Low compliance with guidance harms patients
By Henning von Eicke of Roche Diagnostics GmbH
Security
Dutch hold "mini" conference on tissue vigilance
To help improve transfusion safety, in accordance with EU Directive 2002/98/EC, the Dutch National Haemovigilance Office, TRIP, receives and analyses reports of transfusion reactions and promotes haemovigilance.
Cops hunt "cash for ops" surgeons
France - The country's health ministry is facing growing calls for a full public inquiry after allegations that surgeons have been demanding huge cash payments from patients keen to jump hospital waiting lists, and for charging exorbitant fees for "private" operations.
Knowing the right procedure
DGCH promotes studies for evidence-based medicine (EbM) in surgery to establish guidelines.
Reward for silent 'sentry' guarding babies
A system that aims to prevent newborns from being swapped or kidnapped in hospitals, has received the RFID Award in the German Innovations Prize 2007, granted by Initiative Mittelstand, an association for small and medium businesses.
Toxic chemicals in medical devices must be labelled
Due to a revised EU law, manufactures of medical devices are forced to label certain chemical ingredients in their products. This decision will enable hospitals to protect their patients against harm caused by toxic devices - if they are interested in. Because alternative products of course are connected with higher costs.
Key trends in medical archive systems
At the EH symposium, Dr Algayres will discuss:
Huge cost-savings for private insurers
According to an as yet undefined ruling of the European Court of Justice, EU patients whose names have been on long waiting lists for surgery in their homeland now have a right to be treated in another EU country, and this is to be reimbursed by their national health insurers.
MPOWER
The MPOWER project aims to help older people to live independently and well, in their own homes, for as long as possible.
Out-of-hospital digital documentation
Vital patient-related data must be documented by emergency medical services, disaster relief units and emergency physicians, in out-of-hospital settings, and currently most of this is done entered manually on paper.
Learning English for the English patient
THE growing influx of English-speaking people to France has sparked a rise in language classes for French doctors keen to avoid embarrassing linguistic and cultural faux pas.
Where abortion isn't illegal, it should be safe and accessible
Each year about 46 million women in the world decide to have an abortion because of unwanted pregnancy. Half of them have no other choice but to access unsafe abortions, leading to the death of worldwide 70,000 women every year - including Europe. At least in areas where abortion is not illegal, this disgrace can be abolished by the access to safe abortions.
No Link between cell phone use and increased cancer risk
According to a study published in the December issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute the widespread concerns of cell phone users about an increased cancer risk are causeless. Cell phone antennas emit electromagnetic fields that can penetrate into the human brain, and scientists have wondered if this might cause tumors in the head or neck.
The electronic health card
„Through its engagement in various initiatives and publications ZVEI (the German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association) consistently underlines the great potential of IT in the healthcare system — in Germany and Europe. “It's a milestone in German healthcare modernisation within a European context”, says ZVEI
A central database portal for emergency medical service
corpuls.net is a database system that amalgamates recorded data and information for use by emergency medical services (EMS).
Electronic patient records
The UK Health Minister has set out key details of what patients and the public can expect from the NHS Care Records Service.
Eye software firm focuses on the US market
Marc Winchester is new President, North America of Digital Healthcare Inc.
Virgen del Rocío
Spanish event surprised with a number of high-profile IT projects.
Medical error reporting
Study presents a route to help doctors with medical error reporting.
Under the microscope
The Netherlands needs greater integrated care and fuller governmental co-operation with healthcare professionals.
Article • In vitro fertilisation
Watch out for IVF identity fraud
Hospitals and fertility clinics across Europe are to be warned that safeguards must be implemented to prevent impostors gaining access to IVF treatment.
Low nurse levels cause deaths
Geneva - Inadequate staffing is reaching crisis levels in all regions, according to the International Council of Nurses (ICN). Among studies reviewed, one showed that an increased workload from four to six surgical patients resulted in a 14% increase in the chance of a patient in that nurse's care dying within 30 days of admission.
Intelligent textiles
The latest textile technologies go along with fabric integrated sensors, or computers, to measure e.g. the functioning of a patient's cardiovascular system.
Developing the electronic health card
For a number of years, both the Communications and Medical Solutions Groups of Siemens AG and the Bamberg-based firm DOCexpert Computer GmbH have been actively involved in creating IT-based end-to-end solutions for medical practices, medical care centres, clinics and integrated care networks.
UK nurses in revolt
There is growing unrest in the nursing profession in the UK following announcements of planned job cuts in the NHS.