Investigation Cites ‘Overused’ Procedures

Back surgery, prostate treatments, and coronary stents are among 10 “overused” and costly medical procedures identified by a new Consumer Reports investigation.The full list of such treatments, to be published in the magazine’s November issue, also includes heartburn surgery, implanted defibrillators, Cesarean sections, whole-body screens, high-tech angiography, high-tech mammography, and virtual colonoscopy.Such procedures can be costly, the report indicates, but may be unnecessary. Back surgery to treat a slipped disk can cost $20,000, but in 90% of cases, pain goes away within six weeks without surgery. The report attributes one-third of the country’s $2 trillion health spending to unnecessary procedures. In addition, the report indicates that costly new drugs may be no better than older ones, and that too little emphasis is placed on preventive care.* * *ROOSEVELT SEES SPIKE IN EMERGENCY CASESDoctors at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital said they are treating more emergency patients than expected, following the closure of St. Vincent’s Midtown Hospital.Roosevelt Hospital, on Tenth Avenue, is treating an average of 193 patients daily, up from 150 before St. Vincent’s closed on August 31. Roosevelt doctors expected to absorb 10,000 annual emergency cases from St. Vincent’s, but now they anticipate up to 18,000.So far, the hospital has hired extra staff and converted some offices into treatment areas. “We’re very well equipped in terms of staffing,” the emergency department’s chairman, Dr. Dan Weiner, said. “What’s more challenging are the physical constraints.”Officials said the hospital is not overloaded, but next month it will break ground on a $20 million project to expand the emergency department. Construction, expected to take 18 months, will increase bed capacity to 51, from 27.* * *HOSPITALS SEEK STATE FUNDINGEight hospitals in New York City have not given up efforts to receive funding to implement the Berger Commission recommendations, even after missing out on the first round of awards, announced last week.So far, the state Department of Health has awarded $362.3 million of $550 million in funding designated to offset closing and restructuring costs.“We hope we’re not forgotten,” a spokeswoman for New York Methodist Hospital, Lynn Hill, said. The hospital submitted a proposal for $31 million to merge with New York Community Hospital of Brooklyn.Last week, six hospitals in New York City were awarded nearly $100 million to close or restructure. Among them, St. Vincent’s Midtown was awarded $17 million, Victory Memorial Hospital was awarded $25 million, and Cabrini Medical Center was awarded $14 million, all to close. New York Downtown Hospital was awarded $6.2 million to downsize, Lenox Hill Hospital was awarded $25 million to shut its affiliate, the Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital; and Queens Hospital Center was awarded $12 million to expand.* * *MEDICARE PREMIUMS TO INCREASE IN 2008Medicare patients — including those 65 and older, and the disabled — will see their monthly premiums increase to $96.40 in 2008, up 3.1% from 2007.The increase, which amounts to about $2.90 a month, is the smallest since 2001 for the Part B premium, which covers office visits and outpatient services.Deductibles for Medicare Part A, which covers inpatient hospital and hospice care, increased to $1,024 from $992.* * *CITY, MACY’S KICK OFF WOMEN’S HEALTH INITIATIVEMacy’s department stores have a “friendly reminder” for women in fitting rooms: Get screened for breast cancer.As part of a partnership with lawmakers and health officials, Macy’s is posting reminders in four stores citywide, including its flagship in Herald Square.The reminders are part of a yearlong women’s health campaign, NYC Women First, which the speaker of the City Council, Christine Quinn, kicked off yesterday in concert with the city’s health department and public hospitals. Each month, outreach will focus on one area of women’s health.* * *NEWYORK-PRESBYTERIAN NAMES EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENTPhyllis Lantos was named executive vice president of New York-Presbyterian Hospital, the hospital announced yesterday. Ms. Lantos, who also holds the titles of chief financial officer and treasurer, will oversee finances for the hospital, which has an operating budget this year of $2.9 billion. Ms. Lantos joined NewYork-Presbyterian in 2000 as senior vice president and chief financial officer.

Investigation Cites ‘Overused’ Procedures

Investigation Cites ‘Overused’ Procedures

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