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Editor's Picks
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Wireless hospitals systems can disrupt med devices
Wireless systems used by many hospitals to keep track of medical equipment can cause potentially deadly breakdowns in lifesaving devices, researchers warn. Some of the microchip-based "smart" systems are touted as improving patient safety, but a Dutch study—reported recently by the Journal of the American Medical Association—of equipment suggests the systems could actually cause harm. The wireless systems send out radio waves that can interfere with equipment such as respirators, external pacemakers, and kidney dialysis machines. As soon as this story broke, I began receiving e-mails from wireless vendors assuring me their systems were safe. It reminds me of a wireless conference I attended a year or so ago. A well-known academic medical center was installing a comprehensive in-house wireless system that would support multiple devices including phones. I raised this interference issue, and the CIO turned the question over to his vendor. These are highly technical issues, and clearly many experts do not agree. [Read More]
Healthcare found to be better with online help
A Seattle-based study has shown patients with online help controlled their high blood pressure more than twice as well as those who didn't have extra resources, and they did it with fewer doctor visits. The clinical trial checked whether monitoring blood pressure at home and having regular contact with a healthcare provider through the Internet helped patients lower their blood pressure. The study began in 2006, and involved 778 Group Health patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure. Group Health has been a real leader in promoting connectivity with patients. The practice was featured prominently in our September 2006 cover story, The Connected Patient. One of the principal architects of Group Health's patient portal, physician champion Ted Eytan, will be presenting at our Top Leadership Teams event in Chicago this October. [Read More]
Cyber sight-saver
This Indianapolis Star article tells the story of a retired ophthalmologist who has developed a Web-based telemedicine company whose goal is to improve care in other countries. So much for the "older physician" myths around IT adoption. [Read More]
Wisconsin launches major patient database
Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle announced that Ministry Health Care will begin using an electronic medical record developed by Marshfield Clinic for the majority of its hospitals and Ministry Medical Group, creating the largest patient database in Wisconsin. Marshfield's a pioneer in the EMR world, as we detailed in this Behind the Wires article in our print magazine earlier this year. [Read More] |
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Tech Headlines
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FDA issues pediatric medical imaging advisory
Health Imaging News - July 8, 2008
Online services let patients seek a second opinion from home
USA Today - June 23, 2008
Privacy provisions threaten health IT bill
Government Health IT - July 8, 2008
California hospitals struggle to get green-friendly
San Francisco Chronicle - July 7, 2008
Alabama rural health center among 4% of U.S. practices that manage records electronically
Birmingham News - July 2, 2008 |
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Events & Product News
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Medical Banking Project seeks papers
New Web site for medical technology professionals |
Webcasts
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July 14, 2008: Service Line Strategies Workshop 2008: Neurosciences
On Demand: Marketing Oncology: Strategies for Service Line Campaigns
On Demand: Service Line Strategies Workshop: Oncology |
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Sponsored Headlines
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HIPAA Security Compliance: News, analysis, and training advice that you need in one dependable resource. Qualify for a free, 1-year subscription.
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| From HealthLeaders Magazine |
Weaning Your Hospital Off of Medicare
A flood of baby boomers, reimbursement cuts, and increasingly ineffective cost-shifting solutions. How can your hospital maintain its level of service and its margin? It's time to get creative. [Read More]
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Audio Feature
Inaccuracies and Inadequacies: S. Lee Miller, MD, the lead author of a study that examined recorded medical histories of patients admitted to emergency rooms in rural areas, talks about how inaccuracies in medical records lead to inadequate care. [Listen Now] |
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