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September 9, 2008

U.S. starts up first-ever health information technology privacy effort
The nation's first large-scale effort to certify health information technology products for adherence to privacy standards is kicking off with some expert help. Patient Privacy Certified (PPC), a nonprofit affiliate of the Austin-based Patient Privacy Rights Foundation, is in the midst of developing privacy certification criteria that PPC executives consider "absolutely essential to the success of health IT." The fledgling organization is being headed up by William Yasnoff, former senior advisor at the Department of Health and Human Services, and Deborah Peel, PPF founder and certification program chairperson. Privacy certification, according to Peel, is about "helping technology vendors meet consumer expectations for privacy of their health information." Criteria should be posted on a forthcoming PPC Web site within two to three months, Peel said. http://www.digitalhcp.com/2008/09/03/privacy.html

Maine authority awards $1.75 million in broadband development grants
Maine's ConnectME Authority has awarded $1.75 million in grants to expand broadband service to more than 12,500 residents in more than 60 rural communities. The six grants, awarded to a handful of public-private partnerships, represent the second round of the state's effort to deliver high-speed Internet access throughout one of the nation's most rural states, according to Maine Gov. John Baldacci. "These investments are enabling people in rural areas enhanced access to technology, transforming our state economy, and expanding business opportunities for more Mainers," Baldacci said. The grants include $360,000 for a project that proposes to build a fiber optic cable network to connect three medical centers and seven healthcare facilities in three rural counties within two years, according to Baldacci. A complete list of grant awards can be found at http://maine.gov/connectme. http://www.govtech.com/articles/405546 and http://maine.gov/connectme/

Boston firm introduces insurers to idea of 'drive-by' telemedicine
A Boston-based medical software startup hopes to increase interest in paid telemedicine by pitching deals to insurance companies, who can then use the firm's technology to connect their members to doctors in as little as 30 seconds. American Well - one of several companies pushing the concept of "Health 2.0" - believes this technique will give patients quicker access to doctors, and help insurers broaden their business by allowing them to effectively sell access to their doctors on a per-televisit basis. "The reality is that there is tremendous amount of healthcare that is time sensitive," American Well Chief Executive Officer Roy Schoenberg said. "So if you have a medical condition that requires you to get guidance from a physician but it is three months away in terms of scheduling an appointment...there is a lot of meaningful interaction that can take place, even as a preliminary stage to that kind of office visit." While some may consider the idea a type of "drive-by" telemedicine, others note that American Well is basically a convenience service that allows people to pay a modest fee for quick advice. http://industry.bnet.com/healthcare/... and http://www.healthbusinessblog.com/?p=1893

Information prescriptions systems get a passing grade from British DOH
Britain's Department of Health is preparing release of a final report that gives a thumbs-up on the effectiveness of 20 pilot electronic information prescription systems (IPs) conducted throughout the country over the past year. The IPs, which include Primary Care Trusts, acute hospitals and mental health trusts, are viewed as a useful tool for helping manage long-term conditions and to pinpoint how local and national systems for managing them can be integrated, according to Ewan King, director of analytic studies at the Office of Public Management. But the report's findings will also highlight concerns about the time IPs take to dispense and the impact they may have on patient consultations. The report is expected to be released by mid September. http://www.e-health-insider.com/News/...

'Virtuality' takes step closer to the landing in the real world
European researchers are close to finalizing a system that brings virtual reality - a.k.a. "virtuality" - closer to the real world. The European Union-funded IMPROVE project hopes to tap into the currently underused potential of virtual reality, creating devices such as head-mounted display that can overlay virtual images on top of real ones - such as in surgery or building construction - to reduce errors and improve efficiency, according Pedro Santos, IMPROVE's coordinator. The project has several bottlenecks, however, including funding, hardware and software limitations, and the ability to widely promote the technology. But there is still optimism. "We are already in discussion with some companies about commercial opportunities for the rendering platform," Santos said. http://cordis.europa.eu/ictresults/...

Computerized reminder system drives up colon cancer screening rates
A computerized reminder system used in community-based primary care doctors' offices increased colorectal cancer screening rates by as much as 25 percent, according to a new study from the University of Michigan Health System (UMHS) in Ann Arbor, MI. The ClinfoTracker system was developed by family medicine doctors at UMHS to help track and manage primary care. In the nine-month study, researchers found that the average screening rates increased from 42 percent to 67 percent. The greatest improvements in screening rates occurred at more tech-savvy practices where employees were more adaptable and worked well together, according to lead study author Donald Nease. "We felt there was a need to develop a reminder and tracking system that could be generalized in very distinct, diverse practices," Nease said. http://www.cancer.med.umich.edu/news/...

Holland to go electronic with children's healthcare records by late 2009
Dutch institutions dealing with children's healthcare will be required to use electronic health records (EHRs) by the end of 2009, according to Holland's minister of child health. Dutch minister Andre Rouvoet said the electronic files will include information on the child's health history, his or her family situation and various circumstances. The system is designed to help improve the quality of children's healthcare by collecting all crucial information about a child's medical history in a central document that can be consulted by authorized personnel. Once the system is fully implemented, all new children will receive an electronic file upon their first contact with a health institution, according to Rouvoet. http://www.ehealtheurope.net/news/...

Four-fiber broadband project will literally encircle African continent
African nations are teaming up to build an undersea four-fiber network to bring broadband access to most of the continent. As a Nigerian consortium develops a two-fiber link from Nigeria to Portugal, a second two-fiber link, UhuruNet, is being established by African communication companies and other investors, according to Keith Shongwe, deputy director general for ICT international affairs in South Africa. UhuruNet is also planning to partner with a Kenyan consortium aiming to link Kenya to Europe, and with linking Kenya to South Africa. The 3.9-terabit cable will provide "more than sufficient" connectivity to the continent, Shongwe said. Such a project has numerous social and economic benefits to Africa, including the opportunity to improve healthcare delivery through telemedicine and other means of remote access, Shongwe added. No timeline has been set for the project. http://www.news24.com/News24/...

Telehealth systems lead to improved patient experiences in healthcare
Implementation of telehealth systems can result in improved patient outcomes and experiences with the overall healthcare system, according to a new report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The report, which focused on telehealth grants awarded to 10 states since 2004, noted that technical challenges were a major barrier to growth of acceptance of telehealth systems by the general public, as was a lack of guidelines for physician reimbursement. Technical support is another troubled area. States monitored in the study - Arkansas, California, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas - serve primarily low-income rural areas with high rates of chronic illness. http://www.healthimaging.com/content/view/11999/89/

Carestream Health introduces pay-as-you-go HIM system to French medical sites
Rochester, NY-based Carestream Health Inc. has taken its Hosted Information Management (HIM) system to France. The dental and medical imaging systems provider - formerly known as Kodak Health - has introduced its pay-as-you-go remote archiving, storage and image sharing system to 37 privately owned French medical facilities. Customers range from individual imaging centers such as Centre Duroc in Paris, to GCN St. Vincent, which has eight imaging centers and clinics around Rennes in the Ouest Region of France. The pay-as-you-go model allows French healthcare providers to overcome the need for high infrastructure costs, which is the biggest barrier to healthcare information technology adoption, according to Dr Jean-Yves Seror, senologist at the Centre Duroc in Paris. Carestream said the contracts with the facilities will result in annual storage of approximately 1 million imaging studies. http://www.ehealtheurope.net/News/4028/... and http://www.carestreamhealth.com/...

Indian Space Research Organization to team with government on telemed project
The government of Gujarat, India plans to launch a telemedicine project with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as its technology advisor to enhance the quality of healthcare services in the remote areas of the state. Under the project, ISRO will provide free V-SAT connectivity and help in identifying the potential areas, sectors, locations and beneficiaries. It will also provide support for training programs related to telemedicine. Often, patients suffering from serious ailments have to be shifted to major cities in absence of specialty or super-specialty public health or community health centers, according to state Health Commissioner Amarjit Singh. "The project will help remove this irritant," Singh said. "Doctors serving in these facilities will be able to get easier and timely access to diagnostic, specialty and super-specialty healthcare advice from experts in district hospitals and medical colleges." http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/...

InTouch Health named one of Inc.'s 500 Fastest-Growing Companies for 2008
Santa Barbara, CA-based InTouch Technologies Inc. - a.k.a. InTouch Health - a developer of remote presence healthcare devices, has been named on Inc. magazine's 2008 list of top 500 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S., with a three-year sales growth rate of 958 percent. The list is considered the country's most comprehensive look at a key segment of the economy - America's independent minded entrepreneurs. InTouch Health was ranked No. 289. Yulun Wang, Ph.D., chairman of InTouch Technologies, said the company was honored to make the Inc. 500 list. "Our success in the marketplace has been driven by our society's need to have better access to the dedicated physicians and nurses who care for us all," Wang said. "Our Remote Presence technology extends the reach of these professionals such that they can provide the higher quality care at a lower cost to a larger population." http://asterisk.tmcnet.com/news/2008/... and http://www.inc.com/inc5000/2008/...

• ATA 2008 Mid-Year Meeting
  September 15-16, 2008 - Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina,Tampa FL
  The 2008 Home Telehealth & Remote Monitoring Meeting serves as a forum for sharing scientific research findings, significant advances in related technology and applications, and groundbreaking programs, projects, or case studies.
  The UC Davis 2008 Pediatric Telehealth Colloquium will be held in conjunction with the ATA Mid-Year Meeting. The Colloquium, already established as a premier event for the pediatric telehealth community, is dedicated to the presentation of original research related to pediatric telemedicine by investigators in clinical science.
  
  
• 2008 National Telehealth Conference
  September 25-27, 2008 - St. Paul International Airport Hilton Hotel, Bloomington, MN
  Children's Physician Network
  
  
• 2008 AHIMA Convention and Exhibit
  October 11-16, 2008 - Seattle, WA
  The 2008 AHIMA Convention and Exhibit presents incomparable opportunities to connect with colleagues and learn from key leaders who influence change in health information management. Take advantage of the exceptional educational sessions, explore the exhibit hall and network with fellow HIM professionals.
  
  
• Canadian Society of Telehealth conference
  October 4-7, 2008 - Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
  Joint meeting of Canadian Society of Telehealth and International Society for Telemedicine and eHealth
  
  
• 2008 5th Annual Connected Health Symposium
  October 27-28, 2008 - The Conference Center at Harvard Medical, Boston, MA
  Who Provides, Who Decides, Who Pays: Consumers, Clinicians and Business Models in the Connected Care Era

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

Evaluation of Unmanned Airborne Vehicles and Mobile Robotic Telesurgery in an Extreme Environment
Brett M. Harnett, Charles R. Doarn, Jacob Rosen, Blake Hannaford, Timothy J. Broderick
Telemedicine and e-Health. August 2008, 14(6): 539-544.
A mobile surgical system and wireless telecommunication system were deployed in the high arid desert of Southern California. The mobile surgical system comprised a robot (slave) and control system (master). The robot and control system were separated by a distance of 30 meters. The wireless communication was supported with an unmanned airborne vehicle (UAV). Surgeons manipulated the robot using the UAV, which provided sufficient bandwidth. This represented the first time that a surgical robot and UAV were integrated together to support wireless, robotic telesurgery. 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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