Bar Coding
San Fernando, Calif.-based Precision Dynamics Corporation introduces its new Precision Bar Code Tags for infants. The tags accommodate either linear or 2D bar codes, along with up to three lines of text. According to the company, this frees up space on the wristband for pertinent patient information and reduces cost by eliminating the need for extra ID bands.
Business Intelligence
St. Paul, Minn.-based Lawson Software is introducing Lawson Business Intelligence 9.0. The business intelligence and reporting tools help to provide relevant, accurate and timely information through role-based dashboards. The software also proactively "bursts" monthly and quarterly reports, delivering appropriate information to the right employees with low administrative effort, according to the company.
Computed Tomography
Siemens Medical Solutions, based in Chicago, has unveiled its new computed tomography (CT) Clinical Engines, aimed at addressing four clinical fields in medical imaging: acute care, cardiology, neurology and oncology. According to the company, this new clinical workflow concept maximizes the clinical performance of CT imaging by combining CT technology with Siemens' syngo solutions.
Document Imaging
Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc. has released two new document imaging scanners--the Fujitsu fi-5120C and Fujitsu fi-5220C. The new scanners feature ultrasonic double-feed detection which automatically detects when two pages are simultaneously fed through the scanner. Additionally, embossed card scanning allows information capture of credit cards, insurance cards and other raised letter plastic identification through the automatic document feeder (ADF).
Drug Interaction Alerts
New York-based CureMD has implemented drug interaction alerts in its platform to enhance patient safety and physician efficiency. The addition to the CureMD electronic health record application provides diagnosis-based checks and alerts for over 44,000 medications. According to the company, availability of the drug interaction alert system enriches the CureMD application's prescribing capabilities with a decision support tool.
EHR
Salt Lake City, Utah-based RemedyMD is introducing its SMART software products. The new suite--RemedyMD Electronic Health Record (EHR), RemedyMD myHealthManager and RemedyMD OutcomeTrack--looks to help physicians make better informed decisions by tracking data and recognize trends. The suite of software allows patients to access their own secure records, monitor their own health conditions and maintain dialogue with their doctors via the Internet, according to the company.
Laboratory Identifiers
Indianapolis-based Regenstrief Institute and the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) committee have released LOINC version 2.16 and RELMA version 3.16, the Windows-based mapping utility. According to the organizations, changes were made in the database and structure that should simplify and speed the mapping of laboratory tests. Those changes include the temporary removal of ACS synonyms to reduce the number of terms that come up in a search. Both are available for free download at http://www.regenstrief.org/loinc/.
RFID
Richardson, Texas-based InnerWireless, Inc. has released its InnerWireless RF (radio frequency) location system technology. The product can be used in hospitals to locate clinical assets, such as medical equipment and care givers. According to the company, the system can be rapidly adopted by hospitals because virtually no data or power cables are pulled when installing the system. Tags and RF infrastructure are optimized using the 802.15.4 wireless communications standard.
Scheduling and Surgery Management
Unibased Systems Architecture, Inc. (USA), based in Chesterfield Mo., has unveiled its third major release this year--RMS/ORMS Release 6.09M. According to the company, the new release features over 48 major improvements. These improvements can be seen in the areas of process management for patient access, workload smoothing, enhanced scheduler efficiency and revamped reporting functionality.
Standards
Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Health Level Seven's (HL7) Version 3 (V3) Normative Edition 2005--a suite of specifications based on HL7's Reference Information Model (RIM)--has been released. The new version includes a focus on semantic interoperability by specifying that information be presented in a complete clinical context.
Supplies Procurement
Interior Health, based in British Columbia, has rolled out its new in-house developed online medical supplies ordering system. The system, called e-Rex, allows employees to purchase supplies routinely using a virtual shopping cart, with the program tied directly to the materials management purchasing and inventory control systems
