Special Report

Hearing loss may lead to cognitive decline, study finds

Memory, ability to think shown to worsen faster in analysis of older adults

February 28, 2013

Older adults with hearing loss are more likely to develop problems thinking and remembering than older adults whose hearing is normal, according to a new study by hearing experts at Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University.In the study, with six

GU study: Meal choices benefit seniors

System tested here lets nursing-home residents select food; healthy weight gain seen

February 28, 2013

Treva Lind

Senior residents of a nursing home who could rate meals and choose menu items showed healthy weight gain and other benefits under a food delivery system Gonzaga University researcher Neva Crogan has developed. The elderly residents participating

Minimizing inappropriate medications

Researchers find success changing doctor behavior, reducing potential errors

February 28, 2013

News Wise

Researchers at Philadelphia-based Thomas Jefferson University's Jefferson School of Population Health, working with colleagues at the Parma Local Health Authority in Italy, say they significantly reduced the prescribing of dangerous medications for

Cooper-George's Rejuvenation

South Hill Senior Living caters to modest-income, 55-year-old-plus residents

February 28, 2013

Mike McLean

The new owner of the Cooper-George Building, at 707 W. Fifth, is working to rejuvenate the 13-story structure while returning its focus to senior housing.Dennis Veeder, a 31-year registered nurse and co-owner of Sapphire Health Services, of the

Preparation could curb looming nurse shortage

Gap between number of RNs retiring, those graduating to grow

February 14, 2013

Linda Tieman

When the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act entered the national conversation a few years ago, for most people, 2014 seemed distant in the future. Today, the future is at our doorstep. If the Washington state legislature decides during a

Photo courtesy of Washington State University

Spokane global health research niche eyed by WSU

Antibiotic resistance, disease transmission likely study topics here

February 14, 2013

Jessica Valencia

Research being conducted at Washington State University in Pullman could have important implications for the planned medical school here when a branch of the university's Paul G. Allen School of Global Animal Health starts operating in Spokane, of

Wellness incentives stir increased participation

More employers here said offering financial rewards as inducement to workers

February 14, 2013

Linn Parish

Spokane-area employers that offer wellness programs in some cases are seeing an uptick in employee participation, in part because incentives for participation have become more compelling.Kathy Worden, co-owner of Spokane-based Workwell LLC, a

Using electronic records to help prioritize ICU admissions

Some hospitals already tap technology to evaluate risk of death, researchers say

February 14, 2013

News Wise

A national shortage of critical-care physicians and beds means difficult decisions for health care professionals: how to determine which of the sickest patients are most in need of access to the intensive care unit.What if patients' electronic a

Emergency departments aim for more efficient use

Better primary-care system is expected to help reduce nonemergent visits to ER

February 14, 2013

How will the emergency department's role in overall health care delivery change in coming years?Dr. Jeff Collins, chief medical officer, Providence Health Care: In recent years, emergency departments have become the focal point for care in a

Trying to solve the affordability puzzle at Group Health

Cooperative's strategy targets big cost savings to help it achieve goals

February 14, 2013

Kelly Stanford

Like all other health care organizations, Group Health Cooperative is facing a radically changing health care market and the pressure of rising costs. But from chaos, comes opportunity. We are adapting in ways that put our patients' needs at the to