Two malpractice bills stir passions

Two malpractice bills stir passions

Proposed changes to Georgia’s medical malpractice system consumed a marathon Senate committee hearing Wednesday, as nursing home representatives, physicians, lawyers and patient advocates battled over two bills breaking late in the General Assembly session. The first bill would promote the signing of voluntary agreements that would send nursing home patients’ injury claims to arbitration. The…

Georgia's Attorney General

Health and the law — an interview with Georgia’s attorney general

From his opposition to the Affordable Care Act to his prosecutions of Medicaid fraud, Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens has been very involved in health care issues in the state. Georgia Health News recently sat down with Olens in an exclusive interview regarding his views on health care. He discusses his fight against “pill mills,’’…

Audit targets overspending at Community Health

Audit targets overspending at Community Health

A recent audit gave the state Department of Community Health a “clean report’’ but also found that the agency overspent its Medicaid budget by $32 million in fiscal 2012. The audit findings were discussed at an agency board meeting Thursday. Board Chairman Norm Boyd said that though the amount of money appears large, it represents just…

Med student Bijal Vashi works with Dr. David Gaines at St. Mary's Hospital

Med students make history in corridors of Athens hospitals (video)

A major cultural shift is under way in the two community hospitals that have been serving Athens for generations. In such a storied university town, it may seem surprising that the change did not happen long ago. While medical students are a part of the landscape at big university hospitals across the country, they are…

‘Virtual patient’ may save real lives (video)

‘Virtual patient’ may save real lives (video)

The rate of suicide has risen 25 percent in the U.S. over the last decade. The recent debate over gun control has drawn attention to the fact that suicides by firearm outnumber homicides by firearm in most years. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for college students, and third for all 15- to 24-year-olds,…

Women in some rural counties are having to drive long distances to deliver their babies.

Born far from home: Fewer rural hospitals delivering babies

Last year, Burke Medical Center faced some tough math in trying to keep its childbirth services going. The 40-bed hospital in Waynesboro, in rural east Georgia, was losing more than $1 million per year on its obstetrical services. Given the high overhead, a hospital must deliver 500 babies or more a year to break even…

Fitness: When doctors practice it, they’re better at preaching it

Med student Brian Brewer is working on a body — his own. He grips the pull-up bar and slowly uses it to raise himself, then goes back down and repeats the procedure. After completing a set of pull-ups, he drops to the floor for pushups. He follows that with core training to work his lower…

Doctor’s Corner: The case for circumcision

Doctor’s Corner: The case for circumcision

After reviewing the evidence, the American Academy of Pediatrics last year revised its policy on circumcision. The pediatricians’ group now takes the position that the health benefits of newborn male circumcision outweigh the risks. But the statement it released last year stopped short of recommending circumcision for all males, leaving it to the parents to…

Marvel of telemedicine includes stroke care

Marvel of telemedicine includes stroke care

Georgia’s telemedicine network is a jewel in the state’s health care infrastructure. It’s delivering medical care in rural areas, using high-definition cameras to illuminate problem areas and transmit them to a doctor hours away with clear pictures. The examinations can range from skin problems to behavioral health issues. And telemedicine is working for stroke victims…

‘Accountable care’ takes big leap in state

‘Accountable care’ takes big leap in state

A federal agency on Thursday announced 106 new health organizations that will participate in a special Medicare “shared savings’’ program, and nine of them will serve Georgians. The groups are called “accountable care organizations’’ (ACOs), networks of physicians and other medical providers that seek to improve patient care and contain costs. ACOs get paid more…