Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center State of the Art Outpatient Facility Opens in Fountain Valley, CA

The new center has been 5 years in the making and not too far from me.  Earlier this year I spoke with one of the other hospitals in the system about their conversion to electronic medical records.  BD 

Long Beach Memorial Center's Conversion to Electronic Medical Records

 

From the Website:

The MemorialCare health system includes Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, Miller Children's Hospital in Long Beach, Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center in Fountain Valley and Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in Laguna Hills and San Clemente.

MemorialCare has gained widespread recognition for its unique approach to health care. The organization has been identified as one of the top integrated systems in America (Verispan Top 100), a leading hospital organization for technology (Most Wired Hospitals), one of the best governed hospital systems in the U.S. (The Governance Institute) and for having the top leadership team in the country (HealthLeaders). In addition, all of our medical centers received the highest ranking in the Leapfrog National Quality Forum for Safe Practices.

The Orange Coast Patient Care Pavilion, a 162,500-square-foot facility, is the new façade of Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center and features state-of-the-art services and equipment.

"The expansion will bring our patients and this community many great benefits," Manker said. "As a trusted provider of high-quality healthcare, Orange Coast Memorial is committed to ensuring that our served communities can continue to count on us as a hospital whose medical staff and employees will compassionately care for them, using the best and most advanced techniques available.

New outpatient pavilion debuts in Fountain Valley | pavilion, center, services - News - The Orange County Register

Technorati Tags: Memorial Healthcare,Fountain Valley,Outpatient center,Orange County,hospital

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Medica Devices - FDA Recalled Davol Company Hernia Patches - Many Patients Were Not Notified

Here’s a prime example of a story to where the hospital admitted they did not notify the patient, so again take a look at this link below and perhaps it may find some value.  One person died with the implanted devices according to this article.  We now have a class action suit with 100,000 patients over this device.  The price of tagging for free is beginning to sound very affordable. In this case the doctors and hospitals were left on their own to find out.  Ok so in this case and on the video, FDA says it is the responsibility of the manufacturer to notify the doctors and the hospitals with the hope they will notify patients and they say they will follow up, with what?   The FDA says they don’t have the patient names, so duh?  What if your doctor passes away and what if your hospital closes, maybe some folks at the FDA have not read enough current events lately. 

What system do they have in place?  All the news stories of late say they have none!  It looks like we are down to passing the buck and perhaps afraid to look at some new and free technology that would help get the job done.  If I were Davol I might look at this free solution to put the tag on the packaging of the device and again have a “tag” online where patients can use their phone or even read a section about the recalls. 

We just had a recall announced today with spinal devices that have been recalled. 

Tracking Medical Device Recalls – Sounds Like A Good Place for a Microsoft Tag Data Base at the FDA

Actually I sent this off to the FDA to use Windows Tags to scan medical devices before they are used in surgery.  This is done with any smartphone, BlackBerry, IPhone, etc.  The software is free and consumers could use it too and it would give the FDA a data base to easily research for recall notices.  So far I have not heard anything, but maybe in light if this recall, perhaps Synthes might take a look as it would certainly give an instant avenue of information on a recalled device.  All a manufacturer has to do is put the 2D tag on their packaging.  You can read more at the link above.  The tag looks like the image below, which by the way works.  Try it with your phone. 

In this case since the device is already been implanted, for goodness sakes put a searchable data base with tags on the internet and the FDA can maintain their copy and monitor when changes are made. 

One other item I might add too is that the tags could be stored in a personal health record too, so the patient can aim and shoot at the tag for the updated information, gee how hard is this? 

RazCode/Windows Tags – Bar Coding to Add Information to PHRs, EHRs, and More…

If you are going to have to have surgery, you are going to have to dig up all your past medical history, allergies, etc. so while you are at it gathering all the information together, why not start a PHR at the same time?  Makes sense to me since you are having to look up and bring all this information forward before surgery anyway?  This looks like a time for collaboration here and getting the patient involved at the same time with a little empowerment too, you think? 

Medical Device Manufacturer + Patients +Technology + Hospitals + Doctors = Success!  BD 

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Thousands of patients are affected by a hernia patch recall , but some of those patients say they were never told about the potential danger.

Diane Conetta of Cranston is one of those patients.  In Conetta's case, Rhode Island Hospital admits it neglected to inform Conetta's surgeon of the recall.

"What frustrates me the most is that I wasn't even told. Nobody notified me," Conetta said.

Conetta had a hernia patch implanted during surgery in 2005.

According to the FDA recall notice , "This can lead to bowel perforations" and other serious injuries.

The Target 12 Investigators learned that Davol started recalling larger versions of this patch as early as 2005. Target 12 also uncovered a letter sent by Davol to chiefs of surgery dated March 2006.

Migliori said Davol notified its customers about the recall, but its customers only include the hospitals and doctors the products were sold to, not patients.

"And they left the doctors and hospitals on their own to find out who had these patches and go through the process, but many doctors weren't aware of the process, many didn't actually know the recall had occurred," Migliori said.

Patients Not Told of Medical Device Hernia Patch Recall | Target 12 | WPRI.com

Technorati Tags: FDA,recall,medical devices,spine injuries,Synthes,surgery,hospital,healthcare,Microsoft Tag,Bar Codes,Scanning,Davol,personal health records,RazCode

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Medicare Scam Warnings Were Ignored for Years – Perhaps Due To a Lack of Business Intelligence Software And Updated Servers

Chasing down fraud is a huge project and Medicare was probably up to their ears in all they could handle.  We all know our government is rapidly investing in IT and business intelligence software all over the place and I would guess resources were low here too.  We do need our own algorithmic software in house as a government to keep a lid on some of the fraud as to do all of this without technology helping is impossible and the odds of catching as many go down considerably. 

I often wonder too if this was in part what led to Part D coming in to effect so quickly as well since the insurers certainly had the IT structures and business models to take it on versus Medicare retooling and updating the massive banks of servers already in place.  Just due to the times we live in now there are massive updates going on all throughout our government, but while they snoozed, private industry was hard at work with developing technologies with algorithmic formulas to help process their claims and other business units.  We saw that recently with the SEC in not perhaps being adequately equipped to function the way they should with audits, etc. 

With fraud, the crooks also found a way to use technology and skirt the rules too, so again, there’s not much choice here but to invest and realize the value of IT.  Our former leadership unfortunately didn’t see it this way so it is catch up time for all.  Technology is not all of enforcement and fraud prevention, but it certainly gives those responsible for compliance and fraud investigations a real jump with data on what they have to do without all the long and lengthy paper trails and footwork that follows.  This is a huge area where a lot of costs can be recouped potentially and dishonest methodologies avoided from the start with earlier detection, again, in house for honesty and not having greed for profits skew the analytics/algorithms.  BD 

MIAMI – For three years, the federal agency in charge of preventing Medicare fraud repeatedly ignored internal watchdog warnings about swindlers stealing millions of dollars by scamming several programs, documents show.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services received roughly 30 warnings from inspectors over three years — mostly under the Bush administration — but didn't respond to half of them, even after repeated letters, according to records provided to The Associated Press by U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley's office.

A July 2008 warning said organized crime had infiltrated the system and was costing more than $1 million dollars for each phony Medicare provider license the crooks obtained. The letter got no response, Grassley said.

Feds ignored Medicare scam warnings for years - Yahoo! News

Technorati Tags: Medicare,health insurance,fraud,business intelligence,government,healthcare reform,Health IT

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Times Are Tough But When You Run Out Of Minutes Don’t Call 911 Looking for Sex – Man Arrested

This has to be the bottom feed of the week story.  You can listen in to the conversation below.  He not only called once, but rather four times!  Good call by the police on this one for wasting time on the 911 line and distracting people who are trying to do their job and provide emergency services to those who need the help.  Due to his stupidity it’s on the web for all to hear and read.  BD 

TAMPA, FL -- There are numbers you can call if you're looking for...companionship.

But Tampa Police say Joshua Basso's problem was that he had run out of cell phone minutes. 

So he called the only number he knew wouldn't cost him anything, 911.

Police say Basso, 29, called 911 four times to ask the operator for sex.

Tampa man jailed after calling 911 for sex | abcactionnews.com

Technorati Tags: 911,cell phones,bottom feed,Tampa,emergency,sex,operator

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Synthes USA Vertebral Body Replacement – Recall From the FDA to Stop Implanting Immediately

This is a class one recall, the most serious type.  I’m adding it here in case it is missed anywhere else.  The picture shown is from the company website and may not be representative of the exact device being recalled.  Hopefully the notice will be found by all involved.  This brings me back around once more to a post I made back in October, what if this is missed and someone ends up with a recalled implant?  I did a post about a man who died who was implanted with a device that had been recalled, a hip replacement device. 

Tracking Medical Device Recalls – Sounds Like A Good Place for a Microsoft Tag Data Base at the FDA

Actually I sent this off to the FDA to use Windows Tags to scan medical devices before they are used in surgery.  This is done with any smartphone, BlackBerry, IPhone, etc.  The software is free and consumers could use it too and it would give the FDA a data base to easily research for recall notices.  So far I have not heard anything, but maybe in light if this recall, perhaps Synthes might take a look as it would certainly give an instant avenue of information on a recalled device.  All a manufacturer has to do is put the 2D tag on their packaging.  You can read more at the link above.  The tag looks like the image below, which by the way works.  Try it with your phone. 

There’s no expense to a hospital or doctor to use a phone to scan the device, so what are they waiting for, more to die due to the fact that the FDA does not have system to ensure recalled devices are not used?  This solution is free and just so very simple, so what is the FDA waiting for?  This recall represents 2 years worth of product and shipped as late as September 2009, a couple months ago.  BD

November 13, 2009 — The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a class I recall yesterday of all lots of the Ti Synex II Vertebral Body Replacement (Synthes USA), the agency announced. The device is used in the T1–L5 portion of the spine to replace a collapsed, damaged, or unstable vertebral body.

The recall applies to products manufactured from June 8, 2007 to September 9, 2009, and distributed from July 2, 2007 to September 8, 2009. Part numbers affected include 04.808.001 to 04.808.011, Synex II Central Body, Titanium (all lots).

According to an alert sent yesterday from MedWatch, the FDA's safety information and adverse event reporting program, moderate to severe loss of vertebral body replacement height, caused by failure of the device's central body component, within 6 to 15 months of implant has been reported. As of September 14, 2009, 6 adverse event reports had been received. The company notified hospitals and sales consultants about this recall by mail on September 23, 2009.

"Surgeons and hospitals in possession of the subject devices must stop implanting them immediately," the alert warns. "Potential adverse health issues that could be associated with this issue include neural injury, increased pain, spinal kyphosis if unrecognized, failure of supplementary fixation, and/or need for reoperation/revision surgery."

Those with questions can call the company at 1-800-620-7025, extension 5375, between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm ET, Monday through Friday.

More information is available on the FDA's MedWatch Web site.

FDA Recalls Synthes USA Vertebral Body Replacement

Technorati Tags: FDA,recall,medical devices,spine injuries,Synthes,surgery,hospital,healthcare,Microsoft Tag,Bar Codes,Scanning

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Uncle David Talks About Healthcare

This is from the Los Angeles Times, putting healthcare reform in children’s terms.  BD  

Technorati Tags: Healthcare reform,healthcare,Los Angeles times,health insurance

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The Madoff Ponzi Scheme Could Have Not Happened Without the Algorithms With 2 Programmers Arrested – Let’s Talk Algos In Healthcare Too

This makes more sense to me that what we heard originally, having written a bit of code in my past life, because as large as it was, even the Ponzi stuff needs Algorithms!  I know I talk a lot about that word at this blog and my focus is to educate and help others understand what is running this country and much of our businesses today – Algorithms.  Learn that word and it’s right on the blog here with a link to help you out. 

There are both good and what is considered “bad” algorithms.  All the banks run them, is what they live off of.  The investors use robotic software to set their plan of action for the day, the computer does the work all day, and yes, resetting or re-evaluating them during the day could be done too.

House 17 was the name of the server where the files were located in the Madoff network.  I’m sure these 2 are pretty brilliant in their coding talents too, they would have to be for this to go on for so long. These 2 programmers did things like altering details about share and equities transactions, including creating fictitious times for the transactions.  Transactions need algorithms written to function. 

According to the story here, the 2 programmers met with Madoff and said they didn’t want to do this anymore. Well any smart coder knows when the algorithms become more difficult and complicated and with some foresight that only coders seem to have, they knew it was going to become difficult to maintain these at such devious levels, as I’m sure they had created their own internal use only audit trails to keep track of what they were doing themselves.  It’s a hell of lot of code! 

They took full advantage of antiquated government and other IT systems to make the big bucks.  It’s almost like a hand of liars poker in a way as you pretty much know from public records, etc. what the other hand has.  Interesting fact, healthcare has the same stuff going on too, anyone surprised here?  About 6 years ago I used to tell doctors that if they did not beef up their interest and investments in technology like the insurance companies were doing that they would lose a lot of money to them with being taken advantage of with lack of technology.  They laughed. 

Today, they don’t laugh.  I also said 2 years ago that we would be on the brink of riots in this country over healthcare, again they laughed, and today again, they don’t laugh.  It’s that foresight and the ability of working with data integration and technologies that allows for the intelligence to forecast as coders know both the power and value of algorithms.  Earlier this year I started with inquiring on whether or not the US Government needs a “Department of Algorithms”.   Wendell Potter of Cigna sure knew what they were and has done his best to try and bring the message forward but again it’s hard when you speak to those who “feel uncomfortable” about talking technology, but by today’s standards it’s like you better get comfortable and learn up before all your money goes away.  We certainly stand to make sure all the EHR vendors have their algorithms in a row and they pay for that too, so why not certify the other side? 

“Department of Algorithms – Do We Need One of Those?

I have had hospital CEOs run for the hills when I tried a few years ago to help them with business intelligence software and other items with computer technology, and the ones that run for the hills are the non-participants and those who sit in denial.  All CEOs are not like this thank goodness, but a couple I ran into certainly played the role and used to make fun of the folks trying to make things better with technology.  I felt myself that again on what I could project from my own knowledge that it would be a matter of time when things progressed forward to like where they are today, that they would eventually have to participate, and I still see this today, the inability to perk that area of curiosity with individuals who would rather be part of the problem instead of part of the solution.  They just sit around and complain and take little or no time out to educate themselves in the areas of Health IT. 

Code is valuable and money making software, why do you think Goldman Sachs was on the verge of heart attack not too long ago.  I had one CIO from a big healthcare firm visit my blog and said I was crazy to think that CIOs needed to have a bit of tech knowledge.  Funny thing was that he commented anonymously but bragged about his position, but signed on from the office network so my SEO software identified the company he was from immediately, made my point with CIOs needing some tech knowledge. 

Somebody Stole Goldman's Algorithms – Code that Makes Big Profits 

With healthcare reform we keep putting together monstrous pages of laws that nobody has time to read, when are we going to begin developing some “algorithmic centric laws”?  Duh?  Yes I am putting several links in here as I have been writing about these subject for the last 2 years. 

Are We Ever Going to Get Some Algorithm Centric Laws Created?

In healthcare, we have the Ingenix Inquisition, there’s a case of some algorithms gone south and lots of legal suits filed and more coming I would guess.  The code gets out eventually and is analyzed and when you get the good programmers in there who trace back how the transactional SQL and other statements are written, well it is all there to see.  This is one reason why companies rely on propriety software for their money generating profits and I am not say all is bad in this effort, but when it comes to healthcare claims, well we know the story there as we end up with Forest Gump Health insurance in not knowing what we will get.  Now we have Andrew Cuomo, Attorney General of New York who took on the case and is having a new data base created with code that is not hidden and skewed, programmers will do that if they get paid enough, just like Madoff’s guys did. 

 “Fair Database” to Replace Unfair Ingenix Data Base for Calculating Out of Network Charges

Those “algos” is what everyone is upset about today as human beings don't scale perfectly and we need to remember there is a human side to the healthcare and health insurance business today.

Insurance Companies Under Attack with Lawsuits – Generated by their algorithms

So again if you have been reading this blog for any length of time, you may now understand what I have with “Algorithms” and why I talk about them so much, everything in the decision making processes relies on them.  They are used to carve out a 24 hour new business model if needed, or to figure out how many people to lay off, everything in the business world and healthcare realm today. 

Goldman Stolen Code – Has Algorithmic Fraud Become A Business Model in HealthCare Too?

In summary, give the Executive Branch a hand today for playing technology catch up.  They are working at record speed to get the technology up to date to allow agencies like the FBI, the SEC, and the FDA for a couple examples to be our watchdogs and the agencies we want them to be.  We need to do our share too in reading up on how our country functions in the global world today too, at least have some knowledge of how everything is technology driven and take part in a small portion of the education process.  It only takes a few minutes a day to pull yourself away from entertainment to read up a little. 

Promising new startup of 2009 - Executive Branch of the US Government

And last but not least one final comment to my rant today:

Would Someone Explain Data Aggregation and “High Frequency Healthcare” to the US Congress

Like everyone else I am watching the debate and the moves through both the House of Representatives and the Senate, but one thing that keeps getting left out of all these discussions is “data aggregation”.  Now, why is this important you might ask? 

Are We Ever Going to Get Some Algorithm Centric Laws for Healthcare

Whatever plan, laws, etc. that is approved will require data reporting, and to have data available and mined to get to the appropriate places we have to aggregate, to deal with more data red tape.  Data aggregation is the hot word right now in healthcare, so if you follow some of the software articles and perhaps even some posts on this blog, that might help explain what’s going on. 

With some algorithmic centric laws we might just be able to see our way to sooner defining “meaningful use” instead of the 1300 page bill that everyone gripes about and doesn’t comprehend as by adding algorithmic properties to laws they should be much easier to not only read but interpret as well and it might end up helping keep legal costs down too. 

We don’t want to end up with Algorithmic Ponzi Schemes at the top level of our government too.  BD

Two computer programmers were arrested Friday on charges of helping convicted Ponzi schemer Bernard L. Madoff cover up his illegal operation that bilked thousands of investors out of billions of dollars.

Jerome O'Hara, 46, Malverne, N.Y., and George Perez, 43, East Brunswick, N.J., were arrested at their homes by the FBI. They were scheduled to appear in a New York federal court later in the day.

“Without the help of O'Hara and Perez, the Madoff fraud would not have been possible," George S. Canellos, director of the SEC's New York office said in a statement. "They used their special computer skills to create sophisticated, credible, and entirely phony trading records that were critical to the success of Madoff's scheme for so many years." 

Between 2004 and 2008, Madoff's firm underwent five reviews by the SEC and a European accounting firm. In order to cover up Madoff's Ponzi scheme, O'Hara and Perez allegedly developed and maintained programs that generated numerous false and fraudulent books and records.

For example, a small subset of Madoff's investment clients were created to hide the scope and nature of his business, according to the U.S. attorney. Names of account holders were changed to help explain why the SEC wouldn't find client securities custodied at the Depository Trust Co.

In addition, random algorithms were created to produce false details about the number of shares, execution times, and transaction numbers for trades reported on the trade blotters of Madoff's firm.

Programmers Charged In Madoff Scheme -- Madoff -- InformationWeek

Technorati Tags: Algorithms,healthcare,Madoff,technology,programmers,code,FBI,Ponzi Scheme,computers

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Novo Nordisk's Victoza Awaits Final FDA Approval For Diabetes and Obesity

The drug has been seeing a bit of success in Europe and the announcement was made it is at the final stage for approval from the FDA. BD

Novo Nordisk’s CEO, Lars Sorensen, told Reuters at the Reuters Health Summit in New York that the new diabetes drug Victoza has reached the final decision stage at the U.S. FDA.  Sorensen expects the drug will be approved, although “potentially all the outcomes are still possible. A rejection is still possible, a demand for refilling is still possible…”

According to Sorensen, Victoza, which was approved in Europe in July, has been achieving rapid uptake in Europe and is set to overtake Eli Lilly’s and Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc’s rival Byetta treatment in Germany by the end of the year.

The final FDA verdict is expected this month or next.

Novo also sees a future for the Victoza in treating obesity. The drug has produced impressive weight loss results in mid-stage Phase II clinical trials, but final Phase III obesity studies have been put on hold pending the final decision by the FDA.

Novo Nordisk's Victoza Awaits Final FDA Approval | A Sweet Life

Technorati Tags: Novo Nordisk,Victoza,FDA,Diabetes,Insulin,healthcare,obesity

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ZOLL PocketCPR for iPhone Training – Uses Accelerometer for Measurements and Analysis

Zoll Medical makes some very interesting products and recently had their Wi-Fi defibrillator approved by the FDA.  Now in case you need instructions, here’s the program for the iPhone.   There’s also a wearable vest made by the same company that is is temporary defibrillator. 

 Wi-Fi enabled defibrillator from Zoll medical approved by FDA

LifeVest wearable defibrillator – for interim care and those who ...

This application is not approved by the FDA and is to be used for training purposes only and the company hopes to have the application approved in time.  One day the FDA may be approving the entire phone at the rate we are going with medical applications.  You can watch a demo of the application here.   When simulating the compression method the phone will let you know if you are pushing too soft or too hard, and if you need to go faster or slower.  BD

CHELMSFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ZOLL Medical Corporation (NasdaqGS: ZOLL) today announced that a PocketCPR^® training application (app) for iPhone is now available from the Apple iTunes App Store for $5.99. PocketCPR for iPhone can be used in all CPR training programs or for individual practice at any time. The new app will prepare both professionals and lay rescuers to perform CPR for victims of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).

Using Real CPR Help^®, the same proprietary technology found in all ZOLL defibrillators and AEDs, PocketCPR for iPhone provides CPR training with real-time feedback on the rate and depth of compressions. The app provides clear visual and audio step-by-step instructions and feedback to guide CPR practice and also reinforces the American Heart Association and International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (AHA/ILCOR) recommendations on CPR.

With practice on a manikin or resilient foam cushion, the iPhone’s internal accelerometer measures the movement of the user’s hands as simulated chest compressions are delivered. The visual and audio feedback helps to guide the user to the AHA/ILCOR recommended rate of 100 compressions per minute and depth of 1½ to 2 inches.

ZOLL PocketCPR for iPhone Training App Now Available | Business Wire

Technorati Tags: Zoll Medical,iPhone,PocketCPR,healthcare,FDA,training,accelerometer,applications,software

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Open Heart Surgery Pilot Program – Surgeon Glues the Breastbone Back Together

Open heart surgery is major recuperation when you stop and think of how the breastbone has to grow back together, and in Calgary this surgeon has a process that he has used with a few patients and it seems to be working well, no more wires.

For the patient, these is less pain, a need for less pain medication and overall a better recovery process the article states.  One of the biggest advantages is the ability of the patient to “deep breathe” without as much discomfort.  BD 

 

An innovative method is being used to repair the breastbone after it is intentionally broken to provide access to the heart during open-heart surgery. The technique uses a state-of-the-art adhesive that rapidly bonds to bone and accelerates the recovery process.

"We can now heal the breastbone in hours instead of weeks after open-heart surgery. Patients can make a full recovery after surgery and get back to full physical activities in days instead of months," reports Dr. Paul W.M. Fedak, MD PhD FRCSC, a cardiac surgeon at Foothills Medical Centre and scientist at the Faculty of Medicine who pioneered the new procedure.

Over 20 patients have received the new technique in Calgary as part of a pilot study. Fedak and Kathryn King, RN PhD are the co-principal investigators on the study. King, a cardiovascular nurse scientist, is an expert in post-operative recovery after open-heart surgery. "We know that recovery from sternotomy is a multi-faceted process that includes not only healing of the breastbone but the ability to return to normal activities," she says. "Being able to resume normal activities is a hallmark of a good recovery; this surgical innovation should enable that."

After his chest was 'glued' back together using Kryptonite adhesive and wires he had an entirely different experience. "I had a little bit of pain, but this was a walk in the park compared to my earlier recovery. I can do anything I could do prior to the original surgery. I feel wonderful."

Surgeon 'gluing' the breastbone together after open-heart surgery

Technorati Tags: cardiology,open heart surgery,technology,breastbone,surgery,Calgary,Dr. Paul Fedak,healthcare,glue

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Regenerative Medicine: Clinical Trial To Begin with Women in Australia Using Stem Cells To ReGrow Breasts – Has Been Successful with Pigs

Yesterday we had the male rabbits and the stem cell created penis that was a success and today this story is for the women.  This is actually a very good trial from what I read as women may now have an alternative solution for women needing reconstruction with growing stem cells.  

If the trial is successful after a 3 year period, it would certainly stand to change breast reconstruction processes and surgery for sure.  The article states this is not to be used for enhancement, but rather reconstruction only and they estimated it could be around 10 years before the enhancement opportunities would surface, but not totally out of the question.  GE has invested in a somewhat similar process here, but if I am reading correctly the Cytori process is recycling stem cells and putting them back, where as this procedure is actually allowing stem cells to grow.

GE Healthcare to Commercialize Cytori Therapeutics Stem Cell Technology – Regenerative Medicine

I have done a couple interviews with Cook Medical on the blog relative to regenerative medicine and the same scaffolding process it appears is used in order to give the cells a place to grow.  You can do a search on the blog and find the interviews and additional information on their technologies.  If this process is a success, there might be a few less dollars available for the plastic surgeons in time. 

The world-first technique has already been proved in pigs, which grew new breasts in just six weeks and gosh I hope the trials work as well for women too.  The first 5 women to start the trial process is set to begin at any time.  BD  

SCIENTISTS are poised to begin revolutionary surgery to help cancer victims regrow their breasts.
The world-first trial could also change the cosmetic surgery industry by allowing women to grow bigger natural breasts.
The experimental stem cell breast-growing technique - called Neopec - could replace breast reconstructions and implants within years, the Herald Sun reports.
The trial offers hope to more than 5000 Australian women who lose their breasts to cancer each year.

Chief operating officer Dr Phillip Marzella said the process could take longer in women because, unlike animals, humans stop growing at adolescence.
But his team has already developed a dissolvable gel called Myogel to stimulates fat growth when placed in the chamber to speed up breast growth.  The Bernard O'Brien Institute has previously made headlines by growing working heart tissue.

The process relies on surgeons implanting a biodegradable synthetic breast-shaped chamber beneath the skin on a woman's chest to act as a scaffold for the new breast to grow in.
They then redirect a blood vessel from the woman's underarm through the chamber to a 5ml piece of the patient's own fat, which spontaneously grows to fill a fist-sized space and form a new breast over the next four to six months.
The fat tissue stops growing when it reaches the chamber to ensure the desired shape and size, while the chamber degrades after the breast is formed allowing for a simple operation.

Breast cancer victims 'could grow new breasts' | Health & Lifestyle | News.com.au

Related Reading:

Cytori Therapeutics -natural alternative to breast implant technology

Stem Cells and Breast Surgery

Technorati Tags: Stem Cells,Regenerative medicine,breast surgery,cancer,reconstruction,Australia,Clinical Trials,healthcare,surgery,breast cancer

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Man Eats Scrap Metal for Breakfast One Too Many Times – 2 Hour Surgery

This is one of those stranger than strange stories, and what was he thinking?  The article said the man was being sent for a mental evaluation after the surgeons were done.  Something wrong with the taste buds here at minimum.  BD 

DOCTORS in northern Peru have removed almost a kilogram of nails, coins and scrap metal from a man's stomach, a surgeon that operated on him said today.

"The patient came in with severe abdominal pains. After examinations we discovered that he had hundreds of nails in his stomach,'' Carlos Delgado, a surgeon at the hospital in the town of Cajamarca, told AFP.
Requelme Abanto Alvarado was admitted to the hospital on Friday. After a two-hour operation doctors removed 900 grams of nails, coins and scrap metal from his stomach, as well as a small knife.

Kilo of metal found in man's stomach | World Breaking News | News.com.au

Technorati Tags: Surgery,nails,scrap metal,Peru,strange stories

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LogMeIn Rescue Services Enables Home Healthcare IT Group to Give Remote Support

LogMeIn is certainly a company I have used frequently over the years and gosh I may have been one of the early adapters of their services.  I remembered finding the initial software buried way back on a small web site years ago, again before it was known.  I continue to use it today for support and Palm Valley Home Healthcare received an award based on giving support for the EMR and more,  and deploying the mobile solution.  I have tried others, but simplicity, reliability, and so on is hard to beat. 

I find it works equally as well on both Windows and Apple computers.  BD 

WOBURN, Mass., Nov. 11, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Palm Valley Health Care has been recognized by Mobile Enterprise Magazine for its innovative use of the LogMeIn Rescue remote support solution to enable home healthcare delivery through its mobile electronic medical records (EMR) system.

Palm Valley received an Honorable Mention in the IT Management of Mobile Devices category in the 2009 Mobilizer Award. Now in its eighth year, the Mobilizer Awards are presented to enterprises that have successfully deployed mobile solutions and are selected based on ease of deployment, innovation and business improvement.

To ensure the efficiency of it EMR program, Palm Valley deployed remote support solution LogMeIn Rescue to enable the IT staff to remotely troubleshoot and resolve software issues - including EMR shutdowns, file corruption, storage card maintenance, connection problems and database rebuilds - to minimize software-related disruption of the nurses' PDA devices and reduce the time IT administrators spent helping non-technical users.

LogMeIn Rescue Customer Palm Valley Health Care Honored as 'Unsung Hero of Mobility' by Mobile Enterprise Magazine

Technorati Tags: Home Healthcare,HealthIT,Remote Support,Log Me In,Mobility,EMR,software

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Health Net of California Expands Salud HMO to Southern California

Salud HMO is available in San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange and Los Angeles counties and is the only Mexican Health Plan that is licensed by the State of California.  Additional information can be viewed at the site.   Members can live in either California or Mexico and are seen by SIMNSA providers in Mexico.  BD 

Health Net of California Expands Pioneering Cross-Border Health Plan into San Diego County

Health Net of California, a pioneer in offering customers the choice of receiving care in the U.S. or Mexico, is expanding its program, called Salud HMO y Más, into San Diego County. With the expansion, Salud HMO y Más now is available in San Diego, San Bernardino,  Riverside, Orange and Los Angeles counties.

Salud HMO y Más is part of Salud con Health Net, an array of products providing access to quality, culturally sensitive and culturally competent health care, and it is the first and largest plan of its kind in the U.S. Doctors and hospitals in Mexico are overseen by Sistemas Medicos Nacionales S.A. de C.V. (SIMNSA), the only Mexican health plan licensed by the State of California.

In 2000, Health Net pioneered the option of receiving care in either the U.S. or Mexico. Today, it is expanding the program into San Diego County, whose proximity to the Mexico border serves as a gateway to quality, culturally sensitive and culturally competent medical care and services. Employers and individuals will be drawn by the program’s combination of affordability and flexibility.

Health Net of California Expands Pioneering Cross-Border Health Plan into San Diego County

Technorati Tags: Mexico,health insurance,HealthNet,medical tourims,Salud HMO,California,providers,employers

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ScrubsGallery.Com – Special Reader Discount

Again, I thank ScrubsGallery.com for advertising with the Medical Quack. 

This month they are offering a discount on Cherokee touch scrubs with the special code below.  BD 

For a limited time, you can get a 15%  Cherokee Touch Scrubs by using the code “touchduck” on your order!

Next time you need to order scrubs or other healthcare apparel, please check out their website and compare. 

Thanks again to ScrubsGallery.Com for supporting the Medical Quack!!

Technorati Tags: MedicalQuack,ScrubsGallery.com,Advertising,lab coats,scrubs,healthcare,apparel,sponsored ads

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Wright Receives FDA Approval for CONSERVE Hip Resurfacing System

Resurfacing is al alternative that has been suggested for use in younger individuals instead of a full hip replacement.  With this recent approval the company can go beyond the prior premarket approval.  I remember just a few years ago resurfacing was not even approved in the US and most have to go overseas to have this procedure done.  Reimbursement and coding can be viewed on the company site here.  BD

Wright Medical Group, Inc. (WMGI) recently received the Food and Drug administration (FDA) approval to market its CONSERVE Plus Total Hip Resurfacing System in the U.S. The new system, which has received FDA approval, provides surgeons with a bone-conserving alternative to traditional total hip replacement.
With the FDA approval, Wright Medical can now market CONSERVE Plus in the original femoral and acetabular component configuration in the U.S. as specified in its PreMarket Approval (PMA) application with the FDA. The company also intends to develop additional enhancements to the system. Wright Medical is already marketing its CONSERVE Plus system, which has received FDA approval, with additional features in the international markets.

Wright Receives FDA Approval

Technorati Tags: FDA,hip resurfacing,hip surgery,hip replacement,heatlhcare,surgery,medical device,technology

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Glaxo Gets FDA Approval for H1N1 (Swine) Flu Vaccine

38 Million of the 250 million doses ordered by the government are available, but Glaxo said it’s approved vaccine won’t ship until next month.  This has been absolutely a fire drill to get supplied out in the US.  In the meantime, Glaxo is continuing to close facilities like some of the other manufacturers are doing.  BD 

The Food and Drug Administration just approved a shot against the new H1N1 virus from GlaxoSmithKline. As a result there are now four companies able to provide swine flu shots in the US. The fifth provider is AstraZeneca's MedImmune unit, whose vaccine is a nasal spray.

None of the vaccines for America, including Glaxo's, contain an adjuvant, or immune-system booster. Those chemicals have never been used in an approved flu vaccine in this country, though they are OK in Europe.

In other related news:

First, we'll look at GlaxoSmithKline's closure of a Stiefel facility in Sligo, Ireland. GSK bought Stiefel, a skincare specialist, in July and has decided to close the small company's headquarters in Florida, shedding some 300 jobs in the process. Now, GSK will pare its payroll by 250 with the shutdown of Stiefel's manufacturing plant in Sligo.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2009/11/fda_approve_glaxo_swine_flu_va.html

Technorati Tags: H1N1,Swine Flu,heatlhcare,GlaxoSmithKline,vaccines,FDA,influenza,pandemic influenza

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Pfizer Moving Fast with Wyeth Integration – Software Analysis Can Help Make this Happen

Going back in time I can remember the acquisition of Warner Lambert, which since has been purchased by Johnson and Johnson as I used to do business with Pfizer and yet it seemed like it took forever.  Not only in pharma, but I think today all mergers and acquisitions are moving at rocket speeds, first of all simply due to the economy. Second of all, it is possible today with business intelligence software to move at faster speeds as new business models can be cranked out in 24 hours if needed, not to say that is what is being done here, but the capabilities with technology are certainly available with mining to define the desired results in record time. 

The company now has a bigger collection of more experimental drugs and the article states they will continue to license and purchase other companies.  25% of the sales comes from Lipitor, which comes off patent in lat 2011.  BD 

Pfizer Closing Research and Development Sites – Layoffs To Continue – 30,900 in SEC Filing

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Pfizer Inc CEO Jeffrey Kindler said the drugmaker is integrating its Wyeth purchase far faster than previous big acquisitions, and it will no longer be overly dependent on one or two blockbuster medications.

Speaking at the Reuters Health Summit on Wednesday, Kindler said Pfizer melded and reshaped its research and development facilities within 20 days of buying Wyeth on October 15. With previous huge mergers, he said, that process had taken "literally years."

"The primary lesson we've learned over the years is how important it is to act very quickly and very decisively," he said, referring to slow prior integrations of U.S. drugmakers Warner Lambert and Pharmacia over the past decade.

Pfizer is best known in the United States for its branded medicines, but is becoming a bigger competitor overseas in generic drugs -- particularly in emerging markets like China.

Pfizer says absorbing Wyeth at top speed | U.S. | Reuters

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Technorati Tags: Pfizer,Wyeth,acquisitions,healthcare,pharma,r and D,layoffs,consolidation,drugmakers,business intelligence

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Weight Scales Go Wi-Fi – Multi Users and Does Your BMI Too and Reports Data

We have heard about blue tooth scales and now we can add one more, I guess this one needs an IP address maybe?  It does have a maximum limit on who can use it though, if you are over 396# find another scale.  It uses WEP/WPA/WPA2-personal security.

It has an iPhone connection too and will send your results right to your phone.  This one will cost you about $160.00 in round numbers.  According to the article the whole family can be set up.  I don’t know the limit but could something like this work itself in the physician’s practice someday too with automatic entry into an electronic medical records system?  It certainly appears that it might be PHR ready soon if not already in place with the algorithms needed.  BD

 

The French company Withings has rolled out the first WiFi scale linked to the internet that automatically registers weight, fat and BMI calculation.

• WEIGHT: Displays weight in kg & lbs | Maximum weight of 396 lbs
• ANALYSIS: Calculates your body weight, fat & lean mass, body mass index (BMI)
• MUTI-USER: Can manage 8 users per scale | Automatic user recognition
• POWER: Four 1.5V Batteries (AAA) | Automatically turns on and off
• DIMENSIONS: Flat scale measuring 0.90 inches | 12X12 glass slab | weighs 5lbs
• DISPLAY: 62 X 40 mm with high white contrast lighting
• ONLINE CONNECTION: Scale wirelessly transmits results to your private password protected website for your results tracking or free iPhone application

MarketIntellNow®: Track Your Weight with Withings

Technorati Tags: Healthcare,Scales,Withings,obesity,wellness,BMI,technology,devices reporting data,PHR,Wireless,WiFi

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Best Buy Announces Personal Health Solutions – Devices that Connect to HealthVault and More

This looks to be a solution to helping the consumer get connected, selecting the devices they feel are beneficial or perhaps recommended by their physicians or wellness coach programs.  As mentioned in many posts on the blog here, blue tooth is rapidly changing the way we interact with medical devices that report data.  I have a section devoted to personal health records here on the blog with over 200 posts that explain many of the features and “how to’s” with devices and their software.  

Last week I posted an interview with Bumrungrad Hospital in Thailand, they too now have the ability to access records with Microsoft HealthVault.  This was a live interview captured via my cell phone and broadcast live to the internet and you can view at the link below.

Interview with Curtis Schroeder, CEO Bumrungrad International ...

Last week I was able to visit one of the new Microsoft Stores and perhaps in time we might see more help with HealthVault devices at their centers too.  Also in the news of late, Best Buy has also contracted with a company to work with their own internal wellness coaches. 

MUVE GRUVE - Track The Calories You Burn in Real Time – Accelerometer Device

Another good site to look up is the “IamEnabled” internet site.  The site has additional HealthVault education information and will help you get involved in monitoring your own healthcare. 

HealthVault Goes Viral - IAmEnabled.com – Social Networking, Marketing and Education

So many times I have spoken about the huge training process needed to bring everyone from CEOs, doctors, patients, etc. into the world of digital healthcare and the value and it looks like retailer Best Buy is joining the ranks to help bring some of this around to help learn how to connect and use data reporting devices.  This is moving fast and the more you know about digital records and getting involved as a patient, the better off you are.  BD 

One Hell of a Training Program Needed – Digital Health At All Levels

Best Buy announced today that 40 of its stores in the U.S. have begun offering personal health solutions devices like pedometers, Bluetooth-enabled weight scales and blood pressure monitors.

“New technologies are emerging daily to help people plan, monitor, and enhance their health and fitness activities,” Best Buy stated in its press release. “Yet finding the ways and the time to stay fit and motivated can seem more complicated than ever before. Starting today, Best Buy customers in select markets from Washington, DC to Denver can turn to the nation’s largest consumer electronics retailer for help in satisfying their health and fitness equipment and management needs.”

At the Microsoft Connected Health Conference this past June, Best Buy teamed up with Microsoft’s HealthVault team to invite device makers to pitch the electronics store’s executives in a private meeting at the event: “If you believe that your product or solution can wow health-conscious shoppers at the largest consumer electronics retailer in the United States, this is your chance to make it happen,” stated the Microsoft-Best Buy invitation for “HealthVaultDevices@BestBuy”. The invitation also explained that “outstanding solutions providers” would have the opportunity to discuss collaboration opportunities with Best Buy during a special dinner later this summer. Qualifications for the device companies included the ability to “demonstrate how health data can be transferred from their device, via a wired or wireless connection, to a PC, phone or directly to the cloud.”

Best Buy’s initial health and fitness product offerings include everything from tread mills and yoga mats to pedometers, connected weight scales, heart rate trackers and blood pressure monitors. Sure, some customers may need a little help connecting some of these devices to their computers (or mobile phones), but this is only the beginning.

Best Buy brings health tech to 40 U.S. stores | mobihealthnews

Technorati Tags: Best Buy,HealthVault,Microsoft,retail,healthcare,devices reporting data,bluetooth,PHR,personal heatlh records,cell phone,PC

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Dolly Parton Tells You About Web Slices with Internet Explorer

This is classic and funny too!  Web Slices are a feature of Internet Explorer and do save some time and energy, so you can select what is useful to you in searching the web.  We have a role model here, Dolly giving it her best (grin).  We could sure use a few more role models in Health IT too come to think of it!  BD 

You can get the slice by upgrading to Internet Explorer 8 if you have not already and clicking on the green button that appears when you mouse-over the news section or the green button that appears on your task bar of the IE8 window.

Dolly Parton's Official Website!

Technorati Tags: Web Slices,Internet Explorer,Microsoft,heatlhcare,role models

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Generic Prevacid SoluTab Is Here – Teva Wins Court Battle on Patent Challenge For Heartburn Drug

How long is a drug patent going to last?  This is a big question here today with Teva and Mylan being able to start marketing the generic version tomorrow.  For us the patients, another big saver in the pharma area if you take Prevacid. 

The difference in this case, the drug dissolves differently than the one that is or was under patent, actually the patent is still in place but not sure how much good it will do for Takeda right now with 2 generic companies ready to open the flood gates with the newer dissolving formula. 

Teva, from Israel has been pretty aggressive these days in court as there’s also the challenge with Merck and Singulair still ongoing.  Why is all of this going on with patent challenges, pricing and maybe just because it can I think.  BD

Nov. 10 (Bloomberg) -- Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. won a U.S. court ruling that may let it begin selling a generic version of Takeda Pharmaceutical Co.’s heartburn drug Prevacid SoluTab as soon as tomorrow.

Teva, the world’s largest generic-drug maker, said it would analyze the decision before deciding on its next step. U.S. District Judge Sue L. Robinson in Wilmington, Delaware, ruled yesterday that Teva’s version used a different way to dissolve the medicine than is covered by a patent owned by French drug researcher Ethypharm SA and licensed to Takeda.

Prevacid SoluTab is a dissolving tablet designed for people who have difficulty swallowing pills. The drug generated about $500 million in sales for Takeda during the 12 months ended June 30, Petah Tikva, Israel-based Teva said, citing data from market researcher IMS Health.

Mylan Inc. said its Matrix Laboratories unit also received final approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and it too will begin immediate sales of Prevacid delayed-release capsules.

Takeda, based in Osaka, Japan, previously won a ruling that Teva’s plan to sell generic versions of Prevacid in the capsule and SoluTab forms infringed a different patent that expires today. The patent ruled on yesterday expires in 2013.

Teva Wins Ruling Over Copy of Takeda’s Prevacid Drug (Update2) - Bloomberg.com

Technorati Tags: Drugs,generic drugs,Teva,Mylan,Prevacid,healthcare,pharma,patent,intellectual property,Takeda

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