Healthcare bears brunt of spyware attacks
The healthcare and pharmaceutical industry sector is more likely than any other to come under attack from spyware, an international report into internet security trends by firms Counterpane Internet Security and MessageLabs has concluded. The survey, based on attack attempts witnessed by the firms, showed that IT systems in the healthcare sector suffered almost 50% […]
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Divided opinions on clinical coding switch
Health information managers fear they may not have the resources to implement the new OPCS4.3 clinical coding system due to go live in April despite assurances from the NHS Connecting for Health project leads that the system is easy to learn and quick to use. A conference organised in London this week (28 February 2006) […]
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Missing link
Kingsley Manning from Newchurch wonders where the IT is in the new community care white paper, and what contribution CfH will have to make for its success.
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Whole NHS budget under the microscope
Reports today suggest that the National Programme for IT (NPfIT) will be included in a review of all health budgets to ensure that every aspect of central spending is giving value for money. There are assurances, however, that existing commitments will be honoured. The health secretary, Patricia Hewitt, confirmed the review during an interview on […]
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‘Medical Grade Networks’ launched by Cisco
Cisco Systems has launched Medical Grade Networks, its blueprint of the future networking requirements for healthcare organisations to deliver e-health services. At a May press event the US technology giant explained why it believes focusing on converged networks, able to link together voice, data and diagnostic images, provides the means to get the most out […]
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Speak for yourself
New developments in speech recognition technology could make it a useful tool for clinicians, says Marcel Wassink of Philips.
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Standard NHS user interface to be developed
Microsoft has announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Programme for IT to deliver a standard user interface (UI) for all NHS clinical information systems. The announcement came at the same time as news of a long-term licensing agreement with the NHS for Microsoft software. Under the agreement relating to […]
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DR scanner improves radiology productivity by 60%
The installation of a new digital radiography (DR) system in Edith Cavell Hospital, Cambridgeshire, has boosted productivity in the radiology department by 60%, according to a survey undertaken internally by the hospital. “Examinations can be completed in as little as thirty seconds, which is a real benefit for patients, and we are seeing dramatic reductions […]
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NHS close to signing new Microsoft deal
The NHS is on the brink of signing a new three-year corporate licensing agreement with Microsoft to provide desktop applications for the entire NHS. A National Programme for IT (NPfIT) spokesperson told E-Health Insider: "The National Programme for IT can confirm it has reached an agreement with Microsoft for the provision of desk-top licences, which […]
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The productivity guessing game
Introducing new IT systems should improve productivity – but how will the NHS know? Healthcare commentator, Roy Lilley, doubts whether current efforts to measure improvements will win any medals.
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