VHA Signs Agreement with IBM
VHA Inc., a leading US network of community-owned health care systems and physicians, has signed an agreement with IBM to cost effectively centrally procure desktop and notebook computers, servers and workstations to the 2,200 healthcare organisations within VHA. The agreement is intended to help participating organisations improve their overall efficiency, reduce costs and improve work […]
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Home Office to Consult on Smart ID Cards
The Home Office is to publish proposals to introduce identity cards in the UK, based on smart card technology, with Home Secretary David Blunkett expected to announce a six month public consultation on the proposals. Introducing national ID cards was floated by the Home Office in the aftermath of September 11 as a potential guard […]
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IT Strategy – You Have Your Say
E-Health Insider’s request for fantasy IT strategies for the NHS struck a chord with many of you who sent in a range of suggestions over the course of the week. A common theme was the feeling that any new IT strategy must have a strong thread of cultural change and people management, and that a […]
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Information Guidance on Shifting the Balance of Power
Guidance on maintaining or improving information flows and structures during the NHS’s Shifting the Balance of Power programme has been published by the Department of Health. Part of a steady flow of guidance from the DH aimed at smoothing the transition in April to the new NHS structure of strategic health authorities and primary care/hospital […]
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US Healthcare IT Market Weathers Downturn
Despite the chill wind blowing through the technology market, the US health IT market proved resilient in 2001, largely avoiding the across the board declines seen in many other technology sectors. According to new data from analysts Frost & Sullivan the US technology market generated a total of $6 billion in revenues from IT services, […]
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Microsoft Launches NHS Integration Vision
Microsoft has launched a blueprint which it says will enable the NHS to integrate health legacy IT systems cost-effectively and deliver joined-up healthcare. The US software-giant describes its vision as EAI (Enterprise Application Integration), an approach grounded in Microsoft’s .NET suite of products to deliver joined-up, distributed web services. The emerging .NET strategy is based […]
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CHI Reports Emphasise Need to Align Strategy and Operations
Three new reports by the Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) provide a series of snapshots of how NHS trusts are tackling IM&T modernisation and harnessing information to support clinical governance. Common themes that emerge from the reports include: data quality problems, ensuring clinician involvement, aligning strategy and developments at the operational level, and implementation of […]
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Siemens to Help Build Digital Hospital
Siemens Corporation is to work with the US HealthSouth Corporation to create a groundbreaking totally integrated, all-digital and completely automated hospital. Technology will be used in every part of the new hospital to improve quality and save costs. Every patient treated in the new hospital will wear a "wellness monitor" to monitor their vital signs […]
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Eli Lilly E-mail Lapse Highlight Need for Privacy Policies
Two news items from the US over the past week have highlighted the need for rigorous privacy policies when managing electronic patient sensitive data and electronic communications with patients. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ruled that pharmaceutical manufacturer Eli Lilly will not have to pay a fine after it accidentally disclosed the e-mail addresses […]
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Seminars to Drive Message on Information Security
The NHS Information Authority has embarked on a mission to explain the international standard on information security management, ISO 17799, and win support for its implementation as a key part of information governance. Seminars will be held around the country until March for chief executives and other senior managers to introduce the standard which addresses […]
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