Long Shifts Reduce Radiologists’ Diagnostic Accuracy

In a recent study, the effect of long shifts on diagnostic accuracy of radiologists was discussed. The study included measuring several criteria such as reading time, fatigue signs and visual strains among radiologists taking place while reading radiology files showing fractures for one day. The study was titled “Long Radiology Workdays Reduce Detection and Accommodation Accuracy” The findings of study are published in September’s Journal of the American College of Radiology (JACR) and appear on the website of ACR.

Toughbook Tablet Computers For E-Prescribing At NHS Foundation Trust

Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust has purchased 100 Panasonic Toughbook tablet computers as part of its plan to deploy e prescribing. The CF-H1 Mobile Clinical Assistant tablets, which are docked on the trust’s existing drugs trolleys, will enable caregivers to review and record information from electronic medical records (EMR) at the patients’ bedside, thus decreasing the time needed to provide patient care. The primary order was set for 111 Toughbook CF-H1 devices. The selection was made after an eight week trial during which nurses observed that the trolley mounted approach helped ensure the mobile device was constantly charged.

Chemoimmunotherapy Can Restrict Metastasis Of Breast Cancer, Study

In a recent study conducted at the René Huguenin Cancer Centre in Saint Cloud, France, clinicians found that chemoimmunotherapy is absolutely useful for patients suffering from metastatic breast carcinoma. The researchers used Immutep S.A.’s lead product, IMP321, and first-line paclitaxel for their clinical trial and demonstrated clinical benefit in 90 % of patient with metastatic breast cancer. It was an open-label, fixed-dose-escalation trial. Other cancer centers contributing in the study were Tenon Hospital and the Georges Pompidou European Hospital in Paris. The immuno-monitoring for patients was the responsibility of Immutep at its laboratories near Paris.

NovaRad Provides NovaPACS In Montana And Philippines

NovaRad, a major provider of PACS and RIS solutions, has entered an agreement with radiology centers in Montana and two hospitals in the Philippines to provide them with NovaPACS. In Montana, Wheatland Memorial Healthcare is a community center that will utilize web-based PACS supplied from NovaRad. This is not the first cooperation with NovaRad; previously, Wheatland used teleradiology services, but now will be able to use contract radiologists with NovaPACS web based system, thus helping to decrease report turnaround time.

Low Infection Rates With Ultrasound-guided Procedures

According to a new study, the occurrence of infection after ultrasound-guided procedures is very low. The study included reviewing several types of these procedures such as fine-needle aspiration and thoracentesis, which involves needle draining of fluids from the thoracic cavity. The study is going to appear in the October issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology. Ultrasound is one of the major medical imaging techniques that uses sound waves to generate images of the internal organs. The technique is preferred due to its high safety profile, especially for pregnant women and children.

EHR Sales In US during 2009, Doubled

According to a recent report, the sales of Electronic Health Records (EHR) in larger hospitals in the US have increased in 2009 by the double, when comparing these sales to those of 2008. The eighth annual clinical market share report was prepared by KLAS, a leading research firm, along with Epic and Cerner, both are major healthcare IT solutions providers, and collected its data from about 70% of the sales involving larger hospitals. The report noted that the significant increase of EHR sales in 2009 was encouraged by American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA).

Staggered Radiologist Work Shifts Improve Patient Care, Study

A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology (JACR), entitled “The Impact of an Early-Morning Radiologist Work Shift on the Timeliness of Communicating Urgent Imaging Findings on Portable Chest Radiography”, argues that having staggered radiologist work shifts lead to quicker delivery of results and enhanced patient care. Different styles of work shifts are being used in radiology centers; while many centers are turning to 24/7 teleradiology services to meet their overnight needs, some organizations use staggered shifts to cover nearly round-the-clock care; others depend on the more traditional on-call system to cover urgent findings. This recent study compares the on-call and staggered shifts systems.

Radiology Expert Dr. Groebner Joins New Ulm Medical Center

New Ulm Medical Center (NUMC), New Ulm, Minn. Announced that it has been joined by a new radiologist, Nate Groebner, M.D., how has returned back to his own city following several years of medical studies and residency. Dr. Groebner is going to be the primary radiologists at NUMC.  He has obtained his medical degree from the Medical School at the University of Minnesota. Dr.Groebner later finished an internship at Marshfield Clinic in Wisconsin and had a radiology residency for four years at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

Telemedicine And e-Health Offer Improved Healthcare Services in Nigeria

The 4th Nigerian conference on Telemedicine and e-Health took place recently in Gombe. The conference noted that in order to achieve the targets of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), there is a need to increase the adoption of Telemedicine and e-Health as major solutions for improving healthcare services in the country, especially for rural regions that do not have accessibility or affordability to healthcare services. The conference confirmed that both Telemedicine and e-Health are having the potential to enhance the quality and accessibility to healthcare services in Nigeria.

Alvolution Launches Telehealth Comparison Website

Alvolution, a leading independent organization for the discovery, collaboration and promotion of technological advances in the Assisted Living sector, has launched a telehealth product comparison website to help trusts and local authorities select the best quality and best value telehealth products for their organizations. Alvolution, in collaboration with NHS West Midlands and the Joint Improvement, has developed an independent comparison website that reviews and compares a wide range of the UK telehealth products in one database. The partnership with the strategic health authority indicates that several trusts across the region have been supporting the development of the website and providing user input.

Cardiac Imaging Breakthrough To Visualize Myocardial Scar And Heart Vasculature Simultaneously

A new imaging technique will be available soon for use by cardiologists and surgeons that serves to improve outcomes for patients requiring pacemakers, bypass surgery or angioplasties. The new imaging tool has been developed as the result of the research conducted by Dr. James White and his colleagues at The University of Western Ontario. This technique provides a single, 3D high-resolution image of the heart viewing both its vasculature and the presence of scar tissue within the muscle. This novel imaging was designed using a 3-Tesla MRI at Western's Robarts Research Institute. The findings are published on-line in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Cardiovascular Imaging.

Functional MRI To Study Post Natal Depression

According to a new study, functional MRI scans were used to study the brains of women suffering from post natal depression. The study took place at the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The findings of the study were highlighted in The American Journal of Psychiatry. Post natal depression is seen frequently between new mothers but with no obvious cause.

Silica Spheres Offers New Option Against Breast Cancer

In a recent study, researchers used a new material, microscopic gas-filled silica spheres, for better detection of the location of breast cancer. The new compound provides a new option for both breast cancer patients and their doctors, as it will offer more accurate detection of cancer tissues and thus reduce the need for performing second surgeries. The study took place at the University of California, San Diego, and is it will be highlighted in the coming issue of the journal MedChemComm.

ASGE And Welch Allyn Partners For EHR Consultation

Healthcare IT solutions have been providing significant help to various medical practices. Among such solutions, Electronic Health Records (EHR), provide full-detailed digital database that include useful information such as the clinical history, medication and performed diagnostic tests. In order to use the recent healthcare IT applications, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) announced that it has recently signed a new partnership agreement with Welch Allyn, a major company providing EHR and other healthcare IT solutions.