Explosive Device Found On Man Treated At Emergency Room After Automobile Accident-Bomb Squad Called The Hospital

Strange things are happening at the ER rooms today and this ranks up there.  The man had been in an automobile accident, taken to the hospital and when the staff was removing clothing for treatment lots of goodies were found to include drugs, pills and a bomb.  The Kansas City Police Department’s bomb and arson unit, along with agents of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, used a robotic device to move the device to an open parking lot to detonate the explosive device.  

I guess we may hear more later but the man has been released and the investigation will continue.  Who knows what he planned to do with the explosive device were it not for the car accident.  From the description given of being 6 inches long and having a fuse it sounded a bit large to be a firecracker.  BD 

Staff at Liberty Hospital called authorities this week after finding an explosive device in clothing worn by a patient admitted to the emergency room.

Liberty police responded just after 11 a.m. Thursday to the hospital, where staff members had been assisting a 19-year-old Holt, Mo., man who had been involved in a rollover car accident near Kearney.

Staff members had found marijuana, assorted pills, drug paraphernalia and an apparent explosive device in the man’s clothing. They moved the items to the ambulance bay and called police.

Officers said the device was cylindrically shaped and about 6 inches long. It was covered in yellow tape and had a small green fuse.

Explosive device found on man treated in hospital emergency room - KansasCity.com

Technorati Tags: ER,Explosive device,FBI,bomb squad,hospital,ambulance,Kansas,car accident

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Medtronic Inc. Cancels Contracts With Novation Hospital Buyer Group-Wants to Save Money Negotiating Direct With Hospitals

Whether or not this represents a savings for hospitals is not known yet but the company wanted to remove the “middlemen” so they could set their own pricing without the reliance of joining the buyers group. We kind of all know how volume sales work and bring the cost down, so in absence of such a big player in the group, other companies who are members could actually see pricing go up potentially.  Last week Medtronic announced lay offs and there has also been talk of divesting the Physio Cardio company they own. 

Medtronic to Lay Off Up to 2000 Workers Worldwide–Business Model for Market Conditions & Profitability-Subsidiary Watch

Medtronic also stated they negotiate their own contracts locally for the most part and will break free of the 2 to 3 percent administration fee.  Some money is going into software that supports their devices, more algorithms.  BD

Medtronic CareLink(R) Network Goes Cellular – Devices That Report Data Connecting to EHR Records With HL7

IRVING, Texas, Feb. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Novation, the leading health care supply contracting company, announced today that Medtronic Inc. has cancelled five contracts with Novation that cover cardiovascular and orthopedic products.  Novation is owned by VHA Inc. and the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC), and VHA and UHC members represent $2 billion in annual purchases for Medtronic in these product categories. Novation has been in constant contact with Medtronic and has made every effort to maintain member value in these high cost categories. Medtronic stated in a letter to Novation that the company wanted to manage their business relationships with hospitals locally, rather than through a national GPO contract.

"This move will likely raise costs for member organizations by eliminating the price protection that members benefit from through Novation's national agreements," said Pete Allen, senior vice president of sourcing operations at Novation. "In addition, through our contracts members generate cooperative returns, and have more favorable terms and conditions. The contracts also protect members from pricing confidentiality clauses, eliminate freight fees, and mandate that new technology is added to contracts when the technologies are released."

Medtronic Inc. Cancels Cardiovascular and Orthopedic Contracts With Novation -- IRVING, Texas, Feb. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Technorati Tags: Medtronic,technology,M-Link,cell phones,cardiology,data,devices that report. Novation,budgets,heatlhcare,medical devices,purchasing,hospital

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Los Angeles REC Center (Medical Records Assistance) is Open for Business HITEC-LA

I try to keep some updates on what’s happening at the ONC created REC centers across the US and everyone is a little different being they are a private enterprise coordinating to help physicians and medical businesses with converting and setting up electronic medical records.  Below are a couple recent posts regarding actives in Oregon and in Florida and one of the centers was represented this year at HIMSS, Florida.  

What’s Happening at ONC REC Centers and HIE Initiative Centers-Connecting, Licensing, Training and Getting A Little Cozy?

Regional Extension Center (REC) Working in Florida-What the Centers Are Doing to Help Physicians With Electronic Medical Records

I do have to admit when the announcement was made to establish such centers I didn’t have much of a clue as to how successful it would be or exactly how they would work.  It’s like anything today too, you don’t know until the organizations are out there functioning.  On on a personal comment here now that I am seeing how they are beginning to work for providers I shun when I see bills wanting to de-fund some if this activity because it is truly needed!  The goal is to have 3000 members and they are half way there and in Los Angeles I think this goal will be easily met.

I looked around at what the Orange County REC center in California is doing and they are not up to this level yet and basically still have a questionnaire to fill out and that’s about it on their website. 

One of the supporters and advertisers of the Medical Quack, Office Ally announced they were the first EHR vendor for the Los Angeles REC center this week.  You can read more at the link below at their blog and if you are in Los Angeles County you can contact the REC Center or Office Ally for additional information.  California was kind of the forerunner with HMOs and thus the networks of connected physician’s groups tend to have a bit more structure and organization than what we may see in other states. 

Office Ally Selected at the First EHR Vendor for LA REC Center (Los Angeles)

Again, when the centers were announced I like others were not quite sure how they would come together with the funds from HHS, but it appears the centers are growing to be an integral part for assistance and help for doctors and hospitals with software solutions and just keeping up with the news on what’s happening as it relates to the specific area covered by the REC center.  BD 

Substantial incentives are available for providers that achieve Meaningful Use of Electronic Health Records (EHR). HITEC-LA assists qualifying practices in accessing up to $44,000 (Medicare) or $63,750 (Medicaid) to meet the criteria.

Regardless of where you are in your EHR implementation, we can provide you with the resources and benefits to power your practice!

http://www.hitecla.org/

Technorati Tags: ONC,REC,Los Angeles,medical records,meaningful use,technology,EHR,PHR,vendors,licensing,members,non profits,training,stimulus money,Medicare,Medicaid

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Doctors Have Become One of the Largest Software Beta Testing Groups–”Magpie Healthcare” Unfortunately Still Thrives

I made this comment on Twitter and actually had a couple medical record companies agree with me, making the point that yes they as well as almost everyone else out there at some point in time has put out some “buggy” software.  Let’s face it we want to get the doctors to move up the ladder to electronic records but on a day to day basis, they have a lot staring them in the face.

When you go see your doctor do you want him/her to focus on your blood pressure or fixate on his cloud services?    I think we all know the answer to that one and for the MD to bring all of this under one roof and ensure your chart is documented properly and that you get the correct care and treatment, it’s a bit of a juggling act at times.  I think we are looking at time where the old KISS (keep it simple stupid) value is getting lost or revalued somewhere along the line.  Why are we seeing “scribes” appearing in emergency rooms?  You have to stop and think about it as if it were so easy and simple, why do these folks now exist? 

Medical Scribes Still Continue to Grow Beyond Just Emergency Medicine…

In a hospital setting today I think we have some strong structured implementations too and the CIOs do their best to make it as easy as possible, but they too in the middle of their design have to take detours so as to not overlook something that should perhaps be added.  Let’s not also forget the doctors are keeping up on their continuing medical education efforts, staying on top of FDA recalls, keeping up to date with new procedures, meeting the rules from the hospitals relative to utilization, answer to an IPA for meeting standards, attend board meetings, oh yes, and see patients too.

In short I think the doctors would like a little room to breathe here and there as continuous software updates on a very frequent basis are disruptive to their working environment too.  Most are willing to try out new features of course to give feedback but again there needs to be a balance here as we don’t want to lose the focus of taking care of the patient for the sake of software updates or buggy software as it occasionally happens today. 

Scribes in Healthcare Continue to Grow At Major Hospitals–Proof that Medical Records Systems are Still Not User Friendly Enough And Can Disrupt Physician Time With the Patient

Consumers are now starting to get a taste of this too with participation from their end and when it comes to keeping a personal health records I don’t see a whole lot of participation there either.  For that matter we have no role models either, but rather groups of “experts” who have never used a PHR that say '”you should use one”. 

The experts have not quite figured out social values yet with social networks as the value here is comparing notes with someone who is in your similar or same situation.  I call this “Magpie Healthcare” for all of those who just repeat and don’t participate as a consumer themselves.  I don’t care where your article gets published on personal health records, as if you are not using one, then we have more magpies on the loose. 

Anyway, just give some thought here before you jump all over your doctor for their use or non use of medical software and think about what you are doing as a consumer and if you are joining the cause here.  I wonder how many in government are using a PHR?  We never hear anything even though the Surgeon General’s office supplies one for free?  When you get right down to it, many of those folks are too busy being “Experts” telling everyone else what they should do.  Those are a dime dozen today out there on the web. 

Relying on Experts When They May Not Exist–Many Intelligent and Smart People But Do We Have Misconceived Paradigms-TED

When you see that scribe in the examining area with you, now you might have a guess as to why they are there.  With as complicated as healthcare has become today just look at the over all picture before beginning to throw stones and pass judgment.  That doctor in the course of his day might be a “beta tester” and is working hard to get the documentation and treatment done right.  That is why Extormity  exists, the parody of all of the complicated processes of medical records.

Extormity Revealed! Medical Informatics Engineering (MIE) and NoMoreClipboard.com The People Behind the Parody

One other thought here too, remember your doctor in his plight for electronic medical records might be facing his own peer “Magpies” too so again the need for the exchange of opinions and experience there too helps things along.  When it comes to many avenues of healthcare from both the clinical and consumer side, we are still stuck with this old paradigm of “its for those guys over there’. 

What makes the so strong is the fact that we all live in a world that is very non predictable today and sometimes folks look outside their own world of perhaps doing something constructive for themselves and focus on what others are doing wrong. This makes them feel good as they feel they have contributed some good when in fact it may not have been appreciated, especially if the advice is coming from a “non participant” in other words those Magpies out there swooping again.  Non participants are everywhere but at times they get particularly irritating when they are individuals in the government that claim to be experts at something they have never experienced or written about. 

We all do it to some degree here and there but when Magpies become rampant and everyone is an expert at something they have never touched or dealt with, it’s obnoxious.  We deal with it in person, on the web and everywhere we turn today and thus the rise of social networks to where people can find someone who has in fact experienced the same issue or is a participant in the same area thrives. 

So next time when you visit your doctor give this some thought, do you want to talk to a software beta tester or a clinician?  Be patient and see the whole scenario before one begins throwing stones and help stamp out “Magpie Healthcare” for your own sake of getting better care via constructive and be a participant from the consumer end of Health IT.  BD   

Technorati Tags: PHR,Medicare,Education,Training,Pilot program,PHR Choice,Magpie Healthcare,Non participants,Value,Health IT,Magpie healthcare

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NextGen EHR System Has A Pen to Capture Data for Medical Records System

In reviewing some of the announcements and product at HIMSS this year I ran across “the pen” and this looks to be an interesting add on for a medical records system.  What happens when the power goes out was one item that came to mind.  There have been pens on the market for a while now that require special paper and let’s face it you are not going to have that special paper around for all your needs. 

As we are beginning to see the increased use of “scribes” to enter data it looks like this could perhaps be an optional add on that might have some use with adding information to a patient record and securely store the data as like with a regular pen, you might lose it.  I wonder if they offer insurance to cover that <grin>.  It may not be for everyone but it certainly looks like a good way of at minimum to capture a signature easily enough to add to the chart.  I just wish they would put the video up so all could see without having to create a log in so we could get a better visual on how it works.  BD 

Introducing a revolutionary digital pen that quickly
captures data into NextGen® Ambulatory EHR.

• Combine the ease of pen and paper with the structured
  data capture capabilities of today's technology.
• Create structured EHR data from popular forms, without
  scanning or transcription.
• Capture everything you write or draw as part of a
  patient's record.
• Easy to use by patients or providers with no
  learning curve, as part of your existing workflow.

A tiny camera in this pen's tip captures everything as it is written or drawn. Simply place the pen in a USB docking station, approve the data, and NextPen automatically fills the structured data fields in a patient's record. A perfect image of the form is also captured and can automatically be attached to the record, making it ideal for signatures and drawings.

NextGen Healthcare | NextPen

Technorati Tags: NextGen,medical records,data entry,healthcare,Health IT,pen,EHR,signature

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FDA Grants Genentech (Roche) a Hearing on Avastin ’s Use for Metastatic Breast Cancer

The date for the hearing is a few months off and until that time the drug is still approved as a first line treatment of the HER2 Negative mBC (breast cancer).  Genentech filed the request for a formal hearing and the opportunity to present additional documentation to support continued use for treating women with metastatic breast cancer. BD

Roche (Genentech) Requests Hearing From the FDA Regarding Avastin for Breast Cancer-Did These Numbers Come From the United Health Care Oncology Study-Subsidiary Watch

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Genentech, a member of the Roche Group (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY), today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted a hearing to allow the company the opportunity to present its views on why Avastin^® (bevacizumab) should remain FDA-approved for metastatic breast cancer (mBC). The FDA has scheduled the hearing for June 28 to 29, 2011. Currently, and until the conclusion of the proceedings with the FDA, Avastin remains approved for use in combination with paclitaxel for the first-line treatment of HER2-negative mBC in the United States.

“We appreciate the opportunity to continue our discussion with the FDA during a public hearing about the use of Avastin in metastatic breast cancer”

“We appreciate the opportunity to continue our discussion with the FDA during a public hearing about the use of Avastin in metastatic breast cancer,” said Hal Barron, M.D., chief medical officer and head, Global Product Development. “We believe Avastin is an important option for women with this disease and should remain an FDA-approved choice.”

Avastin is not approved for patients with breast cancer that has progressed following anthracycline and taxane chemotherapy administered for metastatic disease.

FDA Grants Genentech a Hearing on Avastin’s Use for Metastatic Breast Cancer in the United States | EON: Enhanced Online News

Technorati Tags: health insurance,claims,Roche,Avastic,Oncology,cancer,Susan G. Komen,breast cancer,healthcare reform,FDA. Genentech

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J&J Recalls 667,632 Sudafed Packages Over Labeling Error–Harmless Typo

I think this is harmless this time as the word “not” is written on the label twice.  Two nots could be better than one.  There’s no consumer involvement needed for this recall and and the the instructions on the blister packs have the correct instructions, with one “not” I am guessing.  BD 

Johnson & Johnson, the world’s largest maker of consumer health products, said it is recalling nine lots of extended-release Sudafed tablets in the U.S. because of a typographical error in the directions on the label.

The cold medicine’s label includes an extra “not” when directing patients “do not not divide, crush, chew, or dissolve the tablet,” J&J said in a notice today on its website. The New Brunswick, New Jersey-based company said the recall affects 667,632 products and hasn’t been linked to any injuries.

J&J Recalls 667,632 Sudafed Packages Over Labeling Error - Bloomberg

Technorati Tags: Johnson and Johnson,Typo,recall,Sudafed,labels

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Cleveland Clinic Offering Global Care Air Rescue and Evacuation Services Program For an Annual Fee

This is yet one more service I have not seen yet and perhaps Cleveland Clinic is the first to offer.  If one were traveling a lot, especially out of the country this could be something to look at.  If you are in the US they will still come and get you or make sure you are receiving care recommended by the Cleveland Clinic, in other words in alignment with their patient care.  You need to be more than 150 miles from home and too sick to travel on commercial airlines.  You can be as sick as a dog as that part doesn’t start until you are at the hospital with health insurance, so the cause here is to get you there. 

According to this article the jets are prepared with all types of standard emergency equipment and you can be taken to the facility of your choice versus the closest facility as most travel plans offer.  37 states are covered along with 15 other countries and 2 territories.  24/7 service is available and translation services are included.  BD 

CLEVELAND, Feb. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Cleveland Clinic has launched the Global Care Air Rescue and Evacuation (CARE) program, which provides paid program members immediate access to Cleveland Clinic's comprehensive critical care program if they are faced with a medical emergency while traveling more than 150 miles from their home.

Global CARE members will receive access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to specialized care by Cleveland Clinic physicians, nurse practitioners and critical care nurses through uninterrupted service via a diverse fleet of vehicles including ground ambulance, helicopter, and fixed-winged jets. The jets are outfitted to provide comprehensive intensive care during national and international transports.

Cleveland Clinic Introduces Membership Programs for Critical Care Air Rescue and Evacuation Service -- CLEVELAND, Feb. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Technorati Tags: Global Care Air Rescue and Evacuation (CARE) program,Cleveland Clinic,insurance,travel,emergency,transport,evacuation

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Sinus Endoscope FinESS™ From Entellus Medical Gets FDA Clearance For Treatment of Sinusitis

In short, this is a catheter and balloon up the nose for those with sinus drainage problems and brings the procedure to the doctor’s office instead of having to perhaps have it done in a hospital. I can easily enough say I have had my bouts with sinusitis but not extreme by any means and probably more occasional allergy related.  The article states that within 48 hours one can go back to work or normal routines.  It is covered by Medicare and many insurers.  I believe so many issues with sinuses today somewhat are related to the environment to a degree today too. 

In a few years we could have multiple balloons one day if we have them in our legs, heart and now in the nose and of course with the balloons, you are pretty much married to the doctor or surgeon as they normally recommend follow up visits to make sure nothing has moved or changed.  BD 

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Entellus Medical, a Minnesota-based medical technology company, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared the company’s new FinESS Endoscope. The endoscope is used with the FinESS Sinus Treatment, which employs minimally-invasive balloon dilation to open narrowed sinus drainage paths and relieve symptoms in patients with recurrent or chronic sinusitis. The new Entellus endoscope enables treatment of sinusitis patients in the doctor’s office by delivering enhanced image quality and visualization of the sinus thereby potentially reducing procedure time.

“Transantral, endoscopically guided balloon dilation of the local ostiomeatal complex for chronic rhinosinusitis under local anesthesia”

The Entellus FinESS system treats the two most commonly inflamed sinuses, the maxillary and anterior ethmoid sinuses. Designed to be performed in the doctor’s office setting, FinESS is the only balloon dilation system on the market that predictably allows direct visualization of the maxillary sinus opening. This ensures treatment of the natural sinus drainage pathways.

According to Entellus Medical CEO Brian Farley, “Our new endoscope provides ENT physicians a clear visual perspective to quickly guide sinus balloon catheter placement and successfully treat patients in the doctor’s office. This practice-changing technology greatly enhances the treatment options for physicians and their patients who suffer from sinusitis

Entellus Medical™ Receives FDA 510(k) Clearance for FinESS™ Endoscope | Business Wire

Technorati Tags: Entellus Medical,endoscopes,balloon,sinus,sinus drainage,treatment,dialation,allergies,FDA

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Nurses Using BlackBerrys at the Hospital for Communication and Patient Care (Video)

BlackBerry’s are not dead, especially when you have a hospital system that has been using the mobile smart phones as part of their plan for a few years.  We have a lot of choices today and granted others such as the Iphone and Ipad are moving in to a lot of new areas, but even with bringing in new devices it’s time to call the IT folks in and set up new security, etc.  BlackBerry is still considered a very secure form of communication and depending on the networking and services in place, it still could stand to be a preferred methodology.

I particularly like this video as it shows some real phone screens and samples of the information and format that are used on the smart phones.   Back in 2009 I spoke with Fraser Edward from BlackBerry and there’s some additional information at the link below on how they integrate with healthcare solutions with some still applicable and some of the information has been updated as happens with all mobile technologies today.  BD

Interview with Fraser Edward, Blackberry Manager of Market Development – BlackBerry in Healthcare

BlackBerry at the Hospital

Hospitals and medical centers are some of the many corporate environments in which BlackBerry smartphones are frequently deployed to help make staffers—in this case, doctors and nurses--more efficient and improve communication between them and their customers--patients. Since BlackBerrys are largely considered the most secure enterprise smartphones, government health agencies, hospitals and private medical groups often opt to issue BlackBerry smartphones to staff that regularly handle and sensitive personal information, such as patient health records.

The most interesting parts of the video, at least from my perspective, are when the nurses show the actual applications they employ, which all seem to be part of some custom software suite called "Smartroom." Those apps include "Smart Text," which lets users send secure text messages to all appropriate parties at once, so they don’t have to chase anyone down. And another "Transporter" app helps nurses ensure patients who are waiting for procedures make it to the appropriate hospital locations on time.

BlackBerry and Healthcare: RIM Shows Off Medical Apps at Pittsburgh Hospital (Video) | CIO - Blogs and Discussion

Technorati Tags: BlackBerry,Telehealth,RIM,smartphones,EHR,PHR,personal health records,healthcare software,mobile devices,Health IT,Halamka,hospital

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Dr. Zvi Harry Perper, Son of Broward Chief Medical Examiner Among Those Charged With Prescription Drug Abuse-Pill Mills

In Broward county they don’t have a data base that tracks the drugs, thus many of the pain management stores locate there and is there a connection here?  It’s amazing when you look at how the doctor is ranked #22 in the nation with prescribing the drug.  The existence of the Florida pill mils has been in the news quite a bit of late and it’s good to see some attempts here to crack down on this activity as other states are beginning to complain as people travel from as far as Ohio to get pain medications in Florida.  If you watch the video at the link below, it shows a pretty good example on how easy it has been for those to get pain medications.

The “OxyContin Express” in Florida – Pain Management Abuse Documentary

Before working at the clinic, Zvi Harry Perper practiced in South Florida, Tampa and Orlando as an obstetrician/gynecologist and in 2008 was fined and ordered to perform community service and attend medical record school to settle a complaint on a botched abortion.  The doctor was listed as the “new” owner of one of the clinics investigated.  BD 

Among those charged with racketeering and drug trafficking in Wednesday's pain clinic raids is Dr. Zvi Harry Perper, son of Broward Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Joshua Perper, who is among the leaders of the region's ongoing battle with prescription drug abuse.

Authorities say Dr. Zvi Harry Perper, 49, ranked 22nd in the nation among medical practitioners in ordering oxycodone, which he dispensed at the pain clinic where he worked, Delray Pain Management.

He faces 18 counts, including racketeering, trafficking in oxycodone and conspiracy to traffic in oxycodone, a potent pain killer.

Joshua Perper, Broward's chief medical examiner since 1994, could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

For the past decade he has joined and, at times, led Broward officials in sounding the alarm against worsening prescription drug abuse and the thousands of deaths blamed on the phenomenon.

Zvi Harry Perper was listed as the owner of the downtown Delray Beach clinic on state registration documents. In the state corporation log, however, Perper is identified as a manager; court records filed by investigators show a clinic employee's ex-husband as being the owner.

Dr. Zvi Harry Perper charged with racketeering and drug trafficking in South Florida pain clinic raids - OrlandoSentinel.com

Technorati Tags: oxycodone,pill mills,Florida,fraud,abuse,rakceteering,drug trafficking,pain management

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Athena Laboratories To Be Acquired by Quest Diagnostics–Subsidiary Watch

Thermo Fisher is the company that owns Athena Diagnostics and at Thermo we have some additional action taking place too with the sale of another company and as you can read below, the acquisition of Dionex.  Keeping up with who owns who these days is not easy.  As we are all probably familiar with Quest, they are one of the 2 big companies where we go to have lab tests done.  It was just a couple weeks ago that Quest bought back all their stock from Glaxo. 

Quest Diagnostics Buying Back All Their Stock Owned By GlaxoSmithKline Their Largest Investor-Over $30 Million Shares

From the website:

“Athena Diagnostics is a reference laboratory dedicated to the development and commercialization of diagnostic testing for neurological disorders. Using innovative technologies, Athena provides neurologists and other physicians with diagnostic answers that can improve the quality of health care for patients in a cost effective manner.”

A couple years ago I spoke with the Vice President of Quest (MedPlus) the technology end of the company and boy have things moved up a few notches since that time.  You can used the search box on the Medical Quack for a multitude of posts relative to Quest to include all their Health IT products and offerings. 

Quest Diagnostics and Health IT – Interview with Rohit Nayak, Vice President of Sales, Clinical Information Solutions Group, MedPlus

Quest is in bit of a unique position as they have all the lab information that all Health IT systems want of course and then they also have their own product line to offer so they partner and at the same time can work with connecting patient data with a myriad of software systems.  Here’s one example from last year with a collaboration with HP.  From a PHR (personal health records) standpoint, with both HealthVault and Google Health we can import and get all our lab results stored by setting up an account and putting the wheels in motion. 

Quest Diagnostics And HP Partner to Bundle Care 360 EHR Services With Financing and Training Packages

Here’s what Forbes had to say about the acquisition. 

The deals come as the laboratory-supply company is in the midst of a $2.1 billion acquisition of laboratory-equipment maker Dionex Corp.

Thermo Fisher sells products--ranging from analytical instruments to lab equipment and services--to labs and research operations. The company's profit has improved lately as it has seen mostly better sales and improved margins.

Thermo agreed to sell Athena to Quest Diagnostics Inc. for $740 million. Quest Chairman and Chief Executive Surya N. Mohapatra said the deal would establish Quest as "the clear leader" in esoteric and genetic testing for neurology. The deal is expected to add to Quest earnings starting next year.

It (Thermo Fisher)also agreed to sell Lancaster Laboratories to Brussels-based Eurofins Scientific SE for $200 million. Lancaster and Eurofins are a contract-testing laboratories that serve drugmakers and environmental-sciences concerns.

Thermo Fisher Sells Athena Unit - WSJ.com

Technorati Tags: Quest Diagnostics,mergers and acquistions,Thermo Fisher,labs,healthcare,genomics,HealthIT,Athena Diagnostics

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Everything in Texas Is Bigger, Including New Ambulances And Stretchers

The Medtar company is paying $7000 more for bigger ambulances to handle bigger patient.  Also they are also buying bigger stretchers as that will carry up to 650 pounds as the old ones maxed out at 500#.  In recent news the FDA just lowered the weight limits required for Lap Band surgery too. 

FDA Gives Approval for Lap-Band Use With Less Obese Patients

We all hear about the obesity problem in the US and well, with this story the reality of new equipment to handle heavier patients is right in front of your eyes.  In addition to the new weight capacities, new features also come along with the stretchers and other items used in the ambulances.  BD

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

msnbc video: In Texas, bigger patients, bigger ambulances

Technorati Tags: Medtar,obesity,fat,ambulances,medical care,diets,Texas,stretchers,weight

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Relying on Experts When They May Not Exist–Many Intelligent and Smart People But Do We Have Misconceived Paradigms-TED

I thought this was a well thought out presentation and difficult to give no less too.I feel she does make some very good points as what and who we designate as experts and wealth is not always the dividing line here, like we sometimes think it may be.  Decision making is getting harder as we all have more alternatives and sources of information that we didn’t have a few years ago.  We still believe that experts are able to come to better conclusions than we can and that may not always be the case,although they can add input.  The parental guiding of the “expert” can be dangerous she states as we get stuck in old paradigm.  She feels we have become addicted to “experts” and their opinions. 

The independent source within our brain sometimes switches off when listening to the “expert” as again it has been what we have done for years.  Medical and financial experts get it wrong, and we can look at Wall Street for the financial example as I really don’t probably need to mention.  How much faith do we put in economists, and she states she is one of these herself.  Experts also command huge chunks of money too. She states there’s a bit of danger with not being ready and willing to take experts on, in other words ask questions and don’t believe everything you may be told at all times.  We want explanations in languages that we can understand.  She mentions Google’s CEO Eric Schmidt believes in this philosophy and again allows others to offer their information and advice.  Once you listen to this you may have an entire different opinion of what the “expert paradigm” is.  We certainly know they don’t exist in any form in Congress today if you want to take a pot shot as what we deal with today <grin>. 

Of course this has direct healthcare impact as this is what we are trying to do with getting patients involved in our own healthcare.  Uncertainty and doubt too is something we all live with today and is becoming an uncomfortable norm.  BD

Smart decisions often require considering the advice smart people — that is, experts.

But according to economist Noreena Hertz, relying too much on them can be limiting — or even dangerous

Why we rely too much on experts - SmartPlanet

Technorati Tags: TED,paradigns,Noreena Hertz,dangerous,perceptions,doctors nurses,heatlhcare,decisions,intelligence,algorithms

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Aetna Members In Texas and Florida Now Have Access Through TeleDoc for Non Emergency Consultations

Co-pays and deductibles apply according to the press release.  Allergies, stuffy noses and sinus problems are listed as examples on where the TeleDoc service could fill in if the primary care doctor is not available.  You can log on and receive a response in less than 20-30 minutes and the service is available 24/7.  In their advertising you can see what the projected savings would be over alternatives with the ER room of course being the big one.  The company also has an area where board certified doctors can sign up to become one of their physicians, but there’s one catch, you need to know how to use their EHR and I’m sure they provide training too.  TeleDoc also creates a free PHR for the patients as well. 

Doctors can also prescribe medications.  Over the years at least here in the US we have always been told you need to see a doctor in person and depending on the condition this paradigm is changing rapidly to make both access easier and cost less.  To use the service as a patient you do need to complete on online questionnaire as the doctors need to know a bit about you and and potential medical conditions so they are not blindly consulting.  You can also sign up as an individual on your own if you do not have Aetna insurance.  BD  

HARTFORD, Conn.--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Have a sore throat and stuffy nose or maybe a sinus infection? Can’t get in to see your primary care doctor? Aetna (NYSE: AET) members in most fully-insured medical plans in Texas and Florida now have the option of using a new service from Teladoc to access non-urgent care over the phone.

“When a member’s primary care doctor is not available, a telephone consultation from Teladoc’s local physicians may be a good option for some members with minor illnesses. Members not only have access to quality care from the comfort of their home or office, but they also can avoid the time and expense of emergency rooms,” said Robert Kropp, M.D., regional medical director for Aetna.

The cost of a Teladoc consultation is $38 or lower, depending on the Aetna member’s specific plan. Copays, deductibles and coinsurance apply. Teladoc consultations are a qualified expense for HSA, FSA and HRA accounts.

A summary of each consultation is captured in an electronic health record (EHR). The member can share the health record with his or her primary care physician. Teladoc doctors can also refer to it during future member visits to help diagnose, recommend treatment and prescribe medications, when appropriate.

Aetna Members Now Have Access to Non-Urgent Care Consultations by Phone | EON: Enhanced Online News

Technorati Tags: TeleDoc,insurance,Aetna,healthcare,Health IT,technology,telemedicine,medical reocrds,EHR,PHR,Texas,Florida

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Lenovo Non Profit Contest Winner “Picture Me Happy” Received Their Computers!

This was a contest at the Medical Quack run before Christmas last year and the Picture Me Happy group was so “happy” to receive their new touch screen computers for the children they included a picture!   This was a great contest for non profits and the children certainly stand to benefit here as well, a good thing! 

“We are so very happy to have these computers, they arrived last week while I was here….Tim Courtney, Founder of PictureMeHappy.org”

So here they are ready to go to work and the portability of the computer along with touch screens is what really stands out as features the children can use as the computer is wireless and can easily be moved let’s say from one hospital room to another.  BD  

Lenovo Non Profit Contest Winners Announced: Each Recipient Won 5 Touch Screen M90Z PCs

Thanks to everyone who participated and one of the winners was from the Medical Quack, Picture Me Happy, congratulations!  Miller’s Children’s Hospital in Long Beach participates with the program and last year I did an interview with the CFO of the hospital and was able to see the pictures as they were being posted, as contributed by the children.  The touch screen computers will be used by the children in the hospital, neat! 

Recipient: Picture Me Happy  (http://www.picturemehappy.org/)    
Locale: Many Hospitals in the US  
Submitted by: Barbara Duck, The Medical Quack (http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/)
Back story: The children involved use the computers directly and the touch screen capability of the computers would make them user-friendly for the children, especially those confined to a hospital bed where using a mouse can be difficult. Being immersed in the creative process provides a necessary diversion away from illness and toward the healing power within. Picture Me Happy provides a mechanism for regular involvement in the creative process by providing onsite Arts in Medicine equipment, supplies and programs that are available 24 hours a day. Picture Me Happy is the first Arts in Medicine program which is non-reliant on the schedules of voluntary artists, enabling participants to work with the program when the time is right for them.

The Medical Quack: Lenovo Non Profit Contest Winners Announced: Each Recipient Won 5 Touch Screen M90Z PCs

Technorati Tags: Lenovo,touch screen computers,charity,children,Picture Me Happy,contest,hospitals

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Warfarin Recall from Upjohn-Labeling Problem With 10 mg Tablets Found In 3mg Bottles

This is a big deal to not confuse the two strengths as this the drug is used to thin blood.  The upside though is that the tablets look different and hopefully the pharmacists who are responsible for filling our prescriptions will notice this if they run across one of the recalled bottles.  At the link below you can read the lot numbers of all the Upjohn products included in the recall, again what a crappy system the FDA has here for this and again if bar coding were used to readily identify it would sure help with avoiding some items slipping through the cracks.  Once scan with a cell phone could check the bottle easily instead of this long entailed process. 

From the FDA Website:

“FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 18, 2011 - Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc., of Maple Grove, Minnesota is voluntarily expanding its previously announced recall of Jantoven® Warfarin Sodium, USP, 3 mg Tablets to include additional products that were packaged on the same packaging line between May 17, 2010 and November 17, 2010. The company is initiating the recall as a precautionary measure after a bottle labeled as Jantoven® Warfarin Sodium, USP, 3 mg Tablets was found by a retail pharmacy to contain tablets at a higher, 10 mg strength.”

FDA Publishes Information on How to Identify Recalls – Why Not Scan That Stent With A Cell Phone and Make It Easy for the Public and Manufacturers To Keep Up, Notify And Automate Compliance

Tags for Use in Healthcare – Medical Stents, Medications - One Scan Away From Safety Information in Real Time

Anybody remember the Dennis Quaid incident with the liquid formula of Warfarin?   If a consumer took an 10 mg tablet instead of a 3 we could have an overdose and medical errors here.  BD 

WASHINGTON -- The maker of generic warfarin tablets recalled last week has issued an expanded recall that includes six other drug product lines packaged on the same packaging line.

The recall now affects 28 lots of 16 different products packaged from May 17, 2010, to Nov. 17, 2010, in addition to the lot initially pulled with NDC# 0832-1214-00 and an expiration of September 2012, a statement from Upsher-Smith Laboratories said.

Product labels affected include:

• Amantadine 100 mg, 100-count bottles
• Amlodipine 5 mg, 90-count bottles
• Androxy 10 mg, 100-count bottles
• Baclofen 10 mg, 90-count bottles
• Bethanechol 5, 10, and 25 mg, 100-count bottles
• Jantoven 1, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.5, and 10 mg, 100-count bottles
• Oxybutynin 5 mg, 100-count bottles

Medical News: Warfarin Recall Expanded to Include Other Products - in Product Alert, Prescriptions from MedPage Today

Technorati Tags: Warfarin,blood thinners,FDA,recalls,drugs,pharmacists,luddites,healthcare,Upjohn

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Health Train Express Says “Don’t Shoot the Messenger”–The Medical Quack-Thanks!

First of all I would like to say thanks to Gary Levin in Riverside for viewing me as a messenger as that’s why I try to do with combining some modern day mathematical processes (algorithms) that work with healthcare today, both the good and maybe not so good sides of what’s happening.  It is more fun to write about the good stuff I agree and hopefully there’s enough of that content on the blog as well.  He has his own blog called “The Health Train Express” where you can view some of his own ideas and thoughts too. 

He gets the talk about “Algo Medicine” and that’s new one that I have to give him credit for coining as I used “Algo Men” quite frequently in many posts, meaning the folks who are experts with the interpretation and intellectual use of the information derived.  Again, thanks for the kind words and the fact that both sides of the equation with such knowledge can help keep one grounded with seeing the entire big picture!  Next up I think Gary and I can really get into a nice chat on “Magpie Healthcare” <grin> as we have have too out there, again thanks for the kind words and I could almost bet he might agree with me on the suggestion of sending IBM Watson to Congress too <grin>.  BD 

Where Should Watson Go Next-The House and Senate For Some Needed Additional Intelligence for Data Mining and Searches

“Before I get any further I need to give attribution to Medical Quack whose recent posts have been in reference to Algo-Medicine and our great hope for the good side of “The Force”. Barbara, or as I like to call her “Ducky”, not to be confused with Ducky from NCIS’ whose forensic abilities defy most pathologists. (why don’t more pathologists blog?) (where was I now?)

Oh yes,  Medical Quack always has an aggregation of topics that fuel my limbic system.   This is not Ducky’s fault…..it’s a bit like shooting the messenger.  Ducky, you bring a lot of bad Karma to the table. I like you very much. It keeps me grounded and diminishes my euphoria. Thank you very much.” 

http://healthtrain.blogspot.com/2011/01/algo-men-to-rescue.html?showComment=1298488382073#c5985700432366853409

Technorati Tags: algorithms,Health Train Express,Medical bloggers,healthcare,Congress,politics,karma,technology,messenger

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Intel Discusses Healthcare Reform and Trends-Not Only a Health IT Issue, But Also a Cultural Change

Here’s some additional coverage of what is being discussed this week at HIMSS.  Eric Dishman from Intel talks about technology trends and also the cultural combination needed to make it all come together.  He talks about engaging the community and the patient.  Also discussed is how IT can reach out to the patient which a new needed twist. 

Smart phones and mobile health will play a key role and expansion and education of seniors will help.  The big challenge too is getting consumers to use Health IT.  Where does innovation need to focus is one of the question posed here.  In the next 3 to 5 years things will be changing dramatically.  He talks about using Google Earth as just a simple comparison to see what health communities are around the area where one lives.  He talks about “IT Moats” in other words not having limited communication with just on the healthcare campus or in the facility. 

There will be new kinds of healthcare workers that don’t exist today.  He states the technologies that appear in the next 3-5 years are not going to solve the problems we have and focuses more on education, in other words develop processes for working with existing technologies on how it works best in the practice.  The myth is one thing will solve all problems in Health IT.  BD 

Missed the Live Event? Listen in as Intel’s Eric Dishman talks about four Mega Trends Emerging Worldwide

http://premierit.intel.com/community/ipip/healthcare

Technorati Tags: Intel,HIMSS,technology,Health IT,telehealth,Communities,PHR,EHR,medical records,mobile technology,mHealth,eHealth

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Surgery Gives Man a Second Beating Heart

A man receives a transplant, but also keeps his own existing heart.  This is not performed very often but in this case it saved the man having to go under a second surgical procedure. 

The 2 hearts are attached to each other and work together.  The patient could have had a ventricular assist device as a secondary option.  Removing the existing heart with a straight transplant too was not an option as he had what is called pulmonary hypertension.  The operation performed is safe and the current survival rate is around 10 years.  BD 

Heart Transplant

This Valentine's Day, Tyson Smith woke up with a brand new outlook and two beating hearts — his old failing heart and a newly transplanted heart. "I can tell that I am getting stronger every day," said Smith.

The team from the UC San Diego Center for Transplantation performed a rare, life-saving cardiac surgery called heterotopic heart transplantation, where Smith's own heart remained in place while a second donor heart was implanted. He now has two beating hearts.

This Valentine's Day, Tyson Smith woke up with a brand new outlook and two beating hearts — his old failing heart and a newly transplanted heart. "I can tell that I am getting stronger every day," said Smith.

"Even though Mr. Smith was facing death, he could not have a standard heart transplant. Removing the old heart and replacing it with a new heart would have caused the new heart to fail, because resistance to flow in his lungs — called pulmonary hypertension — was so high," explained Dr. Michael Madani, associate professor of surgery and co-director of UC San Diego Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center. "But together, the two hearts share the work and get the job done."

"Mr. Smith had two options: a mechanical left ventricular assist device (LVAD), which would replace the function of his left heart and allow him to then go on to a standard heart transplant in a few months; or the so called "piggy back" transplant, which replaces the patient's left heart and allows the patient's right heart to continue the right-sided pumping through the lungs," said Copeland. "This way, Mr. Smith needed only one operation rather than two, which saves the patient time, inconvenience and pain, and reduces medical costs."

http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-02-hearts.html

Technorati Tags: Heart disease,transplant,San Diego,LCAD,heart valves,cardiovascular surgery,patient,heart surgery

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Microsoft and Sony Collaborate To Announce A Portable Remote HD IP Camera To Be Used For Patient/Physician Consultations

This is quite an interesting device here with the MD2GO from Sony and Microsoft collaborated with some software features to make it a bit more interesting it seems, but has a purpose.  I can see what Chris Sullivan (his blog summary below) got to do at HIMSS, have fun and take pictures all day.  You could wheel the camera all around HIMSS for that matter.   Actually a few months ago he was kind enough to chat with me at the Quack about Microsoft products and where they have solutions for small practices. 

Microsoft Talks About Healthcare Provider Solutions – Interview With US Director Chris Sullivan

This looks like a bit of Kinect technology with this camera in the fact that it is controlled by gestures and we just heard a couple days ago that a developers kit would be forthcoming for Kinect too.  In looking a this device from Sony it can sit right next to the IV pole <grin>.  The Sony camera has a one way HD video system for the MD and a 2 way audio, so patient doesn’t get to see the doctor, but we can live with that.  It has it’s own user interface for easy emote view and it actually produces diagnostic quality images.  It can run on a slate tablet or any other device with a browser, so that about covers all.  When it goes on sale, the Microsoft software comes along for free with the purchase of the camera.  This looks like it can be wheeled around as needed and could work both at a practice and at the hospital.  BD

Imagine it’s the middle of the night and a surgical resident urgently needs to consult with you, the on-call attending physician. The patient’s condition is worsening, a surgery is growing complicated, and a phone call just won’t do it. Until now, you’d have to make a frantic, late-night dash to the hospital.

But now, thanks to a pioneering collaboration between Microsoft and Sony, doctors can be virtually present at their patient’s bedside or in surgery. Many trips to the hospital or operating room can be eliminated, or the on-call attending physician can asses a patient’s condition, in real time, and determine that he/she needs to arrive stat.

Press Release:

Sony and Microsoft Unveil Next-Generation Telemedicine Solution at National HIMSS Conference

Revolutionary mobile solution utilizes HD video and web-based interface to make physicians accessible to patients and staff from anywhere, anytime.

ORLANDO, FL (HIMSS booth #3101A) – Feb. 22, 2011 - Sony Electronics is collaborating with Microsoft to enhance its new MD2GO, remote HD IP camera system.  The collaboration will deliver a Windows 7 touch-based user interface developed on the Silverlight platform.

With the new MD2GO Live Viewer Application, physicians can gain access to HD images and sound from any PC or Slate device with an internet connection enabling them to remotely view and communicate with patients and staff whenever they are on the go. MD2GO and its new software are on display at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) annual meeting in the Microsoft OEM pavilion at booth #3101A, Feb. 20–24, 2011.

“This system has the potential to greatly improve the delivery of healthcare,” said Chris Sullivan, National Managing Director, Health Provider Solutions, Microsoft.  “The familiar, easy-to-use interface on a Windows 7 device such as a slate, and the portability of the camera, gives clinicians the tools, and the freedom, to administer quality care beyond the bedside.”

The MD2GO system leverages Sony’s leading visual imaging components. From the HD pan tilt zoom (PTZ) camera with 10x optical zoom lens, to the high quality speaker and microphone modules, the system delivers real-time, HD video.

MD2GO is also designed to be unobtrusive and flexible.  In a hospital network, there are main sites and remote locations.  Because of the lightweight, compact design, mobility and wireless connectivity, the same experts that practice at the main sites are now available to support the clinicians in remote locations, improving the quality of care and increasing patient satisfaction.  MD2GO can potentially be used within multiple hospital departments as well as in other types of facilities such as nursing homes or outpatient and rehab centers.

“This system allows physicians to be on call, without being on-site and gives them the ability to clearly communicate with the patient or resident at the most critical time,” said George Santanello,  general manager, Sony Medical Systems Division. “Though the shortage of physicians continues to grow, the demand for quality healthcare will not decline – MD2GO gives hospitals an easy to learn and use solution that delivers the quality care from their most experienced clinicians regardless of location or time of day – and at a price far below legacy systems.”

Additionally, physicians can easily play back videos using Windows Media player and record HD video and stills to a PC, which can then be used in presentations for sharing with colleagues and for teaching and training.###

Microsoft Helps Make Healthcare on Demand a Reality - Microsoft in Health - Site Home - MSDN Blogs

Technorati Tags: MD2GO,Sony,HIMSS,Microsoft,heatlhcare,camera,HD,hosptial,images,Chris Sullivan,microphones

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