Allina News

[MedCity News, March 31, 2010] Medtronic Inc. has received Food and Drug Administration approval for the company’s second generation diabetes management system that allows patients to better monitor blood sugar levels and adjust insulin therapies. Some experts say a closed loop system might benefit only the most serious diabetic patients, those with complete pancreas failure. [...]

[Annandale Advocate, March 30, 2010] The question whether a controversial new health care reform law will be good for what ails us received mixed responses last week from area health care workers. While the health care overhaul aims to provide affordable coverage, Dr. Jonathan Strohschein, a family physician at Allina Medical Clinic – Annandale, said [...]

[Pioneer Press, March 30, 2010] Heart doctors are cheering news that Fridley-based Medtronic is moving closer to marketing the first MRI-compatible pacemaker in the U.S. “I think it’s an advantage for Medtronic,” said Dr. Robert Hauser, a cardiologist at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. “(But) there are multiple factors that physicians must weigh in selecting [...]

[KARE11, March 29, 2010] We’re talking 70s over the next few days, but along with the warmer temperatures and blooming flowers come the runny noses and itchy eyes. If your nose hasn’t told you already, spring allergies are here too. It’s evident at the Aspen Medical Group’s Bandana Square clinic in St. Paul. Allergy specialist, [...]

[Allina Newsroom, March 29, 2010] Allina’s Buffalo Hospital today was named one of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals® by Thomson Reuters, a leading provider of information and solutions to improve the cost and quality of health care. In addition, Buffalo Hospital is one of 23 hospitals among the 100 winners to be recognized as an [...]

[KMSP-TV, March 23, 2010] One part of the new health care law requires restaurant with more than 20 locations to put calorie information next to the price. Elizabeth Vander Laan, registered dietitian at Allina’s Abbott Northwestern Hospital Bariatric Center was live on Fox 9 News at 9 to talk about the benefits of the new [...]

[Fox 9 News, March 26, 2010] A U.S. Food and Drug Administration wants to ban minors from using tanning beds. At Sunwerks in Minneapolis, Karen Henessey always educates her clients before they hit the tanning bed. “I wouldn’t recommend you going more than 10 minutes in there,” said Henessey. Henessey herself has been tanning since [...]

[Massage Magazine, March 25, 2010] A new study shows complementary therapies—including massage therapy—relieve pain as much as 50 percent among a wide range of hospitalized patients. The study shows that an inpatient integrative medicine program—one that includes complementary and alternative medicine alongside traditional Western medical approaches—can significantly address pain. “Roughly 80 percent of patients report [...]

[Star Tribune, March 26, 2010] Legend has it that Philippides, a Greek messenger, inspired the first marathon when he ran 26 miles from the city of that name to Athens to report the outcome of a battle. As he reached the marketplace, he reportedly gasped, “We have won,” and dropped dead. To Dr. Robert Schwartz, [...]

[WCCO Radio, March 25, 2010] Metro area hospitals and the Minnesota Nurses Association have recently opened contract and pension negotiations. Representatives for both groups were interviewed on the WCCO Radio Noon News Hour about those talks. Listen below. Metro hospitals and nurses start contract talks

[Medscape Medical News, March 24, 2010] Policies that raise the price of alcohol can reduce consumption, illness, and premature deaths in drinkers and reduce the burden on healthcare systems, according to an article published online March 24 in The Lancet. Mark Willenbring, MD, an addiction psychiatrist at Allina Mental Health Clinic in St. Paul, Minnesota, [...]

[Univ. of Minnesota, March 23, 2010] As director of community benefit, Ellie Zuehlke is focused on connecting with the world outside of Allina Hospitals and Clinics. But she was just a few months into her job at the large health system when she noticed something unsettling about the community within Allina. “I was struck by [...]