OpenNotes Program Expands Access to Personal Health Information

I know I’m spoiled about access to personal health information. I get most of my medical care through Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Boston, which offers PatientSite, a patient portal where I’ve been able to see my laboratory and imaging results, correspond with my doctor by email, manage my medications, request appointments, and so on for many years. (Developers and physicians Danny Sands and John Halamka describe the PatientSite project in a book chapter available online from the Commonwealth Fund.)

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CareFusion Introduces Ergonomic Surgical Clippers

CareFusion Corp., a leading, global medical technology company, has introduced the next generation of the company’s industry-leading line of surgical clippers. The new clippers, developed in conjunction with clinicians who use these types of devices every day, dramatically improve ergonomic feel and performance, encourage proper hand position and application, and can be used in wet or dry conditions.

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Philips Healthcare Launches Healthcare Transformation Services Business

Royal Philips Electronics has launched its Healthcare Transformation Services Business, which in collaboration with healthcare service providers, will offer consulting services to improve the operational and financial performance of hospitals and health systems, and improve patient outcomes  across the continuum of care from diagnosis to treatment and after care at home.

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Health IT Workgroup Discusses Patient Safety, Innovation, and Regulatory Efficiency

Members of a new workgroup that will focus on identifying key considerations to improve patient safety and promote innovation in health information technology (Health IT), including mobile medical applications, have been selected by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The workgroup will report to the Health IT Policy Commitee which advises the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC).

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PDC-St. John Expands its Securline Bar Code Blood Band

PDC-St. John announced the extension of its Securline® Hybrid Style Bar Code Blood Band. The blood recipient ID wristband system provides automated patient identification for blood transfusion, specimen collection, and tracking to improve patient safety and workflow efficiencies in hospitals and blood banks. With the addition of six new Blood Band product lines, PDC-St. John now offers the widest selection of blood bank ID solutions in the healthcare marketplace.

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