In Brief: Advocacy Group Raises Concerns On Analgesic Pumps; Michigan Blues Expands Medicare Offerings

Advocacy Group Raises Concerns On Analgesic Pumps

A new study by a Chicago-based advocacy organization claims there is a safety issued related to analgesic pumps operated in hospital settings.

According to the Physician-Patient Alliance for Health and Safety, more than 56,000 adverse patient events, including 700 patient deaths, were linked to analgesic pumps between 2005 and 2009. The organization cited data from the Food and Drug Administration.

“The survey reveals that there is a huge cause for concern for patient safety, as there is a great lack of consistency in safety procedures being followed by hospitals across the country," said Michael Wong, an attorney who serves as the Alliance's executive director. Wong. "This most likely accounts for a large proportion of adverse events and deaths associated with PCA use."

Wong did note that many adverse events have been avoided by hospitals continuously monitoring the pumps.

Michigan Blues Expands Medicare Offerings

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan has significantly expanded the coverage areas for one of its Medicare plans and has added another coverage option.

The Michigan Blues now offer Blue Care Network Advantage, a Medicare Advantage plan, to 17 more counties in Michigan. It also has begun offering My Choice Wellness, a Medicare plan for workers who do not receive coverage through their employers. That plan, administered in conjunction with Mercy Health, is being offered in Kent, Ocean and Muskegon Counties in the western part of the state.

"BCN Advantage now covers two thirds of the state, and expanding our coverage area gives more people the opportunity to carry a Blue Cross card, giving them access to the best doctors and hospitals in Michigan,” said BCN Government Programs Director Betsy Geis.