IT Investment Gives Californian HMO an Edge Over the NHS
A comparison of the NHS and non-profit Californian health maintenance organisation, Kaiser Permanante, has revealed that investment in information technology is one of the explanations for the HMO’s superior performance on several measures. Writing in the British Medical Journal, the researchers from the University of California and the Healthcare Redesign Group, conclude, “Healthcare costs per […]
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Smart Specimen Bag Launched
A new version of the humble pathology specimen bag that can integrate test request information with the electronic patient record is being piloted at NHS hospitals around the country. Speci-Sak II, made by MailmateSPS, is a plain specimen request form with a bag attached which goes through a specially adapted laser printer. Information recorded on […]
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Fitzpatrick Steps Down From Health Media Group
Tony Fitzpatrick has stepped down as chief executive of Health Media Group PLC, the leading UK online health content firm, following the release of a trading statement last week which said revenue will be below market expectations for the full year resulting in an operating loss. The company said the shortfall is the result of […]
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Milburn Pledges New IT Money and Partnerships
Health Secretary Alan Milburn used a Microsoft-sponsored Department of Health (DH) IT conference attended by Bill Gates to pledge an extra £85m for NHS IT in 2002-2003. Health secretary Alan Milburn admitted on 6 December 2001 that hard pressed hospitals had diverted IT allocations last year to meet other priorities. "I should have earmarked it […]
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Computer Motion Recieves $2m Grant for Telesurgery Training
Computer Motion, Inc., the world’s leading developer of surgical robotic systems, has been awarded a $2m research and development grant from the US Department of Commerce, and National Institute of Standards (NIST) to combine surgical robotic systems with telemedicine to train surgeons in new procedures. According to the NIST grant proposal the potential market opportunity […]
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Aventis Launches Doctor-Patient Internet Communications Tools
Aventis Pharmaceuticals Inc., the U.S. pharmaceuticals business of Aventis Pharma AG, has launched an Internet-based communications platform designed to link family physicians to patients. The service enables two-way, secure communication, and provides convenient access to information and services designed enhance the delivery of patient care. The new system, called MyDocOnline, provides patients, physicians and their […]
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