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November 7, 2008

Microsoft, Google team up with military on patient-controlled PHR system
Microsoft Corp. has partnered with the Military Health System (MHS) and Google Inc. to create a personal health record (PHR) program for military healthcare beneficiaries. The system will be unveiled in December and will be available to, and entirely controlled by, the patient at no additional cost, according to Stephen Jones, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. Microsoft and MHS are not releasing further details on the system at this point. The system is the government's second foray into a PHR; in 2003 the Veterans Affairs Department unveiled MyHealtheVet, a system used primarily to provide health information to users and to refill drug prescriptions. Microsoft and Google also introduced PHRs last year. http://www.govhealthit.com/online/news/350653-1.html

Continuum to automate health records at New York City hospitals
New York City's largest nonprofit health system, Continuum Health Partners, plans to automate medical records for approximately 3,300 of its employed and volunteer providers. Continuum will use Westborough, MA-based eClinicalWorks' unified emergency medical record (EMR) system and electronic health exchange to create a community record that will give physicians access to patients' vital health information and allow physicians to exchange data more effectively, according to Continuum Chief Information Officer Bonnie Sessa. Continuum Health Partners will implement the service at its five hospitals - Beth Israel Medical Center, Roosevelt Hospital, St. Luke's Hospital, Long Island College Hospital, and The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary - with primary benefits going to physicians who accept Medicaid. http://www.healthcareitnews.com/printStory.cms?id=10306

OHSU researchers opt for new 'shutter-speed' MRIs to detect breast cancer
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR are developing a new MRI-based breast cancer screening method that may reduce or eliminate unnecessary biopsies. The researchers' new "shutter-speed" software analyzes image data of breast cancer patients in an attempt to more accurately determine whether breast tumors are malignant or benign, according to Charles Springer, Ph.D., director of the OHSU Advanced Imaging Research Center. "While standard mammography is effective, it also results in a very significant number of false-positive results," Springer said. "A large number of women undergo the physical and mental stress of a biopsy procedure only to learn that they in fact do not have breast cancer." Currently, a "standard form" of MRI data analysis is occasionally used to characterize breast lesions, but this older system offers little improvement over mammography when attempting to distinguish between malignant and benign tumors, Springer said. http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/about/news...

European Commission calls for e-medicine framework to be established by 2011
In an effort to increase acceptance of telemedicine services by users, the European Commission has issued a recommendation that the European Union's member states expand their use of e-medicine by 2011. The Commission believes there should be a legal framework in place by that time to promote use of telemedicine and help provide patients within the bulk of Europe with the best access to medical care, according to EU Commissioner for Information Society and Media Viviane Reding. The Commission also plans to support a large-scale telemonitoring pilot project in 2010 in response to potential growth in the global telemedicine market, which is expected to increase from $6 billion [USD] currently to $14.3 billion by 2012. The recommendation is based on an extensive consultation with member states, health professionals and patient associations conducted from 2007 to 2008. http://www.healthtechwire.com/...

Georgetown University Med Center to test electronic diabetes monitoring system
University staff and faculty at Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC) in Washington, D.C. will be among the first to test new diabetes management software that the school helped create. The MCT-Diabetes program, created by MyCareTeam, a company launched in part by GUMC in 2005, allows users to monitor and share their blood glucose levels electronically with anyone they wish, according to Charles DeSantis, GUMC's Associate Vice President and Chief Benefits Officer. "We are delighted to be the first university in the country to offer our community the opportunity to improve their diabetes health using the MCT-Diabetes software," DeSantis said. "This product connects with Georgetown's mission of providing our faculty and staff with access to the best tools to improve their health and ultimately reduce overall health costs for everyone." http://explore.georgetown.edu/news/?ID=37722

New Mexico health data exchange program goes into second trial
In December the New Mexico Health Information Community (NMHIC) will launch the second of two trial runs for the health information network it wants to implement by July 2009. The state program, which will link healthcare providers with the Veterans Health Administration, the Military Health System, Indian Health Services and other healthcare providers, will eventually cover all 2 million New Mexico residents, according to Jeff Blair, director of health informatics for the Lovelace Clinic Foundation, the project's lead organization. NMHIC will offer five services over its clinician portal. With patient consent, clinicians can access summary patient records, lab results, radiology results, discharge summaries and emergency responder information. NMHIC launched a first trial of the program in September. http://www.healthcareitnews.com/printStory.cms?id=10304

Arkansas goes live with hospital 'dashboard' database for emergency patient care
Arkansas has gone online with a new computer database linking hospitals, a move medical officials say is the first step in establishing a statewide trauma care network. The "dashboard" database allows hospital workers to determine which facilities have specialists and room available for patients. "Physicians talk about the 'golden hour' of care with regard to severe injury," said Dr. Paul Halverson, director of the Arkansas Department of Health. "In Arkansas, because of the lack of a trauma system, hundreds of victims are dying because they can't get to the right place at the right time." The Arkansas state legislature is still considering how to pay for a full-fledged trauma network; Arkansas is one of three states without such a system. http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article...

Uganda considers proposal to establish national e-health system
Ugandan government officials have proposed that it's time for the country to invest in development of an Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-based healthcare system. Noting that the nation's public healthcare system is not automated, lawmakers have drawn up a draft information technology policy that suggests citizens would gain better access to healthcare delivery through ICT. Objectives include use of IT to establish healthcare information systems for primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare systems. The proposal also calls for deployment of IT to develop drug information and records, for the study and control of epidemics, for research and dissemination of information, for distance learning in the medical profession, and to reduce costs and improve productivity. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/...

Use of blogs, e-prescriptions sites and other health 2.0 areas double since 2007
More than 60 million U.S. adults are now health 2.0 consumers, happily using health blogs, online support groups, prescription rating sites, and other health-related social media applications, according to a new report from pharmaceutical and healthcare market research firm Manhattan Research. According to "Cybercitizen Health 8.0," twice as many consumers now use health 2.0 items than in 2007. "Social media is changing the way that consumers gather health information from the Internet," said Meredith Abreu Ressi, Manhattan Research's Vice President of Research. "Patients and caregivers are no longer limited to static resources but are now sharing advice and treatment experiences online." The study also noted that the consumer's medical condition was as important as age and gender in determining likelihood of taking part in health-related social media. http://www.manhattanresearch.com/newsroom...

New Web site simplifies health insurance enrollment for Kentucky children
Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear has launched an initiative to enroll more children in the Kentucky Children's Health Insurance Program (KCHIP), which includes a new Web site, easier enrollment, improved efforts to retain children currently enrolled, and education and outreach efforts. The plan hopes to enroll more than 35,000 children in KCHIP or Medicaid by the end of 2011. "The health of Kentucky's young people is the most significant investment we can make to secure the future of our commonwealth," Beshear said. "I want every child who is eligible for KCHIP or Medicaid to be enrolled, and this new Web site and our other greatly expanded outreach efforts make enrollment much simpler and more convenient." http://governor.ky.gov/pressrelease.htm... and http://www.kidshealth.ky.gov

Web survey tackles telecare costs of Britain's 'People First' program
As the British government considers a new "Putting People First Policy" - in which lawmakers prepare to rebuild the nation's healthcare system based on what the public needs - the Leeds, England-based Care Services Improvement Partnership (CSIP) has released a survey on what such a plan will cost healthcare providers and the public. The "Telecare Charging Survey 2008" lists more than 300 providers and the amounts they charge for providing telecare devices. Commissioners and service providers "need to carefully review their arrangements" if they plan to make changes based on the "People First" policy, according to CSIP. Britain's telecare services are currently being offered through social care authorities, district councils, primary care trusts, third sector and voluntary organizations, and directly by telecare providers. http://www.ehiprimarycare.com/news/4303/...

World of Health IT, eHealth Ministerial Conference to hold joint event in 2010
The next World of Health IT conference and exhibition will be held in conjunction with the European Union's annual High Level eHealth Ministerial Conference in Barcelona, Spain on March 15-18, 2010. The event marks the first-ever joining of European policy makers with Europe's premier Health IT conference and exhibition event, according to Steve Lieber, President of the Health Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS), one of the joint platform's sponsors. The result will be "a unique confluence of stakeholders that together will advance eHealth in Europe," Lieber said. The joint event will also coincide with Spain's presidency of the European Union during the first half of 2010. http://www.healthtechwire.com/The-Industry...

• 12th Annual Healthcare Internet Conference
  November 10-12, 2008 - Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate hotel Orlando, FL
  www.greystone.net - Two-and-a-half days dedicated to help healthcare executives from hospitals, health systems, group practices, integrated networks and health plans pinpoint the technologies, strategies, and solutions that best position an organization for a consumer-driven future. Includes six General Sessions to inspire and broaden thinking about the impact of new technologies.
  
  
• BitNet co-hosting eHealth seminar at Burlington Art Centre
  November 18, 2008 - Burlington Art Centre, Burlington, Ontario
  www.bitnet.ca - BitNet and the Golden Horseshoe Bioscience Network, together with the McMaster University and McMaster eBusiness Research Centre, will provide an opportunity for many technology companies, healthcare providers, medical device companies, students and entrepreneurs to become more aware of the issues and opportunities for eHealth and to encourage collaboration on the issues. The BitNet seminar begins at 7:30 a. m. with registration, networking and breakfast. The meeting begins at 8 a. m. with and keynote speaker Dr. Jim MacLean. At 9 a. m. there is further networking followed by a panel discussion with four presenters from 9:30-11:45 a. m. A light lunch will be served at noon. Cost to attend the seminar is $25 for BitNet nonmembers and $15 for members. You can register and pay online or at the door.
  
  
• Home Telehealth & Remote Patient Monitoring for Hospitals & Health Systems Forum
  January 21-23, 2009 - Philadelphia, PA
  www.acius.net - Home Telehealth & Remote Patient Monitoring for Hospitals & Health Systems is a three-day industry forum highlighting the latest trends, best case studies, hands-on experiences, and innovative strategies from America's top telehealth hospitals, facilities and other prestigious organizations.
  A special discount is being offered to the first 15 people who register early; mention the code MLP when registering. To learn more, contact Gia Bosch at (414) 221-1700, ext. 130, or gbosch@acius.net.
  
  
• ATA 2009 - Focus on Hot Topics and Outcomes
  April 26-28, 2009 - Las Vegas, NV
  Recognized throughout the world as the primary forum for the telemedicine industry, ATA's peer-reviewed oral and poster presentations and certificate courses set the standard for medical education on the topics of telemedicine and telehealth. The ATA Expo offers over 100,000 square feet of the latest in telemedicine products and services.

To showcase your event here, please email us at events@telemedicinealerts.com

In the Current Issue of the peer reviewed publication Telemedicine and e-Health

Internet-Based Weight Control: The Relationship Between Web Features and Weight Loss
Rebecca A. Krukowski, Jean Harvey-Berino, Takamaru Ashikaga, Colleen S. Thomas, Nicci Micco
Telemedicine and e-Health. October 2008, 14(8): 775-782.
The utilization of weight control website features and their relationship to weight loss and maintenance were evaluated. The evaluation included 123 participants, who took part in a 12-month behavioral weight control program using the Internet. Web utilization patterns were monitored. Feedback factors and social support factors were shown to be good predictors of weight loss and maintenance. Websites with key features that are dynamic and interactive are of value to those who seek to lose weight. Full Article

Published 10 times a year in print and online, Telemedicine and e-health 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.

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