| New eHI Group Brings Small Medical Practices Closer to Using Information Technology |
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Small medical practices ready to use electronic health records are that much closer to implementation because of a new eHealth Initiative (eHI) working group. Launched ......
Small medical practices ready to use electronic health records are that much closer to implementation because of a new eHealth Initiative (eHI) working group. Launched today, the Working Group for Health Information Technology (HIT) in Small Medical Practices will put practical, easy-to-use resources into the hands of those who deliver the majority of U.S. health care -- clinicians practicing in groups of 10 or less -- thereby improving the quality of care delivered to a majority of America’s patients.
Currently, use of electronic health records by small practices is estimated at 5 to 15 percent. For many of these groups, implementation means getting the answers to basic questions such as how to choose a vendor, draw up a business contract, or interconnect with another clinician’s office, a laboratory or a pharmacy. By bringing together all the needed parties -- other clinicians, hospitals, laboratories, health care IT suppliers, standards organizations -- in a working group, eHI is asking the questions clinicians themselves would ask, and getting them the answers more quickly.
Working with leaders from two key national organizations representing small practices -- Peter Basch, MD, of the American College of Physicians (ACP) and David C. Kibbe, MD, of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) -- the Working Group for HIT in Small Medical Practices will release a number of products early next year: (1) a how-to for small practices that are soliciting quotations and negotiating contracts with EHR vendors; and (2) a set of resources that will make it easier for small practices to send and receive data from a range of health care settings: office-to-office, office-to-laboratory, office-to-pharmacy.
The type of support we’re providing small practices as they transition from paper-based to electronic patient record-keeping is extraordinary, said Janet Marchibroda, Chief Executive Officer, eHealth Initiative. Physicians in small practices are eager to use IT, and eHI is ready to help them make that leap.
For information on how to join the Working Group, please contact Director of Programs Jennifer Covich Bordenick at jennifer.covich@ehealthinitiative.org
The Working Group for HIT in Small Medical Practices is one of several eHI working groups now being launched. The Working Group for Connecting Communities, which held its kick-off meeting November 8th, will convene again December 6th and 7th in Washington, DC, to vet a range of financial, organizational, and technical alternatives for health information exchange. Such issues are becoming increasingly relevant, given emerging policies from the Department of Health and Human Services related to regional health information organizations, or RHIOs. The Working Group on Financing and Sustainability gets underway on December 1st to begin gaining multi-stakeholder input into a set of alternatives for financing and incentives that will help spur the adoption of HIT. The Working Group on Global HIT, conducted through the Leadership in Global Health Technology (LIGHT) initiative, launches on December 13th to promote the usage of HIT in addressing global health care challenges. To learn more about these and other eHI working groups, go to www.ehealthinitiative.org/initiatives/programs/WorkingGroup.mspx.
The eHealth Initiative and the Foundation for eHealth Initiative are independent, non-profit affiliated organizations whose missions are the same: to drive improvement in the quality, safety and efficiency of healthcare through information and information technology. For more information on the eHealth Initiative and the Foundation for eHealth Initiative, go to www.ehealthinitiative.org.
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| Novation Pilots Online Contract Bidding Tool for Its Medical-Surgical Distribution Bid - Nov 27, 2004 14:7 IST |
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Novation, the supply company of VHA Inc. and the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC), has created a new online Web site that will allow companies to participate in a competitive bid for its upcoming medical-surgical distribution contract. The online tool saves distributors time and money, and will help Novation speed new contracts to market. Novation has received more than 65 registrations for its medical-surgical distribution request for information (RFI) since the site went live in early November.
The registration site (http://www.novationco.com/suppliers/su_bidcalendar.asp) enables suppliers to register to participate in the RFI. Once registered, distributors are provided access to a separate Web site where they can electronically view and download all documents related to the RFI.
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| IBM and Massachusetts General Hospital Announce Effort to Improve Information Sharing Among Cancer Researchers - Nov 27, 2004 14:3 IST |
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IBM and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, announced today that they are working together to study how the development of a grid-based, distributed computing infrastructure can facilitate improved collaboration and information sharing among cancer researchers.
Working with leading cancer researcher Dr. Thomas Deisboeck, M.D., of MGH’s Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging -- who is also affiliated with the Division of Health Sciences and Technology (HST) of Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) -- IBM computer scientists at the company’s Cambridge, Massachusetts, research lab have built a grid of high-performance computers designed to improve information sharing and help researchers gain new insight through advanced brain tumor modeling and simulation.
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| Milk to help treat osteoporosis - Nov 27, 2004 13:1 IST |
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The remarkable bone-building properties of a milk protein can help treat osteoporosis, researchers in New Zealand have discovered.
Auckland’s Osteoporosis Research Group has found that lactoferrin inhibits bone breakdown and boosts bone growth four times faster than normal when injected directly into bone cells, reports Xinhua.
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| Stanly Memorial Hospital Seamlessly Integrates Meditech With MEDHOST’s Full ED Product Suite - Nov 27, 2004 12:50 IST |
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Stanly Memorial Hospital seamlessly integrated its Meditech interfaces with the fully powered suite of MEDHOST Emergency Department Management System (EDMS) software products on August 10, 2004. Stanly Memorial, which experiences approximately 30,000 patient visits per year, made this integration decision in 90 days, from contract to go-live.
While MEDHOST is an electronic record designed specifically for the ED, Stanly Memorial used global thinking in selecting the vendor, taking into consideration how the system impacts patients as they travel through the rest of the organization. According to Brian Freeman, Vice President of Diagnostics and Information Technology at Stanly, MEDHOST can transfer the data into other clinical systems and data repositories. The data is readily accessible, allowing us to provide exceptional care and increase efficiency.
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| Colarossi Spa & Health Club Consulting & Management - Nov 27, 2004 12:26 IST |
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Colarossi Spa & Health Club Consulting & Management has been retained by WCI to help prepare for the opening of the new luxurious Spa & Health Club at The Resort at Singer Island, Florida. Responsibilities include the initial consult, spa program development, design, layout, and equipment selection, to name a few.
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| Nociceptive Pain - Safety Profile Uppermost in Crowded Market - Nov 27, 2004 12:23 IST |
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Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c10173) has announced the addition of Pipeline Insight: Nociceptive Pain - Safety Profile Uppermost in Crowded Market to their offering.
The nociceptive pain pipeline contains few novel drugs, instead being filled with reformulations and drug combinations. To make a drug stand out in this replete market, particularly at a time when there is great public concern about drug withdrawals, it must have an unquestionable safety profile, proven over long-term trials.
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| The Italian Market for Medical Equipment and Supplies Was Valued at Us$3,922 Million in 2004 - Nov 27, 2004 12:16 IST |
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Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c10117) has announced the addition of Italy Medical Market Intelligence Report to their offering.
In recent years, Italian health reforms have centred on cost containment and the decentralisation of financial responsibility to the regions. Cost containment measures in the 2003 Finance Bill included the reinstatement of patient co-payments for specialist examinations and diagnostic visits. In February 2004, 150,000 healthcare workers held a 24 hour strike to protest against health service cuts. The Italian market for medical equipment and supplies was valued at US$3,922 million in 2004. The market ranks sixth in the world and the fourth in Europe, behind Germany, the UK and France. Per capita spending ranks just inside the top twenty at around US$68 in 2004. Although Italy has a strong manufacturing sector, its balance of trade deficit in medical equipment and supplies has been in excess of US$1 billion since 1998.
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| Germany’s Medical Device Market Ranks as the World’s Third Largest, Valued At US$8.0 Billion In 2004 - Nov 27, 2004 12:14 IST |
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Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c10105) has announced the addition of Germany Medical Market Intelligence Report to their offering.
Despite economic problems and need for reform in many areas, Germany continues to be one of the world’s strongest health markets. Germany’s medical device market ranks as the world’s third largest, valued at US$8.0 billion in 2004, around a quarter of the west European market. However, financial problems and healthcare reforms have negatively affected market development in Germany. The domestic medical equipment and device industry has largely managed to remain profitable and continue to grow based on a good export performance.
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| Norway’s Medical Market is Estimated to Be Worth US$571.7 Million - Nov 27, 2004 12:13 IST |
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Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c10122) has announced the addition of Norway Medical Market Intelligence Report to their offering.
Ranked 4th in the World in terms of per capita expenditure, Norway represents a mature and wealthy medical device market. In 2004, the market is estimated to be worth US$571.7 million with a per capita spending of US$130. Health policy is centred around a publicly run health service available to the whole population, hindered neither by the individual’s geographical location or income. The organisation of the health system has been a topic of debate in recent years. In particular, the central government took over the responsibility of running all public hospitals in 2001, making them into health enterprises. The reform is aimed at improving efficiency and performance within in the hospital sector and generating savings from economies of scale, especially for equipment purchases.
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| Imported Drugs Account for around 60% of Slovenia’s Pharmaceutical Market - Nov 27, 2004 12:12 IST |
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Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c10130) has announced the addition of Slovenia Pharmaceutical Country Intelligence Report to their offering.
Whatever your needs, whether you are monitoring developments in national markets, identifying new opportunities, assessing product areas, or using the data as an integral part of your market planning, WPM’s country reports are invaluable. Sections are included on the organisation and administration of health services, healthcare expenditure, hospital and outpatient services, medical personnel and healthcare development. Issues relevant to the pharmaceutical market environment are outlined, including regulation, registration, patent protection and distribution. The market section includes data on domestic production and international trade.
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| Plastic Surgeons in New York, Florida, Chicago, Los Angeles Named America’s Top Plastic Surgeons - Nov 27, 2004 12:9 IST |
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MDNationwide.org randomly asked that question of 5,000 board-certified plastic surgeons nationwide With 33 percent responding and after checking our research for proper licensure status, disciplinary status, education, and training our results determined 358 top plastic surgeons in America. (See http://www.mdnationwide.org/search.php.) “We are Pleased to recognizing these surgeons as the pinnacle of plastic surgeons, and we thank them for contributing a high quality of health care nationwide.” Said Hugo Gallegos, president of MDNationwide.
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| Upgrading to Gomembers’ Latest Version Benefits Christus - Nov 27, 2004 12:8 IST |
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Gomembers, Inc. (http://www.gomembers.com) is pleased to announce that Christus Santa Rosa Medical Center (CSRMC, http://www.christussantarosa.org) has chosen to upgrade to the latest version of meetingtrak/ce. The newest version of meetingtrak will provide the center with the most comprehensive meeting software solution available today.
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| Bally Total Fitness Appoints Marc D. Bassewitz as Senior Vice President and General Counsel - Nov 27, 2004 12:1 IST |
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Bally Total Fitness (NYSE:BFT) today announced that the Company has appointed Marc D. Bassewitz to serve as Senior Vice President and General Counsel, effective January 1, 2005. In his new capacity, Mr. Bassewitz will oversee all corporate legal responsibilities, including regulatory compliance and corporate governance. For the past several years, Mr. Bassewitz has served as lead outside counsel for the Company in his position at Latham & Watkins LLP.
Mr. Bassewitz succeeds Cary A. Gaan, who will transition to the newly created role of Senior Vice President, Special Counsel to the President. Mr. Gaan’s primary responsibility will be to handle special high priority projects for the CEO and the Company. Mr. Gaan has served as General Counsel to Bally since 1977.
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| HealthRenu Medical Announces Date of Shareholders Meeting - Nov 27, 2004 11:59 IST |
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HealthRenu Medical, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board:HRUM.OB) will be holding its Annual shareholder meeting on December 8, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. CST. The meeting will be held at company headquarters, located at 12777 Jones Road, Suite 481, Houston, Texas. All shareholders are encouraged to attend. For further information please call (281) 890-2561 or 888-583-3356.
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| Mi-Co Funded by National Cancer Institute to Deploy Mi-Forms - Nov 27, 2004 11:58 IST |
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Mi-Co and its partners, the University of North Carolina (UNC) Breast Imaging Section, Health Decisions and American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) have been awarded a $750,000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract by the National Institute of Health’s National Cancer Institute. Mi-Co will utilize its Mi-Forms product suite in order to study the impact of the industry-leading digital writing, data capture software in a clinical trials setting.
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| Low cost International Pharmacies Save Elderly on Prescription Drug Costs. - Nov 27, 2004 11:50 IST |
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As pointed out by Jack Shapiro, an internationally-known healthcare marketing consultant “For the first nine months of this year, the U.S. imported $40 billion in pharmaceuticals and exported only $21 billion. In 2003, we imported $50 billion and exported $23 billion. So what makes buying from your local U.S. based pharmacy any safer then purchasing from Mexico or Canada?
Many of today’s elderly (U.S.) cross the borders of Mexico and Canada in order to get their prescriptions filled at a huge discount. For some it has become a necessity because they simply can’t afford necessary drug treatments any other way.
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| SourceOne Healthcare Technologies Signs Strategic National Distribution Agreement with Barco - Nov 27, 2004 11:43 IST |
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SourceOne Healthcare Technologies, Inc., the nation’s leading distributor of medical imaging systems, equipment, radiographic consumable supplies, and service to healthcare providers, today announced that the company has signed a strategic national distribution agreement with Barco, (the medical imaging unit of BARCO – (Reuters: BARBt.BR and Bloomberg: BAR BB), the global leader in high-performance medical-imaging display technology.
Under terms of the agreement, SourceOne will offer Barco’s full line of medical display systems to customers throughout the United States. Recognized worldwide, Barco’s high-performance display technology for X-ray, digital radiography, PACS, digital mammography, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging are considered to be among the most advanced technology in the imaging industry.
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| Online Pharmacy adds HIV Prescription Drugs - Nov 27, 2004 11:41 IST |
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Indinavir is one of several new AIDS related drugs added to the www.hiv-supplements.info site. Other HIV drugs recently added were Triomune 30, Triomune 40, Combivir, Duovir-N, Lamivudine 3TC, Nevirapine and Zidovudine.
As described on the www.hiv-supplements Indinavir page Indinavir is used, alone or in combination with other medicines in the treatment of the infection caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
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| Functional Beauty Products are Expected to Increase at a CAGR 13.7%, Reaching Nearly $1 Billion by 2008 - Nov 27, 2004 11:22 IST |
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As consumers increasingly demand measurable, instant benefits, interest in functional products with short-term, visible effects continues to drive the multi-billion dollar nutraceuticals industry. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the industry, identifying opportunities for growth and offering recommendations to enable manufacturers to take advantage of the beauty foods trend.
Report Scope:
US nutraceuticals 1998-2003 industry, with 2003-2008 forecasts of the beverages, bakery, dairy, confectionery, snacks, and supplements markets
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| Holy Name Hospital Is First in the Tri-State Area to Offer Tysabri Infusion Therapy for MS Patients - Nov 27, 2004 11:3 IST |
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The Holy Name Hospital Multiple Sclerosis Comprehensive Center will be the first hospital in the tri-state region to administer a breakthrough infusion therapy for MS patients that was licensed by the FDA earlier this week. The new biologic approach treats patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) to reduce the frequency of symptom flare-ups or exacerbations of the disease. MS is a chronic, often disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord.
Natalizumab also known as Antegren, released as Tysabri on Wednesday, November 24, 2004, is a monoclonal antibody bioengineered from part of a mouse antibody to closely resemble a human antibody. It is being marketed under the trade name Tysabri. The product is given intravenously once a month in a hospital or physician’s office.
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