Special Report

Home-care aides law may create barriers

Some agencies here are concerned I-1163's rules will shrink worker pool

July 19, 2012

Several Inland Northwest agencies in the long-term care industry are concerned about potentially negative and lasting effects of new training rules for home-care aides.Last fall, Washington state voters approved Initiative 1163, which upped the

Retailers draw seniors by making deals

Many stores and eateries here offer discounts regularly to entice patrons over 55

July 19, 2012

Treva Lind

On the first Tuesday of each month, at least five shuttle buses carrying retirement center residents navigate at various times to the Spokane Valley Fred Meyer store.The major attraction drawing this transit activity is the store's senior day 55

Timing of surgery doesn't affect risk of death, study says

Procedures performed late in day, late in week don't have higher mortality rate

December 1, 2011

The timing of surgical procedures—afternoon versus morning or Friday versus Monday—doesn't affect the risk of death after surgery, concludes a study in the December issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, official journal of the International to

Docs who pay heed to failures found to perform better

Some physicians in study ignored misdiagnoses, showed 'confirmation bias'

December 1, 2011

News Wise

When seeking a physician, you should look for one with experience, right? Maybe not. Research on physicians' decision-making processes has revealed that those who pay attention to failures as well as successes become more adept at selecting the all

Study links physical jobs, heart disease death risk

Cardiac fatality more likely among out-of-shape laborers than low-impact workers

December 1, 2011

High physical work demands are linked to an increased risk of death from ischemic heart disease—but only for men who aren't physically fit, reports a study in the November Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, the official of the

Mayo Clinic: Smoke-free workplaces reduce heart disease

Cardiac deaths dropped in one Minnesota county once ordinance took effect

December 1, 2011

News Wise

ditional evidence that secondhand smoke kills and smoke-free workplace laws save lives. The study was presented last month to the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions, in Orlando, Fla.Its research shows that the incidence of heart in

More patients turn to online physician ratings to find docs

Data can be insufficient, patients says; some sites favor MDs who pay in

December 1, 2011

Center for Advancing Health

Angie's List can help you locate a reputable handyman. Yelp can push you in the direction of the perfect restaurant for your anniversary dinner. Amazon's consumer reviews can even help you choose the TV that will fit in the corner of your den. So a

$10 million in health sciences research grants planned here

First application deadline is early this month; money to be given over decade

December 1, 2011

After an extensive strategic planning process, the Health Sciences and Services Authority of Spokane County plans to invest up to $10 million in health sciences research during the next decade. The organization has issued requests for proposals

Prolific Rockwood laboratory attains new accreditation

Clinic handles up to 1,200 electrodiagnostic screens annually, physician says

December 1, 2011

Chey Scott

stic laboratory, which performs up to 1,200 tests annually to diagnose a range of chronic and treatable health conditions, says it earlier this year became the first facility of its kind here to receive a recently developed accreditation.At the

Meridian plans $1 million Valley medical office project

Contractor bought parcel near county library branch with spec building in mind

December 1, 2011

Mike McLean

Meridian Construction Inc., of Spokane, plans to develop a 4,000-square-foot medical office building in Spokane Valley and lease it out to a yet-to-be-determined tenant or tenants, says company President Mark D'Agostino.D'Agostino says the has a