Cardiac surgeries performed in India cost far less than in the U.S., making them an attractive option for patients who are willing to travel. Researchers who track medical tourism warn that these bargains come with potential health and financial risks. Others say U.S. hospitals should view such overseas enterprises as an example of innovative and cost-effective care.

Four experts share their opinions in a roundtable discussion on the clinical, legal and economic considerations of remote monitoring of patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices with wireless capabilities.

Genii of St. Paul, Minn., has received 510(k) clearance from the FDA to market a new electrosurgery generator for use in endoscopy.

The American Medical Association (AMA), along with state and national medical specialty societies, have sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expressing serious concern about an onslaught of overlapping regulations that affect physicians. Programs with overlapping timelines include the value-based modifier, penalties under the e-prescribing program, physician quality reporting system and EHR incentive program, along with the transition to ICD-10.

CHICAGOIntegrating low-cost, quality improvement interventions that include checklists, nurse champions and educational materials, can help bridge the gap in terms of physician adherence to evidence-based protocols for treating acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients, according to the results of the late-breaking clinical BRIDGE-ACS trial presented this morning at the 61st annual American College of Cardiology (ACC) scientific sessions. While the strategies worked, larger studies should be conducted to evaluate whether these types in strategies will be effective in the long term.

CHICAGOHospitals must implement a contingency plan to deal with ICD-10, said Mary Phelps and Carol Beehler, both of PricewaterhouseCoopers during a presentation March 22 at the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiovascular Administrators (ACCA). Hospitals should go forward preparing for ICD-10, despite the fact that the Oct. 1, 2013 deadline has been delayed.

CHICAGOOn the road to value-based care, consumer electronics and technological innovations may be the key, said Eric Louie, MD, chief medical officer at Sg2 in Skokie, Ill., during a morning keynote March 23 at the American College of Cardiology Administrators (ACCA) meeting.

Will it become increasingly difficult to find the talent needed to run a cardiovascular business unit? A survey by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) suggests the answer is yes.