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.

AJR: ASIR cuts CTC radiation dose by 50%

Adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction, a newly adapted CT reconstruction technique, can help reduce CT colonography (CTC) radiation dose by 50 percent, according to a study published in the July issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

DR Systems updates cloud computing platform

Image and information management systems provider DR Systems has added new capabilities to its electronic medical information exchange (eMix), now allowing for importing and data sharing from CDs, DVDs and other external media.

JHM: Declining profits, staff reductions could hurt quality of care

Declining profits and decreasing staffing may hinder hospital quality and safety, according to an analysis in the June issue of Journal of Hospital Medicine.

Bos Sci launches Taxus Element in EU

Boston Scientific has launched its Taxus Element paclitaxel-eluting coronary stent system in the European Union and other CE Mark countries, after which the first implants took place.

Sebelius to grant $51M for state insurance premium review

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has announced the availability of $51 million in Health Insurance Premium Review Grants through the Affordable Care Act.

Study: Ultrasound may improve viability of implanted soft tissues

Indirect low-intensity ultrasound stimulation may enhance muscle cell proliferation, metabolic activity and differentiation of cells and tissues. As a result, the method may increase survival of implanted soft tissue, said a study published online May 27 in the Journal of Tissue Engineering.

ATS: Insurance & education, not race matching, better predict heart transplant problems

Race-matched donor hearts do not lead to better outcomes after heart transplantation. Instead, the type of insurance plan and education levels could indicate worse outcomes among racial and ethnic groups, according to a study published online June 1 in the Annals of Thoracic Surgery.

Innovation, Evolution and the Telephone

Point-to-point transmission was all that was available. There were competing standards for everything from device design to content delivery. Early adopters paid hefty up-front costs to get connected. Communication was by no means guaranteed. The market was fragmented.

Around the web

The tirzepatide shortage that first began in 2022 has been resolved. Drug companies distributing compounded versions of the popular drug now have two to three more months to distribute their remaining supply.

The 24 members of the House Task Force on AI—12 reps from each party—have posted a 253-page report detailing their bipartisan vision for encouraging innovation while minimizing risks. 

Merck sent Hansoh Pharma, a Chinese biopharmaceutical company, an upfront payment of $112 million to license a new investigational GLP-1 receptor agonist. There could be many more payments to come if certain milestones are met.