Institutions from six European countries will collaborate on 10 projects aimed at implementing transnational telemedicine solutions into everyday practice starting September 2011 and continuing through December 2013.

Medtronic has agreed to purchase Salient Surgical Technologies and Peak Surgical at a combined total of $645 million, according to the company, which said it aims to expand its surgical device offerings.

Payors and patients may be vastly overpaying for some of the most common CT, MRI and mammography exams owing to huge price disparities both within and across regions, according to a quarterly report issued by change:healthcare.

The University of California at Los Angeles Health System (UCLAHS) has agreed to settle potential violations of HIPAA privacy and security rules for $865,500 following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR). UCLAHS must also implement a corrective action plan aimed at remedying gaps in its compliance with the rules.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has proposed a 50 percent cut to the professional component for multiple procedure payments in certain settings, a move the American College of Radiology (ACR) said amounted to blind cost-cutting that would imperil many radiologists and undermine patient care.

ECRI Institute has expanded its healthcare technology advisory services with the launch of the S+ Market Analytics Tool, which will provide real-time pricing data and member interest charts.

DMS Health Technologies has signed a multi-year mobile MRI agreement with Coteau des Prairies Hospital in Sisseton, S.D.

Ochsner Health System of New Orleans has signed an agreement with Philips VISICU to implement its tele-ICU program to enhance critical care.