News

September 10 - 11 - The Northwest Medical Informatics Symposium, Spokane, Wash. 13 - 15 - Transform: A Collaborative Symposium on Innovations in Healthcare Experience and Delivery, Rochester, Minn. 14 - 16 - The Annual Healthcare Staffing Summit, Washington. 20 - 23 - NCHICA 15th Annual Conference and Exhibition, Asheville, N.C. 23 - 25 - 2009 Fall Radiology and Imaging Conference, Tampa, Fla. 24 - Oct. 15 - Access Federal Stimulus Incentives for Electronic Health Records, Alexandria, Va. 30 - Oct. 2 - 5th Annual Consumer Health Congress, Alexandria, Va. October 3 - 8 - AHIMA Annual Convention & Exhibit, Grapevine, Texas 6 - 7 - Health 2.0, San Francisco, Calif. 11 - 14 - 2009 MGMA Annual Conference, Denver, Colo. 21 - 22 - 6th Annual Connected Health Conference, Boston  

The University of California at Merced’s Valley Telehealth Partnership is too new to have made an impact on the physician and nurse shortages in the San Joaquin Valley.

BRIGGS DEPLOYS DATA COLLECTION SYSTEM AIMED AT ACCURACY DES MOINES, IA – Briggs, a healthcare provider based in Des Moines, Iowa, has implemented a new electronic mobile data collection system that is designed to enable healthcare agencies to improve the accuracy of recorded data. OASISync system integrates Briggs’ regulatory-compliant OASIS forms content. Results from organizations using the OASIS solution include improved outcomes for CMS measurements, lower occurrence rates, reduced resource utilization and reduced costs per visit. OASISync provides online forms, proprietary software and a choice of data collection devices such as digital pens or tablet PCs. VENDOR LAUNCHES NEW VITALS MONITORING TECHNOLOGY ANDOVER, MA  – Philips has launched a new vital signs monitoring device to provide more economical, simple vital checks. The SureSigns VS2 offers physicians a more cost effective spot check monitor for use with neonates, pediatric and adult patients, according to Philips. The VS2 has been designed with an intuitive interface and an expectation of reducing the amount of time spent on clinical training, allowing more focus to be spent on the patient. The VS2 has the ability to store up to 100 patient records at any given time. Clinicians can then view these records by navigating the touch screen on the front of the device. Philips has also offered an optional wireless feature permitting the user to use the technology while moving from patient to patient. META LAUNCHES NEW CPOE AIMED AT ELIMINATING ERRORS FLORAL PARK, NY – Meta a supplier of comprehensive medication safety information systems, has launched MetaCare CPOE, a clinical provider order entry system designed to provide medication safety for patients. MetaCare integrates a single set of databases, helping to eliminate errors throughout the process of ordering. MetaCare CPOE enables the prescriber to view patient profiles and provides decision support for all order types. The product is designed to provide a unified medication management system to help clinicians deliver better care. TECHNOLOGY PROVIDER EXPANDS MANAGEMENT WORKFLOW SAN DIEGO – CareFusion Corp., the company spin-off of Cardinal Health, has developed a stream of new products to improve supply management and workflow. The new products will expand Pyxis perioperative offerings that integrate with operating room information systems, RFIDs, and other technologies. The Pyxis ProcedureStation integrates with hospital operating room information systems to help streamline workflows in the emergency departments. The new technology helps nurses spend less time on non-clinical activities by automatically incorporating surgical supply information directly into patient records. Combined with RFID technology, Pyxis is designed to assist hospitals manage high volumes of supplies and help streamline workflow. TANGENT ROLLS OUT COMPACT, ENERGY EFFICIENT PC BURLINGAME, CA – Tangent, Inc., has rolled out a new space and energy saving PC for use in hospital and physician practices. Tangent expects that this technology will be an adequate replacement for mobile cart solutions. The VITA LT is a light-weight solution with a total weight of 10.5 lbs. With a thin design of 1.4 inches and 18.5-inch screen the solution is well adapted for tight spaces in healthcare settings, according to Tangent. The VITA LT is also suited for a wall-mount installation as it conforms to fire ordinances that limit wall protrusions. It’s size and weight remove the need for obstructive wall support. The compact PC features power efficiency, using 34 watts and 72 percent less energy than industry standards, according to Tangent. The VITA LT also includes wireless features with a built-in 802.11 wireless connection. The casing is sealed for easy cleaning while its white color aides in spotting hygiene issues. n  

Healthcare IT company Healthland, which focuses on the small community and critical access hospitals market, has completed its acquisition of American Healthnet, based in Omaha, Neb.

Claims management has traditionally been an area of tedium, conflict, confusion and aggravation for healthcare providers. Getting claims paid by the insurance company hinged on every “i” being dotted and every “t” being crossed.

Four months after declaring its intention to enter the American healthcare market, Australia’s iSoft has found a U.S.-based partner.

One of the bigger names in communications is expanding its healthcare presence.

Health information exchanges often involve organizations with little in common – sometimes a recipe for failure. Transforming Healthcare in Connecticut Communities (THICC) hopes to change that by bringing a key ingredient to the table.

The 45 physicians of Northern California Medical Associates aren’t interested in all the bells and whistles that come with a full-fledged electronic medical record. They want something that stays out of the way and lets them work.

America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) has selected Deloitte to be a provider of subject matter experience, knowledge and training content related to ICD-10 and HIPAA 5010 compliance learning programs for the upcoming year. These regulations involve the coding system that doctors and hospitals use to code diagnoses and procedure information on medical claims and other fundamental health transactions.