http://www.hospitalbuyer.com News for Healthcare Procurement Decision Makers en-us 2008-07-07T17:11:42Z http://feeds.hospitalbuyer.com/~r/HospitalBuyer/~3/329028367/ The new and revised performance standards, elements of performance, and rationales for 2009 were recently published by the Joint Commission. The new standards will take effect January 1st. They are already available for review online, to support examination by healthcare providers before the guidelines will go into effect. The organization has been working on a Standards [...] 2008-07-03T23:05:41-05:00 http://www.hospitalbuyer.com/health-issues/quality-safety-errors/new-standards-from-joint-commission-available-2582/?camp=rssfeed&src=hb&type=textlink http://feeds.hospitalbuyer.com/~r/HospitalBuyer/~3/329018293/ Abbott Laboratories received marketing clearance for the company’s most up-to-date iteration of the XIENCE stent, the XIENCE V Everolimus Eluting Coronary Stent system. The device is indicated to treat patients with coronary artery disease. The new XIENCE releases everolimus in a controlled manner. The stent is used to open either blocked or narrowing arteries. The combination [...] 2008-07-03T22:15:54-05:00 http://www.hospitalbuyer.com/medical-specialties/cardiology/next-generation-xience-launched-2581/?camp=rssfeed&src=hb&type=textlink http://feeds.hospitalbuyer.com/~r/HospitalBuyer/~3/328565279/ A cooperative product, the CoHesion 3D Visualization Module, was granted marketing clearance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The new tool is indicated for use during complex electrophysiology (EP) mapping procedures, as described in the news release from Hansen Medical. The system utilizes a software interface between the EnSite System, an advanced mapping [...] 2008-07-03T21:36:33-05:00 http://www.hospitalbuyer.com/medical-specialties/cardiology/cohesion-module-approved-by-the-feds-2579/?camp=rssfeed&src=hb&type=textlink http://feeds.hospitalbuyer.com/~r/HospitalBuyer/~3/328988099/ A new x-ray system from Fluke Biomedical was launched, the TNT 12000 X-Ray Test Device. The system supports calibration, maintenance, and quality assurance for x-ray systems, as described in a news release from the company. The new device is a completely wireless unit and includes all-in-one exposure measurement and a half-value layer. The system allows for [...] 2008-07-03T08:47:58-05:00 http://www.hospitalbuyer.com/materials-management/it-software/x-ray-maintenance-system-introduced-2580/?camp=rssfeed&src=hb&type=textlink http://feeds.hospitalbuyer.com/~r/HospitalBuyer/~3/327811433/ Findings from a multi-center trial suggest that ultrasound of the heel may be an effective tool to identify women who are at higher risk for developing osteoporosis. One benefit of this approach versus conventional screening with dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) exams is minimized radiation during screening. The study was published in the journal Radiology. The [...] 2008-07-02T23:08:44-05:00 http://www.hospitalbuyer.com/medical-specialties/nuclear-medicine/ultrasound-may-be-alternative-to-assess-osteoporosis-risk-2578/?camp=rssfeed&src=hb&type=textlink http://feeds.hospitalbuyer.com/~r/HospitalBuyer/~3/325467696/ The new Omniax device, designed to both diagnose and treat patients with vertigo, was cleared for marketing by the Food and Drug Administration. The tool is manufactured by Vesticon Corporation, as described by the Portland Business Journal. Omniax incorporates a patient positioning system that utilizes a software system along with infrared goggles that are worn by [...] 2008-07-02T22:18:22-05:00 http://www.hospitalbuyer.com/medical-devices-products/new-technology-innovation/new-device-to-treat-vertigo-approved-2575/?camp=rssfeed&src=hb&type=textlink http://feeds.hospitalbuyer.com/~r/HospitalBuyer/~3/325446690/ The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), an agency of the Department of Justice, issued a proposed rule which will allow for electronic prescribing of controlled substances. News of the rule was noted by Health Data Management. As noted on HospitalBuyer just last week, this rule has been much anticipated. The DEA has been considering modification of the [...] 2008-07-02T20:05:20-05:00 http://www.hospitalbuyer.com/materials-management/it-software/e-scrip-rule-for-controlled-substances-issued-2574/?camp=rssfeed&src=hb&type=textlink http://feeds.hospitalbuyer.com/~r/HospitalBuyer/~3/327707026/ A report published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine notes the increasing use of the emergency room by the elderly. The team sought to determine reasons for use of the ED, noting that this is the first step required to minimize utilization. A team from George Washington University examined data collected with the [...] 2008-07-02T15:57:02-05:00 http://www.hospitalbuyer.com/medical-specialties/emergency/elderly-use-of-ed-rising-2576/?camp=rssfeed&src=hb&type=textlink http://feeds.hospitalbuyer.com/~r/HospitalBuyer/~3/323764204/ The Geisinger Supply Chain Services system was acknowledged by Healthcare Purchasing News as the premier materials management department of the year. In addition, the organization received an award from the Premier healthcare alliance for Supply Chain Innovation. These accolades acknowledged a program that had been able to reduce unnecessary spending by $30 million over a three [...] 2008-06-30T23:05:19-05:00 http://www.hospitalbuyer.com/materials-management/geisinger-ordering-process-acknowledged-2571/?camp=rssfeed&src=hb&type=textlink http://feeds.hospitalbuyer.com/~r/HospitalBuyer/~3/324187468/ Drager Medical recently launched a new ventilator, the Carina, designed for sub-acute settings. The system received marketing clearance from the Food and Drug Administration, noted in an article by Medgadget. The system can deliver either invasive or noninvasive therapy (pdf). It incorporates Synch Plus, a new technology available from Drager. This supports compensation for patients [...] 2008-06-30T22:21:42-05:00 http://www.hospitalbuyer.com/medical-devices-products/monitoring/new-ventilator-from-drager-cleared-for-market-2572/?camp=rssfeed&src=hb&type=textlink http://feeds.hospitalbuyer.com/~r/HospitalBuyer/~3/324202372/ A research team from the Mayo Clinic has developed a new technology for breast imaging. Preliminary data indicates that the system is almost as effective as MRI, but significantly less expensive. The technology was recently presented at the “Era of Hope” Breast Cancer Meeting, a program of the Department of Defense, as reported by Forbes. The [...] 2008-06-30T20:40:36-05:00 http://www.hospitalbuyer.com/health-issues/diagnostic/new-technology-detects-breast-malignancy-2573/?camp=rssfeed&src=hb&type=textlink http://feeds.hospitalbuyer.com/~r/HospitalBuyer/~3/323708933/ A study that was just published in the Journal of the American Medical Association describes the outcomes associated with stents, comparing drug eluting (DES) and bare metal stents (BMS). The study was completed in light of concerns that DES may be accompanied by an increased risk of stent thrombostenosis. The study published presents findings from [...] 2008-06-30T19:51:30-05:00 http://www.hospitalbuyer.com/medical-specialties/cardiology/jama-study-notes-benefits-of-drug-eluting-stents-2569/?camp=rssfeed&src=hb&type=textlink http://feeds.hospitalbuyer.com/~r/HospitalBuyer/~3/323743765/ The Leaders’ Project issued a new paper (pdf), “Financing the U.S. Health System: Issues for Option and Change”, an effort from the Bipartisan Policy Center. The effort evaluates a number of different proposals to modify the financing structure of the health system. In particular, the Leaders’ Project paper considers the policy implications of different proposed [...] 2008-06-30T14:10:06-05:00 http://www.hospitalbuyer.com/industry-market/partnerships-consortia/leaders-project-evaluates-healthcare-financing-2570/?camp=rssfeed&src=hb&type=textlink http://feeds.hospitalbuyer.com/~r/HospitalBuyer/~3/322947419/ Premier established a new collaborative effort today to improve the healthcare supply chain. The goal of the new effort is to improve supply chain efficiency and performance. The collaboration, ASCEND (Accelerated Supply Chain Endeavor), is developing a new protocol to improve the supply chain for the healthcare environment. Members who participate in the Premier purchasing alliance [...] 2008-06-27T22:30:03-05:00 http://www.hospitalbuyer.com/materials-management/premier-forms-new-collaboration-for-supply-chain-improvements-2563/?camp=rssfeed&src=hb&type=textlink http://feeds.hospitalbuyer.com/~r/HospitalBuyer/~3/323385423/ The flagship wound care product, MEDIHONEY Wound and Burn Dressing, from DermaSciences was launched in two new formulations (pdf). Each of the new formulations includes 100 percent of the active Leptospermum Honey. Each further includes the company’s patented collodial sheet, the Honeycolloid. Both are packaged in tubing. The availability of MEDIHONEY in the new formulation will [...] 2008-06-27T20:09:15-05:00 http://www.hospitalbuyer.com/medical-devices-products/product-launches/two-new-medihoney-formulas-introduced-2568/?camp=rssfeed&src=hb&type=textlink http://feeds.hospitalbuyer.com/~r/HospitalBuyer/~3/322943094/ The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), an agency of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published findings from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) for 2004-2006. Findings described include national, regional, and state estimates of health insurance coverage. Well over half the population under age 65 in the U.S. procured health insurance coverage from [...] 2008-06-27T17:17:34-05:00 http://www.hospitalbuyer.com/industry-market/trends/nchs-releases-coverage-data-from-2004-06-2562/?camp=rssfeed&src=hb&type=textlink http://feeds.hospitalbuyer.com/~r/HospitalBuyer/~3/323377898/ The Neuroscience Institute at Geisinger Health System is deploying the KODAK In-Vivo Multispectral Imaging System FX. This tool is one of the latest systems for optical molecular imaging technology. The facility is using the system to develop a new treatment approach for brain cancer. The treatment under development requires high levels of precision to deliver fluorescent [...] 2008-06-27T15:57:42-05:00 http://www.hospitalbuyer.com/medical-specialties/psychiatry-neurology/carestream-technology-deployed-at-geisinger-health-system-2567/?camp=rssfeed&src=hb&type=textlink http://feeds.hospitalbuyer.com/~r/HospitalBuyer/~3/323368668/ A study published in The American Journal of Emergency Medicine describes use of portable ultrasound as a diagnostic tool to evaluate the lungs of patients with heart failure. This diagnostic modality can assess the degree of pulmonary congestion. A research team from Torino, Italy examined use of such in in a cohort of 70 patients, [...] 2008-06-27T14:27:49-05:00 http://www.hospitalbuyer.com/medical-specialties/cardiology/portable-us-valuable-for-evaluation-of-patients-with-heart-failure-2566/?camp=rssfeed&src=hb&type=textlink http://feeds.hospitalbuyer.com/~r/HospitalBuyer/~3/322959893/ A new bill, H.R. 6331, recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, calls for the provision of payments to clinicians who implement electronic prescribing tools. Also included in the legislation are modifications to a number of provisions in Medicare programming. The bill passed by a vote of 355-59. Payments will be made available starting in [...] 2008-06-27T12:47:03-05:00 http://www.hospitalbuyer.com/general-management-administration/legal-legislative/bill-authorizes-payments-for-e-script-utilization-2564/?camp=rssfeed&src=hb&type=textlink http://feeds.hospitalbuyer.com/~r/HospitalBuyer/~3/322926011/ A study that was just published in the Journal of the American Medical Association notes that radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has the potential to disrupt medical equipment. The concern centers around the potential for electromagnetic interference (EMI). The article was written by a research team from the Netherlands. The work completed was part of an [...] 2008-06-26T23:46:32-05:00 http://www.hospitalbuyer.com/materials-management/it-software/jama-article-includes-warning-about-rfid-2561/?camp=rssfeed&src=hb&type=textlink http://feeds.hospitalbuyer.com/~r/HospitalBuyer/~3/321062815/ A new transfusion safety management system from IntelliDOT Corporation, the IntelliDOT Blood Product Administration (IntelliDOT BPA), was cleared for commercial marketing in the United States. The entire system includes an array of tools and covers the complete process from the time the product leaves the blood bank until it is transfused. The IntelliDOT BPA is a [...] 2008-06-26T20:28:35-05:00 http://www.hospitalbuyer.com/health-issues/quality-safety-errors/blood-product-solution-cleared-for-commercial-marketing-2559/?camp=rssfeed&src=hb&type=textlink http://feeds.hospitalbuyer.com/~r/HospitalBuyer/~3/327717657/ The Board of Directors at Medtronic elected a new Chairman of the Board, William A. Hawkins. Mrs. Hawkins is currently serving as the company’s Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Hawkins was initially appointed as both President and CEO in August 2007. He previously served as the company’s Chief Operating Officer and President for over three years. The [...] 2008-06-26T12:40:27-05:00 http://www.hospitalbuyer.com/industry-market/people/medtronic-announces-new-chairman-2577/?camp=rssfeed&src=hb&type=textlink http://feeds.hospitalbuyer.com/~r/HospitalBuyer/~3/322967561/ A number of Veterans Affairs facilities, as well as the Naval base in Balboa, California completed contracts with Swissray International for new flat panel monitors. The new facilities will each implement the flat panel DR systems available from the provider of digital radiography technology. The news was announced on the Swissray website in a press [...] 2008-06-26T04:12:41-05:00 http://www.hospitalbuyer.com/industry-market/contract-awards/swissray-partners-awarded-va-contracts-for-monitors-2565/?camp=rssfeed&src=hb&type=textlink http://feeds.hospitalbuyer.com/~r/HospitalBuyer/~3/321017042/ According to a report published by Government Health IT, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is planning to propose a new rule which will allow for electronic prescribing of controlled medicines. It is anticipated that the rule will partially lift the current ban on this practice. The federal process to create new rules requires their publication in [...] 2008-06-25T16:49:02-05:00 http://www.hospitalbuyer.com/health-issues/quality-safety-errors/controlled-substances-expected-to-gain-e-scrip-clearance-2555/?camp=rssfeed&src=hb&type=textlink http://feeds.hospitalbuyer.com/~r/HospitalBuyer/~3/321045733/ An enhanced gamma detection control unit, the new Neoprobe GDS, was recently introduced (pdf) by Neoprobe Corporation. The system was launched in collaboration with Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Incorporated, who is Neoprobe’s partner for marketing. This system utilizes internal circuitry, which allows communication with the company’s line of wireless probes. This design negates the need for external adapters. The [...] 2008-06-24T18:06:22-05:00 http://www.hospitalbuyer.com/medical-specialties/nuclear-medicine/gamma-detection-system-introduced-2558/?camp=rssfeed&src=hb&type=textlink