Catholic Healthcare West Posts Stable Financial Performance in 2008

Catholic Healthcare West (CHW), the eighth largest health system in the nation and the largest not-for-profit hospital provider in California, today announced the results of its 2008 fiscal year, posting a net income of $170 million for the year ended June 30, compared to $891 million in the 2007 fiscal year, which included the effect of a change in accounting for unrealized gains and losses. This change in reporting rules for unrealized gains and losses on investments resulted in additional investment income of $194 million in FY07 that related to prior years.

Operating income for the not-for-profit hospital system in FY08 was $160 million compared to an operating income of $300 million in FY07. Revenues for FY08 increased 12 percent to $8.4 billion, compared to $7.8 billion in FY07. Across the 41-hospital system, adjusted admissions increased by 5.4 percent during the fiscal year, bringing its three-year increase to 12 percent. Results were released following a standard audit of financial statements.

CHW's income statement was impacted during the year by a non-recurring item -- a mold remediation project at St. John's Regional Medical Center in Oxnard, Calif. -- and several non-cash accounting entries, including the cost of restructuring debt and the aforementioned change in reporting rules for unrealized gains and losses on investments. Without these events, net income for the 2008 fiscal year would have been $485 million.

Lloyd H. Dean, CHW's president and chief executive officer, said CHW will continue to focus on the core of its healing ministry: delivering quality, compassionate patient care and improving the health and wellbeing of the communities it serves.

"CHW remains fundamentally strong in these challenging times," Dean said. "Our results demonstrate the soundness of our investment and diversification strategies; but most of all they are testimony to the continuing commitment of our employees and physicians who deliver excellent care and compassionate service to the communities we serve across three states."

All three major bond rating agencies affirmed the ratings on CHW's bonds -- Fitch Ratings (A+), Standard & Poor's (A), and Moody's Investor Services (A2) -- in April 2008, reflecting confidence by bondholders in the organization's present operations and its future.

As a not-for-profit system, CHW reinvests its operating and investment income in hospital improvements, technology enhancements, charity care and community health programs, and employee wages and benefits (including an employer-paid dependent health care coverage option).

During FY08, CHW provided $508 million in community benefits and free care for the poor, including charity care, community grants, and free primary care, up from $501 million in FY07. Based on guidance from the Catholic Health Association, CHW does not count its Medicare shortfall as part of community benefits. The Medicare shortfall to CHW in FY08 was $459 million, bringing the total FY08 unreimbursed expense to $967 million for both patient care and proactive health improvement efforts.

CHW also reinvested nearly $800 million in capital improvements and technology, including the continued roll-out if its clinical information system to a number of facilities; construction of a new hospital in Merced, Calif.; new patient towers at Mercy San Juan Medical Center in Carmichael, Calif., and St. Joseph's Medical Center in Stockton, Calif.; and expansions at Mercy Gilbert Medical Center in Gilbert, Ariz., and Bakersfield Memorial Hospital in Bakersfield, Calif.

"CHW is a vital partner in all of the communities we serve and is growing to meet the needs of all who come to us for care," Dean said. "Our ongoing stability amidst a broken national healthcare system positions us to be part of the solution to the nation's healthcare crisis. We are actively working at the local, state, and federal levels to build a national system that delivers quality, compassionate care to all in need."

CHW believes that comprehensive healthcare reform is vital for the growth and stability of the nation. In the three states where CHW operates, there are nearly eight million people without health care insurance. Meaningful healthcare reform must include universal access, a viable and stable financial system, increased attention to the quality of care, and across the board accountability. Over the past year, CHW has taken a leading role in the healthcare reform debate.

About Catholic Healthcare West

Catholic Healthcare West (CHW), headquartered in San Francisco, CA, is a system of 41 hospitals and medical centers in California, Arizona and Nevada. Founded in 1986, it is one of the nation's largest not-for-profit healthcare systems and the largest Catholic healthcare system based in the Western United States. CHW is committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality, affordable health care services with special attention to the poor and underserved. The CHW network of nearly 10,000 physicians and approximately 53,000 employees provides health care services to more than five million people annually. In 2008, CHW provided $967 million in charity care and unsponsored community benefit. For more information, please visit our website at www.chwHEALTH.org.

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Bayer HealthCare LLC announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved routine prophylaxis with Kogenate

Bayer HealthCare LLC announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved routine prophylaxis with Kogenate® FS Antihemophilic Factor (Recombinant) to reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes and the risk of joint damage in patients aged 0-16 years with severe hemophilia A with no pre-existing joint damage. This important approval provides these patients with the only factor VIII treatment that the FDA has determined safe and effective for routine prophylaxis -- a treatment regimen recommended by the National Hemophilia Foundation's Medical and Scientific Advisory Council (MASAC).

"The FDA approval of Kogenate FS as the first factor VIII treatment product in the U.S. to be used to replenish factor VIII levels in a prophylactic manner marks a significant milestone in the care of patients, especially young children, with hemophilia A," said Craig Kessler, M.D., Georgetown University Hospital and Chair, MASAC. "The results from the pivotal clinical study confirmed that the administration of Kogenate FS to prevent bleeding into the joints was more beneficial to joint health and function than 'on-demand' treatment of acute episodes of joint bleeds."

Dr. Kessler added, "The data justify the consideration of prophylaxis treatment for children with severe and moderate severity hemophilia A, uncomplicated by pre-existing joint damage, to be the medical standard of care. The FDA's recognition that Kogenate FS is an effective prophylactic FVIII replacement product has 'jump started' the standard of hemophilia care in the United States so that it is now on par with other developed countries, especially those in Western and Northern Europe."

The FDA approval of Kogenate® FS for routine prophylaxis in children without pre-existing joint damage is based on the clinical data from a multicenter trial in the U.S. that included 65 boys with severe hemophilia A less than 30 months of age at study entry. Study participants were followed for up to 5.5 years. This Joint Outcomes Study (JOS), conducted over a 10-year period, was led by Marilyn J. Manco-Johnson, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics and Associate Professor of Pathology in the Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Science Center, and Director of the Mountain States Regional Hemophilia & Thrombosis Center at the University of Colorado. Key findings from the JOS study, published in the August 9, 2007 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine(2), include:

* 93 percent of the participants in the routine prophylaxis group showed normal joint function, in contrast to 55 percent in the episodic group.
* Kogenate FS prophylaxis treatment was able to preserve the joint even if the child had less than or equal to two bleeds per index joint.
* Patients from the prophylaxis group were eight times more likely to have damage-free joints than those from the episodic group.
* The prophylaxis group had an 81.5 percent reduction in annual bleeding frequency compared to the episodic group.
* Overall, there was an 83 percent reduction in the risk for joint damage in patients receiving prophylaxis from an early age.
* Ten percent of the patients treated episodically experienced life-threatening bleeds compared to zero patients treated prophylactically.
* The most common adverse events were related to central venous access, such as catheterization and catheter removal, central line infection and pyrexia.

The study was designed with special emphasis on the "index joints," including the elbow, knee and ankle joints, which are most prone to bleeding in severe hemophilia patients. Joint structural outcomes and functioning were measured at 6 years of age by radiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and physical exams.

"The value for prophylaxis for hemophilia A patients has been understood for many years, but until today we have not had the combination of clinical evidence, pharmaceutical indication and the alignment of healthcare professionals, patients and regulators needed to ensure this treatment option is available," said Val Bias, CEO, National Hemophilia Foundation. "Bayer HealthCare's pursuit of this approval shows leadership and commitment to providing the scientific evidence that proves the benefits of prophylactic use for joint health in pediatric hemophilia patients."

This U.S. FDA approval may positively affect the prophylactic use of Kogenate FS in certain developing markets, including countries in Asia and South and Central America, where the product is approved based on the U.S. label.

"Today's announcement is a milestone in Bayer HealthCare's continuing commitment to advancing the science and treatment for the hemophilia community," said Paul Bedard, Vice President, General Manager, Hematology Business Unit, Bayer HealthCare. "From the beginning, our goal in pursuing this indication was to provide treatment options that would reduce bleeding episodes and protect the joint health of children with hemophilia A, which are the everyday concerns of patients."

About Kogenate® FS

Kogenate® FS, Antihemophilic Factor (Recombinant), is a recombinant factor VIII treatment indicated for the control and prevention of bleeding episodes and peri-operative management in adults and children (0-16 years) with hemophilia A. Kogenate FS is also indicated for routine prophylaxis to reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes and the risk of joint damage in children with hemophilia A with no pre-existing joint damage. The most serious adverse reactions are systemic hypersensitivity reactions including bronchospastic reactions and/or hypotension and anaphylaxis and the development of high-titer inhibitors necessitating alternative treatments to AHF. The most common adverse reactions observed in clinical trials (frequency greater than or equal to 4% of patients) were skin-associated hypersensitivity reactions (rash, pruritus, urticaria), inhibitor formation in previously untreated or minimally treated patients, infusion site reactions, and central venous access device (CVAD) line-associated infections.

Kogenate FS is contraindicated in patients who have manifested life-threatening immediate hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, to the product or its components, including mouse or hamster proteins.

Please see the full prescribing information for important risk and use information at www.kogenatefs.com.

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Help Support Breast Cancer Awareness With Lifespring Health

October is breast cancer awareness month! In honor of this, Lifespring Health is having a promotion to support breast cancer awareness and throughout the entire month, they will donate $5 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation each time you shop online through the Lifespring Health website.

About 182,460 women in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year. To increase, as well as fund, breast cancer awareness, Lifespring Health is offering members a unique way to shop for the cause. When you shop online with select partner retailers for pink ribbon products, those exclusive retailers will donate a portion of the proceeds to organizations helping raise awareness. In addition, Lifespring Health will donate $5 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for each online transaction made throughout the month of October. Help support the cause that helps so many affected women worldwide just by shopping online with Lifespring Health this month!



"We at Lifespring Health want to do a little something to help support breast cancer awareness. Every little bit counts, and awareness is the first step to curing this serious disease," said Mark Pearson, CEO of Lifespring Health.

About Lifespring Health

Founded in 2005, Lifespring Health offers a free cash-back reward solution to help people afford to stay healthy. Lifespring Health is committed to helping individuals reduce the burden of spiraling health care and fitness expenses. Mark Pearson, CEO & founder, was inspired to start Lifespring Health based on media reports of 47 million uninsured individuals. He developed an innovative solution that works much like a frequent flyer program, except members are awarded cash back to use towards any health or fitness expense instead of air travel. The company's patent-pending free rewards program is the first loyalty program in the healthcare sector that provides individuals with options for funding health and wellness-related costs. Participants in Lifespring Health's free Cash Back Rewards Program earn cash back by using the Lifespring Health Everyday Rewards Visa, through online rebate shopping, or by inviting friends and family to join their Cash Cluster.

For more information, go to: http://www.lifespringhealth.com

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Critical Care Nursing Director

Company: BE Smith Associates – B. E. Smith, Inc. – Providing Healthcare Leadership Solutions for 30 Years.
Title: Critical Care-Director of Nursing
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Description: Opportunity to Build Academic Medical Center in Dubai

Join a progressive team of healthcare leaders to build and open a new academic medical center in the most talked about city in the world - Dubai, UAE.

In affiliation with Harvard Medical School Dubai Center Institute for Postgraduate Education, the University Hospital, as part of the Mohamed Bin Rashid Academic Medical Centre, will function as the main tertiary care facility within Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC). The University Hospital, a 400-bed, state-of-the-art facility, will open its doors early 2011 and will establish a new standard for healthcare excellence in the region.

Seeking nursing leaders to collaborate in designing and operationalizing strategies and systems that will support the organization in achieving nursing and patient care excellence, based on international standards.

The first of its kind in the Middle East, the University Hospital has established a Center for Nursing Excellence to address the growing demand for high caliber nursing professionals. The Center focuses on advancing nursing practice and professionalism in the region through exceptional educational resources, a strategic international workforce development approach, partnerships with global leaders in nursing, and a strong nursing research program.

Critical Care Nursing Director

This world class medical center seeks a Critical Care Nursing Director to serve as a key member of the leadership team and establish three, high performing, large critical care units.

The position reports to the Chief Nursing Officer, and in collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team, will design and establish critical care nursing systems and processes. This is an excellent opportunity for a creative and strategic critical care expert to be part of an innovative team.

This position will develop and operationalize a comprehensive critical care services plan, including patient care delivery, workforce development and staffing solutions, practice and process design, capital and equipment planning, departmental budgets, quality and regulatory compliance, professional development and other aspects.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai is one of the world's fastest growing destinations. It's year-round sunshine, coupled with its luxurious lifestyle, has not only turned it into a popular tourist destination for sports and leisure, but is also an essential place to do business - -all of which combine to make living and working in Dubai a pleasure.
Pam Sime, MS, SPHR, GPHR
Vice President, International Consulting and Placement Services
Phone: 800-397-2078
Fax: 888-238-4276
E-mail: psime@besmith.com

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Perioperative Services Nursing Director

ompany: BE Smith Associates – B. E. Smith, Inc. – Providing Healthcare Leadership Solutions for 30 Years.
Title: Perioperative Services-Director of Nursing
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Description: Opportunity to Build Academic Medical Center in Dubai
Join a progressive team of healthcare leaders to build and open a new academic medical center in the most talked about city in the world - Dubai, UAE.

In affiliation with Harvard Medical School Dubai Center Institute for Postgraduate Education, the University Hospital, as part of the Mohamed Bin Rashid Academic Medical Centre, will function as the main tertiary care facility within Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC). The University Hospital, a 400-bed, state-of-the-art facility, will open its doors early 2011 and will establish a new standard for healthcare excellence in the region.

Seeking nursing leaders to collaborate in designing and operationalizing strategies and systems that will support the organization in achieving nursing and patient care excellence, based on international standards.

The first of its kind in the Middle East, the University Hospital has established a Center for Nursing Excellence to address the growing demand for high caliber nursing professionals. The Center focuses on advancing nursing practice and professionalism in the region through exceptional educational resources, a strategic international workforce development approach, partnerships with global leaders in nursing, and a strong nursing research program.

Perioperative Services Nursing Director
This world class medical center seeks a Perioperative Services Nursing Director to serve a as a key member of the leadership team and establish a high performing perioperative and interventional department - with 18 state-of-the-art OR suites serving all specialties.

The position reports to the Chief Nursing Officer and collaborates with the Chairman of Surgery and with all other relevant professionals to design and establish perioperative nursing systems and processes. This is an excellent opportunity for a creative and strategic perioperative expert to be part of an innovative team.

This position will develop and operationalize a comprehensive perioperative services plan, including patient care delivery, workforce development and staffing solutions, clinical operations, capital and equipment planning, quality and regulatory compliance, professional development and other aspects.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai is one of the world's fastest growing destinations. It's year-round sunshine, coupled with its luxurious lifestyle, has not only turned it into a popular tourist destination for sports and leisure, but is also an essential place to do business - -all of which combine to make living and working in Dubai a pleasure.
Pam Sime, MS, SPHR, GPHR
Vice President, Executive Search
Phone: 800-397-2078
Fax: 888-238-4276
E-mail: psime@besmith.com

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Hank's Heralds National Health Education Week

Healthy Aging, Live Long, Live Well is the theme of this year's National Health Education Week on October 12-18. To encourage awareness and action toward healthier living, Hank's Gourmet Beverages will launch its new line of vitamin-infused, sparkling beverages during the same week.

Launching at the Natural Products Expo on October 16 - 18 in Boston, Hank's will introduce boomers and their kids to Hanks Gourmet Infusions. This line not only meets consumer's rising demand for beverages that taste good and are good for them, but that are infused with natural Vitamins B12, C, and E, calcium and antioxidants.

Hank's Gourmet Infusions come in four unique flavors appealing to palettes both young and old. Its Berry and Green Apple are reminiscent of kids' favorite hard candy flavors, while its Orange Cream and Root Beer Float respectively re-create the sensation of many baby boomers' favorite treats: the Creamsicle® Pops and the ice cream/root beer float.

To maintain the authenticity of these traditional flavors and to create a sweet treat that is healthy, Hank's has infused all natural ingredients only, including real sugar, skim milk and small amount of cream. Combined with its light carbonation, these sparkling gourmet beverages deliver a refreshing taste with a rich texture that appeal to kids and parents alike.

"Parents today are looking for alternatives to traditional soda; they want beverages with benefits," says President Bill Dunman. "A lot of families grew up on our traditional root beer soda. We wanted to deliver a product with the same great taste, but infused with all natural vitamins, calcium and antioxidants. We're pleased that our Hank's Gourmet Infusions line delivers it all; good taste and health benefits."

Additionally, with its individual and four-pack, 12 ounce, slim, aluminum can package, this line is portable, safe and convenient. Hank's Gourmet Infusions are available through select distribution and online at www.hanksbeverages.com.

To learn more about Hank's Beverage Company, receive samples and/or schedule an interview with Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Bill Dunman, contact Renee Cooper at Christie Communications at (805) 969-3744 or rcooper@christiecomm.com. You may also visit www.hanksbeverages.comh.

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Companies Save Average of $5,000 Per Diabetic Employee by Using Abacus Incentive-Based Health Management Program

nitial financial data released today by Abacus Employer Health Solutions (Abacus) found U.S. companies can save an average of over $5,000 per year on medical claims for each diabetic health plan member who participates in Abacus’ new incentive-based health management program.

“Chronic conditions drive the majority of health plan costs for employers,” said Ed Aberger, Ph.D., executive vice president of Abacus. “Many companies already provide employees with wellness and disease management programs, but they often fail due to lack of participation. Now, we have clear data which shows that adding incentives, such as eliminating the co-pay for prescription drugs, motivates employees to follow health regimens and saves the company money right away.”

Abacus’ unique incentives offered through its Good Health GatewaySM Diabetes Program have resulted in over 50% participation by members with diabetes within just 8 months. This program not only reduces health plan costs to the employer, but it also reduces the out-of-pocket costs to the employee who is proactive in self care. Other benefits of the program include a dramatic reduction in hospital admissions and length of stays for participating employees and a striking increase in the utilization of the available health coaches.

Diabetes is a very serious disease, and when not properly managed, may lead to severe and life-threatening complications. This may end up costing companies, plan members themselves, and the health care system considerable money. According to the American Diabetes Association, the total annual economic cost of diabetes in 2007 was estimated at $174 billion. The average expense for an in-patient hospitalization is $2,281 per day when diabetes-related chronic complications are involved.

Abacus has developed and launched condition-specific health management programs for employers seeking to control high costs related to employees with diabetes and other conditions such as cardiovascular disease, depression, prenatal care, and more. Abacus utilizes the expertise of its behavioral scientists to engage employees and drive behavior change in value-based benefit plan designs.

About Abacus Employer Health Solutions

Abacus Employer Health Solutions (Abacus) and its principals are nationally recognized behavioral scientists and health experts who have been providing cost-containment solutions for over two decades. Abacus has developed numerous evidence-based e-health tools financed in part with grant funding from the National Institutes of Health and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Today, Abacus provides employers with an array of unique programs and services to address their wellness and chronic condition management, specializing in integrating behavioral science principles into modern benefit plans and providing incentive program design and administration. Visit

http://www.abacushealth.com

for more information.

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MedLink Partners With HealthBanks for Patient Education on MyMedLinkChart.com

MedLink International, Inc. (OTC BB:MLKNA.OB - News) announced today that it has entered into an agreement with HealthBanks, Inc., an innovative industry leader in internet based physician-patient communication and health education programs, to provide patient education and physician communication tools through MyMedLinkChart.com. Patients utilizing MyMedLinkChart.com will have access to the award-winning Healthwise Knowledgebase, which contains more than 5,000 evidence-based topics on health conditions, medical tests and procedures, medications, and everyday health and wellness issues.

Ray Vuono, CEO of MedLink International, Inc.: "We are really excited about the launch of mymedlinkchart later this month. The site will have unique features that will separate it from the competition by giving patients the ability to share their CCD (continuing care document) bilaterally with a physician that utilizes a CCHIT Certified® 08 EHR, connectivity to Microsoft's HealthVault, and now a comprehensive patient education database provided by HealthBanks' technology along with Healthwise information that will truly help patients understand their conditions and treatment options, while allowing them to directly communicate their questions with their physician."

The agreement will also make available to physician users of MedLink's TotalOffice EHR 3.1 and EHR Lite a weekly health eNewsletter customized for the medical practice and each physician, a professional physician and practice website, extensive patient education, and practice marketing tools. These services have achieved extraordinary engagement and stickiness with patients, physicians and practice managers in multiple specialties throughout the country.

About HealthBanks

Since 1993 HealthBanks has provided patient education and e-marketing services to the healthcare sector. Its first products (pre-Internet) were interactive patient education kiosks which resided in physician offices and hospitals (including the Mayo Clinic). Today, HealthBanks generates measurable results for its customers through its award-winning patient education and e-marketing platform designed specifically for healthcare. HealthBanks, Inc. is a privately held company based in Burlington, Massachusetts.

About MedLink International, Inc.

MedLink International, Inc. is a full service healthcare IT company that provides physicians, imaging centers, labs and patients with products and services designed to help create, manage and share medical information. Our state of the art flagship product, MedLink Total Office EHR 3.1, a CCHIT Certified® 08 Ambulatory EHR, and its companion practice management application, provides physicians with the ability to provide superior patient care, enhanced regulatory compliance, and efficiency tolls to help promote a profitable practice by utilizing one solution to handle all of their clinical support and practice management needs in one easy to use application. For more information regarding MedLink's products and services please visit www.medlinkus.com

MedLink International markets its line of Healthcare IT products and services through several unique partnerships in the medical community. MedLink International is publicly held, trading on the NASDAQ Bulletin Board (OTC BB:MLKNA.OB - News).

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Financial Bailout Includes Critical Legislation to End Discrimination and Improve Healthcare Coverage for More Than 113 Million Americans

The phrase “All men and women are created equal” took a new and significant meaning late last week with Congress’ approval of mental health parity legislation that will outlaw health insurance discrimination against Americans with mental health and substance-abuse conditions in employer-sponsored health plans.

It is estimated that roughly 67 percent of adults and 80 percent of children requiring mental health services do not receive help, in large part because of discriminatory insurance practices.

“This long-overdue legislation is a victory not only for mental health advocates, but for all Americans,” said James Gresham, president and CEO of Timberline Knolls, one of the country’s leading residential treatment facilities for mental disorders, including eating disorders and substance abuse. “This legislation not only gives those in need access to life-saving treatment, it also reduces the very stigma against mental illnesses that has caused millions of Americans not to seek treatment in the first place.”

Included in last week’s Wall Street bailout bill, the new mental health parity legislation will require insurance plans to provide coverage for mental illnesses, eating disorders and addiction disorders equal to what they provide for physical illnesses.

“Mental illnesses, eating disorders and addiction are real and treatable diseases and should be covered just as equally as conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer,” said Kimberly Dennis, M.D., medical director at Timberline Knolls. “This is a milestone in the quest to end discrimination against those living with a mental illness.”

According to federal officials, the parity law will improve coverage for 113 million people, including 82 million on employer-sponsored plans that are not subject to state regulation. The effective date, for most health plans, will be Jan. 1, 2010 and includes insurance plans sponsored by businesses with 51 or more employees.

About Timberline Knolls

Located just outside of Chicago on 43 beautiful acres, Timberline Knolls offers a spiritually nurturing environment of recovery for women ages 12 and older who are struggling to overcome eating disorders, substance abuse, and co-occurring disorders. For more information on Timberline Knolls and the services offered, visit www.timberlineknolls.com

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Medline Announces Exclusive Distribution Agreement for abaqis(R) Nursing Home Quality Assurance System

Medline Industries, Inc. announced today a strategic licensing agreement with Nursing Home Quality, LLC, granting Medline exclusive rights to market and distribute the company's abaqis® Nursing Home Quality Assurance System. The Web-based system allows nursing home providers to identify quality concerns and focus their improvement efforts using the same forms, analysis and thresholds used by state surveyors in the new Quality Indicator Survey (QIS).

"The long-term care survey process has changed dramatically with the QIS, and we're excited to align with a forward-looking company and product that gives healthcare providers a unique ability to improve the quality of resident care," said Shawn Scott, Medline vice president of healthcare corporate sales. "We are always seeking new technologies that provide targeted solutions, so aligning with Nursing Home Quality was a natural fit."

Quality assurance and evaluation of our nation's 15,000 nursing homes -- where more than 1.5 million people live -- is a growing matter of concern with providers, consumers and the federal government calling for a more consistent and resident-centered survey process. The new QIS process addresses this need through structured protocols that are fully automated on tablet PCs and by obtaining more information from direct questioning of residents and families. As a result, regulatory areas such as quality of life, which were not as fully investigated in the traditional process, are now receiving closer scrutiny.

As the only quality assessment and reporting system for nursing homes tied directly to the QIS, abaqis® gives providers the unique opportunity to use QIS tools and approaches for ongoing quality assurance and continuous survey readiness. Users are able to identify quality concerns in the same manner as surveyors and address those concerns before, rather than after, an evaluation. Rich reporting capabilities identify which care areas a facility should target for quality improvement, and drill-down capabilities provide root cause analysis on a facility-wide or individual resident basis, so healthcare providers can focus their interventions for maximum impact.

"Ensuring quality of care and quality of life for residents, as well as being continuously survey-ready, is a challenge for any healthcare organization," said Andrew Kramer, M.D., CEO of Nursing Home Quality. "With abaqis®, users will be able to build quality assurance, based on the federal code of regulations, into a nursing home's daily processes. The results of such an approach will not only be improved survey readiness, but also dramatic improvement in resident care."

To learn more about the abaqis® Nursing Home Quality Assurance System, visit www.medline.com/abaqis or call 1-800-MEDLINE.

About Nursing Home Quality, LLC

Nursing Home Quality assists nursing home operators and staff members in improving the quality of care and quality of life for their residents. Nursing Home Quality trains surveyors and certifies state survey agency trainers in QIS under contract to CMS and provides affordable and reliable QIS training and Web-based systems to nursing homes.

About Medline Industries, Inc.

Medline, the nation's largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of healthcare products, manufactures and distributes more than 100,000 products to hospitals, extended care facilities, surgery centers, home care dealers and agencies and other markets. Headquartered in Mundelein, IL, Medline has more than 800 dedicated sales representatives nationwide to support its broad product line and cost management services.

Meeting the highest level of national and international quality standards, Medline is FDA QSR compliant and ISO 13485 registered. Medline serves on major industry quality committees to develop guidelines and standards for medical product use, including the FDA Midwest Steering Committee, AAMI Sterilization and Packaging Committee and various ASTM committees. For more information on Medline, visit our Web site, www.medline.com.

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Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David's Medical Center Selected to Conduct Clinical Trial for Device to Treat Atrial Fibrillation

The Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute (TCAI) at St. David's Medical Center has been selected as one of only a few sites in the nation to participate in an FDA-approved clinical trial for a new device to treat persistent atrial fibrillation. TCAI, an international treatment, training and research center specializing in heart rhythm disorders, is a partnership between St. David's Medical Center and Texas Cardiovascular Consultants.

"This is just another example of how TCAI is leading the nation in pioneering new treatments for atrial fibrillation," Dr. Rodney Horton, electrophysiologist, Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia, said. "We are proud to take part in this study that has the potential to greatly enhance the future treatment of A Fib."

Heart arrhythmias are very common, affecting more than two million people nationwide. Atrial fibrillation, or A Fib, is the most common heart arrhythmia. A Fib is a rhythm disorder that affects the electrical system, or "wiring," of the heart muscle. It is often treated with cardiac ablation -- a procedure that allows physicians to deliver energy directly to the heart muscle at precise points that trigger the arrhythmia, creating a lesion that blocks the pathway for the abnormal heart rhythm. The new study involves second generation software (Gen II) that uses a catheter believed to result in the formation of a more effective lesion.

"In the Gen II study, we are evaluating a revolutionary radiofrequency ablation catheter," Dr. Horton said. "This device is able to monitor the temperature at its tip, giving electrophysiologists the ability to better control the delivery of energy through the catheter and generate a more effective lesion." In traditional cardiac ablation, room temperature saline is injected through the catheter prior to the delivery of energy. Because standard catheters do not measure the temperature at the catheter's tip, overheating may occur, resulting in the generation of a less effective lesion.

"While many studies involve less complex cases, we were particularly interested in this one because participants must experience more severe atrial fibrillation," Horton said. "The study incorporates the technology that we already know is effective and advances it to an even higher level, helping us generate a consistently effective lesion in highly complicated cases."

The study is designed for patients who have persistent A Fib. Participants must also meet other specific criteria. To inquire about participation in the clinical trail, please call 512-544-2342.

Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia

Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia, a division of Texas Cardiovascular Consultants, was founded in 1996 by Rodney Horton, M.D. The practice has grown to include nine clinical electrophysiologists specializing in the area of heart rhythm disturbances. Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Research, a division of Texas Cardiovascular Consultants, is committed to providing opportunities for patients in Central Texas to participate in studies utilizing the latest technology in the area of cardiac electrophysiology.

St. David's Medical Center

Since 1924, St. David's Medical Center has provided quality medical care to the residents of Central Texas. Conveniently located in central Austin at 32nd Street and IH-35, St. David's Medical Center provides comprehensive care with special expertise in neurology and neurosurgery, cardiac services, bariatric surgery, orthopedics, maternity and newborn services and rehabilitation. The medical center includes St. David's Hospital (acute care) and St. David's Rehabilitation Center (physical medicine and rehabilitation). For more information, please visit http://www.stdavids.com/sdmc.aspx

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Mii amo Honors Winter Solstice With Traditional Native American Celebration December 18-21

Join Mii amo, a destination spa at Enchantment Resort, for a four-day celebration in Sedona's red rock country honoring the winter solstice on December 21. Activities include a series of traditional Native American ceremonies facilitated by Native American Program Director R.J. Joseph and special guest, Elder George Goodstriker.

Goodstriker is a well-respected Blackfoot Elder from the Blood Reserve in Standoff, Alberta, Canada's largest reserve. He is a long-standing member of the First Nation's Wisdom Committee and a highly sought-after speaker. Joseph, a Northern Plains Cree who is originally from Alberta, works closely with a variety of Native American tribes to educate Enchantment Resort guests and staff about Sedona and Boynton Canyon's rich history and cultural traditions.

Winter solstice events will include the following:

Thursday, December 18:

-- Walk to the Ruins: Learn the teachings and history of the first people to inhabit Boynton Canyon, the red rock canyon which surrounds Enchantment Resort and Mii amo

-- Talking Circle: Join Elder George Goodstriker for this ceremony that has been used traditionally for communication, healing and spiritual purposes

Friday, December 19:

-- Solstice Orientation & Blessing: Learn about the program and receive a special Native American blessing

-- Native American Documentary: View this new documentary directed by R.J. Joseph which tells the story of the first inhabitants of Boynton Canyon

Saturday, December 20:

-- Pipe Ceremony Lecture: Experience a traditional pipe ceremony with Elder George Goodstriker

-- Native American Sweat Lodge Teachings: Learn authentic teachings and history

-- Apache Teachings: Listen to renowned Apache teacher, Bob Bear, as he shares the history of Boynton Canyon

Sunday, December 21:

-- Sweat Lodge: Join Native American Elder and Spiritual Advisor George Goodstriker as he performs a traditional sweat lodge ceremony in honor of the Winter Solstice. A sweat lodge is a circular structure built of supple willow or aspen branches, and is heated inside in a similar way to a sauna, providing a spiritual refuge to heal and cleanse mind and body.

This program is included in the cost of a regular Mii amo three-night Journey. Journey prices start from $2,178 single occupancy, and include luxury accommodations, spa treatments, fitness classes, art and nature activities, and three meals daily at Mii amo Cafe. To secure your spot, please call 1-888-749-2137, or visit http://www.miiamo.com.

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