Current Headlines

1. DebMed Announces US Patent
   5/16/2013

   DebMed, creator of the world's first electronic hand hygiene compliance monitoring system based on the World Health Organization's (WHO's) Five Moments for Hand Hygiene, recently announced the issuance of US Patent # 8,427,323 by the US Patent & Trademark Office for the technology integrated within the DebMed GMS (Group Monitoring System).  

2. Looking For ROI In EHR
   5/15/2013

   Electronic Health Records (EHRs) w  ere designed, among other things, to save money and not contribute to $13.4 million operating losses. But that is exactly what happened at Maine Medical Center, the state’s largest hospital, according to Whit Richardson of the Bangor, ME Daily News. Richardson writes, “The loss occurred in the first half of the hospital’s fiscal year, which runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30.” He goes on to quote CEO Richard Petersen as saying the hospital is in “a negative financial position that it has not witnessed in recent memory.” By John Oncea, editor, Healthcare Technology Online (@buck25)   

3. Panasonic Upgrades Toughbook H2 Rugged Handheld Tablet PC
   5/15/2013

   Panasonic, an industry leader in rugged, reliable mobile computers since 1996, recently announced upgrades to the Panasonic Toughbook H2, the industry’s most rugged handheld tablet PC.

4. Houston Northwest Medical Center, Park Plaza Hospital and Providence Memorial Hospital Top Texas Patient Engagement Index Ranking
   5/15/2013

   Axial Exchange, Inc., a pioneer in using mobile apps to deepen the patient's role in improving outcomes, recently announced the results of its Texas Patient Engagement Index (PEI), a groundbreaking index that ranks U.S. hospitals based on an analysis of publically available data in three categories: personal health management, patient satisfaction and social media engagement. 

5. Silver Spring Radiology Discovers A New System That Is Less Expensive, Improves Patient Experience And Expands Their Business
   5/15/2013

   Hosted PACS Solutions, Inc., an Application Service Provider (ASP) of best in class digital radiology software, is pleased to announce that Silver Spring Radiology is the latest facility to begin utilizing a fully integrated, turnkey, cloud based PACS system.

6. VisualShare Selects ClearDATA HIPAA Compliant Cloud Platform To Host Medical Imaging Management Solutions & Medical Images
   5/15/2013

   ClearDATA, the leading healthcare cloud computing platform and service provider, recently announced that VisualShare, an imaging informatics company and leading provider of image exchange, management and collaboration solutions, has selected the ClearDATA HealthDATA Cloud Computing Platform for HIPAA compliant hosting of its line of VisualStrata Healthcare Information Technology Solutions.

7. HD Video Technology Is Uniting Hospice Patients With Long-Distance Family Members
   5/15/2013

   As America’s population ages, demand for high-quality hospice care is growing.  Innovative providers are searching for new services that add to the well-being, comfort and peace of mind of patients and families.

8. iPad Drives Patient Engagement
   5/15/2013

   Manhattan Research reported last year that physician adoption of tablets for professional purposes almost doubled compared to 2011, reaching 62% in 2012's survey. The survey of 3,015 practicing physicians across 25 specialties was reported on by Anthony Vecchione for InformationWeek Healthcare who noted, “Apple's iPad emerged as the dominant tablet platform.” Vecchione points out that the iPad’s dominance is “an extension of the general market where the iPad is a dominant player” and quotes Monique Levy, VP of research at Manhattan Research as saying “it is really suited for doctors in terms of graphics.” By John Oncea, editor, Healthcare Technology Online (@buck25)

9. Medical Practice Management Important As Aging Baby Boomers And Affordable Care Act Expand Pool Of Patients: Appointment-Plus
   5/14/2013

   A well-run physician’s office is already a key component of a successful practice.

10. McKesson Announces Nationwide Expansion Of Its Million Dollar EHR Software Give-Away Program, McKesson Gives Back
    5/14/2013

    McKesson announced recently the expanded, nationwide roll-out of its McKesson Gives Back program, a philanthropic initiative designed to recognize and reward physician practices that provide unreimbursed healthcare to America’s neediest citizens.