patient and family education. It also gives us valuable tools to help us meet some of our regulatory requirements to provide mandated education to our patients,” said Beth Quinn-O’Neill, Director of Clinical and Community Education at Holy Name Medical Center, Teaneck, NJ, which has been participating in the network since 2002.

The following programs have been recently added and are now available in all participating hospitals:

NEWBORN CHANNEL

• Mommy Calls — Information on when new moms should call the doctor
• Mommy Don’t Smoke — A practical guide to quitting
• Shaken Baby Syndrome — Information on how to avoid a preventable tragedy
• Special Care for Preemies — A look at the special needs of premature newborns
• Baby’s Clean Home — Information about creating a safe and clean home for babies
• Keeping Baby Safe — Important safety information for new parents
• Dad’s Role with Baby — Pointers for Dads new to parenting

PATIENT CHANNEL

• Men’s Health: Advice to Baby Boomers — Health issues unique to male boomers
• Women’s Health: Advice to Baby Boomers — Health issues unique to female boomers
• Stop Smoking Today — A practical guide to quitting
• Living With Heart Disease — How to resume life after a heart attack and avoid readmission
• Preventing Flu and Pneumonia — The latest information, just in time for the cold and flu season

For a full listing of the Patient Channel’s programming please click here and for the Newborn Channel’s programming click here, or visit thepatientchannel.com and thenewbornchannel.com for more information.

*The Patient Channel Hospital Patient Education Survey was commissioned through ORC International. The survey was conducted among 1,025 American adults [509 men and 516 women] living in private households, age 18 years and older. The overall margin of error for the survey was +/- 3%.

About Interactivation Health Networks
The Patient Channel and the Newborn Channel are the most comprehensive in-hospital TV networks. Delivered directly to patient rooms and waiting areas, the Channels provide viewers with original, award-winning health programs and advertisers with the unique ability to integrate brand messaging with content that is compelling and endorsed by healthcare professionals. The Newborn Channel broadcasts baby care and postpartum programming for new parents, reaching 60% of new moms. The Patient Channel features both condition-specific and preventative health programming to empower and inform patients. The channels are currently available in over 2,700 hospitals nationwide. For more information, visit www.thenewbornchannel.com and www.thepatientchannel.com