July 1, 2009
The Kodak Carestream Mammography Workstation enables diagnostic review of all breast imaging as well as all general radiology exams.
European healthcare facilities are turning to vendor-neutral, multi-modality breast imaging workstations to streamline reading of digital breast exams. “Productivity at many European facilities is hampered by the need to read full-field digital mammography (FFDM) exams on each vendor’s proprietary workstation, and then switch to additional workstations to review other types of breast exams. The need for an efficient workflow is driving strong sales for our flexible multi-modality workstation,” said Stephen W. Archer, Director of Worldwide Marketing, Mammography Solutions, Carestream Health.
The Kodak Carestream Mammography Workstation enables diagnostic review of all breast imaging exams (FFDM, ultrasound, MR, CR, and others) as well as all general radiology exams. “Features such as CAD integration, multi-modality functionality, and rapid retrieval were very important to us when selecting our breast imaging workstation platform,” said Radiologist Dr. Hubert Kubin at the Institute of Radiology in Salzburg, Austria. “Carestream Health’s mammography workstation is easy to use and offers many specific functionality features which improve diagnostic reading workflow.”
The vendor’s workstation offers a variety of time-saving features including user-customizable hanging protocols and an eight-key programmable mouse. “I appreciate the high flexibility offered by the display protocols, which are tailored to my specific needs for productive reading,” said Radiologist Dr. Regine Rathmann, Head of Regional Assessment Centre for Screening Programmes, Hanover, Germany. “During the past three years I have read more than 100,000 mammography cases on [this vendor’s] multi-modality workstations, and have found the system to be stable and highly reliable. We have four workstations dedicated to mammography, and I can easily review all exams from both screening and general radiology at each.”
According to the company, more than 100 healthcare providers worldwide have ordered the Kodak Carestream Mammography Workstation – including a number of orders from northern Europe, namely Uppsala County, Sweden; Ringsted Sygehus in the Sjaelland Region of Denmark; the Icelandic Cancer Society; Mammography Screening Centre in Bielefeld, Germany; the Institute for Radiology in Hollerbrunn, Austria and Clinic Dr. Hancken in Stade, Germany.
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Vendors, healthcare, healthcare IT, medical imaging | Tagged: healthcare, healthcare IT, Management Krankenhaus, Hospital, medical, Michael Reiter, PACS, RIS, networked communication, process improvement, imaging, radiology, diagnostics, modalities, medicine, Healthcare Sector, Carestream, Stephen W. Archer, Hubert Kubin, Regine Rathmann, Kodak Carestream | 
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Posted by michaelreiter
July 1, 2009
Michael Reitermann, CEO of Siemens Healthcare’s US organization
Michael Reitermann has been appointed the new CEO of Siemens Healthcare’s US organization. In his new position, Reitermann will lead the marketing, sales, and service functions for Siemens Healthcare in the US, including the medical imaging, therapy, and healthcare information technology businesses. He will be based at the vendor’s US headquarters in Malvern, Pennsylvania. Reitermann succeeds Dr. Heinrich Kolem, who will assume the role of global head of Siemens Healthcare’s Angiography, Fluoroscopy and X-ray business unit, based in Forchheim, Germany.
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People, Vendors, healthcare, healthcare IT, medical imaging | Tagged: healthcare, healthcare IT, Siemens, Management Krankenhaus, Hospital, medical, Michael Reiter, hospital information system, PACS, HIS, networked communication, process improvement, imaging, radiology, diagnostics, modalities, medicine, Healthcare Sector, Michael Reitermann, Heinrich Kolem | 
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Posted by michaelreiter
July 1, 2009
Michael Barber is head of GE's healthymagination campaign
GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt has named Michael Barber VP of healthymagination, the vendor’s global commitment to reduce costs, improve quality, and expand access of healthcare for millions of people. Barber, 48, is a 27-year veteran of GE and since 2005 has served as chief technology officer for GE Healthcare.
“Over the last four years, Mike has led all aspects of product development for advanced healthcare technologies”, stated Immelt. “Mike knows how our technology can help patients, he knows what physicians, clinics, and hospitals need to improve care and cut costs – and he knows how to lead teams. With his deep experience in engineering and technology, and his strong operations and process-driven expertise, he is the right leader to lead healthymagination and to grow our healthcare partnerships globally.”
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People, Vendors, healthcare, healthcare IT, medical imaging | Tagged: diagnostics, GE Healthcare, healthcare, healthcare IT, Healthcare Sector, Hospital, imaging, IT, Jeff Immelt, medical, Michael Barber, Michael Reiter, modalities, process improvement | 
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Posted by michaelreiter
June 18, 2009
Dr. Rolf Lucas, President & CEO, GE Healthcare Germany
GE Launches “healthymagination” Initiative
More than US-$ 3 bn: this is the huge figure General Electric has pledged to invest in our sector in the next six years. The aim, explained Georg Knoth, CEO and Regional Executive for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, at a recent presentation in the GE Research Centre near Munich, is to provide better access to care for more people at reduced cost. Furthermore, the vendor will make available US-$ 2 bn for financing and US-$ 1 bn to drive health IT and care in rural and underserved regions. These activities – which build on the experiences gained from the ecomagination initiative – are designed to foster the growth of the company.
These investments by GE – a 100% increase, according to company speakers – are the pillars of the “healthymagination” initiative. It comprises a series of projects to be realized by 2015. The investment of US-$ 3 bn in research and development, e.g., is set to launch at least 100 innovative products on to the market, to lower the cost, to increase the availability of health-related services, and to boost quality of care by 15%. The company will also apply its expertise in services and its suite of performance improvement tools.
“We will work with partners”, said Dr. Rolf Lucas who heads GE Healthcare Germany, “to focus innovations on four critical needs: accelerating healthcare IT; target high-tech products to more affordable price points; broaden access to the underserved; and support consumer-driven health”. GE will engage experts and leaders on policy and programs and create a GE Health Advisory Board, which will include former US senators Bill Frist and Tom Daschle as well as further leaders from the sector.
Targets And Examples
healthymagination will draw on capabilities from GE divisions such as Healthcare, Capital, Water, NBC Universal, the Global Research Centres as well as the GE Foundation, the vendor’s philanthropic arm. “Healthcare is an important industry that is challenged by rising costs, inequality of access, and persistent quality issues,” underlined GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt. “[The sector] needs new solutions. We must innovate with smarter processes and technologies that help physicians and hospitals deliver better healthcare to more people at a lower cost. The new products are supposed to “measurably improve cost, access and quality. That means lower-cost technology for more customers, products matched to specific local needs, and process expertise – such as low-cost digital X-ray machines, portable ultrasounds, and more affordable cardiac equipment.
Local Partners Playing A Major Role
The initiative integrates local partners; this was illustrated by the event in Munich where outstanding physicians from Germany presented state-of-the-art approaches in diagnostics and therapy. Prof. Dr. Thomas Helmberger, Head of the Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Hospital Munich-Bogenhausen, outlined the benefits of the digital information flow in radiology: By using networked communication within and outside the hospital, and through tele-radiology, the former “slow lane” of information was transformed into a communication chain which helps reduce staff capacity use and patient stay while improving quality at the same time. Tumor boards are a case in point. – Presymptomatic detection of neurodegenerative conditions by functional imaging integrating radiopharmaceuticals helps avoid damaging neurons, according to Dr. Niklas Manthey. The Head of the Nuclear Medicine Department, Radiology Munich South West, outlined how non-appropriate medication therapies can be prevented using SPECT – an annual savings potential of roughly 75 mn €. – Thermoablation of uterus myomas using focused ultrasound is an approach used by Dr. Matthias Matzko. The Head, Clinical and Interventional Radiology, Dachau Hospital, says the non-invasive method sustains fertility. The procedure, which lasts up to two hours and causes no complications, permits 100% necroses. Until now, financing of „MRgFUS“ interventions is to be handled by patients, fully or in part.
Oxford Analytica, an independent international research and consultancy firm, is reviewing GE commitments in new products and services to determine if they meet healthymagination standards. To date, the organization has qualified seven GE products that yield a 15% improvement in cost, access, and quality. The vendor’s goal is to qualify 100 healthymagination innovations by 2015.
Presenting the healthymagination initiative in Munich (from left): Georg Knoth, CEO & Regional Executive, GE Germany, Austria, and Switzerland; Dr. Carlos Härtel, Managing Director GE Global Research Centre Europe; Prof. Dr. Thomas Helmberger, Head of the Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Hospital Munich-Bogenhausen; Dr. Matthias Matzko, Head, Clinical and Interventional Radiology, Dachau Hospital; Dr. Niklas Manthey, Head of the Nuclear Medicine Department, Radiology Munich South West
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Posted by michaelreiter
June 9, 2009
United Family Hospitals (UFH) has signed a contract with InterSystems which provides the caregiver with TrakCare, an advanced Web-based healthcare information system. It will link the UFH network of hospitals and clinics in China to create a unified healthcare information platform to support the organization’s rapid growth.
UFH – a “pioneering, world-class healthcare organization in China”, according to speakers – along with InterSystems China took less than four months to complete the first implementation of the solution at the new Guangzhou United clinic.
Deployments at other UFH outpatient clinics and hospitals in Beijing and Shanghai are expected to be completed over the next eighteen months. UFH will also deploy TrakCare in the expansion of its Beijing facilities and at its anticipated new full service hospital in Guangzhou.
The solution supports UFH’s rapid growth by providing advanced clinical and administrative functionality – including multi-language and multi-currency support – and a shared Electronic Patient Record within a single unified healthcare information platform that also provides easy interoperability with other information systems.
Roberta Lipson, CEO of Chindex International, which owns and operates UFH, stated, “We have aggressive plans for expansion of the UFH network in China and, while our previous information platform was excellent, it could not meet our increasing requirements. TrakCare gives us a solid platform across our network to support us in our growth plan.” Daniel Fulton, Vice President of Information Technology Services for UFH, said, “We needed a world-class healthcare information solution from a vendor with the experience of international best practices and a strong local implementation and support team in China.”
Rapid deployment was possible because of a good fit with UFH’s requirements and the flexibility of the TrakCare. The Web-based solution’s ease of configuration was key, allowing InterSystems to supply a solution without extensive customization. “[This product] came closest to meeting our needs,” said Fulton. “The fit was in the 70-80% range, the rest comes down to configuration.” – UFH is already gaining benefits at the Guangzhou United clinic. “On the billing side, TrakCare is doing everything we wanted to do. We are very happy with the support for the insurance plans and with the multi-currency and multi-language support,” Fulton continued.
“Leading healthcare providers across the region like UFH are delivering the best possible quality of patient care and improving operational efficiency using our technology,” stated InterSystems Managing Director for Asia Pacific, Joerg Klingler. “With TrakCare’s Electronic Patient Record, for example, clinicians can access a patient’s complete medical history which helps prevent prescribing errors and adverse drug reactions.” The solution’s integration capability, enabled by the vendor’s Ensemble rapid integration and SOA platform, also proved to be very valuable. At the Guangzhou clinic, TrakCare has already been integrated with software from an InterSystems application partner, Disclinc’s Alphalinc supply chain system, and CMPMedica’s MIMS online drug database. “CMPMedica provides a good local pharmaceutical dataset which is key to preventing adverse drug reactions and takes us to a new level in providing support systems for our clinicians,” underlined Fulton.
Alphalinc ensures efficient handling of medicines and other materials, which can account for up to 40 percent of a provider’s total expenses, from suppliers to pharmacists, nursing stations, emergency rooms, patient wards, and operating theatres with full visibility over item availability, location, lot and expiry data, costs and pricing. – UFH is also integrating TrakCare with its Oracle Financials accounting system. Interoperability with specialist dental systems and ENT systems is also planned.
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Posted by michaelreiter
June 9, 2009
A strategic alliance agreement has been signed by Fujifilm and GE Healthcare: Fujifilm will develop, manufacture, and supply advanced biomolecular imaging systems to GE. The products will be sold worldwide under that vendor’s brand in the life science research and drug discovery markets.
Life science research has advanced rapidly in recent years with the advent of tools for genomic and protein research – such as biomolecular labeling, detection, and analysis. These technologies have helped reveal the functions of proteins, thereby contributing to scientists’ understanding of disease processes. The use of life science instrumentation and reagents in bioscience research is growing, and the demand for new and innovative enabling technologies is expanding.
In 1987, Fujifilm was the first company to introduce the digital autoradiography device which utilized the Imaging Plate, a radiation detector with sensitivity 100 times greater than X-ray film. Since then, the company has utilized its chemical and optical technologies cultivated in the field of photo imaging to launch a broad range of instruments, including innovative CCD camera systems, contributing to the advancement of imaging in genomic and protein research.
In 1923, GE Healthcare introduced the first radio isotope reagents, which initiated the field of biomolecular labeling and detection. Since then, the vendor has introduced a series of non-radioactive detection reagents, such as ECL and CyDyes, to enable safe and quantitative biomolecular labeling, detection, and analysis. The company’s system solutions have improved significantly the way scientists can analyze gene and protein expression in tissues and cells.
“This deal represents an important progression for our business,” stated Yuzo Toda, Director, Corporate Vice President, General Manager of Life Science Products Division, Fujifilm. “By forming the alliance, both companies will make the most of our complementary capabilities to continue to contribute to the advancement of genomic and protein research, and to help enhance the quality of life of people worldwide. GE Healthcare’s global presence as a supplier of reagents and instruments, and its competence in biological applications within the life science field combined with Fujifilm’s leading imaging technologies, R&D and manufacturing capabilities will provide our customers with comprehensive system solutions for research, drug discovery and bioanalytical applications.”
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Posted by michaelreiter
June 8, 2009
The Society in Europe for Simulation Applied to Medicine SESAM and the Simulation Centre Mainz are organizing the 15th Annual Meeting on medical simulation. Anybody using simulation techniques or with an interest in medical education, and anybody concerned about patient safety is welcome to participate. The event is scheduled for June 11-13 in Mainz/Germany (Mayence – a city of Roman origin, situated on the Rhine in a wine-growing region), at the Kupferberg Congress Centre. The scientific programme and information on accompanying social activities are available on the Web – http://www.sesam2009.ws. The exhibition will include immersion, Laerdal, METI, and further vendors.
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Posted by michaelreiter
April 7, 2009
Dr. Rolf Lucas, President/CEO GE Healthcare Germany
GE Healthcare – the US-$17 bn healthcare business of General Electric Company – has announced the appointment of Dr. Rolf Lucas as its new President and CEO for GE Healthcare, Germany.
Dr. Rolf Lucas, a company speaker said, will play a leading role for GE Healthcare in Germany, developing and executing a dedicated strategy to reinforce the vendor’s position and leverage its full growth potential. Reinaldo Garcia, President and CEO for GE Healthcare, EMEA, stated, “Germany is a key strategic market for GE Healthcare with major growth opportunities in the coming years. Dr. Lucas will continue to strengthen our German footprint, through his broad industry experience and leadership skills”.
Of his appointment, Dr. Rolf Lucas said: “Germany represents a significant growth market for GE Healthcare, and we must continue to drive our long-term strategy here. Our aim is to achieve growth by offering innovative diagnostic imaging and information technologies that help create a more efficient, cost effective, and higher quality healthcare system across Germany. It is through GE Healthcare’s capabilities in providing comprehensive solutions across medical imaging, life sciences, and medical diagnostic that we hope to transform Healthcare delivery by helping our customers and the Healthcare industry detect and treat diseases at an earlier stage.”
Prior to joining GE Healthcare, Dr. Lucas ran his own Medical Devices business and held a number of senior leadership positions with large companies, including Philips and Picker. He was also previously Chief Operating Officer at one of Germany’s largest university hospitals – in Mayence – and most recently he acted as CEO International Business for the German private hospital chain Asklepios.
Rolf studied in Münster and St. Gallen, Switzerland, and holds a PhD in Business Administration and an MBA from the Institute of Technology, Florida, USA.
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Posted by michaelreiter
March 16, 2009
Daily Routine and Emerging Trends on the Agenda
“Advances in imaging technology have revolutionized our discipline in the past decades”, explained Prof. Dr. Borut Marincek in Vienna. “Today, Radiology integrates natural sciences as well as technology, and radiologists require a thorough understanding of both mainstays.”
The first Swiss president of the ECR, and Director of the Institute of Diagnostic Radiology at Zurich’s University Hospital, explained how the design of this year’s event mirrored this two-tier approach. Aside from hands-on workshops enhancing competence in daily routine, congress elements such as the “New Horizon Sessions” served to herald emerging scientific developments. Among current trends, cell imaging is key – the visualization of cells and their mechanisms to evaluate, e.g., arteriosclerosis cases. “When I was an assistant physician, all we could work with were X-ray images with spots; today we can discern lesions, and we are working towards the cell level to understand the processes relevant there”, explained Prof. Marincek.
To the radiologist, cell and molecular imaging imply that he/she will need to transgress the boundaries of conventional anatomy, and work towards functional imaging. These new trends will have effects on therapy too, according to the congress president: emerging diagnostic methods will aim at utilizing additional information to improve the targeting of therapies, and make them more efficient.
Organizers are investing their share in fostering know-how about these developments – young researchers were invited to take part in this top-level event, with their accommodation – and for some, even travel expenses – paid. – ECR 2009 in Vienna was international, not just European in scope, with significant participation from overseas. Based on attendee and exhibitor figures, it successfully defied the crisis scare. – Christian J. Herold, Professor of Radiology and Director of the Department of Diagnostic Radiology at Vienna Medical University and General Hospital, is the President of ECR 2010 – www.myesr.org.
Congress President Prof. Borut Marincek and the Matterhorn, one of the tallest mountains of the Alps (congress billboard) - “symbolizing the ‘summit’ of science” (MR)
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Posted by michaelreiter
March 13, 2009
UAE Host Congress on Healthcare Expansion
As announced earlier this year, expatriates new to the UAE must provide evidence of a health insurance registration before applying for a work or visit visa. Individuals and organizations now have a choice of 30 health insurance companies across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Each company has its own calculations in estimating the health services that a member needs within a year of medical coverage.
The UAE continues to set trends in providing the best healthcare standards available at both public and private levels – not only for the growing population within the country, but also for patients from across the region who are seeking the best medical facilities.
In contrast to what the global recession might predict, the healthcare and pharmaceutical markets have a relatively inelastic demand and will continue to grow in coming years. The regional market for pharmaceutical logistics services is forecast to reach US-$18 bn within the next five years regardless of any slowdown in economic growth, said a top industry executive. The market, currently estimated at US-$ 5 bn is expected to grow by 50% each year up to 2013, according to Emirates Business 24/7.
A Podium for Health
This trend necessitates a global interactive platform for the healthcare industry and medical community in order to explore the latest advancements, compare alternatives and reach mutually beneficial conclusions. In this context, naseba is hosting the 4th Annual Healthcare Expansion Congress Middle East in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates May 26-27. Officially endorsed by the Health Authority – Abu Dhabi, this event is the only strategic business congress and re-educational platform to gather the healthcare ministries and authorities from the MENA region, as well as the top healthcare decision makers and solution providers together in a captive environment.
Participants have the opportunity not only to maintain existing business relationships, but most importantly obtain new valuable business contacts and discuss the latest issues faced by the industry.
Excellent Transformation
The program includes one-to-one business meetings, a grand awards ceremony, innovative conference sessions and panel discussions on the innovations taking place and the changing healthcare environment in the MENA region.
The conference sessions are divided into two main streams:
• Transforming the Middle East into a centre of global healthcare excellence.
• Achieving excellence in the management and provision of care.
Industry-renowned experts will be leading the discussions, including Zaid Al Siksek, CEO of Health Authority Abu Dhabi, Derick P. Pasternak, the managing director of Joint Commission International Middle East, Dr. Adnan Kaddaha, the chairman and managing director of Cedars Jebel Ali Hospital and Cedars International, Mark Clark, EMEA Healthcare Solutions Director, Hitachi Data Systems and Dr. Walid A. Fitaihi, CEO of International Medical Centre (Jeddah), just to name a few.
www.naseba.com
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Posted by jenniferhildebrandt
