Blood Infection Costliest

Septicemia was the single most expensive condition treated in U.S. hospitals in 2009, with a cost of about $15.4 billion, according to a federal government report.

Septicemia is a life-threatening illness caused by blood infections with bacteria such as E. coli and methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
The analysis of national data also showed that the number of hospital stays for septicemia more than doubled between 2000 and 2009, from 337,100 to 836,000 admissions. In 2009, septicemia was the sixth most common primary cause of hospitalization in the United States.
Complications from medical devices, implants or grafts were the leading cause of these admissions, accounting for 20 percent of the septicemia stays.
The report is published in the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
In 2009, the in-hospital death rate for septicemia was 16 percent, more than eight times as high as for all other hospital stays, according to an agency news release.
Elderly patients accounted for more than half of all patients hospitalized for septicemia. Nearly 40 percent were 65 to 84, and about 14 percent were 85 and older. Patients 45 to 64 represented 27 percent of cases; nearly 11 percent of patients were 18 to 44, and only 1.6 percent were ages 1 to 17.

Aishwarya fan

I am a big fan of Aishwarya Rai, says Playboy model Candice Boucher, who is set to make her Bollywood debut with 'Aazaan' and describes it as an opportunity of a lifetime.

'I did know about Bollywood before doing this film because while growing up in South Africa, we did have a few Indian movies showcased on the TV. I was aware a little bit about the industry that it's very colourful and has a lot of music and dance,' Candice told IANS in an interview.
Video: First Look: Aazaan
'I don't remember the names of the film right now, but as far as the actors are concerned, I am a big fan of Aishwarya Rai. She is gorgeous and a great actress too. The fact that she has made a mark not only in Bollywood but also Hollywood, speaks a lot about her. She is beautiful,' added the model who visited India six times earlier and loves the family bond people share here.
Photos: Aishwarya is expecting
The 27-year-old, who also modelled for magazines like FHM, GQ, Cosmopolitan, Sports Illustrated and Elle, is excited about director Prashant Chadha's 'Aazaan'.
Also read: Aazaan-one of the most expensive films of Bollywood
Entrepreneur-turned-actor Sachin Joshi plays the male lead in the film, while Candice is roped in as a sand artist and as Sachin's love interest in 'Aazaan', slated for an Oct 14 release.
The model says being a part of a Hindi film was nerve-wracking for her.
'Prashant got this project to me. He gave me a call when I was in New York last year and told me that he has a part that is perfect for me. I was little nervous because it was a Hindi movie. I don't speak the language and my dancing is also not really up to the mark.
'But Prashant kind of scripted the role around me and my personality and then he changed all my dialogues to English. It was a fun experience, but equally nerve-wracking,' said Candice.
Will she stay and make a career in Bollywood?
'Prashant just gave me an opportunity of a lifetime and I couldn't say no to it. It was a learning experience. If I think about going in the Bollywood direction, I have to see my Hindi definitely. It has to be a lot better and also the dancing. So at the moment I'm happy that I got this opportunity and I'll keep on trying to learn Hindi. But Bollywood isn't something I'll only concentrate on.
'However, if something great comes up, I'm open to the idea,' said Candice who has done an item song in the film, which was choreographed by Ashley Lobo.

Relocating to India: Madhuri

Bollywood diva Madhuri Dixit, who shifted base to Denver in the US after marrying Shriram Nene 12 years ago, is returning to India permanently.

'For all my fans, we are relocating to India! It will be good to be back home,' Madhuri wrote on microblogging site Twitter.
Madhuri tied the knot with Shriram Madhav Nene, a cardiovascular surgeon in 1999 and left her acting career to shift to Denver soon after. Post-marriage, Madhuri featured only in one film 'Aaja Nachle' in 2007, as she got busy with family, including two children.
This year, the actress came to India for three months to judge the fifth season of dance reality show 'Jhalak Dikhla Jaa'. After that she has been flooded with offers.