FULLA BALONEY. It looks like The New York Times has redirected its attack puppies from barking at GPOs to scurrying after the big cardiology and big orthopedic companies for their rash of product defects, flaws and financial/sales skullduggery. That’s where the Times should have concentrated its efforts years ago because the general public understands what these companies do and how those actions can affect healthcare. They don’t understand GPOs – and the media coverage offered few clues to the average joe. Plus, like Big Pharma, Big Cardio and Big Ortho represent Big Money – not Big Nickels jingled by GPOs. Attacking GPOs for their tactics at the expense of exposing these manufacturers’ accomplishments is akin to arresting a shoplifting eight-year-old for snatching a candy bar while a masked hoodlum runs away with the cash register. It’s also surprising that amid these product problems GPOs were not even referenced. The Times reported three years ago that GPOs were responsible for babies dying because certain pediatric surgeons couldn’t use a Masimo product over a Nellcor product, courtesy of contracting restraints. Where’s the hue and cry over hospitals not getting access to Guidant’s or Boston Scientific’s competitor’s products, due to GPO contracts that would have prevented patient deaths from recalled devices or wily sales and accounting schemes?

HEART ATTACK. In a surprising move to retain its dominant market share position, Boston Scientific Corp. announced it will provide a free new Taxus coronary stent to any hospital that treats a patient whose artery clogs around the device. And in an even more stunning, but satirical, move, should the patient die between procedures, Boston Scientific’s bio/nanotech division promises to provide a free clone of the patient – stent-free even! In a similar but unrelated satirical move, Guidant Corp., desperately trying to figure out how to energize its recalled defibrillator business (and J&J flirtation/acquisition), is offering free Hemi-powered heart chargers, courtesy of a cross-marketing deal with Mercedes-Benz AG’s Chrysler Corp. unit. Observers are wincing at the "Put some muscle back into your main muscle" campaign.

BOOK NOOK. Of all the interesting revenue-generating schemes, er, strategies and tactics implemented by hospitals, this one hits close to home. Forget the McDonald’s franchise in the food court of The Cleveland Clinc, the Tasty Fries franchise at New York’s Bellevue Hospital and other boutique service shops. Florida Hospital launched a publishing department, which will crank out consumer-oriented healthcare books by its doctors and other healthcare professionals. Hey, if the materials manager is open to penning an adventure/sci-fi novel chronicling the exploits of suave and debonair materials management action hero Justin Time, gimme a call. We’ll gussy it up with enough real-world grit to earn a spot on Oprah for her book club!

HANDS FREE. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that more medical schools across the country are providing handheld computers to their students so that they can access drug information, collect and monitor patient data and check disease signs and lab results. Of course, they’re also good for instant messaging, online movie and music downloads and video games but hopefully that’s limited to the hallways between rounds and not in the surgical theaters during actual operations.

BATMAN LIVES. An experimental drug based on a protein extracted from vampire bat saliva has been shown to clear up blood clots emerging after a patient suffers a stroke. The announcement was made within weeks of last summer’s film debut of "Batman Begins." Unfortunately, the secret recipe wasn’t included in the just-in-time-for-the-retail-holidays DVD sale.

REMEMBERING CS/SPD. This month we honor and profile the 2005 CS/SPD Department of the Year, an annual HPN exclusive for 13 years running. Clearly, Reid Hospital & Health Care Services (Richmond, IN) is a deserving winner, but the evaluation process happened around the same time we lost CS/SPD industry leader Kathi O’Shaughnessy after her long and valiant battle with lung cancer. Michael Mancebo, the manager of the winning team, asked to dedicate the award to O’Shaughnessy who was instrumental in his achieving certification years ago. Kudos to both. Unfortunately, the CS/SPD profession has had to say goodbye to a batch of its teachers, pioneers and leaders in recent years that have made valuable – and valued – contributions to the field. O’Shaughnessy was only the latest. Among the others are Rita Barnes, Bill Dennis, Bertha Litsky, Brenda Sexton and Rene Moses. While their legacies won’t be forgotten, they certainly won’t be lost if others equally as dedicated and passionate about the profession take up the charge. It’s a tall order. But essential.

Do right, readers.