Angiotech Pharmaceuticals Inc. has received 510(k) clearance from the FDA for sizes 3–0 and 4–0 of its Quill Self-Retaining System (SRS) Polydioxanone (PDO) product offerings, which are longer lasting absorbable suture typically used for deeper tissue closures. The company indicated that these smaller diameter sizes incorporate a new design for better holding strength and expand the number and scope of procedures that can be done with the Quill SRS product.

Opto Circuits India Ltd.’s subsidiary, Mediaid Inc., received Food and Drug Administration approval for its key vital signs monitoring products. The approval for marketing for model 900 and model 960 opens up the U.S. hospital market for Mediaid products. The model 900 and 960 devices monitor blood oxygen, blood pressure and temperature for a complete and quick assessment of vital signs.

According to a study published in the BMJ Specialty Journal Quality and Safety in Health Care, patients seem more willing to challenge nurses than doctors about safety issues during the treatment process. The direct factual questions were, however, directed more towards the doctors, rather than the nurses. The authors of the research believe that medical errors during hospital treatments may be reduced if the patients ask challenging questions without causing offence.

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According to CQ HealthBeat reports, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission has recommended that the Medicare payment system be amended so as to include skilled nursing facilities as separate nontherapy ancillary component. The prescription drugs and intravenous therapy also come under the same component.