IBM to invest $100 million in healthcare technology through 2013
IBM plans to spend $100 million over the next three years on healthcare technology to help improve the speed and quality at which doctors are able to provide care to patients, while boosting their presence in the electronic medical products field. The technology giant will enlist more than 100 researchers from its laboratories around the world - including in Haifa, Tokyo and Zurich - and plans to hire physicians, clinicians, nurses, engineers, economists and social scientists to carry out the studies, according to Chalapathi Neti, global lead of healthcare transformation at IBM Research in Armonk, NY. The ultimate goal is to develop treatment methodologies that are personalized; to simplify how healthcare is delivered; and to create new incentives and models that help evolve healthcare into a system that issues rewards based on patient outcomes rather than simply volume of care, Neti said.  Full Story

FCC to expand Internet access for rural healthcare providers
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is considering a plan to expand use of a program - up to $400 million annually - to help rural healthcare providers tap into broadband connections. The FCC said the action will improve medical care, help reduce healthcare costs, spur private investment in networks as well as health-related applications, and help create jobs in developing and implementing health information technology solutions. Under the plan, the FCC would raise the subsidies offered for health provider service costs from 25 percent to 50 percent. The Commission will also cover 85 percent of the construction costs for new or upgraded broadband networks in areas with limited health IT infrastructure. Full Story   Further Information

HP launches EHR data program to keep rural physicians in adoption loop
Hewlett-Packard has launched a program designed to support and accelerate the adoption of electronic health records (EHR) among hospitals and physicians. Many independent physicians are dozens of miles apart in rural communities, according to Chris Mertens, vice president of HP's Healthcare Business, Personal Systems Group. The EHReady program can help those physicians stay up to date on the use of health information technology programs by using their affiliated hospitals as an updated information source. The program also offers various comprehensive solutions, including hardware, software and support, along with installation, setup and training services - all designed to simplify system changes. The solutions can be customized for each medical practice and include a wide range of products from desktop PCs and workstations to notebook PCs, tablets and scanners, Mertens said. Full Story

New Verizon electronic data translator to ease patient information sharing
A new cloud-based service offering for healthcare providers is coming from Verizon that aims to handle the sharing of patient information electronically between disparate platforms. The Verizon Health Information Exchange consolidates clinical patient data from various providers, according to Kannan Sreedhar, vice president and global managing director of Verizon Connected Health Care Solutions, and translates it into a standardized format that can be accessed via a secure Web portal. Users of the service will be able to share data across states and regions, requesting patient data via the Web portal regardless of the information technology systems and specific protocols the providers use. Many of the interoperability barriers that prevent sharing of clinical data between physicians, clinics, hospitals and payers will be addressed with this Information Exchange, Sreedhar said. Full Story

Patient monitor Masimo acquires brain function equipment maker SEDLine
In a private transaction, patient monitoring equipment developer Masimo has acquired SEDLine, a company formed in order to advance brain function monitoring to improve the care of patients under anesthesia or sedation. According to Joe Kiani, Masimo founder and Chief Executive Officer, the move will allow SEDLine technology to be more accessible in the U.S. and international healthcare markets, and it will expand Masimo's product offerings. The goal of SEDLine's four-channel electroencephalogram (EEG)-based brain monitor is to measure the effects of anesthesia and sedation based on the analysis of the EEG. Terms of the final deal were not disclosed. However, it follows up an earlier action in which Masimo first showed its interest in SEDLine with a $3.5 million investment in January. Full Story

Computer-based infection detection technology is best, but rarely used
Hospitals that adopt advanced computer technology to identify healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are more likely to have implemented best practices to prevent such infections, according to a report by researchers at the University of California at Berkeley. Only one-third of hospitals surveyed are using computer-based infection technology "on a timely and accurate basis," according to UCB Prof. of Health Policy Helen Halpin, lead author of the study. The study found that hospitals that use automated surveillance systems to identify HAIs are more likely to have fully implemented research-based practices to reduce methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and surgical care infection practices. Manual infection identification is "costly, time-consuming and diverts staff time from prevention activities," Halpin notes. In addition, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and many private insurers will no longer pay for the additional costs attributable to certain HAIs, and many states report infection rates publicly, the report notes. Full Story

European patient monitoring market to reach $161.4 million by 2013
The market for data management systems for patient monitoring in Europe is expected to hit $161.4 million by 2013, according to a report by Frost & Sullivan. The report, "Data Management Systems for Patient Monitoring Markets in Europe," notes that European healthcare systems are witnessing a surge in activities involving IT solutions, mainly due to the affordability and need to effectively manage large volumes of data. Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Somsainathan C. Kamalasekar added that "most countries are highly receptive to such technology and are fully aware of its benefits, thereby rapidly driving the growth of these systems in Europe." The European patient monitoring markets are experiencing significant growth due to the rising number of patients availing healthcare services. However, outdated technology in a few countries is limiting the usage of sophisticated data management systems. Full Story

Boston scientists begin massive human genome project to study health
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) in Boston are attempting to build a huge genetic database designed to determine how genes affect human health. According to Christine Seidman, director of the Cardiovascular Genetics Division at BWH and co-principal investigator of the "OurGenes, OurHealth, OurCommunity" project, the effort will help identify genetic, lifestyle and environmental causes of health and diseases. Starting with six pilot clinics this summer, researchers aim to collect both a blood sample and health data from 100,000 BWH patients. Participation in the research project is voluntary. Seidman said the OurGenes project is one of the very few projects in the world working on such a large scale; similar research projects have concentrated on select populations, a specific collection of diseases, or specific genes. Full Story

Free EHR comparison Web site for certified physicians goes online
The American College of Physicians and Cientis Technologies of Canada have launched a free Web resource, AmericanEHR, where healthcare professionals can compare, evaluate, select and learn how to effectively use certified electronic health records (EHR) systems. Access to the AmericanEHR Partners Web site is open to all EHR vendors with nationally recognized certification, according to Alan Brookstone, CEO of Cientis. The site will evaluate a participant's readiness to adopt an EHR and provide a list of recommended resources to help with deficiencies; view comprehensive EHR user ratings on different solutions, with ratings based on surveys of physicians conducted through their professional societies; sort EHR solutions based on medical subspecialty and functionality; and provide side-by-side comparisons of EHR systems. The site went live July 13. Full Story

Researchers try night vision to track down lymphatic cancer
Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston are developing a medical imaging system that uses night vision technology to tackle a common side effect of cancer treatment. The radiation-free project is studying cancer involving the lymphatic system. According to UTHealth research scientist Eva Sevick, little is known about the lymphatic network, making imaging difficult. In addition, cancer treatment also tends to damage lymph nodes, creating further difficulties. The new system involves micro doses of fluorescent dyes and specially modified near infrared cameras. With the aid of the light sensitive cameras, Sevick and her colleagues can observe a fluorescent dye as it works its way through the lymphatic system. The new project may allow clinicians to diagnose damage to a patient's lymphatic system well before symptoms develop. The process is being studied in Food and Drug Administration-approved clinical trials.  Full Story
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Cell phones and mobile health becoming key way to treat chronic diseases
Mobile health (mHealth) is becoming an increasingly vital and efficient way for doctors to track and treat patients with chronic diseases, according to a report in The Washington Times. Researchers and healthcare providers are using the cell phone's text-messaging capabilities, as well as smartphone applications, to help patients monitor fitness and health goals; others are testing whether cell phones help inner-city diabetics better comply with blood sugar control - saving Medicaid dollars. With most of the population now carrying cell phones, and nearly 40 percent of those having access to the Internet, more-sophisticated digital health contact is possible, the Times notes. On the down side, older adults are less likely to use smartphones, as are people who are sicker, with multiple chronic diseases, according to a doctor quoted in the Times piece. Full Story

Kansas medical groups to develop statewide HIE by end of 2010
The Kansas Hospital Association, the Wichita Health Information Exchange, the Kansas City Bi-State Health Information Exchange, and Kansas Medical Society (KMS) are collaborating on development of a statewide health information exchange (HIE). All four healthcare groups have been active participants in the year-long process led by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment through the eHealth Advisory Council to create a framework that will establish standards for approval, operation and oversight of HIEs, according to Jerry Slaughter, KMS Executive Director. The groups hope to have the initial phases of the HIE operational by the end of 2010. Full Story

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• Global TeleHealth 2010
  November 10-12, 2010 - Perth, Western Australia
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