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.

U.S. Census: 15.4% of the U.S. population uninsured, more on govt coverage

Between 2007 and 2008, the number of people covered by private health insurance decreased from 202 million to 201 million, while the number covered by government health insurance climbed from 83 million to 87.4 million, according to statistics released yesterday through the U.S. Census Bureau.

ESC: CRT-D reduces heart failure events -- worth the expense?

Cardiac-resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-Ds) decreased the risk of heart failure events in relatively asymptomatic patients with a low ejection fraction and wide QRS complex, compared with those who received implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) alone, according to a MADIT-CRT trial presented Tuesday at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress in Barcelona, Spain, and simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Radiologist continues stent infringement suits, sets sights on Abbott

New Jersey radiologist Bruce N. Saffran, MD, who was awarded about $500 million in a 2008 patent infringement case against Boston Scientific, filed suit Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas over Abbott's Xience V everolimus-eluting coronary stent.

Franklin & Seidelmann names Larsen as marketing VP

Franklin & Seidelmann, a radiology interpretations provider, has appointed Clayton T. Larsen as senior vice president of marketing for the firm.

Sebelius releases $25.7M for health center services

Health and Human Services Secretary (HHS) Kathleen Sebelius has released more than $25.7 million in grants to increase support services at U.S. health centers.

Abbott expands U.S. Xience V trial, to enroll patient in DAPT trial

Abbott has expanded its XIENCE V USA post-approval study designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of its Xience V everolimus-eluting coronary stent in a real-world clinical setting out to five years. The expansion allows for more than 2,000 patients from the XIENCE V trial to cross over into the Dual Anti-Platelet Therapy (DAPT) trial.

Kaiser: Recession has EDs under severe pressure

With its deleterious impact on employment and health insurance, the recession has put emergency departments (EDs) across the United States under a tremendous amount of pressure, according to a report issued by the Kaiser Family Foundations Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured.

Boston Sci sees Q2 income uptick on strong stent, CRM sales

Boston Scientific has reported positive financial earnings for its fiscal 2009 second quarter, which ended June 30. The Natick, Mass.-based medical device company booked a net income of $158 million this quarter, compared with $98 million in the second quarter of 2008.

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."

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