Management • healthcare-in-europe.com

The Hitachi HealthXchange Module and Mawell M7 solution

Increasing populations and the additional storage requirements for a spiralling volume of their medical data cause acknowledged concerns among healthcare organisations.

French firms meet German buyers

As neighbours of Germany, France and its manufacturers have the advantage of quick accessibility, similar traditions and a European presence.

epSOS

Members of the EC Information Society and Media Directorate-General, Ilias Iakovidis, Deputy Head of Unit, and Project Officers Flora Giorgio and Michael Palmer, outline the potential of a project set to bring cross-border healthcare into reality.

Cross-enterprise electronic healthcare records (eEPA) in Europe

The creation of standardised cross-enterprise healthcare records in Germany will be increasingly promoted in numerous national initiatives and projects spanning several manufacturers, e.g. by the eFA initiative for the electronic case file headed by the Fraunhofer Institut ISST. By Jens-Uwe Thieme, Business Line Manager HIS & ERP Systems, iSoft Health GmbH

First UK University to acquire Von Hagens Plastinations for anatomy teaching

His work is discussed controversially across the world: his supporters call it art, his opponents call it illegal an immoral. Nevertheless, Gunter von Hagens' plastinations fascinated an audience of millions and now the University of Warwick, UK, ordered 200 plastinations for anatomy teaching.

Expansion for range of cardiovascular genetic tests

Lab21 is to expand its portfolio of genetic tests for inherited cardiac syndromes.

Bed purchasing costs rise with soaring fuel and materials prices

SPECTARIS, the German Industry Association for Optical, Medical and Mechatronical Technologies, has predicted a significant increase in the cost of hospital beds since double-digit price increases for raw materials and fuel has put manufacturers under pressure.

Equipment safety and nursing care

The safety of medical products, which includes bedding, depends on three pillars: identification of mistakes, updating standards and training.

UK: Rosie's energy-saving programme saves £-thousands

In May 2006 the Rosie Hospital, in Cambridge, UK, launched a competition challenging staff to suggest ways to save energy or time. Many came up with energy saving ideas. This resulted in the creation of the Rosie Energy Awareness programme. Monitoring energy usage of various items of medical equipment within hospital, for example ultrasound machines, the energy statistics provided staff with a…

France: Ministry of Health initiative ensures emissions conformity

Following the Grenelle Environmental meeting in 2007, the French Ministry of Health has a specific mission: to set an example to the public as to what can be achieved by investing in energy saving.

Warning for hospital cleaners: 'Don't over-dilute disinfectants!'

USA - Bacteria can survive weak solutions of some disinfectants, by ridding their systems of the cleaning chemicals and thus boosting their resistance, which causes greater hygiene problems, according to a study published in Microbiology.

Europe's unequal healthcare

Christian Pruszinsky reports from the 11th European Health Forum Gastein in Austria: `Achieving the level of healthcare of the older EU member states will remain a long-term project for new members´ .

Further increase in number of exhibitors

The COMPAMED, the leading specialist international trade fair for suppliers to the medical manufacturing market, is held parallel to the MEDICA, the world's largest medical trade fair, each year and showcases the dynamism and innovative power of the medical technology sector. The COMPAMED 2008, High tech solutions for medical technology, will, with around 500 exhibitors from 30 nations, once…

First permanent international healthcare marketplace to open in New York City in 2013

The world's first permanent international healthcare marketplace and education center will open in less than five years, the key players driving the project said today, as plans for the Midtown Manhattan tower have been finalized and marketing has begun.

eHealth for safe, high quality and efficient cross-border healthcare

Health systems and health policies across the EU are becoming ever more interconnected which raises many health policy issues. On 2 July 2008, in the context of the Renewed Social Agenda, the European Commission tabled a proposal for a directive on patients' rights in cross-border healthcare. Essential precondition for cross-border healthcare is the existence of electronic health record systems…

Scrub the scrubs

For several year, experts have been deploring the lack of physicians' and healthcare workers' attention to hand hygiene and equipment sterilisation. Now, hospital clothes are also in the line of fire. How dangerous are the scrubs really?

Management prize for German hospitals

A long overdue prize finally recognises successful management teams and concepts in German hospitals: the RFH Hospital Innovation Prize, jointly sponsored by the College for Applied Sciences, Cologne, and the Institute for Healthcare Economics and Medical Care Research. With 12,500 EUR the purse is not (yet) particularly stellar, but it's the thought that counts.

New ingredient in paints kills superbugs

Scientists found out that particles of titanium dioxide, which is e.g. contained in the white lines at tennis courts, can kill bacteria and destroy dirt when activated by fluorescent light. Added in paints, the nanotitanium can kill superbugs on all surfaces in hospitals.

Are nurses the better GPs in primary care?

"Should nurses replace GPs as frontline providers of primary care?" This question was discussed controversy by Bonnie Sibbald, Professor of Health Service Research, University of Manchester, (pro) and Rhona Knight, portfolio GP, Leicester, (contra) who alleged their reasons on the British Medical Journal website

Better care saves hospitals money

Researchers from the Center to Advance Palliative Care and from the National Palliative Care Research Center, New York, found out that US-hospitals can save more than $300 per day and patient receiving palliative care while even enhancing the quality of care. Palliative care programs provide a way for hospitals to meet the needs of these patients while staying financially viable.

Healthcare without borders

High-quality health services are a priority issue for European citizens. Rights to healthcare are also recognised in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. Health systems and health policies across the EU are becoming more interconnected than ever in the past.