Wireless

Sterilizable RTLS Tag Earns Certification

San Diego-based Awarepoint Corporation's T2S RTLS tag has been independently certified by SPSmedical (Rush, N.Y.), making it the first and only clinically validated sterilizable active RTLS tag available, according to the company.

The solution was tested for decontamination and mechanical cleaning, Cytotoxicity, steam pre-vacuum efficacy, and Sterrad Sterilization Systems, including use in wrapped trays and Tyvek Peel Pouches, it says.

GetWellNetwork Introduces Discharge Planning Tool

GetWellNetwork Inc. (Bethesda, Md.) has released PatientLife System 3.5 (PLS 3.5), the latest version of GetWellNetwork's interactive bedside system, which includes tools focused on accelerating the discharge planning process and reducing average length of stay in hospitals.

New capabilities offered in PLS 3.5 include:

• The “Countdown to Discharge” Pathway, which delivers timely information about discharge through the in-room television monitor. A series of automated, interactive messages guides patients through a discharge checklist and readiness assessment, which includes medications, transportation, education completion and setting of follow-up appointments.

• Discharge Readiness Dashboard, which provides nurses and discharge planners with a real-time view of patient and unit progress within a Web-based Management Console.

• Enhanced Usability and Reporting, which offers improved usability, utilization and reporting capabilities, Pathways in PLS 3.5 now deliver on-screen prompts that are more visually engaging and less intrusive.

WebMD Launches Free Mobile App. for Docs

New York-based WebMD Health Corp. has rolled-out Medscape Mobile, a free medical application for physicians. According to the company, the product provides physicians with Medscape's medical information in a mobile format that can be accessed on demand on the iPhone and iPod touch, and later this year, on the BlackBerry.

Medscape Mobile includes drug information, clinical reference tools, medical news and continuing medical education (CME) information, the company says. The product also includes CME activities organized by specialty and is designed for use on a mobile device.

The company says features include: a drug database of over 6,000 generic and brand name drugs, plus hundreds of herbals, supplements and antidotes, as well as a drug interaction checker that shows interactions.

To download Medscape for iPhone and iPod touch, search for ‘Medscape’ in the Apple iTunes App Store or look under ‘free apps’ in the Medical category. An interactive demo is available online.

Ambulance Provider Goes Wireless

Bell Ambulance, a provider of emergency and non-emergency medical services based in Milwaukee, has selected NetMotion Wireless (Seattle) to enable seamless roaming and data connectivity for its mobile emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics.

According to the company, Bell Ambulance uses tablet PCs in its ambulances to complete patient care reports, which are then synchronized with dispatch and billing applications. Bell's EMT staff uses NetMotion's mobile Virtual Private Network software, Mobility XE, to stay connected to critical applications, roam between multiple wireless networks, and maintain applications when moving in and out of wireless coverage areas, it touts.

Bell Ambulance responds to an average of nearly 5,000 ambulance calls per month, employs nearly 200 EMTs and paramedics and has a fleet of more than 40 ambulances.

Tempsys Develops WiFi Gateway for Temp Monitoring

San Francisco-based Tempsys Inc. says that its computerized Checkpoint Wireless Temperature Monitoring System can now be utilized on hospitals' existing WiFi wireless networks.

According to the company, hospitals will be able to use either wireless WiFi or a hybrid system utilizing both the wireless WiFi and hard-wired LAN to install the wireless temperature monitoring system. The Checkpoint Wireless Temperature Monitoring System is designed to continuously monitor temperature-sensitive equipment throughout the hospital, from the pharmacy to the blood bank, nurses' stations to research laboratories, it touts.

New Patient Portal Monitors Diabetes

San Diego-based Entra Health Systems has unveiled an enhanced version of the MyGlucoHealth Patient Portal for diabetic monitoring.

According to the company, the portal provides an easy-to-use interface for automatic collection and evaluation of test results from the MyGlucoHealth blood glucose meter. Readings can be interpreted and charted in different ways to analyze, evaluate and visually present patient data. Test information from the MyGlucoHealth meter is wirelessly transmitted to individual patient sites on the portal using a Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone or PC, it says.

The newest version of the portal enables users to manage data on blood pressure, weight, nutrition, exercise and medication. It also features a scatter plot that charts blood sugar readings by time of day and a new timeline that displays all blood tests for a selected time period, touts Entra Health.

Service Uses Text Messaging to Recruit for Studies

New York-based Axiom Accelerated Patient Recruitment is introducing a text messaging service designed to help healthcare researchers enlist patients.

The company says it is using the service for patient recruitment and retention programs for clinical research studies, says the company. Text messages can be used to directly communicate with pre-qualified audiences to gauge interest in participating in a clinical study that may help minimize symptoms or treat a disease. The tool can also retain participants through support services like appointment reminders and treatment instructions, it touts.

Allscripts Unveils BlackBerry Solution, EHR 9.0

Chicago-based Allscripts is introducing two new products: Allscripts Remote for BlackBerry smartphones and Allscripts Professional EHR 9.0.

Allscripts Remote provides to access the Allscripts Professional and Enterprise EHRs from the BlackBerry, enabling physicians to make critical medical decisions when they are away from the office, says the company. Capabilities include access to real-time patient summary information; communication to local hospital emergency rooms; ePrescribing to any pharmacy; and real-time access to patient information including medical history, lab results and medications, it touts.

Designed for small and medium-sized physician groups, Professional 9.0 delivers a graphical user interface (GUI) designed to streamline navigation and common tasks. It includes a physician dashboard that highlights the patient's care management plan, providing graphing of health measures such as blood pressure and cholesterol, says Allscripts.