“I know retailers were ordering product immediately after and trying to get as much in as possible, because they knew they were going to see an increase in sales”
Smokers are buying up cigarettes before the cost increases by 42 cents per pack on Sunday, retailers say, but they don’t expect customers to go cold [...]

“This isn’t a procedure you can perform confidently after just a few cases — mentorship and expertise are key.”
Less invasive lung surgery should become the first option for cancer patients, U.S. experts say. via WAFB-TV Baton Rouge

“If soldiers wear glasses that get knocked off or lost during patrol, they can be in trouble”
An Army eye clinic that offers free laser eye surgery to soldiers will give highest priority to special forces groups and other units most likely to go to combat in Iraq, according to a published report.
The LASIK or [...]

Patient information is effective ” Patient information is effective in improving patients’ knowledge and recall of medical facts. Combining verbal and written information is more effective than verbal information alone and personalised computer-based information is more effective than general information. Many patients prefer health information that is delivered using audio, visual or interactive [...]

Patient-focused quality enhancing interventions (QEI) overview
Patient-focused interventions are those that recognise the role of patients as activeparticipants in the process of securing appropriate, effective, safe and responsivehealthcare. Patients/citizens can contribute to quality improvement at both an individualand a collective level.
Patient-focused interventions are generally aimed at one or more of the followingseven quality improvement goals:· improving [...]

Patient Activation Measure Patient Activation Measure (PAM)The questionnaire used in the Patient Engagement survey contains a 22 item scale that assesses the extent to which people feel confident and able to self-manage their own health and health conditions. The scale consists of a series of statements, with five possible responses:• Strongly agree• Agree• Disagree• Strongly [...]

” Wellness Programs Can Reduce Health Risks And CostsWellness programs that are properly implemented can achieve a reduction of up to 60 percent in health risks and major reductions in the cost of disease care for employees.”
This paper shows that these programs provide an excellent return on investment !

Picker Institute response to EC patient information ” Picker Institute Europe welcomes the report’s recognition of theincreasingly active role of patients in seeking information in order tomake decisions about their health, care and treatment; and the report’ssupport for a ‘partnership’ model of the relationship between patientsand health professionals• However, Picker Institute Europe questions [...]

Exercise has been show to lift the moods of people with depression, and a Swedish researcher said that it is because the activity stimulates the production of new brain cells. via TheBostonChannel

Here are some health news highlights from around the web.

Experts believe Echinacea may boost the immune system and fight colds.
Study finds deadly drug resistant staph germ may infect up to 5% of hospital and nursing home patients.
Ex-EPA Chief says Guiliani blocked efforts to get Gound Zero workers wearing respirators. Many 1st responders now ill.
Study finds [...]

Here are some health news highlights from around the web.

Experts believe Echinacea may boost the immune system and fight colds.
Study finds deadly drug resistant staph germ may infect up to 5% of hospital and nursing home patients.
Ex-EPA Chief says Guiliani blocked efforts to get Gound Zero workers wearing respirators. Many 1st responders now ill.
Study finds [...]

England joins on Sunday the growing list of places that ban smoking in public buildings, taxis and other places with a tough law that includes even Buckingham Palace.
Pubs, clubs and restaurants will all be smoke-free. Taxi and delivery drivers have been warned that they too could be fined 50 pounds, or about $100, if [...]