March 4, 2008

Microsoft seeks e-health proposals for $3 million program
To help improve people's health through software innovation, Microsoft Corp. has created the $3 million Microsoft HealthVault Be Well fund and is soliciting program proposals. Proposals are expected for, but are not limited to, applications in primary prevention, secondary prevention, acute care, juvenile disease management, women's health management, and community and social health. Up to $500,000 will be awarded for any one proposal. Proposals will be accepted until May 9, with grant winners notified by July 1. Eligible organizations must be a U.S.-based accredited degree-granting college or university with nonprofit status and awarding degrees at the baccalaureate level or above, or a research or health institution with nonprofit status. Private-sector organizations may partner with these institutions and qualify for the grant.
For details, visit http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/...

National broadband network needed for health facilities, EMTs
A national, interoperable broadband network for emergency communications is needed to improve communications between emergency responders and health facilities, according to a recently released government report. The report, issued by the Joint Advisory Committee on Communications Capabilities of Emergency Medical and Public Health Care Facilities, cites a need to bring EMS responders, doctors and nurses into the 21st century, technology-wise. "This report makes important recommendations to improve the ability of public health and safety officials to communicate during an emergency," said Rep. John Dingell (D-MI), chairperson of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. "The proposals in this report should be carefully considered by the federal agencies overseeing our emergency communications systems."
For details, visit http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_110/...

Surprise security audits underway by HHS
With healthcare organizations under increasing attack through the Internet, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has begun conducting surprise audits on companies to see if they comply with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) security and privacy rules. SecureWorks, a security services firm, has recorded an 85 percent increase in attempted attacks directed toward its healthcare clientele by Internet hackers from the first half of 2007 through January of this year. In response, HHS has contracted with PricewaterhouseCoopers to conduct unsolicited audits of hospitals. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Director Tony Trenkle said the "first 10 or so" reviews will be at hospitals where CMS has received security complaints. Audit results - minus hospital names - will be reported on the CMS Web site at www.cms.hhs.gov.
For details, visit http://www.networkworld.com/news/...

Canadian telemedicine astronaut retires from space
Dr. Dafydd "Dave" Williams, a record-setting astronaut who once participated in two telemedicine-based missions, has retired from the Canadian Space Agency. According to the CSA, Williams, a medical doctor, logged 18 million kilometers - about 11.2 million miles - in space on various missions from 1992 to 2007, far more than any other Canadian astronaut. He also participated in two underwater (NEEMO) missions that assessed the potential of telemedicine as a way to deliver medical care to remote locations. In all, Williams spent about one month in space. "His achievements have helped position Canada as a leading space-faring nation, while actively inspiring young people across our country to take their place as members of Canada's next space generation," Canadian Space Agency Minister Jim Prentice said.
For details, visit http://www.space.gc.ca/asc/eng/media...

LA governor proposes $18.6 million for health IT
Adhering to his administration promise of "improved health outcomes," Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal's proposed fiscal budget for 2008-09 includes $18.6 million for health information technology programs, the state Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) announced. The funding, if approved, will "improve the opportunity for more widespread adoption of technology that can reduce medical errors, streamline the processing of information and improve the management of chronic diseases," DHH Secretary Alan Levine said. The governor's budget includes $4 million toward creation of a statewide health information exchange, $11.1 million for the Louisiana Rural Health Information Exchange, and $3.5 million to provide financial incentives to physicians who use recognized electronic medical record software in their practices.
For details, visit http://www.gov.state.la.us/index....

Native American telehealth bill gets Senate approval
A bill designed to help provide telehealth services to the Native American population has been passed by the Senate. The "Indian Health Care Improvement Act" (S 1200) creates an Indian Youth Demonstration Program that includes using telemental health services to prevent Indian youth suicides. Other provisions of the bill would improve monitoring for infectious diseases, improve current diabetes and liver disease screening, and provide funding for urgent care services if necessary via telehealth. The bill, passed by the Senate by an 83-10 vote, has been referred to the House committees on Natural Resources, Energy and Commerce, and Ways and Means for further consideration.
For details, visit http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill...

Insurers to reimburse physicians, dentists for Web visits
Health insurers Aetna and Cigna have agreed to reimburse doctors and dentist members of the International Association of Dental and Medical Disciplines (IADMD) who provide online services to their patients. The agreement, according to IAMDM, is "a major milestone" for its members, many of whom already have access to free doctor Web sites, free Web hosting, online bill pay, and prescription refill and e-mail services. "People can wait a long time to get in to see their primary care doctor, and longer for a specialist," said Dr. Melissa Welch, Aetna's Northern California medical director. "To have immediate access to their doctors is huge." Many more insurance companies are expected to follow suit, Welch said.
For details, visit http://www.euroinvestor.co.uk/news/...

UK cardiac network reduces doctor referrals
A year-long test-run of a cardiac telemedicine service has reduced non-acute patient referrals to hospitals by almost 60 percent, Manchester, United Kingdom-based Broomwell Healthwatch reports. The trial, supervised by the Greater Manchester and Cheshire (GMC) Cardiac Network, showed that 58 percent of persons with non-acute chest pain symptoms would have been referred to hospital care if they had not been in the program. Over the 12-month period, this equates to 2,000 prevented referrals for program participants, or up to 432,000 referrals per year if taken nationwide. "Preventing such a huge percentage of immediate patient referrals to secondary care reduces the burden of cardiac care on our local hospitals," GMC Service Improvement Manager Karen Gibbons said. "This sort of expert cardiac diagnosis will also ensure patients timely and preventative care."
For details, visit http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/98924.php

MA BlueCross-BlueShield drops EMR requirement
Electronic medical record (EMR) systems are not paying off for Massachusetts doctors - so the state's BlueCross-BlueShield provider has decided doctors don't have to use the systems to take part in its incentive program. Recent studies conducted by the health plan indicate that doctors will only receive 11 cents of every dollar saved through use of information technology, making a large investment into an EMR system financially unrealistic for most physicians, according to Robert Mandel MD, vice president of health services for BCBSMA. But the provider said its computerized physician order entry system (CPOE) could help prevent 55,000 medication errors statewide each year and save each hospital $2.7 million annually. Health system providers must install CPOE by 2012 if they want to participate in BCBSMA's bonus program, according to Mandel.
For details, visit http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/... and http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show...

Apollo Group, British American set up TM hospital
The Apollo Group of Hospitals, one of the leading private healthcare providers in Asia, and British American Medical Centre Ltd. are establishing a telemedicine-based, $70 million (USD) hospital in the Republic of Mauritius. British American Hospitals Enterprise Ltd., (BAHEL), a joint venture of the two groups, will set up and manage the state-of-the-art facility, which is expected to be open by December. Initially it will have 1,000 doctors, nurses and paramedical staff, all of whom will be connected to other Apollo hospitals in India, Dhaka, Colombo, Muscat, Yemen, Mongolia, Nigeria, the Netherlands Antiles and Riyadh through the company's instant telemedicine system. Maritius is an island nation off the coast of Africa in the southwest Indian Ocean, about 560 miles east of Madagascar.
For details, visit http://www.indiaenews.com/business/...

UNM Health Sciences plans $15.5 million telehealth grid
The University of New Mexico's Center for Telehealth and Cybermedicine Research has been awarded $15.5 million from the Federal Communications Commission for the design, construction, operation and evaluation of a Southwest Telehealth Access Grid (STAG). More than 500 health-related facilities in New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, California, Texas and Utah, including Indian Health Services, ultimately will be served by STAG, which is expected to be developed within the next three years. The grid will be part of the federal Rural Health Care Pilot Program, a $417 million nationwide project that will build an infrastructure for 69 statewide or regional broadband telehealth sites.
For details, visit http://albuquerque.bizjournals.com/...

iSoft closing in on $6.8 million Tasmania e-health deal
iSoft, a subsidiary to Australia's largest information technology company, has been named as the preferred supplier in a $6.8 million e-health deal for the Tasmanian government. According to Tasmania's Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Chief Information Officer Max Gentle, DHHS is in final negotiations with iSoft to close a five-year contract. If completed, iSoft will work on a $4.6 million patient administration system and $2.2 million pharmacy system. iSoft's product will provide the foundation for the country's electronic patient record system, which is expected to be in place within 5 to 10 years, Gentle said. Gary Cohen, chief executive officer of iSoft parent IBA Health Group, said the contracts lay the foundation for iSoft to participate in national e-health initiatives.
For details, visit http://www.ibatech.com/html/isoft_...