Digital Transformation

This evolution of healthcare involves using technology to improve diagnosis, treatments, monitor patients, enhance hospital operations and culture, and bolster consumer-focused care. This includes virtual reality tools, wearable devices, workflow software, health apps and other digital health tools.

From the Editor: Privacy & Practicality

Several years ago, I discussed data security with an IT specialist at a defense contractor. He described the measures his company had taken to ensure that hardware and data stayed secure as technology advanced.

5 Tips for Optimizing Voice Recognition

Voice recognition has been used in medicine for more than 30 years, but recent advances in the technologys accuracy have been key in cutting hospitals costs and saving physicians time, according to a study by Arun Krishnaraj, MD, and colleagues in the July 2010 issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

HIMSS: GE touts mobile PACS app

ORLANDO, Fla.--GE Healthcare is showing Centricity Imaging Mobile Access for PACS at this week's 2011 annual conference of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). Pending 510(k) FDA approval, the app will enable users to view PACS images and reports from an Apple or Android smartphone or tablet.

HIMSS: Fujifilm touts mobile app

Fujifilm Medical Systems (Booth 4750) is showcasing Synapse Mobility, a work-in-progress mobile application enabling remote access to Synapse products from handheld mobile devices that is not yet FDA approved, as well as Macintosh- or Windows-based PCs at the 2011 annual Healthcare Information amd Management Systems Society (HIMSS) meeting held in Orlando, Fla., Feb. 20 to 24.

JAMA: History of breast cancer increases risk but weakens mammo detection

Mammography is significantly less sensitive in the detection of breast cancer in women with prior malignancies, leading researchers at once to call for diligent screening in this especially high-risk group and for further investigation into adjunct cancer screening methods, according to a study published Feb. 23 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

It's a mobile world after all...

The machines never died / We will be vindicated, sang Frodus frontman Shelby Cinca in  the song The Awesome Machine.

CCI: DES best BMS for CTO revascularization

A systematic review of the medical evidence has determined that drug-eluting stents (DES) outperform bare-metal stents (BMS) for revascularization of chronic total occlusions (CTOs). The consistency and magnitude of treatment effect across both individual trials and the pooled analysis establish DES as the preferred therapy for percutaneous revascularization of CTOs, according to a study in the February issue of Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions.

FDA clears breast tomo

Hologic has received approval from the FDA for its Selenia Dimensions 3D digital breast tomosynthesis system.

Around the web

CMS finalized a significant policy change when it increased the Medicare payments hospitals receive for performing CCTA exams. What, exactly, does the update mean for cardiologists, billing specialists and other hospital employees?

Stryker, a global medtech company based out of Michigan, has kicked off 2025 with a bit of excitement. The company says Inari’s peripheral vascular portfolio is highly complementary to its own neurovascular portfolio.

RBMA President Peter Moffatt discusses declining reimbursement rates, recruiting challenges and the role of artificial intelligence in transforming the industry.