Weekly Nephrology/Health IT News Roundup: December 13, 2013

CMS extends deadline for EHR Stage 2 meaningful use requirements

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has extended the deadline for health care providers to meet Stage 2 meaningful use requirements for the electronic health records incentive program. Under the revised timeline, Stage 2 will be extended through 2016 and Stage 3 will begin in 2017 for those providers that have completed at least two years in Stage 2, CMS said in a release.

 

FDA approves new hemodialysis indication for Gore’s Viabahn Endoprosthesis

The U.S Food and Drug Administration has granted indication for the Viabahn Endoprosthesis, made by W. L. Gore & Associates, to treat stenosis or thrombotic occlusion at the venous anastomosis of synthetic arteriovenous access grafts. This new indication allows for the use of the product in hemodialysis patients.

 

Vitamin D decreased pain in women with type 2 diabetes, depression in study

Vitamin D decreases pain in women with type 2 diabetes and depression, according to a study conducted at Loyola University Chicago. These findings were presented at an Oct. 24, 2013 research conference at Loyola’s Health Sciences Campus.

 

Researchers evaluating immunotherapy approaches for treating metastatic kidney, prostate, bladder cancers

Researchers at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) Center for Immunotherapy are enrolling patients in three different clinical trials of novel immunotherapy approaches for treating genitourinary cancers.

 

ACP issues policy paper on prescription drug abuse; Guidelines recommend wider statin use among adults with chronic kidney disease

In a new policy paper published in Annals of Internal Medicine, the American College of Physicians (ACP) recommends clinical and administrative changes that will make it harder for prescription drugs, such as those prescribed for pain, sleep disorders, and weight loss, to be abused or diverted for sale on the street.

 

Researchers investigate use of pig kidneys for human transplant

According to the National Kidney Foundation, around 96,645 patients in the US are awaiting kidney transplants as a result of kidney failure. However, less than 17,000 kidney transplantations are carried out each year due to a shortage of donors. But a new option could soon be available – in the form of pig kidneys.