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June 24, 2008

E-prescribing is profitable, cost-saving HIE tool for insurers
Electronic prescriptions are turning into a financial benefit for health information exchange (HIE)-using insurers, because they are yielding better outcomes and cutting costs, according to an executive at the nation's largest healthcare provider. Charles Kennedy, vice president of health information technology at WellPoint Inc. in Indianapolis recently told attendees at San Francisco-based America's Health Insurance Plans' Institute 2008 that the concept of an HIE as a starting point is working because it "allows for patient-centric decision support." WellPoint itself has experienced a 1 percent to 2 percent increase in generic medication use among its physicians, which is "millions of dollars in a company the size of WellPoint," Kennedy said. But insurers need to provide more information, such as physicians' status in meeting pay-for-performance metrics, to keep them e-prescribing. http://www.healthdatamanagement.com/news/...

Docs with EHRs cite 'overwhelming' improvement in quality of care
Although few in number, doctors that have begun using electronic health records (EHRs) overwhelmingly say that the timeliness and quality of their care has been greatly improved, according to a study by the New England Journal of Medicine. "Electronic Health Records in Ambulatory Care - a National Survey of Physicians" also found that physicians opting to use EHRs tend to be in larger practices. Fifty-one percent of offices with 50 or more doctors use EHRs, compared to nine percent of offices with one to three physicians. Overall, less than 1 in 5 of the nation's doctors have begun using electronic records, primarily citing cost as the reason for staying paper-based, according to the study. Between September 2007 and March 2008 nearly 4,500 doctors nationwide were surveyed, with a response rate of 62 percent, according to NEJM.
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/...

Who wants sharing of European health data? WHO does
World Health Organisation (WHO) officials say European countries need to do a better job assessing performance of their healthcare systems and sharing the information with other member states. The statement precedes WHO's inaugural ministerial conference on health systems, to be held in Tallinn, Estonia from June 25-27. According to WHO Regional Director Marc Danzon, a large amount of data exists that proves cost effectiveness of certain measures over others - such as the balance between prevention and intervention - that is usually not reflected in health budgets. "Many decisions have been taken without consulting scientific data - evidence which exists proving the cost effectiveness of certain measures over others," Danzon said. "We want to improve the part scientific evidence plays in policy making."
http://www.ehealtheurope.net/news/... and http://www.euro.who.int/healthsystems2008

FSSA announces Indiana flood victim eHealth support center
The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) has created the Indiana Flood Victims eHealth Support Center a part of a relief effort for disaster victims statewide. The support center will provide doctors with obtainable medical information of flood victims for treatment purposes, according to FSSA Secretary Mitch Roob. The center is a joint effort between the Regenstrief Institute, the Indiana Health Information Exchange (IHIE) and Electronic Data Systems (EDS). "The support center is just one of several initiatives taking place to help Hoosiers get back on their feet," Roob said. "We will be able to give providers all the information we have available in a timely manor, resulting in a higher quality of care for patients." Twenty-nine counties in Indiana - about one-third of the state - have been declared federal disaster areas due to recent rainfall-induced flooding. http://www.ihie.com/indianaflood/forMedia.htm and http://www.ihie.com/indianaflood/

Seven NHS trusts to create new mental healthcare e-learning programs
Seven National Health Service (NHS) trusts across southern England are joining forces to develop new mental healthcare e-learning programs. The e-learning courses will enable each participating trust to provide training in key areas of healthcare, including risk management, CPA framework development, and delivering service equality among medical and non-medical staff. Topics are aimed at all relevant mental healthcare staff, according to project manager Mark Limber. NHS Foundation Trusts involved are the Berkshire Healthcare, Surrey and Borders Partnership, Hampshire Partnership, Isle of Wight Mental Health Service, Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership, Sussex Partnership, and Oxford and Buckinghamshire Mental Health. The project is being overseen by London-headquartered Redtray Ltd., which specializes in creation of classroom courses and Web-based applications for staff skills development. http://www.redtray.co.uk/news_2008_06_19.htm?id=1

Hawaii becomes first state to offer 24-hour online healthcare to consumers
The Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) is launching the nation's first online system designed to give state residents 24-hour access to local physicians via the Web. HMSA, the state's largest insurer, has signed an agreement with Microsoft Corp. and Boston-based American Well Inc. that allows Hawaii residents to receive real-time consultations with Hawaii physicians who participate in the program, according to HMSA Vice President of Marketing and Communications Michael Stollar. The service, scheduled to launch in early 2009, will allow patients to talk live to a local doctor, specialist or other medical provider through the Web, e-mail or by phone without an appointment. Patients with videocams on their computers will also be able to see the doctor during consultations. http://www.hmsa.com/mediacenter/press/...

HIMSS opens European headquarters in Belgium
The Health Information Management and Systems Society (HIMSS) has opened its first European headquarters in an effort to promote development of an e-health community in Europe, and deepen relationships with healthcare providers, users and partners in the region, according to HIMSS Europe Executive Director Michael Strubin. "As the pan-European e-health market develops, HIMSS Europe is tailoring its outreach to the unique needs of each region," Strubin said. "Our objective is to promote the deployment of e-health technologies that improve results for patients and reduce growing healthcare costs throughout Europe and to do this, we need a distinctly European presence." The headquarters is in Brussels, Belgium. http://www.hospitaliteurope.com/default.asp...

GPs are top source of British hospital info while NHS Web site ranks last
When it comes to choosing a hospital in England, general practitioners (GPs) are the most popular source of information for British residents, while the Department of Health's flagship website, NHS Choices, ranks last, according to a new DoH survey. The 11th National Patient Choice Survey, conducted in January, noted that 51 percent of respondents relied upon their GPs when selecting a hospital to provide care. One-third of respondents asked family or friends, and nine percent selected from an informational booklet. A mere four percent used the NHS Choices Web site. Popularity of the government-sponsored Web site has remained at four percent since November 2007. Overall totals are below those gained from a March 2007 survey, but the number of people aware that they have a choice in hospitals has increased, according to the survey. http://www.ehiprimarycare.com/news/... and http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publications...

Intel establishes online link for 50 million caregivers and nurses
Intel Corp. has launched ConnectingForCare.com, an online community designed to link 50 million family caregivers, nurses, social workers and other medical professionals, and provide each other with emotional support and "fill a void in today's healthcare system," according to the Santa Clara, CA-based computer chip maker. Accessible at www.connectingforcare.com in the U.S. and www.connectingforcare.co.uk in the United Kingdom, the site provides interactive forums, personal profiles, message boards and links to the latest research or treatments on diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and heart disease, Intel officials note. The site comes as several other high-tech companies dive into the healthcare realm, including Google, Microsoft and Revolution Health. Intel notes that it has been involved in caregiver and disease treatment-related technology since 1999. http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/...l and https://www.connectingforcare.com/

Sonic Healthcare acquires GLP Medical Group for $46.8 million
Australian diagnostics software specialist Sonic Healthcare has acquired German laboratory information systems developer GLP Medical Group for $46.8 million [USD], the companies announced. Services from Hamburg-based GLP Medical, also known as "Labor Dr von Froreich & Kollegen," are widely used throughout Europe. The company employs approximately 250 persons. As part of the transaction, Sonic, based in Macquarie Park, will make minority investments in two of GLP's subsidiaries, GLP Systems and GLP Networks, which develop solutions for laboratory automation and medical communication platforms. "The service delivery and quality standards of the GLP team of staff are outstanding," Sonic Healthcare Chief Executive Officer Dr. Colin Goldschmidt said. "The laboratory itself makes use of a number of unique technical innovations that may provide benefits to Sonic's laboratory operations worldwide." http://www.sonichealthcare.com/media/40121/607967.pdf

Pennsylvania health IT adoption issues similar to other states
Adoption of health information technology in the state of Pennsylvania will help patients gain access to care, but roadblocks such as the costs and expertise required to buy and operate the technology are making adoption in medical settings slower than desired, according to a study from the Pennsylvania Medical Society and its Institute for Good Medicine in Harrisburg, PA. Unique challenges presented by the state's large rural geography, as well as its aged population, test the future of healthcare access and delivery in the commonwealth. But, the study suggests that connecting doctors electronically through hi-tech communications tools, such as telemedicine, could help alleviate that problem. Such tools include electronic prescribing, consulting electronically with specialists on radiology and other diagnostic tests, and communicating more quickly and efficiently with hospitals. http://www.pamedsoc.org/MainMenuCategories/...

ICW forms new eHealth lab in Silicon Valley
German eHealth firm InterComponentWare has opened ICW Labs, a research and development organization in California's Silicon Valley that focuses on development and use of the company's eHealth technology. ICW Labs will be responsible for expanding the ICW eHealth portfolio, according to ICW Chief Executive Jeremy Coote. "Our European colleagues have moved quickly and with notable success into the eHealth marketplace," Coote said. "Having a dedicated lab will increase our ability to share ICW's innovative technologies and extensive e-Health experience within the U.S." The new division will be located in San Mateo, CA. http://www.ehealtheurope.net/News/3837/...

International Workshop on Digital Mammography
July 20-22, 2008 Hilton El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort, Tucson, AZ

2008 National Telehealth Conference
September 25-27, 2008 St. Paul International Airport Hilton Hotel, Bloomington, MN

About the Journal

The journal, Telemedicine and e-Health is published 10 times a year in print and online. It covers all aspects of clinical telemedicine practice, technical advances, enabling technologies, education, health policy and regulation and biomedical and health services research dealing with clinical effectiveness, efficacy and safety of telemedicine and its effects on quality, cost and accessibility of care, medical records and transmission of same.

Telemedicine and e-Health is the Official journal of the American Telemedicine Association.

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