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The net effect of these changes for urology is a bump in the total values for many of the services that are provided.

Patient satisfaction with incontinence surgery remains high at a follow-up of up to 7 years despite declining continence rates over time, according to the authors of a large, multicenter study.

In men treated with dutasteride (Avodart) for prostate cancer, the frequency of acute urinary retention, prostate surgery, and BPH symptoms decreases irrespective of prostate volume or symptom severity.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has published the category I CPT code for posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) in the November 2010 Federal Register, according to Uroplasty Inc., Minneapolis.

Nearly 87% of patients who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy had no disease recurrence after 5 years, according to a recent multicenter study.

The American Board of Urology has adopted several new policies in areas such as expert witnesses in medical liability cases and expired/revoked certificates.

A monoclonal antibody targeting a well-known cell-surface protein inhibits the growth and spread of castration-resistant prostate cancer, say researchers from UCLA.

When Medicare policy changes led to reductions in reimbursement for androgen deprivation therapy in prostate cancer patients, a sharp decline in its use was seen among patients not likely to benefit from the treatment, reported researchers from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Urologists and other physicians who treat Medicare patients will see a total reimbursement reduction of 24.9% in 2011 under the Medicare physician fee schedule, according to the recently released Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services? final rule for 2011.

David B. Samadi, MD, has been named vice chair of the department of urology at The Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York.

After years of unsuccessful efforts by numerous investigators, researchers have found a way to propagate primary human Sertoli cells in the laboratory?the first step, say the researchers, to developing an artificial human testicle for reproductive research.

A majority of men dying from prostate cancer wait too long to enroll in hospice care and cannot take full advantage of the palliative care that could make their deaths easier, researchers from UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center recently reported.

Men with prostate cancer who take anticoagulants like aspirin, in addition to undergoing radiation therapy or surgery, may be able to cut their risk of dying of the disease by more than half, recent research indicates.

The FDA has asked drug manufacturers to add new warnings to labeling of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists to alert patients and health care professionals to the potential risk of heart disease and diabetes in men treated with these medications for prostate cancer.

The American Board of Urology has adopted several new policies in areas such as expert witnesses in medical liability cases and expired/revoked certificates.

When it comes to medical practices, proper investment in the staffing and technology related to day-to-day operations can improve the impression your practice conveys and help insulate the business from economic downturns and other events beyond your control.

An experimental new device may be able to help clinicians in the surgical treatment of lower pole stones by using ultrasound to move stones through the kidney collecting system.

This free, customizable patient handout provides information on the causes, symptoms, and treatment of kidney stones.

Urologists are positive about growth and demand, but wary of reimbursement issues.

REITs are traded on major exchanges, and they offer a few major benefits over owning specific properties.

Thomas J. Rohner, Jr, MD, chairman of the AUA's Urology Work Force Task Force, explains the scope of the work force shortage and the goals of the non-physician provider initiative.

In treating patients with urolithiasis, shock wave lithotripsy is used more often than ureteroscopy, even though patients undergoing SWL are more likely to undergo a second procedure.

A recent study involving more than 2,000 stone patients appears to bolster the controversial association between shock wave lithotripsy and hypertension.

The debate over questions of self referral and inappropriate utilization of medical imaging services by physicians is continuing in Washington, with possibly restrictive recommendations looming from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission and provisions of the health reform law being implemented.

While some urologists say the effect of the loss of consult codes has been minimal thus far, others report income losses of up to 20%, cuts in staff, and delays in purchasing new equipment.

Motivating staff members to give their best isn't always easy, but it's definitely worth the effort.

Findings from a study determining prevalence and concordance rates for urolithiasis in a large twin population point to a major role of genetic factors in determining the risk of stone disease.

Findings from a small observational study suggest a role of vitamin D deficiency in so-called "idiopathic" hypercalciuria and support the need for further research investigating an association between vitamin D deficiency and renal stone formation.

How do you increase the number of new patients you see? One way is to implement a same-day appointment policy in your practice.