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.

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 October issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology. MRI is one of the significantly useful medical imaging techniques, as it offers highly-detailed images in a non-invasive and radiation-free procedure.

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).