This is a short summary of 15 anti-kickback and fraud cases and investigations that have made headlines in 2009. The situations involve a range of participants including hospitals, device companies, physicians, payors and other suppliers . 1. Medtronic whistle-blower suit. A lawsuit filed by two former Medtronic employees of the company’s Memphis-based spine business accused 120 leading spine surgeons across the country and 18 medical device distributors of promoting “off-label” use of t

Keep a list of important phone numbers handy at all times. It is a good idea to carry a list of important phone numbers including doctors, emergency services, schools, your co-workers home numbers and local hospitals.  You may also want to include the cell phone number of your friends and family members as well.  You never know when you will need to use the list, and it is best to have it with you at all times.

Determine the fastest and most out of the way route to local hospitals.  In the event of an emergency, you may need to take someone to the hospital. If the emergency is just at your home, traffic may not be an issue and you can use the shortest possible route.

However, in the even of road closings, heavy traffic, bad weather, etc. you will probably want to take the most out of the way route to get where you need to go.  This may seem like a bad idea, but it will take less time than sitting in heavy traffic on a main roadway.

A health care system can do a lot for the communities it serves. Such is the case with Tenet Southern States hospitals. They work closely with their staff and physicians to provide the people who depend on them with high quality health care. Visit their website to learn more about Tenet Southern States hospitals and register to receive a Free Flu S