Based on a 40 percent increase in total deal value during the last 12 months, PricewaterhouseCoopers expects the healthcare mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and joint venture activity to continue growing through the rest of 2011. The need to reduce costs, increase productivity and develop integrated business models will drive the trend, PwC stated in a mid-year M&A outlook.

Carestream Health displayed the embedded 3D tools on its Carestream Vue PACS workstation at the annual Workstation Face-Off, part of the International Symposium on Multidetector-Row CT (ISCT), held June 14, in San Francisco.

The National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) and the Committee on Operating Rules for Information Exchange (CAQH CORE) have agreed to collaborate on activities related to harmonizing electronic data interchange standards and operating rules across the healthcare industry.

Numera has entered into a partnership with HealthTrio.

Implementing five guidelines to reduce the use of mechanical ventilation for premature infants positively impacted outcomes and reduced the cost of care, according to study findings published June 13 in Pediatrics.

PositiveID has partnered with Rogers Communications to improve diabetes management.

University of Pittsburgh researchers have patented a wireless chip that can be attached to orthopedic devices for the purpose of tracking and monitoring surgical implants. Developers claim the technology could make obtaining information about implants easier.

The Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse (PLSG) has created the Bioengineering Innovation and Commercialization Program that PLSG will lead in partnership with the Biomedical Engineering Society of the University of Pittsburgh.