MRI Offers New Option For Surveillance Of Great Vessel Stents

According to a new study, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used alone effectively for conducting routine surveillance of some great vessel stents, such as vena cavae and aorta, which are frequently used for treating congenital cardiac defects.  The study took place at the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London. Its results will be highlighted in the October issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology. MRI is one of the most significant medical imaging techniques, as it offers highly-detailed images in a non-invasive and radiation-free procedure.

Siemens And Monaco Partners For The First "European Reference Centre Cardiovascular Medicine"

Siemens Healthcare has entered an agreement with the Cardio Thoracic Centre of Monaco (CCM) to develop innovative solutions for diagnosis and treatment of patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases. This agreement makes the Centre as the first Siemens’ European Reference Centre for Cardiovascular Medicine, which will serve as an international training centre for different visitors that demonstrates optimized clinical workflows and multi-modality imaging. The centre and Siemens have worked collaboratively for more than 25 years to develop medical technologies that aid in the diagnosis of patients all over the world.

Carestream Provides Digital Imaging Systems For Rural Radiology Center, Georgia

Carestream has provided high quality diagnostic digital imaging modalities for a rural radiology center in Georgia. Emory Clark-Holder Clinic, LaGrange, Ga., has recently converted from film to digital imaging workflow by using one CARESTREAM DRX-1 and two CARESTREAM Elite CR (Computed Radiography) systems to provide diagnostic imaging services for its wide base population. The clinic includes 28-physician who perform more than 20,000 imaging exams per year.

FDA Warns From Renal Fibrosis Induced By Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has declared an important warning revealing that gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs), used for radiology imaging, carry a high risk for developing renal fibrosis specially for people with prior kidney disease. This is the second time that FDA highlights the dangers of GBCAs; last year it mandated black label warnings for these hazardous agents. The FDA’s warning has specifically determined Magnevist, Omniscan, and Optimark brands of GBCA as forbidden for use in patients with acute renal problems or chronic severe renal disease. This is due to an FDA risk review of those brands. Furthermore, the FDA pointed out in its press statement that assessing other brands is being performed. Currently, the FDA is revising the black label warning on all brands of GBCA, now it recommends screening patients for kidney impairment before administration. The FDA has also offered new GBCA guidelines for imaging facilities.

Online Consultations Reduce Face-To-Face Appointments At Mayo Clinic By 40 %

A recent huge study of online consultations in primary care has found that online consultations could reduce the need for face-to-face appointments with primary care physicians by approximately 40 %. Clinicians at the Mayo Clinic, the largest private clinic in the world based in Rochester, US, ran a pilot study where patients were able to complete an online structured medical history to be reviewed and assessed later on by a doctor within 24 hours. This project is implemented as a part of Mayo's strategy to promote health IT.

Clatterbridge Oncology Center Installs Kainos' Electronic Document And Records Management System

Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology NHS Foundation Trust has entered an agreement with Kainos to install its electronic document and records management system (EDRMS) together with its Maxims’ web-based electronic patient record (EPR). Within the framework of this agreement, Kainos will provide its innovative product to enhance the use of patient notes across the trust’s sites. Kainos' products, based on Autonomy Records Management, were developed due to the collaborative work with The Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust.

Scotland Integrates Key Information Summary With Its Emergency Palliative Care Summary Record

NHS National Services Scotland has revealed that it will develop a Key Information Summary that will be completely integrated with its Emergency Palliative Care Summary (EPCS) record. Palliative Care Summary was integrated within Emergency Care Summary earlier this year, currently, it serves more than 25% of the population.
Jonathan Cameron, program manager of the National Information Systems Group for NHS NSS, highlighted that the new summary would rely mainly on the success of the EPCS but would also add considerably more information to the record. Cameron said, “The Key Information Summary (KIS) aims to replace paper notes being faxed from GP practices to NHS24, provide support for electronic anticipatory care plans, long term conditions and mental health by utilizing the existing EPCS infrastructure.”

Hospitals Move Towards a Healthcare Revolution

Vienna, Austria: The one word that most aptly defines the future of healthcare is ‘digital’. Hospitals across Europe are undergoing revolutionary transformations in the way they operate, making this the most opportune time for Fleming Gulf to organize its next healthcare conference, “Digital Hospital Europe”.

Mammography Role Questioned In A New Study

According to a new study, mammography scans are offering less than expected reduction of mortalities caused by breast cancer. The study took place in Norway, and its findings are highlighted in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study continues the ongoing international debate questioning the effectiveness of conducting mammography screening programs.

Lantheus’ PET Cardiac Imaging Studies To Be Highlighted At ASNC2010

Lantheus Medical Imaging, Inc., a global leading company providing medical imaging systems, announced that seven abstracts for studies discussing two of the company’s cardiac Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging agents are going to be highlighted at the 15th Annual Scientific Session of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC2010). The event will take place from the 23th to the 26th of September in Philadelphia. The abstracts are discussing the preliminary results of two curently conducted studies.