March 7, 2008

Telemedicine used to perform cross-world cochlear implant
Doctors at New York University Medical Center have used Internet technology to switch on an inner-ear device, allowing a man in Uganda to hear for the first time in two years. Although the cochlear implant has existed since the 1980s, activating the device from halfway around the world is a first and highlights a trailblazing way in which telemedicine can enhance the lives of people in struggling nations, according to Dr. J. Thomas Roland, co-director of NYU Medical Center's cochlear implant center. David Nuwagaba, 23, of Kampala, Uganda, had to drop out of college after becoming deaf in 2006 from the toxic effects of tuberculosis medication. Roland, learned of Nuwagaba's plight and performed the procedure for free. The American Academy of Otolaryngology estimates the surgery, device and rehabilitation runs nearly $40,000.
For details, visit http://www.newsday.com/technology/...

Massachusetts named No. 1 in U.S. for e-prescriptions
Massachusetts ranks first in the nation when it comes to transmitting prescriptions electronically, versus by fax or prescription pad, according to results of the third annual Safe-Rx Awards. The 2007 nationwide audit of e-prescriptions determined that prescribers in the Bay State sent more than 4 million prescriptions electronically - roughly 13.4 percent of all eligible prescriptions in the state, or more than six times the national average. Following Massachusetts in the top 10 were Rhode Island, Nevada, Delaware, Michigan, Maryland, North Carolina, Arizona, Connecticut and Washington. Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Nevada have finished in the top 10 for the past three years, while Arizona and Connecticut are new to the group. The audit was conducted by the National Community Pharmacists Association, National Association of Chain Drug Stores and SureScripts.
For details, visit http://www.surescripts.com/pressrelease...

Telephonic medical consults play key role in TM
Telephonic medical consults play a more important role than ever in improving access, lowering costs and enhancing the quality of healthcare, according to a new white paper from the Center for Health Transformation (CHT). Co-authored by CHT founder Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, "Telephone Medical Consults Answer the Call for Accessible, Affordable and Convenient Healthcare" covers the merits of telephonic communications between physicians and patients, as well as the benefits for consumers, health plans, employers, government and other payers. "Telemedicine will play an increasingly central role in getting the right care at the right time to individuals and families," Gingrich said. "Federal, state, and local governments must facilitate the spread of this important option by tearing down barriers to its use."
For details, visit http://www.healthtransformation.net/...

Health execs tab IT standards as key to data security
Ninety-six percent of health information technology (HIT) executives believe it is important to have a uniform way to verify security of sensitive healthcare information, and 85 percent think it is time to develop a comprehensive framework that can provide that uniformity, according to a survey by the Health Information Trust Alliance (HITRUST). The survey, the first of an annual series conducted by KRC Research, also shows that more than half of the respondents are frustrated that there are no standardized practices for complying with HIPAA. HIT leaders worry most about loss of customers' trust if their organization mishandles sensitive information. Minimizing risk of information theft is the No. 1 benefit that will result from adopting a common set of healthcare information standards, according to the survey.
For details, visit http://www.hitrustalliance.org/news/index.php?a=7

MIT's smart pillbox targets tuberculosis
When treating tuberculosis, physicians have long struggled with difficulty getting medicine to people who need it, and making sure they follow the six-month daily treatment regimen. MIT researchers may have the solution in an inexpensive, easy-to-use package: the uBox, a "smart" pillbox with 14 chambers that can each be loaded with several pills, which it dispenses from one chamber per day. To alert the patient that it's time to take the medicine, the box flashes lights and sounds a buzzer. When the compartment is opened, the uBox records the time and prevents double-dosing by refusing to open again until the next treatment is due. According to MIT doctoral student Manish Bhardwaj, missing medication can result in resistant strains which can be spread by that noncompliant patient.
For details, visit http://www.physorg.com/news123781916.html

Ontario physicians still resist use of e-records
Although e-health in Ontario, Canada has made major strides from where it was just a few years ago, resistance to digitized patient information remains high among the province's healthcare practitioners, according to the Smart Systems for Health Agency (SSHA). SSHA, which is attempting to deploy a province-wide e-health infrastructure, has connected more than 5,000 locations to its ONE Network, enabling healthcare providers to securely store, access and share patient data online, and collaborate with each another. But many physicians in individual offices are hesitant to commit their records to the system. Technology issues and their perceived impact on business processes are holding back most doctors and smaller organizations from taking the plunge, according to Paul Kilbertus, SSHA director of communications.
For details, visit http://www.itbusiness.ca/it/client/en/...

'Fluorescent' cells give early warning for eye disease
Scientists at the University of Michigan have developed a metabolic stress-measuring imaging instrument that can detect very early stages of eye disease. The device could be vision-saving because many severe eye diseases do not exhibit warning signals before they diminish vision, according to researchers Victor Elner, M.D., Ph.D, and Howard Petty, Ph.D at U-M's Kellogg Eye Center. The study resulted from the observation that metabolic stress at the onset of disease causes certain proteins to become fluorescent. Elner and Petty designed an imaging system with state-of-the art cameras, filters and electronic switching, together with customized imaging software and a computer interface, and successfully tested it on six women diagnosed with pseudotumor cerebri (PTC), a condition that mimics a brain tumor and often causes increased pressure on the optic nerve that can lead to vision loss.
For details, visit http://www.kellogg.umich.edu/news/...

Virtual Heroes, Duke take medical training interactive
Advanced learning technologies provider Virtual Heroes Inc. (VHI), Duke University Medical Center and the U.S. Army's Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center have teamed up on an interactive healthcare team trainer designed to encourage teamwork and reduce medical errors. 3DiTeams™ provides a comprehensive after-action-review technology, photo-realistic art and effects, and allows up to 32 users to participate simultaneously from different computers across the Internet. The instructor can control and drive the virtual patient's vital signs dynamically during each scenario to further challenge students. Participants may participate via an independent learning or collaboration/team coordination phase. 3DiTeams is currently used to train residents, advanced practice nurses, and medical and nursing students at Duke.
For details, visit http://www.virtualheroes.com/newsDetails.asp?nid=32

NHS Direct to target UK's 'deprived' areas
The United Kingdom's National Health Service Direct is seeking cash incentives to help ensure staff reach out to "people in deprived areas," as part of their bid to become a foundation trust. According to NHS Chief Executive Matt Tee, the telephone-based information and advice service wants to be more in tune with what patients and citizens need, offering better engagement and integration with health services. NHS wants to be a contact point for people with long-term conditions to ensure they are not overlooked and are getting necessary treatment, Tee said. The NHS Direct telephone service currently takes more than 5 million calls per year at 36 operating sites and is paid a flat rate for each call it receives.
For details, visit http://www.ehiprimarycare.com/news/3518/...

St. Joseph, Vancouver Health win Microsoft Innovation awards
Milwaukee-based St. Joseph Family Medicine Residency-Medical College of Wisconsin and Vancouver Coastal Health in British Columbia were named winners in the 2008 Microsoft Healthcare Innovation Awards. The awards are given to healthcare organizations, software vendors and system integrators that have demonstrated significant advancements, innovation and success using Microsoft technology in the healthcare industry. St. Joseph was winner for Best Use of Disease Surveillance for its NextGen electronic medical record system, while VCH won the Best Use of Interoperability award for its CareConnect electronic health record system. In all, six medical facilities "representing the best of the best in their innovative approaches toward solving problems plaguing the industry" were honored, according to Chris Sullivan, industry solutions director at Microsoft's U.S. Health and Life Sciences Group.
For details, visit http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2008/...

CNMC expands telemedicine program to Morocco
Children's National Medical Center has struck a partnership that will allow clinicians in Washington, D.C., to provide clinical support, and share medical developments and health education via videoconferencing with organizations in Morocco. The new partnership will provide videoconferencing for live cases and distance education, as well as offer access to medical records via a physician portal, according to Craig Sable, M.D., medical director of telemedicine at CNMC. CNMC's partners include Rabat Children's Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy Rabat, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy Marrakech, and National Institute of Health Information, Ministry of Health - Rabat. "This new partnership with our colleagues in Morocco brings us closer to providing all children with the quality care they deserve - no matter where they live," Sable said.
For details, visit http://www.childrensnational.org/pressroom/...

Healthcare assistants' access to medical records under fire
Britain's medical information surveyor Connecting for Health (CfH) is under criticism from the British Medical Association for allowing healthcare assistants access to patients' summary care records (SCRs) in accident and emergency departments. According to BMA Information Technology representative Dr. Paul Cundy, medical assistants at Royal Bolton Hospital are routinely being asked to print out SCRs for clinicians, a practice that "breaches all common concepts of privacy and confidentiality." CfH has defended its action, noting that the policy was approved months ago by the SCR Advisory Group, which includes BMA membership. CfH Clinical Director Dr. Gillian Braunold said the approved policy does not dictate which groups of staff should access records, only that someone should print the records as assistance to clinicians - leaving it to local organizations to decide for themselves.
For details, visit http://www.ehiprimarycare.com/news/3522/...

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