June 9, 2008 - At the request of its membership, the American College of Physicians (ACP) recently conducted an evaluation of CCHIT certified electronic health records (EHRs) over the past 12 months.

As part of this initiative, referred to as the EHR Partners Program, more than 1,300 ACP members currently using EHRs were surveyed. The results have been made available to ACP members and participating vendors. The e-MDs’ EHR, named the Solution Series, received “by far” the highest scores on the survey and was the only EHR to achieve a three-star overall rating.

The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA), which went into effect on January 1, 2007, has left its mark on hospitals and imaging center operators. There is no denying that the imaging industry has changed forever. Some may think that the 10 percent of operators on the brink of bankruptcy or in default on payments to finance vendors is a mere market correction for years of overgrowth. But do the math.
Redefining Teleradiology

With radiologists in short supply, the need for teleradiology services continues to grow and the market has responded in full force. Currently there are dozens of teleradiology vendors, ranging from large to small, covering the off-hour needs of hospitals and medical centers nationwide. Teleradiology affords even rural facilities without on-site radiologists the ability to offer 24/7 comprehensive radiology coverage.
Filling the Gap

The future is looking bright for virtual colonoscopy (CTC) after encouraging news came out that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) had initiated a national coverage analysis (NCA) for the use of screening CTC for colorectal cancer, granting the public 30 days to submit comments on the topic. The NCA will evaluate the available evidence for screening CTC and determine if a national coverage determination is warranted.

June 9, 2008 - Hologic Inc. said today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Third Wave Technologies Inc. for a purchase price of $11.25 per share, or approximately $580 million in value, a transaction anticipated to be completed in the third quarter of 2008, said Hologic.

June 9, 2008 - Siemens Medical Solutions gained FDA 510(k) market clearance for the SOMATOM Definition AS, what is said to be the first world's first adaptive CT scanner, adapting to each patient's clinical situation, available in 40-slice, 64-slice and 128-slice configurations.

June 9, 2008 - Siemens unveiled the ACUSON SC2000 volume imaging ultrasound system, which acquires nonstitched, real-time full-volume 3D images of the heart in one single heart cycle, during the 19th Annual Session of the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) in Toronto, June 7-11.

Called “Echo in a Heartbeat,” this new technology generates non-stitched full-volume imaging reportedly of the entire heart with 90 degree pyramids and in just one second, according to the manufacturer.

June 9, 2008 - The FDA cleared Mindray’s DC-3 color ultrasound imaging system, equipped with extensive applications in abdominal, OB/GYN, endovaginal, cardiac, small parts and pediatric markets.

This new system combines 2D imaging and color Doppler performance and is suited for hospitals, doctors' offices in hopes of replacing black and white ultrasound imaging systems.

For more information: www.mindray.com

The ACIST CVi Contrast Delivery System provides one injection system for all cardiac and vascular angiography procedures. The variable-rate ACIST CVi system aims to provide ease of operation for clinicians, while obtaining quality images with less contrast used and delivered to the patient.

ProHance is a macrocyclic, nonionic, gadolinium-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent designed for use in MRI in adults and children over two years of age to visualize lesions with abnormal vascularity in the brain (intracranial lesions), spine and associated tissues. ProHance is also indicated for use in MRI in adults to visualize lesions in the head and neck.

Subscribe to
© Copyright Wainscot Media. All Rights Reserved.
Subscribe Now