EMR/EHR

Electronic medical records (EMR) are a digital version of a patient’s chart that store their personal information, medical history and links to prior exams, texts and reports. The goal of these systems is to enable immediate access to the patient's data electronically, rather than needing to request paper file folders that might be stored in fragment files at numerous locations where a patient is seen or treated. EMRs (also called electronic health records, or EHR) improve clinician and health system efficiency by making all this data immediately available. This helps reduce repeat tests, repeat prescriptions and repeat imaging exams because reports, imaging or other patient data is not not immediately available. 

CT lung cancer screening is more accurate than x-ray

Choosing CT or x-ray for lung cancer screening to detect the disease at an early stage can have different impacts on five-year survival rates, according to a study published in the May issue of the Journal of Thoracic Oncology.

Report: More states should tap into VA software for EMR adoption

West Virginia has created a paperless records system for its state-run hospitals and nursing homes by using an EMR system built by the Veterans Administration (VA) with taxpayer dollars, saving millions in software licensing fees charged by commercial software vendors, according to the Boston Globe.

Philips acquires interventional radiology developer Traxtal

Royal Philips Electronics has acquired Traxtal, a Toronto-based developer of minimally invasive instruments and software for image-guided intervention and therapy.

MR assessment of breast water detects early cancer risk

A mother-daughter study that used MRI to measure breast density in younger women shows that the percentage of breast water could be linked to the risk of breast cancer in middle age and older, according to a study published online April 29 in Lancet Oncology.

IAEA calls for enhanced radiation protection of patients

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in collaboration with other international organizations, is developing a series of measures aimed at strengthening patient radiation dose protection. The focus of recent efforts is a Smart Card project, to log how much radiation a person receives in the course of a lifetime.

Wireless portable DR from Philips available in the U.S.

Philips Healthcare has released its wireless portable direct radiography (DR) detector, the FD-W 17, in the United States.

Microsoft, Mayo challenge Google HealthVault

Mayo Clinic and Microsoft have launched Mayo Clinic Health Manager, a privacy- and security-enhanced online application for storing personal medical information, where consumers can receive individualized health guidance and recommendations based on the clinical expertise of Mayo Clinic.

Agfa HealthCare sees downtick in sales for Q1

While the economic slowdown impacted Agfa-Gevaert's graphics and specialty products division for the first quarter of 2009, Agfa HealthCare performed "in line with the company's expectations," with only a 1 percent decline in sales.

Around the web

The American College of Cardiology has shared its perspective on new CMS payment policies, highlighting revenue concerns while providing key details for cardiologists and other cardiology professionals. 

As debate simmers over how best to regulate AI, experts continue to offer guidance on where to start, how to proceed and what to emphasize. A new resource models its recommendations on what its authors call the “SETO Loop.”

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, MD, said the clinical community needs to combat health misinformation at a grassroots level. He warned that patients are immersed in a "sea of misinformation without a compass."

Trimed Popup
Trimed Popup