Microsoft HealthVault Videos - Device Communication and Surface at the Doctor’s Office

<p>These are the types of videos that really show off how the HeatlhVault works!  You can read all you want, but seeing the devices wirelessly connected and transmitting data is another.  I like the wireless scale!  Many of these devices are already out there and available too.  <a href="http://www.healthvault.com/"><img align="right" height="40" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/DucknetServices/SM3q6TdZm-I/AAAAAAAAI90/u04OgRqDvPI/image%5B14%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" width="96" /></a></p> <p>The visit to the doctor set up with Surface is also pretty cool too.  The son has diabetes and has a device that talks to the HealthVault and the visuals here again really help explain the process.  Also, the video talks about a couple other services/vendors, example there is a service that will put your information into the HealthVault for a small fee too if you can’t.  I use the $9.00 a year fax service and once it came in handy to send my grocery list there.  Be sure to watch both videos.  </p> <p><strong>Texas Health Resources</strong> is really working with Surface too.  </p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:aa4d905e-851e-489b-bd5f-02b82153dc45" class="wlWriterSmartContent"> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px" id="211a12b3-c951-43b7-84f8-5da24c61138e"> <div><embed height="232" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="309" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ITps2777qIs&hl=en&fs=1&hl=en" /></div> </div> </div> <p></p> <p><a href="http://www.lifescan.com/products/ordering/?source=otu2buy"><img alt="image" border="0" height="154" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SbeL0hYGPvI/AAAAAAAAOoI/NW663lAk3sU/image381.png?imgmax=800" title="image" width="314" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.eclinicalworks.com/"><img alt="image" border="0" height="42" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SbeLpGMEFXI/AAAAAAAAOn8/_jBwu0zc6WE/image301.png?imgmax=800" title="image" width="318" /></a></p> <p>I have played around with this a little bit at the Microsoft Irvine Office with the old version of HealthVault on Surface. </p> <p><strong>Texas Health Resources,</strong> which operates 13 hospitals in the Dallas/Fort Worth region, is working with Microsoft to build health-care applications for Microsoft's multiuser, multitouch Surface computers.  BD</p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/11/hospital-operator-demos-health-care.html"><font size="2">Hospital Operator Demos Health Care Application For Microsoft Surface</font></a></h4> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:2fe60a92-b1de-4968-868b-ad53f6f50f7d" class="wlWriterSmartContent"> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px" id="97abcd97-2480-4662-9d2d-5df50a674ad1"> <div><embed height="234" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="313" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7r5nmgb7jyo&hl=en&fs=1&hl=en" /></div> </div> </div> <p><strong><u>Related Reading:</u></strong></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/steve-shihadeh-vp-microsoft-health.html"><font size="1">Steve Shihadeh, VP Microsoft Health Solutions Group – The Amalga Software Solution for Aggregating Hospital Information (Interview)</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/10/patients-can-view-share-health.html"><font size="1">Patients can view, share health information through new Health Record Banks - Washington</font></a></h4> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/07/microsoft-healthvault-and-relayhealth.html">Microsoft HealthVault and RelayHealth (McKesson) to Connect Doctors and Patients</a></h6> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/01/3d-multi-touch-application-for-heart.html"><font size="1">3D Multi Touch Application for Heart Surgeries – Microsoft Surface and HealthVault</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/03/one-more-good-reason-for-phrs-and-ehrs.html"><font size="1">One More Good Reason for PHRs and EHRs – Temporary and Mobile Healthcare Workers</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/03/eclinicalworks-ehr-and-wal-mart-more.html"><font size="1">eClinicalWorks EHR and Wal-Mart – More Details and Information</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/03/st-jude-medical-announces-fda-approval.html"><font size="1">St. Jude Medical Announces FDA Approval of New Features with Merlin for Implantable Cardiac Devices</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/03/survey-says-patients-want-more-online.html"><font size="1">Survey Says Patients want more Online Healthcare Records and Communication</font></a></h4> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/walk-me-new-microsoft-healthvault.html">“Walk Me” – A New Microsoft HealthVault Application that connects via USB to your Computer</a></h6> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/03/healthvault-device-connector-works-with.html"><font size="1">HealthVault Connects with eClinicalWorks EHR, NextGen EHR/EMR Systems and more…Shop Wal-Mart (Sam’s Club) in the Spring</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/personal-health-records-phr-i-dont-do.html"><font size="1">Personal Health Records (PHR), I don’t do technology said the CEO, “it’s for those guys over there”</font></a></h4> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:cd71c364-ac38-4177-921e-d640058d3292" class="wlWriterSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/HealthVault" rel="tag">HealthVault</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/PHR" rel="tag">PHR</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/medical+records" rel="tag">medical records</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/personal+health+records" rel="tag">personal health records</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/E-faxing" rel="tag">E-faxing</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/medical+devices" rel="tag">medical devices</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/document+management" rel="tag">document management</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Microsoft" rel="tag">Microsoft</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/EHR" rel="tag">EHR</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Surface+computing" rel="tag">Surface computing</a></div>

Microsoft HealthVault Videos - Device Communication and Surface at the Doctor’s Office

These are the types of videos that really show off how the HeatlhVault works!  You can read all you want, but seeing the devices wirelessly ...

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The PSA test debate continues

<p> Very interesting comments from a prostate cancer survivor and scientist with a realistic approach, maybe start searching for the cause.  A biomarker is a ways down the road so something needs to be done in the meantime to screen.  BD    </p> <blockquote> <p>When the New England Journal of Medicine published two studies regarding the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test last week, the medical community went into an uproar. Even before those events, the PSA was widely regarded as one of medicine's more controversial tests. With the publication of these studies, which concluded that there might not be any real life-saving benefit to the PSA test, many seem keen to write off the test entirely. <strong>We should think twice before jumping to that conclusion.</strong></p> <p>The studies leave us with <strong>three options:</strong> continue using the PSA test as before, cease screening entirely, or wait 10 years for researchers to commercialize a breakthrough prostate cancer biomarker that solves the problems with PSA screening. As both a scientist and prostate cancer survivor, I am left asking myself, "What would Dr. House do?"</p> <p><strong>When faced with a high PSA, House would ask the simple question: What is the cause of his patient's elevated PSA?</strong></p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/03/29/EDDQ16NNKM.DTL">Don't discard the PSA test for cancer yet</a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:b3b88ade-5f05-4914-8b07-e5a6c25d09f5" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/PSA+Test" rel="tag">PSA Test</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/prostate+cancer" rel="tag">prostate cancer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/heatlhcare" rel="tag">heatlhcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/biomarkers" rel="tag">biomarkers</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/screening" rel="tag">screening</a></div>

The PSA test debate continues

Very interesting comments from a prostate cancer survivor and scientist with a realistic approach, maybe start searching for the cause.  A ...

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Nobody wants Quebec's limited private health insurance

<p> The insurance only covers 3 procedures, knees, hips and cataracts and according to the article, wait times have improved, or there’s always the US over the border as an option.  The big complaint, it’s too expensive.  BD  </p> <blockquote> <p>More than two years after Quebec legalized private medical coverage for select surgeries, the insurance industry says it has not sold a single policy.  Bill 33 was supposed to allow Quebecers to seek private insurance for faster knee and hip replacements, and cataract surgery.  Bolduc said nearly all patients seeking knee and hip replacements in the public system now begin treatment within three months compared to the previous waits of nine months or more.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2009/03/30/mtl-health-insurance-interest-0330.html">No one wants Quebec's limited private health insurance</a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:5baaae95-ef67-4fa3-ab68-50733584063c" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/health+insurance" rel="tag">health insurance</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Canada" rel="tag">Canada</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/surgery" rel="tag">surgery</a></div>

Nobody wants Quebec's limited private health insurance

The insurance only covers 3 procedures, knees, hips and cataracts and according to the article, wait times have improved, or there’s always...

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A Humorous Look at Mobile Communications/Pharmacy Benefit Management in the Future

<p>Do you have your smart card, I need to get my life back – the phone, complete with GPS at the doctor’s office.</p> <p>Who is nearby that will accept my insurance?    Will you pay the remaining out of your prepaid medical account?   The assistant at the doctor’s office quotes a location that is 100% with his plan and one out of network at 80%, which he chooses and immediately and his portion due is immediately deducted by use of the phone!  Will it get to this point?  </p> <p>The doctor is using a tablet computer with medical records, and recommends a dose of morphine at the end for his pain.  BD  </p> <p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:e14506cf-308c-4b61-8d3d-e8220351753d" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="3d71f422-7a91-45a9-9923-086d89e0db93" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_y0EWMqk_g&hl=en&fs=1" target="_new"><img alt="" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('3d71f422-7a91-45a9-9923-086d89e0db93'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"309\" height=\"231\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/V_y0EWMqk_g&hl=en&fs=1&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/V_y0EWMqk_g&hl=en&fs=1&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"309\" height=\"231\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SdGhRK7zTVI/AAAAAAAAO7U/K80Rb260he8/video5976d6a61671%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none"></a></div></div></div> </p> <p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_y0EWMqk_g">YouTube - Steve Masters</a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:97139ffc-fea1-4cfd-9350-12a9d0f50ca4" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Medical+humor" rel="tag">Medical humor</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/technology" rel="tag">technology</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/accident" rel="tag">accident</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/doctor+appointment" rel="tag">doctor appointment</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/pharmacy+benefit+managers" rel="tag">pharmacy benefit managers</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/health+insurance" rel="tag">health insurance</a></div>

A Humorous Look at Mobile Communications/Pharmacy Benefit Management in the Future

Do you have your smart card, I need to get my life back – the phone, complete with GPS at the doctor’s office. Who is nearby that will acc...

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VA Warns Advises thousands to be tested for Hepatitis and HIV

<p> 10 patients tested positive for hepatitis B or C at one facility, all due to unsanitary equipment used for colonoscopies, some going as far back as 2003 when the procedure was performed.  </p> <p>Just a couple months ago, the VA at the Murfreesboro facility was involved in another issue related to sterilization to where they shipped the equipment to another facility to clean in Nashville, and then shipped it back.  BD</p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/01/sterilization-at-va-hospital-should.html"><font size="2">Sterilization at a VA Hospital – Should this be outsourced for another VA facility to sterilize tools and equipment used?</font></a></h4> <blockquote> <p>More than 10,000 Veterans Affairs (VA) patients who have received colonoscopies in the past six years may have been exposed to infectious diseases, including <a href="http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=can-you-explain-aids-and">HIV</a> and hepatitis B and C, according to <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29916792/">the Associated Press</a>. </p> <p>Unsanitary equipment at three VA facilities <strong>(in Augusta, Ga., Miami, Fl. and Murfreesboro, Tenn.)</strong> has prompted officials to notify patients about the potential risk.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.sciam.com/blog/60-second-science/post.cfm?id=thousands-warned-to-get-tested-for-2009-03-30">Thousands warned to get tested for infectious diseases after colonoscopies : Scientific American Blog</a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:5e8c0854-39c4-4e16-ae3a-f79ccb34311b" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/VA" rel="tag">VA</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/sterilization" rel="tag">sterilization</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/HIV" rel="tag">HIV</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/hepatitis" rel="tag">hepatitis</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/colonoscopy" rel="tag">colonoscopy</a></div>

VA Warns Advises thousands to be tested for Hepatitis and HIV

10 patients tested positive for hepatitis B or C at one facility, all due to unsanitary equipment used for colonoscopies, some going as far...

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Cancer Genomics Browser – New Tool for Research that Combines Clinical and Genomic Data

<p> The browser contains<strong> publicly available cancer genomic data.</strong>  Clinical trials and cancer genomics research are also benefiting with using on a confidential basis.  It is an extension of the UCSC Genome Browser, which is averaging a million page requests a week.  I sure wished my blog was that busy.</p> <p>The <strong><a href="http://genome-cancer.ucsc.edu/">Cancer Genomics Browser</a></strong> is able to integrate genomic and clinical databases, something has has been a chore to bring together on one screen in a useable format.  The two are shown side by side on the screen.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SdGWiSgDPeI/AAAAAAAAO7A/73ckzvLU-wg/s1600-h/image%5B10%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="202" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SdGWl16WB8I/AAAAAAAAO7E/22YbbRXwW7M/image_thumb%5B5%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="376" /></a> </p> <p><em>"Large clinical trials that include detailed molecular profiling of patient samples generate a really big mountain of data. Actually, it is more like several big mountains of data," Lenburg said. "The browser creates a way of organizing all this data, and all these different types of data, into a single unified picture."</em></p> <p><em>“The browser is a suite of web-based tools to integrate, visualize and analyze cancer genomics and clinical data. This browser displays a whole-genome and pathway-oriented view of genome-wide experimental measurements for individual and sets of samples alongside their associated clinical information.”</em></p> <p><em>“This site hosts the public UCSC Cancer Genomics Browser. The public site contains a rapidly growing body of publicly available cancer genomic data, including 12 published studies, datasets from the TCGA consortium, and others.”</em> </p> <p>Now that the platforms is here, what’s left is to add some state-of-the-art<strong> algorithms</strong> to get the most out of the data.  With clinical trials of any size, the data collected and analyzed is huge, so having a tool that can organize and bring to a useable screen format will certainly be a help.  BD  <a href="http://genome-cancer.ucsc.edu/"><img alt="image" border="0" height="145" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SdGWpBlzouI/AAAAAAAAO7I/lXCTAb00ndc/image%5B5%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="379" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SdGWsEMjnoI/AAAAAAAAO7M/wPIX6qoGNQQ/s1600-h/image%5B14%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="152" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SdGWtiPE7NI/AAAAAAAAO7Q/QhzNXRBb4-E/image_thumb%5B7%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="383" /></a> </p> <blockquote> <p>A Cancer Genomics Browser developed by researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz, provides a new way to visualize and analyze data from studies aimed at improving cancer treatment by unraveling the complex genetic roots of the disease.</p> <p>The browser consists of a suite of web-based tools designed to help researchers find patterns in the huge amounts of clinical and genomic data being gathered in large-scale <a href="http://www.physorg.com/tags/cancer/">cancer</a> studies. Medical researchers hope to identify genetic signatures and other "<a href="http://www.physorg.com/tags/biomarkers/">biomarkers</a>" in cancer cells that can be used to predict how individual patients will respond to different therapies throughout the course of their treatment.</p> <p>"What is amazing about the browser is that it allows us to combine complex molecular data and clinical observations, and provides insights into how we can truly improve treatment and outcomes," said Esserman, director of the Carol Franc Buck Breast Care Center and associate director of the Breast Oncology Program at the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCSF.</p> <p>Many different types of genomic changes can have clinical significance, including insertions, deletions, and other changes in the DNA sequence, such as changes in the number of copies of a gene. Moreover, microarrays and high-throughput methods for measuring proteins make it possible to see how these genomic alterations interfere with the cell's normal workings.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.physorg.com/news157643730.html">Cancer Genomics Browser gives cancer researchers a powerful new tool</a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:c0e7b4ee-8a52-47fd-b555-263e32174019" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/R+and+D" rel="tag">R and D</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Cancer" rel="tag">Cancer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Genomics" rel="tag">Genomics</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Clinical+Data" rel="tag">Clinical Data</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Clinical+Trials" rel="tag">Clinical Trials</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Browser" rel="tag">Browser</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Univeristy+of+Santa+Cruz" rel="tag">Univeristy of Santa Cruz</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/algorithms" rel="tag">algorithms</a></div>

Cancer Genomics Browser – New Tool for Research that Combines Clinical and Genomic Data

The browser contains publicly available cancer genomic data.   Clinical trials and cancer genomics research are also benefiting with using...

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VA Offers Long-Term Care At Foster Homes in Florida

<p> This is  new concept being tried in Florida and perhaps could work well with a good match of families and the veteran, as there’s nothing worse than being stuck in a facility without some human interactions.  BD</p> <blockquote> <p><b>(CBS/AP) </b>Some veterans are being placed in foster homes where they can receive medical care while maintaining their independence. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SW74WjSOabI/AAAAAAAAN2c/oqePY-TheF8/s1600-h/image%5B3%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="99" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SW74XQuiSqI/AAAAAAAAN2g/SE4arwUUYKc/image_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" title="image" width="111" /></a> <br />The <a href="http://www1.va.gov">Department of Veterans Affairs</a>' Medical Foster Home Program is designed to provide disabled or chronically-ill veterans of all ages with long-term care outside of traditional nursing homes or hospitals. <br />Program coordinator Kristin Maxwell says about 30 veterans in South Florida will be placed in foster homes in the next year.</p> <p>Foster care-givers will receive up to $3,000 a month, depending on a veteran's medical needs. The money covers food, laundry, transportation and other necessities.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/03/30/health/main4903189.shtml?source=RSSattr=Health_4903189">VA Offers Long-Term Care At Foster Homes - CBS News</a></p> <p><strong><u><font size="1">Related VA Reading:</font></u></strong></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/03/white-house-makes-correct-decision-on.html"><font size="1">White House Makes Correct Decision On Veterans Insurance Proposal for Using Private Insurance</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/government-accounting-office-says-dod.html"><font size="1">Government Accounting Office says DOD and VA need better strategic planning for EHR Interoperability</font></a></h4> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:e0bb4026-c513-4a93-8147-82ccb91bcee4" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Veterans+Administration" rel="tag">Veterans Administration</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/VA" rel="tag">VA</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/nursing+homes" rel="tag">nursing homes</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/foster+care" rel="tag">foster care</a></div>

VA Offers Long-Term Care At Foster Homes in Florida

This is  new concept being tried in Florida and perhaps could work well with a good match of families and the veteran, as there’s nothing w...

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Microsoft Amalga Hospital Information System at Bumrungrad International Hospital

<p>A while back I had the pleasure of speaking with <strong><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/steve-shihadeh-vp-microsoft-health.html">Steve Shihadeh, vice president, Microsoft Health Solutions Group</a></strong> and we talked about the varied <img align="right" height="54" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SYJYnoVzJfI/AAAAAAAAOMw/irGNufxD8-k/image%5B5%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="152" />solutions of Amalga.  Here in the United States, the focus is providing their aggregated data system, in other words making use of what is already in place and building.  </p> <p>Outside the US, many places are starting from the ground up with limited or no data systems in place and the hospital in Bumrungrad is one example.  The first video below shows the Amalga system at work, a full hospital records system.  </p> <p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:be967aea-f424-436e-818b-b008911976cc" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="e3fbd4ec-29e0-4439-b444-8fbdd3c263bd" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdXQEvPLqDw&hl=en&fs=1" target="_new"><img alt="" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('e3fbd4ec-29e0-4439-b444-8fbdd3c263bd'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"341\" height=\"255\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/PdXQEvPLqDw&hl=en&fs=1&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/PdXQEvPLqDw&hl=en&fs=1&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"341\" height=\"255\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SdGJOhY9xeI/AAAAAAAAO64/xQ_9wKEIpZg/video085fbd11f5f5%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none"></a></div></div></div> </p> <p><em><b>“Microsoft Amalga Hospital Information System 2009 . </b>Amalga HIS is a state-of-the-art, fully integrated hospital information system designed for developing and emerging markets. Amalga HIS provides rich integration among a hospital’s front- and back-office modules, giving clinicians and administrators access to information within and across departments. Amalga HIS is built around an electronic medical record with complete patient and bed management, laboratory, pharmacy, radiology information system and picture archiving and communication system (RIS/PACS), pathology, financial accounting, materials management, and human resource systems.”</em></p> <p>This is the second part of the system, the hardware, servers, etc.  The hospital caters to medical tourism patients as you will see by just watching the videos.  One thing you have to say, it’s beautiful building.  BD </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:127a0a9f-614c-4410-be2a-11047e3fa6e8" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="40d02ad6-e09b-435c-8fe1-2a6e8bd3ffd8" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiKbjpudS2E&hl=en&fs=1" target="_new"><img alt="" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('40d02ad6-e09b-435c-8fe1-2a6e8bd3ffd8'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"340\" height=\"255\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/eiKbjpudS2E&hl=en&fs=1&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/eiKbjpudS2E&hl=en&fs=1&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"340\" height=\"255\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SdGJPXK6zEI/AAAAAAAAO68/A0-tTgl5K1Q/video6200684a1276%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none"></a></div></div></div> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdXQEvPLqDw"></a> <p><strong><u>Related Reading:</u></strong></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/hospital-to-implement-new-microsoft.html"><font size="1">Hospital to Implement the New Microsoft Amalga HIS 2009 – Malaysia</font></a></h4> <p><strong><u><font color="#669966" size="1"></font></u></strong></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/steve-shihadeh-vp-microsoft-health.html"><font size="1">Steve Shihadeh, VP Microsoft Health Solutions Group – The Amalga Software Solution for Aggregating Hospital Information (Interview)</font></a></h4> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:6bee0db3-de12-4f00-bf38-3266f046e5d4" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Amalga" rel="tag">Amalga</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Microsoft" rel="tag">Microsoft</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/heatlhcare" rel="tag">heatlhcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Aggregated+hospital+data" rel="tag">Aggregated hospital data</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Health+IT" rel="tag">Health IT</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/HealthVault" rel="tag">HealthVault</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Steve+Shihadeh" rel="tag">Steve Shihadeh</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Bumrungrad+International+Hospital" rel="tag">Bumrungrad International Hospital</a></div>

Microsoft Amalga Hospital Information System at Bumrungrad International Hospital

A while back I had the pleasure of speaking with Steve Shihadeh, vice president, Microsoft Health Solutions Group and we talked about the v...

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Allergan Announces the Latisse Make a Wish Campaign

<p> The Make a Wish Foundation is a great charity and nice that there’s more money coming in through donations.   I watched the video with the<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/STq0idZ2b2I/AAAAAAAANgg/n2dXQahI420/s1600-h/image%5B3%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="103" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/STq0jFO03jI/AAAAAAAANgk/MyxpIm7aFyk/image_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" title="image" width="141" /></a> announcement of the Latisse prescription drug to create longer eyelashes and it looked liked a miniature red carpet event for the Oscars, not even really looking at lashes but focused on the dresses they wore and chit chat conversations for most of the video, just somewhat different or odd.  </p> <p>We get longer eye lashes and enroll in LashPerks, and Make a Wish benefits it appears.   Blowing on an eyelash and making a wish is the theme.  BD  </p> <h5><strong><u>From the website:</u></strong></h5> <p><em>“For every person who registers for our rewards program LATISSE™ LashPerks, from now through December 31, 2009, Allergan will contribute an additional $5 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, up to $500,000. Best of all, your participation will help grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions in your community.”</em></p> <blockquote> <p>(IRVINE, Calif., March 27, 2009) /PRNewswire/ — Allergan, Inc. (NYSE: AGN) hosted a star-studded event last night in Hollywood to launch <a href="http://www.latisse.com/"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="122" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SdGD80eWVRI/AAAAAAAAO60/8lMyw_MgSNQ/image%5B5%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="181" /></a><em>LATISSE^™ Wishes</em>, a charitable public awareness campaign designed to help make wishes come true. Actress Brooke Shields and beauty expert to the stars Anastasia Soare will lead the campaign to generate $1 million to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to granting the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. </p> <p>The <em>LATISSE^™ Wishes</em> campaign was borne out of the tradition of blowing on an eyelash to make a wish come true and leverages the excitement surrounding the availability of <strong><a href="http://www.latisse.com/">Allergan's LATISSE™</a></strong> (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.03%, the first and only science-based prescription treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for hypotrichosis of the eyelashes (inadequate or not enough lashes) that is used to grow eyelashes, making them longer, fuller and darker.</p> <p>With the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants a wish every 40 minutes and has granted more than 174,000 wishes in the United States since its inception. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit <a href="http://wish.org">wish.org</a> and discover how you can <em>share the power of a wish</em>^®.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/allergan/37440/">ALLERGAN ANNOUNCES THE LATISSE™ WISHES CAMPAIGN, COMMITTING $1 MILLION TO THE MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION® | With Video</a></p> <p><strong><u><font size="1">Related Reading:</font></u></strong></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/12/eyelash-enhancement-drug-discussion.html"><font size="1">Eyelash enhancement Drug Discussion continues</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/09/allergan-headache-relief.html"><font size="1">Allergan - Headache relief</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/09/prostate-study-seeks-subjects-to-test.html"><font size="1">Prostate study seeks subjects to test Botox - London</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/03/allergan-and-j-pump-up-weight-loss.html"><font size="1">Allergan and J&J Pump Up Weight-Loss Surgery</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2007/10/fda-approves-allergan-combo-eye-drop.html"><font size="1">FDA Approves Allergan Combo Eye Drop for Glaucoma</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2007/10/allergan-buys-espirit-pharma.html"><font size="1">Allergan Buys Espirit Pharma</font></a></h4> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:ca2d24ae-bdef-4e3c-8b8b-c6a56620f421" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Allergan" rel="tag">Allergan</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/eyelashes" rel="tag">eyelashes</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Make+a+Wish" rel="tag">Make a Wish</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/charity" rel="tag">charity</a></div>

Allergan Announces the Latisse Make a Wish Campaign

The Make a Wish Foundation is a great charity and nice that there’s more money coming in through donations.   I watched the video with the ...

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Phthalates to be removed from Household Products

<p> What we are finding out today about additives, as there is also a big move on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisphenol_A">Bisphenol A</a> (BPA) as well, which appears to be a much more threatening product as it mimics estrogen.  The last thing we want is additional plastics proteins (grin).  We want the real thing.<a href="http://www.scjohnson.com/"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="80" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SdF_OkebouI/AAAAAAAAO6w/sx6V5PSvrd8/image%5B6%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="220" /></a></p> <p>In all seriousness, it is amazing the intelligence we have created in the last few years to determine abandoning the use of some.  It’s too late for me at this point with Windex I’m afraid, have used it all my life.  One thing both product additives seem to have in common though is a disturbance in the hormone area.  BD   </p> <blockquote> <p>A top manufacturer of <a href="http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=non-toxic-detergents">household cleaners</a> announced plans yesterday to eliminate a controversial plastics additive from its brand and voluntarily disclose all product ingredients. <br />S.C. Johnson – maker of Windex, Shout and Glade – said that it has begun working with its suppliers to end the use of phthalates, which soften plastics. <br />The move comes as lawmakers are debating regulations for many industrial chemicals as research suggests potentially serious health impacts. <a href="http://www.sciam.com/blog/60-second-science/post.cfm?id=scientists-urge-epa-to-assess-poten-2008-12-18">Phthalates</a>, for example, interfere with hormones and have been linked to genetic <a href="http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=analyze-risks-of-phthalates-together">abnormalities in baby boys</a>.</p> <p>Environmentalists and public-health advocates say that even if the science is not conclusive, there is enough uncertainty to warrant action. <br />S.C. Johnson also pledged to list all ingredients, including dyes, preservatives and fragrance ingredients – a first in the industry.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=johnson-halts-phthalates">S. C. Johnson to Cleanse Phthalates from Their Household Products: Scientific American</a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:e25be9d6-e276-4eca-9148-8405d2a64041" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Phthalates" rel="tag">Phthalates</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/BPA" rel="tag">BPA</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/SC+Johnson" rel="tag">SC Johnson</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/household+cleaners" rel="tag">household cleaners</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/plastics" rel="tag">plastics</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/hormones" rel="tag">hormones</a></div>

Phthalates to be removed from Household Products

What we are finding out today about additives, as there is also a big move on Bisphenol A (BPA) as well, which appears to be a much more t...

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Chinese Lawsuit Claims Toxins in American Products from Johnson and Johnson

<p> This is a switch from what has occurred in the recent past, however, there are many questions and doubts from many sides of the potential class action lawsuit.  2 Chinese agencies also tested products and found no formaldehyde.  The FEMA trailers after the hurricane gave everyone an education on that product and again, none was found in tests.  The suit centers around allergic reactions allegedly suffered from the use of selected products.  My number one concern though would still be the milk and melamine though as that is consumed.  BD  </p> <blockquote> <p>In a reversal of a now-familiar pattern, a group of Chinese families is preparing to file suit against American manufacturer Johnson & Johnson, claiming that the company imported contaminated products into China, causing their children to suffer allergic symptoms.<img align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/DucknetServices/SPTkta8SX4I/AAAAAAAAJgQ/rmgJw_HEhXY/image_thumb[1].png?imgmax=800" style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" /> </p> <p>The suit follows a report from American non-profit group Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CFSC), which recently reported toxins in American-made bath products. The group reportedly found formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane in Johnson & Johnson's baby shampoo and Procter & Gamble's Kandoo hand wash. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists both chemicals as possible carcinogens, and lists formaldehyde as a chemical with no safe level of exposure, meaning that even the smallest amount poses a risk to human health. Both chemicals are direct results of the manufacturing process and aren't listed on the ingredients label.</p> <p>Johnson & Johnson is not considering a recall, citing past FDA findings that formaldehyde does not pose an appreciable risk if kept at a low level. <strong>The company blamed "false suspicions" for the uproar and the resulting lawsuit.</strong></p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/03/toxic_baths03.html">Chinese Lawsuit Claims Toxins in American Soap, Shampoo</a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:b91cae3c-cba5-4ef1-94e9-9ca08cd330b9" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/FDA" rel="tag">FDA</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/allergic+reaction" rel="tag">allergic reaction</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/China" rel="tag">China</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcrare" rel="tag">healthcrare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/tainted+products" rel="tag">tainted products</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Johnson+and+Johnson" rel="tag">Johnson and Johnson</a></div>

Chinese Lawsuit Claims Toxins in American Products from Johnson and Johnson

This is a switch from what has occurred in the recent past, however, there are many questions and doubts from many sides of the potential c...

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Hospitals Like to Twitter - now the #1 Social Network Preferred by Hospitals

<p></p> <p>Ed Bennett has done a remarkable job here compiling all the results for us.  Twitter, of all the social networks takes the cake.  You can visit the site for additional information and possibly even find a Twitter link for your hospital here, the list is pretty complete.  Thanks for all the analytical work!  BD  </p> <p><a href="http://ebennett.org/hsnl">The list</a> now tracks <strong>215</strong> hospitals, with following usage:</p> <blockquote> <ul> <p><strong>U.S. Hospitals that use Social Networking tools: </strong></p> <ul></ul> <li> <p><strong>214 Hospitals total</strong> </p> </li> <li> <p><strong>126 YouTube Channels</strong> </p> </li> <li> <p><strong>82 Facebook pages</strong> </p> </li> <li> <p><strong>128 Twitter Accounts</strong> </p> </li> <li> <p><strong>23 Blogs</strong> </p> </li> </ul> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SdF37VQLC4I/AAAAAAAAO6o/cTEM8KQ0p88/s1600-h/image%5B4%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="252" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SdF38jzum2I/AAAAAAAAO6s/_wyBWBmHPF8/image_thumb%5B2%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="374" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://ebennett.org/hsnl/">Hospital Social Network List</a></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:c499ef06-eba2-41d2-94d7-a9f091486ffe" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Social+Networks" rel="tag">Social Networks</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Hospitals" rel="tag">Hospitals</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Twitter" rel="tag">Twitter</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/YouTube" rel="tag">YouTube</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Facebook" rel="tag">Facebook</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Blogs" rel="tag">Blogs</a></div>

Hospitals Like to Twitter - now the #1 Social Network Preferred by Hospitals

Ed Bennett has done a remarkable job here compiling all the results for us.  Twitter, of all the social networks takes the cake.  You can ...

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Conficker and Malware covered by CBS 60 Minutes

<p> 60 Minutes take a look at compute viruses, especially Conficker that has an April 1st scheduled release.  The video offers some good sense tips and shows what the anti-virus companies are doing to offer assistance and hopefully get rid of it.  CBS even found the virus on their own internal network.  BD  </p> <p>I also found some <a href="http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Security/Stopping-Conficker-The-Tools-Youll-Need--633629/">help at this site as well.</a>  There are web based scans to help identify and remove.  BD  </p> <blockquote> <p>CBS 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4901282n">reports</a> on computer viruses that propagate on the Internet and infect PCs, which enable their creators — often called “cyber gangs” — to learn the information they need to electronically rob bank accounts.</p> <embed src="http://www.cbs.com/thunder/swf30can10cbsnews/rcpHolderCbs-3-4x3.swf" FlashVars="link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ecbsnews%2Ecom%2Fvideo%2Fwatch%2F%3Fid%3D4901282n&partner=news&vert=News&autoPlayVid=false&releaseURL=http://release.theplatform.com/content.select?pid=s6zQn6Q1bsoQGPxamor6flIhLn1jxsVJ&name=cbsPlayer&allowScriptAccess=always&wmode=transparent&embedded=y&scale=noscale&rv=n&salign=tl" allowFullScreen="true" width="325" height="224" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=3036">CBS 60 Minutes covers Conficker, malware epidemic | Zero Day | ZDNet.com</a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:b365af55-b2d9-447a-87ed-df6adbe53e47" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Conficker" rel="tag">Conficker</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/60+minutes.+virus+protection" rel="tag">60 minutes. virus protection</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/virus" rel="tag">virus</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/anti-virus" rel="tag">anti-virus</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/computer+virsues" rel="tag">computer virsues</a></div>

Conficker and Malware covered by CBS 60 Minutes

60 Minutes take a look at compute viruses, especially Conficker that has an April 1st scheduled release.  The video offers some good sense ...

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Medical Quack on the Web this week…March 30, 2009

<p> Thanks to the Chicago Sun Times for featuring this week’s news about the AMA filing suit in reference to the Ingenix Inquiry.  Senate hearings are scheduled this week to further investigate.  Related reading links offers additional information at the end of the post.  BD</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://www.suntimes.com/news/blogentries/index.html?bbPostId=BAfMYODD5A1mB4i22hiR9pHlBC1rTWT6lFdwA3KnZU9t4W4"><img alt="image" border="0" height="211" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SdELzVmofnI/AAAAAAAAO6k/EFQkshkNmaI/image48%5B2%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="393" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://www.suntimes.com/news/blogentries/index.html?bbPostId=BAfMYODD5A1mB4i22hiR9pHlBC1rTWT6lFdwA3KnZU9t4W4">http://www.suntimes.com/news/blogentries/index.html?bbPostId=BAfMYODD5A1mB4i22hiR9pHlBC1rTWT6lFdwA3KnZU9t4W4</a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:19b4c2d4-3c01-49e8-84a8-fe9815cb8012" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Chicago+Sun+Times" rel="tag">Chicago Sun Times</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Medical+Quack" rel="tag">Medical Quack</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Ingenix" rel="tag">Ingenix</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/WellPoint" rel="tag">WellPoint</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/balance+billing" rel="tag">balance billing</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/business+intelligence" rel="tag">business intelligence</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/health+insurance" rel="tag">health insurance</a></div>

Medical Quack on the Web this week…March 30, 2009

Thanks to the Chicago Sun Times for featuring this week’s news about the AMA filing suit in reference to the Ingenix Inquiry.  Senate heari...

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The Oprah Show – Dr. Oz Explores and Explains Regenerative Medicine

<p>Not too long ago I had the opportunity to interview <strong>Mark Bleyer, President of Cook Biotech and Mike Hiles, Ph.D., VP of Research and Lead <img align="right" height="85" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/DucknetServices/SBnmSS6ALsI/AAAAAAAAGDE/1gJqO6vreFI/image_thumb[1].png?imgmax=800" style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" width="136" />Research </strong>Scientist at Cook Biotech.  </p> <p><u>We talked about exactly some of the same things</u> shown here by Dr. Oz.  The product is called Biodesign from Cook Medical.    She had the man who’s finger grew back with pixie dust on the show.  </p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/03/regenerative-medicine-and-how-it-works.html">Regenerative Medicine and How it Works – Interview with Cook Biotech (Medical)</a></h4> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SdB8Io-VGdI/AAAAAAAAO6U/FcifnJuvU0s/s1600-h/image%5B7%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="224" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SdB8L6TiNKI/AAAAAAAAO6Y/Z77G_9pcHwQ/image_thumb%5B3%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="image" width="307" /></a> </p> <p>The pixie dust, originally posted here months back.  </p> <p>Watch the video at the link from this year’s TED presentation, Allen Russell from the University of Pittsburgh.  </p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/regenerative-medicine-material-and-cell.html">Regenerative Medicine – Material and Cell Based Regeneration of the Human Body</a></h4> <p><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/regenerative-medicine-material-and-cell.html"><img height="136" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SYe-sHvyRcI/AAAAAAAAOPU/ZTg51pp2rm8/image_thumb[1].png?imgmax=800" width="196" /></a> </p> <p>Back to Oprah and Dr. Oz, watch this fascinating tour of a a lab growing body parts from stem cells.  </p> <p><a href="http://www.oprah.com/media/20090305b_tows_tissue-regenerate-video">Dr. Oz Visits a regenerative medicine lab in Wake Forest</a></p> <p>This is a picture of a bladder grown from the patient’s own stem cells and being implanted with surgery.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SdB8SY7J_QI/AAAAAAAAO6c/uer-hczfzBQ/s1600-h/image%5B8%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="158" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SdB8Vj55d3I/AAAAAAAAO6g/YkHoIOK2ezs/image_thumb%5B4%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="image" width="233" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p><strong></strong></p> Thanks to advances in science and technology, Dr. Oz says people will one day be able to live longer, healthier lives. Dr. Oz says Wake Forest University is home of one of the country's foremost tissue regeneration labs. "These are technologies that fascinate me because they could add decades to our life," he says. <br />What is regenerative medicine? Dr. Anthony Atala, director of Wake Forest's program, says his team is working to <strong>create cells, tissues and organs for patients who may need them. </strong>"Right now, of course, we have a limited life span because your parts are breaking down," he says. "But imagine a time in the future when, once those parts start breaking down, you can just plug a new one right in." <p></p> <p><a href="http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahshow/20090305-tows-oz-live-longer">Dr. Oz on Innovations in Regenerative Medicine - Oprah.com</a></p> <p>If you didn’t get enough here, check out the links below for more information on both Cook Medical and Stem Cells.  BD  </p> <p><strong><u>Related Reading – Cook Medical</u></strong></p> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/cook-medical-announced-new-strategic.html">Cook Medical Announced the new Strategic Business Unit – Interventional Radiology</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/01/cook-medical-unveils-microwires-to.html">Cook Medical Unveils MicroWires to support Leg Therapy - Peripheral Arterial Disease</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/12/interview-with-bart-e-muhs-md-yale.html">Interview with Bart E. Muhs, M.D., Yale School of Medicine – Aneurysm Repair Surgery</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/11/cook-medical-still-growing.html">Cook's Medical still growing</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/08/catheter-related-bloodstream-infections.html">Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections - Interview</a></h6> <p><strong><u>Related Reading for Stem Cells</u></strong></p> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/01/fda-oks-first-human-trials-of-embryonic.html">FDA OKs First Human Trials of Embryonic Stem Cells – Geron Biotech</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/11/heartbeat-of-new-industry-stem-cell.html">Heartbeat of a new industry – Stem Cell Storage Banks</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/11/doctors-transplant-windpipe-with-stem.html">Doctors transplant windpipe with stem cells</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/10/prostate-gland-grown-from-stem-cell-but.html">Prostate Gland grown from stem cell - But Who Would Want One?</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/10/testicles-could-be-new-source-of-stem.html">Testicles Could Be New Source Of Stem Cells – Stem Cells for Males only</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/10/75-million-dollar-donation-to-create.html">75 Million Dollar Donation To Create Nation's Largest Stem Cell Research Center At Stanford</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/09/injections-of-hope-stem-cells-on-run.html">Injections of Hope - Stem Cells on the Run outside the US</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/08/stem-cells-and-breast-surgery.html">Stem Cells and Breast Surgery</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/07/i-have-stem-cells-in-my-bellyharvesting.html">I have stem cells in my belly…harvesting fat..</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/06/eyecyte-inc-secures-funding-from-pfizer.html">EyeCyte, Inc. Secures Funding From Pfizer</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/06/canada-and-australia-to-help-california.html">Canada and Australia to help California Stem Cell Efforts</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/06/footballer-wives-breasts-made-using.html">Footballer's Wives Breasts Made Using Stem Cells – The Evolving World of Plastic Surgery…</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/05/pre-clinical-data-demonstrate-ability.html">Pre-clinical Data Demonstrate Ability To Regenerate An Entire Bladder</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/05/university-of-southern-california.html">University Of Southern California Receives Nearly $27 Million In Funding For New Stem Cell Research Facility</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/04/menstrual-blood-valuable-source-of.html">Menstrual blood -- a valuable source of multipotential stem cells?</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/04/us-military-to-take-lead-in-tissue.html">U.S. military to take the lead in tissue regeneration research</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/04/technique-developed-at-stanford-enables.html">Technique Developed At Stanford Enables Creation Of Cancer Stem Cells</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/03/tapping-into-code-of-life-with-science.html">Tapping Into the Code of Life With Science - Some of this is here today...not science fiction...medical technology is on the rise...</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/03/cloned-cells-bring-hope-of-therapy-for.html">Cloned cells bring hope of therapy for Parkinson’s disease</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/02/sperm-made-from-female-stem-cells-all.html">Sperm Made from Female Stem Cells- All Female Baby Possible</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2007/11/startling-stem-cell-breakthrough-no.html">Startling Stem Cell Breakthrough: No Embryos Required</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2007/04/british-scientist-grow-human-heart.html">British scientist grow human heart valve from stem cells</a></h6> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:2bba4201-6a7e-43bd-9c0f-bea20b9b2d76" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Regenerative+medicine" rel="tag">Regenerative medicine</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Oprah" rel="tag">Oprah</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Cook+medical" rel="tag">Cook medical</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/stem+cells" rel="tag">stem cells</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/medical+technology" rel="tag">medical technology</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/scienceRoll" rel="tag">scienceRoll</a></div>

The Oprah Show – Dr. Oz Explores and Explains Regenerative Medicine

Not too long ago I had the opportunity to interview Mark Bleyer, President of Cook Biotech and Mike Hiles, Ph.D., VP of Research and Lead Re...

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Happy Doctor’s Day!

<p>Thanks to all the doctors who stop by here and if you have anything to celebrate, this might be the day to do it, or to collect a bunch of red<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SdA2pY-jbRI/AAAAAAAAO6I/8pRd1Q0PlWY/s1600-h/image%5B6%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="159" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SdA1esWT4hI/AAAAAAAAO6M/VajXrC3bSCk/image_thumb%5B5%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="104" /></a> carnations!   Every year, March 30th is National Doctor's Day...yes they do have a day of their own!  Say thanks to your physician today for his continued care for your health...it is red carnation day! </p> <p>The American Medical Association (AMA) honors the more than 900,000 physicians in the<strong> U.S. on National Doctor's Day,</strong> March 30, for their commitment to the nation's  health. On this day of tribute, Americans can express appreciation for physicians' continued commitment to providing exceptional medical care.<strong>  The red carnation has become the symbol of Doctor's Day because it denotes the qualities of love, charity, sacrifice, bravery, and courage.</strong></p> <p><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/03/celebrate-national-doctors-day.html">The Medical Quack: Celebrate National Doctors' Day</a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:13f9cda7-4699-41e3-97f5-b3ffef31252c" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/doctor" rel="tag">doctor</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/doctor's+day" rel="tag">doctor's day</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/national+doctor's+day" rel="tag">national doctor's day</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/AMA" rel="tag">AMA</a></div>

Happy Doctor’s Day!

Thanks to all the doctors who stop by here and if you have anything to celebrate, this might be the day to do it, or to collect a bunch of r...

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DuraHeart Implantable Pump – Beginning Clinical Trials

<p> This is an implantable mechanical pump for the heart.  It is currently under clinical trials here in the US and has been approved for use in Europe.  <a href="http://www.terumoheart.com/duraheart/howLvas.aspx"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="334" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SdAxXLabh2I/AAAAAAAAO50/svTHhlF4A-s/image%5B18%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="361" /></a></p> <p>This is not a small implant with everything contained as an individual needs to carry a unit as well.  The batteries only last a bit over 3 hours, but you can plug yourself in and use AC power as well.  LVAS, new term for me, left ventricular Assist System.  </p> <blockquote> <p>The DuraHeart® <a href="http://www.terumoheart.com/Patients/lvas.aspx">Left Ventricular Assist System (LVAS) </a>is one of a new generation of devices designed for long-term patient support. This new technology is designed to decrease complications such as strokes, infection and mechanical failures that are associated with mechanical circulatory assist devices. </p> <p>With its unique design and technology, the DuraHeart LVAS assists the left side of the heart in pumping blood and improving circulation throughout the body. It combines <a href="http://www.terumoheart.com/DuraHeart/tech_glossary.asp#centrifugal">centrifugal pump </a>with <a href="http://www.terumoheart.com/DuraHeart/tech_glossary.asp#magnetic">magnetic-levitation </a>technologies addressing problems associated with friction, mechanical wear and injury to blood cells. </p> <p>The <a href="http://www.terumoheart.com/DuraHeart/lvas.aspx">DuraHeart® LVAS</a> helps the left ventricle pump oxygenated blood throughout the body. Since a failing heart cannot pump enough blood out to the body, the DuraHeart takes over the additional work. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SdAxatbAv-I/AAAAAAAAO54/ey10dRx7QPA/s1600-h/image%5B17%5D.png"><img align="left" alt="image" border="0" height="119" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SdAxcoMLzHI/AAAAAAAAO58/UZrKbcIz9wY/image_thumb%5B13%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="124" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>When the pump is activated, the impeller position is precisely controlled by the electromagnetics and sensors to keep it centered within the blood chamber. Permanent magnets attract the impeller to the motor so when the motor spins, it causes the impeller to rotate and pump blood from the heart to the body.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20090329/BUSINESS06/903290406/1019/BUSINESS06/Medical+firms+keep+developing+devices">Medical firms keep developing devices | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press</a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:6b1787b5-aa44-4dfc-8848-4fa2b0e55713" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Cardiology" rel="tag">Cardiology</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Implants" rel="tag">Implants</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/technology" rel="tag">technology</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/left+ventrical" rel="tag">left ventrical</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/heart" rel="tag">heart</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/medical+devices" rel="tag">medical devices</a></div>

DuraHeart Implantable Pump – Beginning Clinical Trials

This is an implantable mechanical pump for the heart.  It is currently under clinical trials here in the US and has been approved for use i...

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Sun and Teva Announces Approval and Launch of Generic Topamax Tablets

<p> Add 2 more generic companies to the list for Topamax equivalents, Mylan was already there, so there should be plenty of Topamax to go around and everyone wants a share of the revenue here it sounds like.  BD  </p> <blockquote> <p>JERUSALEM--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 27, 2009 - <a href="http://www.pharmalive.com/News/Index.cfm?articleid=615050">Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.</a> (Nasdaq: TEVA) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted approval for the Company's Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) to market its generic version for Ortho-McNeil's anticonvulsant Topamax® (Topiramate) Tablets, 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg and 200 mg. Shipment of this product has commenced. </p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p>MUMBAI (Reuters) - Indian drug firm <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE52S09820090329">Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd</a> said it had received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to sell topiramate tablets.</p> <p><strong>Annual sales of Topamax® were approximately $2.4 billion in the United States for the twelve months that ended December 30, 2008, based on IMS sales data.</strong></p> </blockquote> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:dc387822-32c4-4645-99db-42e44c0c24bd" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/generic+drugs" rel="tag">generic drugs</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Topamax" rel="tag">Topamax</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/FDA" rel="tag">FDA</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/heatlhcare" rel="tag">heatlhcare</a></div>

Sun and Teva Announces Approval and Launch of Generic Topamax Tablets

Add 2 more generic companies to the list for Topamax equivalents, Mylan was already there, so there should be plenty of Topamax to go aroun...

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Health Insurance Underwriting procedures – Data Mining to Cherry Pick and some are listed on the Web

<p>With the <strong>Ingenix</strong> story in the news the last few weeks, there are a couple of other data sources out there that are used to mine your medication and health records data. <strong>Part of the reason that is is all coming to light is due to the fact the data is now trying to be used in a constructive basis,</strong> for <strong>good healthcare</strong> and with all of this comes out what’s being going on somewhat behind the scenes for years.  The data bases have been sold for years for risk management purposes and do not fall under HIPAA. </p> <p><a href="http://www.rxhistories.com/">Milliman's Intelliscript</a> or <a href="http://www.ingenix.com/Products/Payers/UnderwritingActuarial/UnderwritingActuarialSolutions/MedPointPrescriptionProfiling/">Ingenix Medpoint</a> are the 2 big data miners that find out when you apply for health insurance what your <strong>medication rap sheet</strong> has been for the last 5 years.  By applying for insurance, you sign a release to allow the companies to mine the information, no signature and permission, then probably no insurance will be written for you; however, the release you sign is HIPAA compliant, whatever that constitutes at this point.   <img align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/DucknetServices/SNnMIENi-nI/AAAAAAAAJHQ/Qk-jN3FSgVM/image_thumb[1].png?imgmax=800" style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" /> </p> <p>It was not until recently when the FTC investigated and stated that both companies need to provide a copy of the analysis they provided to the insurer so you could see how your medications were analyzed and if you were in the <strong>“red”, “yellow’ or “green”</strong>zone, just like a stoplight.  Of course anyone taking <strong>cancer drugs</strong> sticks out like a sore thumb, so anyone taking some of the drugs will be scrutinized.  In today’s economy, work for a company that went bankrupt, no cobra available and you happened to either have breast or prostate cancer in the last 5 years, WellPoint says you are out of luck.<strong>  This one statement below says everything that is wrong with the health care business, no focus on wellness, just cold hard calculations that say<u> “we don’t care”.</u></strong></p> <p><em>“From a business standpoint, it makes no sense for an insurer to sell a plan with a $200 monthly premium if the company knows that the consumer is taking medications that cost $400 every six months, industry experts said.”</em></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/10/nearly-1-in-6-online-health-insurance.html"><font size="1">Nearly 1 in 6 Online Health Insurance Shoppers Are Uninsurable</font></a></h4> <p><strong>What if you are taking a medication for an off label diagnosis and treatment plan,</strong> try and explain that one!  It may be helping your condition, but by the standards set up, there’s no room for that in the analysis process, you are still grouped in the “labeled” section, which may be much worse than your condition really is. </p> <p>In the real world today we are finding additional uses for drugs that we didn’t know about before, and there’s information almost weekly coming out on this topic, but in the risk management world it doesn’t appear to do you any good.  Now there’s a new one on the street that wants to do the same with labs, <a href="http://www.insuranceandtechguide.com/Realtime-Solutions-Group-cp297031.htm">Realtime Solutions</a> and begin aggregating this data as well.  Shoot, could one abnormal pap smear knock you out of the race here?    </p> <p><em>“HIPAA does not give the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/03/AR2008080302077_2.html">Department of Health and Human Services</a> the ability to directly investigate or hold accountable entities, such as pharmacy benefit managers or companies such as Ingenix and Milliman, who are not covered by HIPAA.”</em></p> <p>So now that we have found a good and healthy resource that can be used for medical records, can we stop the <strong>business intelligence data mining</strong> of pharmacy benefit managers used behind the scenes to deny?  De-identification is not good enough today either in many areas as that has also been in the news of late about how simple matches are being made with queries too.  <strong>Pay cash, buy $4.00 generics and don’t use any of the retail store discount cards is about the only way you can avoid getting in the books.</strong>  <u><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/09/when-pay-for-performance-and-400.html">Your doctor will get hit up on why you are not taking your meds,</a></u> but that’s ok, most of them are used to it by now anyway, they don’t like it, but it’s something they hear on their evaluations relative to pay for performance when those statistics come in, <strong>from the same data bases no less.</strong>    </p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/search-for-john-doe-whos-running.html"><font size="1">The search for John Doe – Who’s running the queries (Algorithms) and wants to know</font></a></h4> <p>There is the MIB that is also another resource used and if there are errors, they need to be corrected in files as well.  I have talked a couple of individuals that have fought for years to get items corrected that are causing them to not be eligible for insurance, one an off label drug use and another from erroneous records submitted years ago and the doctor is now dead, so no chance of getting things rectified there. </p> <p><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/02/governor-blasts-blue-cross-over.html"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/DucknetServices/R7M6XGlNDGI/AAAAAAAAC60/OBPyHkAx-jY/image_thumb%5B1%5D?imgmax=800" /></a></p> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/08/what-is-mib-medical-insurance-bureau.html">What is the MIB - Medical Insurance Bureau - and how does it affect qualifying for insurance?</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/04/how-can-insurance-companies-find-out-if.html">How can insurance companies find out if you have a pre-existing condition - The MIB</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2007/06/health-insurers-show-14-percent.html">Health Insurers Show 14 Percent Increase in Use of MIB Data</a></h6> <p>The video below shows one woman’s plight on trying to get her file at the MIB corrected to no avail.  There are errors everywhere and if we don’t have the opportunity to correct them, the errors are shared in thousands of other data bases too.  </p> <p><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f8/1418520436" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=1683828010&playerId=1418520436&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://console.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&domain=embed&autoStart=false&" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="286" height="262" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></p> <p>Well this is the summary for today relative to <strong>business intelligence and privacy.</strong>  Business intelligence here sure seems to have the upper hand and relates to cost only and hopefully we can get some better business intelligence awareness in Congress soon.  Perhaps it’s about time we quit putting price tags on illness and focus more with the responsibility of finding cures.  I think we have about hit bottom here with passing the buck on who’s going to pay and what.  Time for some new business models that don't’ dissect each individual on their current health at all points, education instead of greed would go along way.  BD   </p> <blockquote> <p>Trying to buy health insurance on your own and have gallstones? You'll automatically be denied coverage. Rheumatoid arthritis? Automatic denial. Severe acne? Probably denied. Do you take metformin, a popular drug for diabetes? Denied. Use the anti-clotting drug Plavix or Seroquel, prescribed for anti-psychotic or sleep problems? Forget about it.</p> <p>This confidential information on some insurers' practices is available on the Web — if you know where to look.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/DucknetServices/SM3HI3H3cuI/AAAAAAAAI9Y/h7oipKKB3Ik/s1600-h/image%5B3%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="152" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/DucknetServices/SM3HKNgxMPI/AAAAAAAAI9c/QynGOM4upmA/image_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="153" /></a></p> <p>What's more, you can discover that if you lie to an insurer about your medical history and drug use, you will be rejected because data-mining companies sell information to insurers about your health, including detailed usage of prescription drugs.</p> <p>For cancer, the key is how patients have been doing in remission. Wellpoint, a national insurer, rejects applicants who have had breast or prostate cancer within the past five years. With other types of cancer, 10 years must have passed. Assurant Health, based in Milwaukee, rejects most patients whose cancer has not been in remission for at least eight years.  If one were taking  the highest dose of the cholesterol-reducing drug Zocor for 18 months, they sell this as a plus for not needing a blood test, well those are pretty much standard today.  </p> <p>Other reasons for automatic denial by various companies: alcohol-related problems of people who have not been abstinent for at least six years, chronic bronchitis, severe migraines, and a cardiac pacemaker installed within the last two years.</p> <p>Some insurers will automatically reject applicants who are using certain prescription drugs. Wellpoint denies anyone who within the past year has taken Abilify and Zyprexa for mental disorders as well as Neupogen, which is used to treat the side effects of chemotherapy. Vista lists the anticoagulant Warfarin and the pain medication Oxycontin. Both companies list insulin.</p> <p>Intelliscript and Medpoint do computerized searches of a person's drug use, gleaned from pharmacy benefits managers and other databases. The two companies say they comply with privacy laws. ''Ingenix requires each Medpoint client to obtain the authorization of the individual applicant or insured person,'' said Ingenix spokeswoman Karin Olson.</p> <p><strong>Last year, the Federal Trade Commission accused both companies of violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act by not offering to provide consumers with information about them. The companies agreed to settlements in which they promised to let people see their personal information.</strong></p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/state/epaper/2009/03/29/0329meds.html">Insurers shun those taking certain meds</a></p> <p><strong><u>Related Reading:</u></strong></p> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/03/ama-and-california-medical-association.html">The AMA and the California Medical Association file legal suit – WellPoint and Ingenix</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/03/ingenix-publishes-episode-treatment.html">Ingenix Publishes Episode Treatment Groups Methodology – Recreating themselves?</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/search-for-john-doe-whos-running.html">The search for John Doe – Who’s running the queries (Algorithms) and wants to know</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/andrew-cuomo-you-have-to-like-this-guy.html">Andrew Cuomo – You Have to Like This Guy – Healthcare Reform</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/11/prescriptions-risk-score-used-to-deny.html">Prescriptions risk score used to deny health insurance</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/cigna-and-aetna-face-lawsuit-ama.html">Cigna and Aetna face lawsuit – AMA joining the the cause on payment issues</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/08/prescription-data-used-to-assess.html">Prescription Data Used To Assess Consumers - No Privacy Unless You Pay Cash...</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/americans-with-cancer-and-insurance.html">Americans with Cancer and Insurance Still not able to afford treatments</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/08/what-is-mib-medical-insurance-bureau.html">What is the MIB - Medical Insurance Bureau - and how does it affect qualifying for insurance?</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/01/health-insurance-reserves-how-much-is.html">Health Insurance Reserves – How much is in the till, could it be 1 or 2 trillion nationwide?</a></h6> <h6></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/12/future-day-of-going-to-doctor.html"></a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/12/health-plans-offer-comprehensive-reform.html">Health Care Insurers Suggest Algorithms and Business Intelligence solutions to provide health insurance solution</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/01/health-insurer-accused-of-overcharging.html">Health insurer accused of overcharging millions – United Health Care/Oxford Insurance 50 Million Fine</a></h6> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:74a9cf7b-8e6a-4113-9a59-b42fffa68eac" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Insurance" rel="tag">Insurance</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/HealthCare" rel="tag">HealthCare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/fines" rel="tag">fines</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/overcharges" rel="tag">overcharges</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Inginex" rel="tag">Inginex</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/algorithms" rel="tag">algorithms</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/formulas" rel="tag">formulas</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/AMA" rel="tag">AMA</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/United+HealthCare" rel="tag">United HealthCare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Andrew+Cuomo" rel="tag">Andrew Cuomo</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Wellpoint" rel="tag">Wellpoint</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Blue+Cross" rel="tag">Blue Cross</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Senate+Hearings" rel="tag">Senate Hearings</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Intelliscript" rel="tag">Intelliscript</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Medpoint" rel="tag">Medpoint</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Ingenix" rel="tag">Ingenix</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/business+intelligence" rel="tag">business intelligence</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/data+mining" rel="tag">data mining</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/MIB" rel="tag">MIB</a></div>

Health Insurance Underwriting procedures – Data Mining to Cherry Pick and some are listed on the Web

With the Ingenix story in the news the last few weeks, there are a couple of other data sources out there that are used to mine your medica...

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Medical Transcription Jobs Not Recession Proof – Speech Recognition and Some Outsourcing Moving In

<p> Medical transcription, the target of outsourcing, yes it is happening, but <u>one thing missed</u> in this entire article, which is the real long term threat to <img align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/DucknetServices/SB_Qci6AM-I/AAAAAAAAGQk/cNtI4pLWG50/image_thumb[5].png?imgmax=800" style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" />medical transcribing is <strong>“speech recognition”.</strong>  Between using electronic medical records that organize and simplify patient charts, speech recognition is also widely used, and this in fact cuts out the outsourced  contractor.  It’s not all that simple as there is training required and a learning curve for the physicians. <strong> Some hospitals have already enjoyed some success and are also saving money, plus it’s all in house, nothing over the internet.</strong>  </p> <p>We are now starting to see some web based solutions in this area as far as access.  As noted below, the Veteran’s Hospital in Long Beach has no transcribers.  The entire VA system uses electronic medical records and the system is called Vista, been around for a long time.  </p> <p>Just a couple days ago I wrote about RadWhere from Nuance, <a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/03/radware-from-nuance-brings-speech.html">speech recognition for Radiology.</a>  I think the writer of this article perhaps was not aware of where transcription services were really going.  <strong>I use it to do my blogs!</strong> </p> <p>The <a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/us-army-standardizes-on-nuance-dragon.html">US Army is using it</a> with their medical records.  They <a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/04/voice-recognition-tool-aids-battlefield.html">use it on the battlefield</a> as well.  Their <a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/04/nuance-to-acquire-escriptionsoftware-as.html">e-Scription</a> services allow speech recognition to be loaded on a server.  </p> <p><strong>Speaking of the VA,</strong> in Tennessee <a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/11/veterans-administration-tries-voice.html">they have licensed 750 licenses for</a> Dragon Naturally Speaking and the Los Angeles VA has a <strong>pilot program with 6 regular users working</strong> with speech recognition.  </p> <p>The <a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/08/hospital-subsidies-are-off-to-slow.html">Epic records system at Kaiser</a> uses speech recognition in conjunction with radiology and integration.  Nuance also has this <a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/04/nuance-voicemail-to-text.html">nice little program</a>, voicemail to text from a cell phone.   </p> <p><strong><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/04/dictaphone-links-lab-to-emr.html">At UCLA, another portion of Nuance is used that has HL-7 integration</a></strong>  and links to the EMR.  </p> <p><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/11/speech-recognition-as-cool-technology.html">Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital</a> found a great solution with e-Scription and reduced transcription cost by 50% in Boston.   </p> <p><a href="http://www.healthcareitnews.com/informResults.cms?origin=8952&keywords=Vocada+Inc.">Vocada Veriphy</a>-Ready HL7 Integration Server (VIS), which allows <a href="http://www.healthcareitnews.com/informResults.cms?origin=8952&keywords=Vocada+Inc.">Vocada Veriphy</a>, the company's critical test result management (CTRM) solution, communicate directly with internal diagnostic systems and enterprise-wide clinical information systems. <strong>Critical test results from any internal diagnostic system are thus automatically routed to the ordering physician, populated in the patient record and verified and audited.<a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/search?q=nuance"><img align="right" src="http://lh5.google.com/DucknetServices/R_0InpVdKKI/AAAAAAAAE7U/y-RDej5oYmM/image[9].png?imgmax=800" style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" /></a></strong></p> <p><strong><a href="http://channel9.msdn.com/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=99677">Back in 2005, Dr. Crounse from Microsoft</a> made this video with the Overlake Hospital, at at that time they eliminated all transcription services with speech recognition, so this is nothing that is new but the technology gets better and smarter all the time.  </strong></p> <p>Anyway, as you can see from some of the examples, the fate of the transcriptionists is at the hands ultimately of technology and not really the interim outsourcing contractors being used at present.   This point and the real ultimate fate of what is happening with transcriptions seemed to have been missed here.  BD   </p> <blockquote> <p>LONG BEACH - There's a common perception that jobs in the medical field are high-paying, plentiful and perhaps most attractive in an era of high unemployment, "recession-proof." </p> <p>While that notion may hold true for physicians, nurses and others involved in direct patient care, for back-office workers like Kathie Welch, the reality can be much different. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/DucknetServices/SAjU-TH4q4I/AAAAAAAAFYA/VA-KjpmpVxs/s1600-h/image%5B15%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="216" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/DucknetServices/SAjVADH4q5I/AAAAAAAAFYI/nszN_D5uYig/image_thumb%5B9%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="316" /></a></p> <p>After 30 years as a medical transcriptionist, documenting patient records for doctors, Welch was laid off in September when her employer transferred much of her workload to an office in India. </p> <p>Shocked, she began contacting former employers and co-workers for job leads, but found only part-time work at less than half her previous pay. </p> <p>Outsourcing transcription work abroad - to countries such as India, Pakistan, Philippines and the Caribbean - has grown more popular as transmitting confidential health information over the Internet has become more secure, the the bureau report states. "However, the demand for overseas transcription services is expected only to supplement the demand for well-trained domestic medical transcriptionists." </p> <p>A survey of area hospitals revealed many contract outside agencies to transcribe patient records, though Long Beach Memorial Medical Center has a staff of 38 transcribers on site. </p> <p>The Veterans Affairs Medical Center hospital on Seventh Street doesn't use any transcribers - in-hour or off-site - and instead requires physicians to directly input medical files, said VA spokesman Richard Beam. </p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_12022094?source=rss">Medical jobs may not be as recession-proof as touted - Press-Telegram</a></p> <p><strong><u><font size="1">Related Reading:</font></u></strong></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/03/radware-from-nuance-brings-speech.html"><font size="1">RadWhere from Nuance brings speech recognition to the Radiology Department</font></a></h4> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/05/nuance-radcube-new-business.html">Nuance RadCube - New Business Intelligence for Radiology Announced..</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/nuance-paying-35-million-for.html">Nuance Paying 35 Million for the Acquisition of Zi – Canada</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/05/us-military-embraces-nuance-dragon.html">U.S. Military Embraces Nuance's Dragon NaturallySpeaking Medical to Drive Clinical Documentation with AHLTA</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/01/nuance-and-ibm-to-license-and-integrate.html">Nuance and IBM to license and integrate speech technologies</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/04/nuance-to-buy-escription.html">Nuance to Buy eScription</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/04/nuance-to-acquire-escriptionsoftware-as.html">Nuance to Acquire eScription...software as a service...</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/10/nuance-takes-over-philips-speech.html">Nuance takes over Philips Speech Recognition Systems</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/08/more-than-70000-healthcare-providers.html">More Than 70,000 Healthcare Providers Use Dragon Medical for Voice-Driven Clinical Documentation</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/11/veterans-administration-tries-voice.html">Veterans Administration tries voice-friendly EHRs – Dragon Naturally Speaking</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/04/voice-recognition-tool-aids-battlefield.html">Voice-recognition tool aids battlefield doctors - Nuance Dragon Naturally Speaking</a></h6> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/08/hospital-subsidies-are-off-to-slow.html"><font size="1">Hospital Subsidies Are Off to a Slow Start with Electronic Health Records</font></a></h4> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:b3b63e03-7cae-491d-b24f-39209c764a93" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/medical+transcription" rel="tag">medical transcription</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/speech+recognition" rel="tag">speech recognition</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/technology" rel="tag">technology</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/hospitals" rel="tag">hospitals</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Nuance" rel="tag">Nuance</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dictation" rel="tag">dictation</a></div>

Medical Transcription Jobs Not Recession Proof – Speech Recognition and Some Outsourcing Moving In

Medical transcription, the target of outsourcing, yes it is happening, but one thing missed in this entire article, which is the real long...

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Santa Cruz doctors offer patients e-mail privileges for a fee of $60.00 a year

<p> There are many services as such already around, such as <strong>Relay-Health from McKesson</strong> who provide this type of service, but<strong> for the patients, it is free.</strong>  There are templated screens for medical staff and MDs to use as well, as we all realize it takes time to compose original emails for each answer.  The answers can be anything from an appointment to medical information, so there’s a wide range.  </p> <p>This is the first one I have seen where they want the patient to pay.  As mentioned in the article, hopefully soon Medicare will begin to consider reimbursing a physician for an e-visit, and again that is where the templated formats come in handy to ensure all the elements for an e-visit would be covered.  Something like an appointment change, etc. would be considered as regular business and do not fall under that category.  Portal solutions offered to practices also have a few other screens with related and helpful information included like e-prescribing, and all correspondence is sent and received via SSL secured connections.  </p> <p>Even today, I am surprised to see <strong>physicians still using an unsecured mail system with free web</strong> mail like Yahoo to communicate with patients, which is not secure as most of the free web mail does not encrypt, thus it is also not HIPAA compliant for health related correspondence.  BD</p> <blockquote> <p>SANTA CRUZ -- Would you be willing to pay $60 a year for the privilege of having an online conversation with your doctor?</p> <p>That's what the Santa Cruz Medical Foundation is about to find out.</p> <p>You know how it is when you try to reach a doctor. You call the office, wait in line for the receptionist, explain what you want. Then you wait.</p> <p>Here's how the doctor sees it: An e-mail arrives from the receptionist. The doctor reads the message in between seeing other patients, sends a message to the medical assistant, who calls the patient. It could be 15 minutes or more.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/centralcoast/ci_12022205">Santa Cruz doctors offer patients e-mail privileges for a fee - San Jose Mercury News</a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:1355e0ed-a197-4b82-ada2-efcef4d0f37a" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/doctors" rel="tag">doctors</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/portals" rel="tag">portals</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/email" rel="tag">email</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/patients" rel="tag">patients</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/e-visit" rel="tag">e-visit</a></div>

Santa Cruz doctors offer patients e-mail privileges for a fee of $60.00 a year

There are many services as such already around, such as Relay-Health from McKesson who provide this type of service, but for the patients...

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Bed bugs found at hospital in Ohio

<p>These little parasites find there way to exist everywhere.  BD</p> <blockquote> <p>Bedbugs found in two patient units at <a href="http://www.nationwidechildrens.org/gd/templates/pages/AboutUs/AboutUs.aspx?page=6">Nationwide Children’s Hospital</a> prompted aggressive cleaning and the relocation of patients, <img align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/DucknetServices/SD8mcrF-AOI/AAAAAAAAHSQ/jnU0fqW4rGA/image_thumb[2].png?imgmax=800" style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" /> according to a statement issued by the hospital.  It said the problem, which has been eliminated, was not due to poor sanitation, nor was it a health threat.  Bed bugs are hitchhikers: they <em>come into hospitals</em> with people, and other people may then <em>leave the hospital with bed bugs</em> too.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://bedbugger.com/2009/03/29/bed-bugs-in-two-patient-units-of-a-columbus-ohio-childrens-hospital/">Bed bugs in two patient units of a Columbus, Ohio children’s hospital : Got bed bugs? Bedbugger.com</a></p> <p><strong><u><font size="1">Related Reading:</font></u></strong></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/05/fox-news-worker-sues-over-bedbugs-in-ny.html"><font size="1">Fox News worker sues over bedbugs in NY office</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/05/invasion-of-bedbugs-nyc-commuters.html"><font size="1">The invasion of the Bedbugs - NYC Commuters</font></a></h4> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:d7640d24-987a-464a-afa1-7935645fbdea" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Bed+bugs" rel="tag">Bed bugs</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/hospital" rel="tag">hospital</a></div>

Bed bugs found at hospital in Ohio

These little parasites find there way to exist everywhere.  BD Bedbugs found in two patient units at Nationwide Children’s Hospital pr...

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Free Online Consultation, Health and Medical Records: Webhealthcentre - India

<p>A few months ago I did a post on this service and went back for a revisit here.  One thing new is I noticed is now you can use you Windows Live Id to log on.  As mentioned in my last post, you have the opportunity to upload a diagnostic image as well.  <strong>The services are all free</strong> and an email address is not required to communicate.  First of all, you are encouraged to enter information into a personal health record.  Their services are offered here in the US and several other countries.  </p> <p>One interesting item as well was the page for <a href="http://www.webhealthcentre.com/webhealth/CommunityServices/spiritual_index.aspx">Spiritual Support</a>, something I have not run across before as well as a <a href="http://www.webhealthcentre.com/webhealth/S_altmedicine/reiki/reiki_index.aspx">section devoted to Reiki.</a>  </p> <li><a href="http://www.webhealthcentre.com/webhealth/CommunityServices/christianity.aspx">Christianity</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.webhealthcentre.com/webhealth/CommunityServices/hindu.aspx">Hinduism</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.webhealthcentre.com/webhealth/CommunityServices/islam.aspx">Islam</a></li> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc_edWmocKI/AAAAAAAAO5I/9ZONE2iCrCY/s1600-h/image%5B25%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="111" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc_eeuXMPVI/AAAAAAAAO5M/fjPw9fDzfJc/image_thumb%5B12%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="311" /></a> </p> <p>Again, the one item offered by the site is the fact that everything is free.  When I last wrote about the site, they had over 3 million hits a month.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc_egNCLF7I/AAAAAAAAO5Q/VsUylTFDhPE/s1600-h/image%5B8%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="235" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc_ehSAdd0I/AAAAAAAAO5U/3LrWuVeTDDo/image_thumb%5B3%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="315" /></a> </p> <p>This is what a new consultation inquiry screen looks like.</p> <p><em>“This site is designed, developed and maintained by </em><a href="http://www.tcs.com"><em>Tata Consultancy Services</em></a><em>, Asia's largest software consultancy, in association with some of the region's top medical institutions and professionals.”</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc_ejPAg7RI/AAAAAAAAO5Y/SIpK8ruVj40/s1600-h/image%5B12%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="175" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc_ekWwdkhI/AAAAAAAAO5c/R_2_bPTTrc4/image_thumb%5B5%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="320" /></a> </p> <p>Next, you are presented with a screen to add more information.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc_env_5wqI/AAAAAAAAO5g/p3pDA823e14/s1600-h/image%5B17%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="273" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc_ep_T4tcI/AAAAAAAAO5k/UuwffmEHnlI/image_thumb%5B8%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="325" /></a> </p> <p>From the contact page, I thought it was interesting to see the advertising on the page recommending links for the lowest air fares to India.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc_er-LXWlI/AAAAAAAAO5o/-r-Hck927Xk/s1600-h/image%5B21%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="209" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc_etxNI4fI/AAAAAAAAO5s/lWnuMPDxm0s/image_thumb%5B10%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="324" /></a> </p> <p>The site is one big portal to say the least and encourages inquiries from both patients and physicians.  Again, the one fact that still is somewhat “out there” a bit for me is the ability to upload medical images.  Their services are offered in several countries including the US.  I bring this to light as an awareness to show how healthcare technology and Health IT solutions are emerging on line.  </p> <p>In developing nations where there is little or no availability to connect with physicians, this could offer some real solutions, but even here in the US with the status of today’s economy, do we have a market here with so many not being able to afford healthcare? <strong> I’m not here voicing an opinion one way or another but rather including this as information and technology that is evolving in healthcare today</strong>.  BD  </p> <p><strong><u>From the website:</u></strong></p> <blockquote> <p>WebHealthCentre.com brings to you Online Consultation facilities from some of the region’s leading medical <a href="http://www.webhealthcentre.com/webhealth/consult/inst.aspx">institutions</a> and <a href="http://www.webhealthcentre.com/webhealth/consult/ind.aspx">consultants</a>. Here you can send in your detailed medical queries pertaining to various aspects of your health and these questions will be answered by the Consultants in the various specialties. This service is provided <strong>FREE</strong> of charge and can be utilized by Doctors and patients alike.<a href="http://www.webhealthcentre.com/webhealth/consult/medical_consultation_index.aspx"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="47" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc_evUHGpxI/AAAAAAAAO5w/bsU_BWKyj7U/image%5B4%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="244" /></a> </p> <p>There are at present over 20 major medical <a href="http://www.webhealthcentre.com/webhealth/consult/spclty.aspx">specialties</a> for which Consultation is available at WebHealthCentre.com. Each specialty has a specially prepared detailed form encouraging you to provide as many details as possible. This is to ensure a more accurate reply. <br />Newer specialties, institutions and consultants from different regions are constantly being added. </p> <p>You may also send in your investigation reports like X-ray films or E.C.G. strips as attachments to <a href="mailto:admin@webhealthcenter.com">admin</a> mentioning your consultation number. </p> <p>Please read the <a href="http://www.webhealthcentre.com/webhealth/help.aspx">help</a> section on how to get a Consultation to know more details on the process. </p> <p>Please Note: The objective of the Online Consultation Module is to get as much relevant information about the medical condition from the User to make the reply as useful and individualized as possible. Users are requested to use this Module for all their Medical Queries. Attachments of Medical Records may be sent by E-Mail to admin@webhealthcenter.com quoting the Consultation Number obtained on the site. </p> <p><em><strong>About Teleradiology Solutions Ltd.</strong></em></p> <p><em><font size="1">Teleradiology Solutions was founded in 2002 by two Yale trained physicians, Dr. Arjun Kalyanpur and Dr. Sunita Maheshwari. It was initially set up to provide hospitals in the United States with night shift radiology solutions. However it grew rapidly and now provides teleradiology to hospitals in Singapore and India with other countries on the anvil. <br />Teleradiology Solutions (US) is accredited by the US Joint Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). It is also the first organization outside Singapore to be accredited by the Ministry of Health, Singapore. <br />The company provides teleradiology services to hospitals around the globe, which includes interpretation of all non-invasive imaging studies, namely CT, MRI, ultrasound, nuclear medicine studies and digitized Xrays. The company provides subspecialty consultations in cardiovascular and oncologic imaging to hospitals in India as well, and has joint research partnerships with major technology vendors such as GE, to explore new techniques in 3D imaging analysis.</font></em></p> <p><em><font size="1">WebHealthCentre.com brings to you Online Consultation facilities from some of the region’s leading medical </font></em><a href="http://www.webhealthcenter.com/webhealth/consult/inst.aspx"><em><font size="1">institutions</font></em></a><em><font size="1"> and </font></em><a href="http://www.webhealthcenter.com/webhealth/consult/ind.aspx"><em><font size="1">consultants</font></em></a><em><font size="1">. Here you can send in your detailed medical queries pertaining to various aspects of your health and these questions will be answered by the Consultants in the various specialities. This service is provided <strong>FREE</strong> of charge and can be utilized by Doctors and patients alike.</font></em></p> <p><em><font size="1">There are at present over 20 major medical </font></em><a href="http://www.webhealthcenter.com/webhealth/consult/spclty.aspx"><em><font size="1">specialities</font></em></a><em><font size="1"> for which Consultation is available at WebHealthCentre.com. Each speciality has a specially prepared detailed form encouraging you to provide as many details as possible. This is to ensure a more accurate reply. <br />Newer specialities, institutions and consultants from different regions are constantly being added. </font></em></p> <p><em><font size="1">You may also send in your investigation reports like X-ray films or E.C.G. strips as attachments to </font></em><a href="mailto:admin@webhealthcenter.com"><em><font size="1">admin@webhealthcenter.com</font></em></a><em><font size="1"> mentioning your consultation number.</font></em></p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.webhealthcentre.com/webhealth/consult/medical_consultation_index.aspx">Free Online Consultation, Health Records, Medical Records: Webhealthcentre.com</a></p> <p><font size="1"><strong><u>Related Reading:</u></strong></font></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/11/webhealthcentre-telemedicine-free.html"><font size="1">WebHealthCentre Telemedicine– Free Consults and Radiology interpretations from India</font></a></h4> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:494231dc-861b-4a77-9f6f-cd20de727a95" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/telemedicine" rel="tag">telemedicine</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/teleradiology" rel="tag">teleradiology</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/India" rel="tag">India</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Healthcare+portal" rel="tag">Healthcare portal</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/online+consultations" rel="tag">online consultations</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Free+consultations" rel="tag">Free consultations</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Webhealthcentre.com" rel="tag">Webhealthcentre.com</a></div>

Free Online Consultation, Health and Medical Records: Webhealthcentre - India

A few months ago I did a post on this service and went back for a revisit here.  One thing new is I noticed is now you can use you Windows L...

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