Clinical activity based process-cost coupling
Reimbursement for hospitals in Germany has undergone a complete change since the introduction of the German Diagnosis Related Group system (G-DRG).
Data management
Wireless at the bedside
Italy - The WardInHand project, which set out to provide a tool for medical teams to access a hospital information system (HIS) from wards, does not replace or compete with existing hospital systems but adds mobility and 'ubiquitous computing' to the HIS, by exchanging information with existing tools and updating clinical data in real time.
Streamlining rehabilitation
Germany - Rehabilitation clinics are taking on an increasingly important role, because the country's Social Security Code indicates that, where possible, rehabilitation is preferable to providing pensions and long-term care.
Intelligent messaging
Gothenburg, Sweden - Ascom Wireless Solutions reports on a new Internet Protocol-based messaging platform that can integrate traditional hospital paging with DECT systems and public communications technologies such as GSM, Email and the Internet. Using Linux as its operating system, Unite provides a standard communications protocol to connect different types of applications and hardware modules.…
Telemed for ophthalmology
O-PACS, the first integrated Digital PACS solution and Electronic Medical Record (EMR) developed specifically for ophthalmology, heralds a new era of tele-ophthalmology and could save the sight of thousands of Type II diabetics, says the system's maker ComMedica, of Woking, UK.
Web advisories aid physicians
Monitoring and rapidly introducing new developments into everyday practice is an increasingly difficult task for many doctors. Additionally, patients are more informed due to media medical reports, which raise their expectations that doctors can offer a quick, reliable interpretation of the latest medical data.
CE approved
The Biotronik Home Monitoring Service, which gained CE approval in May, has now monitored over 1,500 patients worldwide. Studies indicate that 88% of patients claim an increased sense of security due to the service.
Advances in blood group serology
Todays test formats (gel technology, micro test plates), plus laboratory electronic data processing and automation, have changed the classic format of blood group serological examinations significantly - and reduced the danger of life-threatening errors.
Mobile PC
Since November last year, the Pen Tablet PC 3500, with MagicWeb/ Acom.web image distribution software, was field tested there by Dr Martin Herbst,
A national electronic healthcare system
The National Health Service launches one of the world's biggest IT projects this month (April) aiming to connect British healthcare providers in 28 strategic health trusts via NHSnet. In the future, the plan “Delivering 21st Century IT Support for the NHS”:
Airline tests in-flight telemedicine
Lufthansa - the first airline company to offer high-speed broadband internet connection for data transmission - has used the trial phase of its new in-flight internet service, Lufthansa FlyNet, to test telemedicine potential on board.
