PLATINUM PRODUCTS & SERVICES GUIDE

CLINICAL

* Spot-Check Monitors

Royal Philips Electronics, with U.S. headquarters in Andover, Mass., has released its new vital signs monitor, the Philips SureSigns VS3.

SureSigns VS3 has an 8.4-inch color LCD display. Designed for use both in and out of the hospital, the SureSigns

SureSigns VS3 measurements include non-invasive blood pressure, pulse oximetry, pulse rate and temperature. The screen also provides clinicians with the choice of viewing scrollable stored patient records and an optional Sp02 waveform, according to the company.

* Remote Ordering Option

Anaheim, Calif.-based Fletcher-Flora Health Care Systems Inc. has introduced FFlex eOrders, a remote ordering option for its FFlex eSuite line of clinical laboratory solutions.

FFlex eOrders is designed for laboratories with one or more remote draw stations that handle orders, sample labeling and collection. Integrated with the FFlex eSuite laboratory information system (LIS), all data input through FFlex eOrders is in real time and resides on the single LIS server, facilitating single-point administration, according to the company.

FFlex eOrders provides medical necessity checking, printing of Medicare Advance Beneficiary Notifications (ABNs), real time printing of sample labels, automatic and manual printing of requisitions and online shipping manifests.

* Keyboards Light the Way

Torrence, Calif.-based Saitek Industries Ltd., recently released its backlit keyboard, Eclipse Red. Designed for medical professionals, the computer keyboard has backlighting that shines through laser-etched keys.

According to Saitek, the illuminated console works in dimly-lit corridors or any type of low-light/ no-light situation. Eclipse's weighted base and rubber feet keep the keyboard firmly planted to a desk or cart, the company touts.

* Mobile Clinical Assistant

Motion Computing, headquartered in Austin, Texas, recently launched the C5 mobile clinical assistant (MCA) at UCSF Medical Center during a joint conference with Santa Clara, Calif.based Intel. The MCA was created by Intel with support from Motion Computing to enable nurses, physicians and other clinicians to do their jobs on the move.

Motion Computing claims that the Motion C5 integrates design elements with point-of-care data and image capture technologies to simplify workflows, ease clinician workloads and improve overall quality of care.

According to Motion Computing, the C5 combines multiple devices into one, including a built-in bar code and RFID reader for patient identification, as well as supply, specimen and medication administration verification.

* Personal Health Records on the Move

Wayne, Pa.-based MEDecision and San Francisco Calif.-based Medem plan to combine health plan information with the physician-patient relationship to deliver a transportable personal health record through a payer-provider partnership.

Through this collaboration, MEDecision will deliver its Patient Clinical Summary, a payerbased, clinically validated, electronic health record, to patients and their providers through iHealth, Medem's online personal health record.

* New Nursing Portal

San Francisco, Calif.-based McKesson recently announced plans to introduce the HorizonWP Nursing Portal. According to McKesson, the portal gives users secure, anytime access to patient data via the Internet.

McKesson claims the new portal serves as a command center, giving nurses access to the information most relevant to them, including clinical and medication histories, flowsheets, images and results as well as charting, medication administration, order management, fetal strip monitoring and nursing-specific census management.

* Health Information Exchange Solution

Eden Prairie, Minn.-based Ingenix recently launched its Health Information Exchange Solutions that it hopes will help physicians, hospitals, health plans and administrators operate more efficiently by enabling real-time, 24/7 access to and exchange of critical financial and clinical data.

According to Ingenix, its Health Information Exchange Solutions are a portfolio of integrated health information technology and connectivity offerings that will make data accessible to all healthcare system participants in real time using open networks and products.

* Carting it off in Style

St. Paul, Minn.-based Ergotron has rolled out a new point-of-care cart. Designed to deliver increased caregiver efficiency, patient safety and quality care, the next generation StyleView cart is height and tilt adjustable and has a cable management compartment, which is designed to hide cables. The powered cart comes with a two-year warranty and a programmable, auto-locking, electronic keypad medication drawer, the company touts.

* Make the Call

In an effort to help those suffering from chronic diseases, Denmark-based RTX Healthcare released the RTX Telehealth Monitor, which collects vital signs and subjective patient information from patient questionnaires and sends the data to the client's own clinical information system.

The RTX3370, according to the company, engages the patients through personalized daily interactions and questionnaires while collecting vital signs, such as weight, blood pressure and blood glucose information. According to the company, other product features include a color display, simple bottoms and speaker for vocalization of the patient dialogue.

* Extelligence Intelligence

Wakefield, Mass.-based Picis Inc. recently released CareSuite Extelligence OR version 3.0, a business intelligence (Bl) solution that analyzes and manages the business performance of the operating room (OR).

Extelligence OR version 3.0 integrates with CareSuite OR Manager, Picis' operating room management system, allowing end users to directly access and interpret recorded data during the surgical continuum, says Picis.

According to Picis, Extelligence OR features include:

* Low total cost of ownership

* Out-of-the-box integration

* Enhanced best practice report library

* HDA Clears GE's Carescape

The FDA has cleared United Kingdom-headquartered GE Healthcare's Carescape patient data module for mobile patient monitoring.

The 24-hour critical data capture device is designed to provide a receiving nurse with a complete monitoring history when a patient arrives. The self-powered mobile product is made to capture and store all patient measurements - both standard and specialty - providing clinicians with easier critical baseline measurements, the company touts.

The newly approved device is part of the company's Carescape portfolio, an integrated suite of patient monitoring devices, communications networks and IT systems, designed to transform traditional patient monitoring data into clinical intelligence. GE Healthcare is a unit of General Electric Co.

* McKesson Launches Updated Clinical System

San Francisco-based McKesson Corporation has released an updated version of InterQual Criteria, an evidence-based clinical decision support system. In addition, the company has also launched CareEnhance Review Manager version 6.0, a Web-based software providing access to InterQual Criteria.

Enhancements to InterQual 2007 include:

* Expansion of the child psychiatry criteria

* An additional level of care in the acute pediatrics criteria set

* The addition of two subsets to the durable medical equipment criteria

* Enhancements to CareEnhance Review Manager Enterprise 6.0 functionality include:

* Password-protected access to InterQual Criteria through its existing physician portal

* Allowing users to add regional guidelines, internal policies or other scenarios alongside InterQual Criteria

* Added navigational features

* IBM Launches Disease Transmission Solution

IBM (Armonk, N.Y) has launched a software technology, Spatiotemporal Epidemiological Modeler (STEM), designed to predict the transmission of diseases throughout the world to the open source community.

IBM says the technology enables the creation of epidemiological models, based on parameters such as population and geographic data, which illustrate the geographical spread of infectious diseases over time.

According to IBM, the software runs on any operating system, is available for use through the Eclipse Open Healthcare Framework Project (OHF), and is hosted at the Eclipse Foundation (Ottawa, Ontario), the non-profit foundation that guides the Eclipse open source community.

* LighthouseMD Launches CareTracker

LighthouseMD (Providence, R.I.), a provider of revenue cycle management, integrated practice management and EMR solutions, has launched CareTracker EMR.

According to LighthouseMD, the Web-based EMR system allows physicians and nurses to access clinical data elements such as patient symptoms, medical histories, diagnoses, clinical tests and therapies.

Tasks such as tracking medication history or drug interaction, accessing lab reports or electronically filling prescriptions can now be done online through CareTracker EMR's network, contends the company. In addition, LighthouseMD says physicians and nurses can record structured and customized notes, review previous patient visits, and research symptoms or diagnoses using a PC or handheld device.

* NextGen Releases ChartMail

NextGen Healthcare (Horsham, Pa.), a wholly owned subsidiary of Quality Systems Inc. and a provider of healthcare information systems, has released ChartMail, an additional feature of its EMR application.

According to NextGen, this feature will enable providers to send health records, including data such as patient images, demographics, histories, lab results, allergies, diagnoses, and patient education documents, to patients or to other providers.

Providers accepting ChartMail records, either from another physician or directly via patients' PHRs, can load the data into their EMR in standardized formats such as continuity of care record (CCR), continuity of care document (CCD), XML, and HTML, says the company.

* GE Updates Centricity Enterprise

GE Healthcare (Waukesha, Wis.) has updated its Centricity Enterprise, a software suite of clinical and financial applications.

According to GE, additional features of the solution include a Web-based portal that provides patients with access to their personal information, including appointments, billing and health history. In addition, the company contends the updated version is supported by the HP NonStop Itanium platform, which increases scalability and supports simultaneous transactions and users.

The software provides caregivers with access to a patient's electronic records, while also utilizing computerized provider order entry (CPOE), which screens medication orders for potential errors, says GE.

* Cardiology Transplant Software to Automate Donor/Recipient Record

Oakland, Calif.-based Lumedx Corporation has recently launched a cardiology solution that automates donor/recipient record keeping for heart transplant centers.

According to the company, the software is designed to collect and manage adult cardiac transplant patient data from the first consultation through the evaluation, activation, transplant and post-transplant follow-up visits.

The cardiac transplant solution is an integrated part of Lumedx's cardiovascular imaging and information management tools, enabling facilities to track donation offers and donor information for each patient, says the company.

* Practice Fusion Launches Free EMR

San Francisco-based Practice Fusion, a provider of integrated, on-demand healthcare platforms delivered in a software-as-a-service model, has launched a free, on-demand, practice management and EMR suite.

The company says the product eliminates the risk of traditional systems and expedites the purchase and implementation processes for physician practices. They say conventional decision cycles for EMR systems can be condensed from 12 to 18 months to as little as one day, without licensing or hosting fees, hardware purchases or complicated implementations.

* RelayHealth Releases Medication Reconciliation

Atlanta-based RelayHealth has launched IntegrateRx - Medication History, an electronic medication reconciliation solution.

According to RelayHealth, the solution is designed to eliminate blind encounters in hospital emergency rooms by providing a record of a patient's medications based on information extracted from insurance claims and/or prescription records.

New York-based Duane Reade is among those pharmacies that have agreed to make their patients' medication history records available to authorized staff at hospital emergency rooms.

* Medhost Releases Version 4.1

Medhost (Addison, Tex.,) a provider of Emergency Department Information Systems (EDIS), has released Medhost version 4.1.

According to the company, version 4.1 integrates the Patient Risk and Safety module (The Sullivan Group, Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.) with OrderView Med Knowledge Base (First DataBank, San Bruno, Calif.).

The company says enhanced enterprise management features offered in version 4.1 provide Integrated Delivery Networks with the tools to support mass updates and access to patient information documented in Medhost. This includes obtaining a patient's clinical history directly from the hospital information system (HIS) or the Medhost EDIS, as well as home medication reconciliation, contends Medhost.

* New Tool to Combat MRSA

Dublin, Ohio-based Cardinal Health says it has a new service to help hospitals combat methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections.

The company says it's deploying a MRSA Scorecard to hospitals that monitor infections using the company's MedMined services in order to provide a hospital-wide view of MRSA and allow infection control practitioners to track the types and locations of MRSA infections throughout the hospital.

The MRSA Scorecard uses Cardinal Health's Nosocomial Infection Marker (NIM) methodology, which allows hospitals to identify patients who have tested positive for the bacteria and distinguish between those who likely acquired the infection in the hospital.

The MRSA scorecard is available to all hospitals using MedMined services and will be offered free of charge for four months through a sponsorship program.

* T-Systems Updates EDIS

Dallas-based T-System Inc., a provider of clinical documentation and information solutions in emergency departments and urgent care centers, has rolled out the T SystemEV 2.6, an updated version of its emergency department information system.

According to the company, features of T SystemEV 2.6 include:

* New Computer-based Provider Order Entry (CPOE) - Integrating documentation and order entry provides the first CPOE module designed from the beginning for effective mobile use.

* New Automated Facility E&M Level Determination - Real-time automation of APC facility levels eliminates the need for nurses and medical record personnel to assign a level.

* Enhanced Tracking - The new tracking dashboard facilitates waiting room and treatment room management.

* DocuSys Releases P4P Solution

Mobile, Ala.-based DocuSys, an anesthesia information management system (AIMS) and medication management system provider has released the latest version of its software (version 6.0) that it says facilitates compliance with national quality measures such as the CMS Physician Quality Reporting Initiative and pay-for-performance programs.

The company says the product provides compliance support as embedded functionality in its AIMS application, prompts for the evaluation of appropriateness of specific quality measures and realtime documentation at the point of care.

* Meta Pharmacy Systems Offering eMAR

Meta Pharmacy Systems of Floral Park, N.Y., has rolled out MetaCare Enterprise eMAR point-of-care medication administration system.

The new Meta Pharmacy product is a Web-based system designed to monitor and reduce medication errors through the use of bar code technology, the company says.

Upon scanning the patient's wristband barcode, MetaCare eMAR identifies and verifies the patient, searches for the medications that have been ordered for that patient and cross-checks for possible drug allergies and interactions, the company claims. Subsequent scanning of the actual medication packaging verifies the correct drug, dose, route of administration and schedule.

* Lumedx Releases Cardiovascular Solution

Oakland, Calif.-based Lumedx Corp. has rolled out the CardioManager performance management system.

Lumedx claims its CardioManager software translates complex data - be It clinical, operational or financial - into accessible, actionable information. With the product's performance dashboards and ondemand reporting, users are given a high-level view of data and the ability to drill down for more detailed reporting, Lumedx says.

According to the company, CardioManager enables cardiovascular team members to become performance managers by making it easier for users to view metrics, plans and reports in their respective areas.

* Spring Launches Interface Partner Program

Houston-based Spring Medical Systems has launched SpringCharts Certified Interface Partner (CIP) program, an integrated best-of-breed EHR and practice management system.

To deliver SpringCharts CIP solutions, Spring Medical Systems says it is forming strategic partnerships with practice management software developers. As a result of the partnerships, Spring's EHR application will be integrated with those systems.

* Henry Schein Upgrades

Melville, N.Y.-based Henry Schein Medical Systems, the medical software division of Henry Schein Inc., has rolled out version 5.0 of MicroMD EMR, an electronic medical record (EMR) system based on specialty-specific clinical workflows.

The primary feature of this software is integration with the Pharmacy Health Information Exchange, the largest national electronic prescribing system, operated by SureScripts, for electronic prescribing and refill authorization, which is a faster and safer method than existing processes, the Henry Schein claims.

Version 5.0 of MicroMD also allows physicians to directly access patients' diagnostic data from their electronic medical records.

* Thomson Tool Measures Quality and Cost

Thomson Healthcare, part of The Thomson Corp. of Stamford, Conn., has launched the Physician Performance Assessment tool aimed to help health plans, regional health collaboratives, and other organizations evaluate the quality and cost of medical care.

According to Thomson, the application works in two ways. First, it evaluates whether medical care follows established clinical guidelines, while it accounts for the severity and duration of the medical condition being treated. second, it generates reports that inform physicians and physician networks about gaps in patient care, so they can take corrective steps and improve clinical quality.

The Physician Performance Assessment also shows care givers how they compare with their peers and generates reports that identify gaps in care and "action lists" indicating which patients need intervention, Thomson says. For example, doctors are informed whether their diabetic patients have received all the recommended care and, if not, which patients are missing tests or treatments.

FINANCIAL

* HEALTHsuite Gets Sweeter

Ft. Washington, Pa.-based RAM Technologies, Inc. is incorporating version 9 of Armonk, N.Y.-based IBM's DB2 universal database into its HEALTHsuite solution.

Version 9 is the XML edition of IBM's relational database. According to the company, the release maximizes data storage capabilities and improves system performance.

This combined solution allows HEALTHsuite users to retrieve and view original X12 837 claims for auditing and compliance. DB2 9's pureXML storage and support for SQL/XML and Xquery enables storing of the original claim in its XML format and retrieval for presentation by HEALTHsuite, the company stated.

* Click on This

In an attempts to improve claims forms and billing, Mobile, Ala.based SSI Group, a provider of claims management technology, EDI platforms and networking, has released the ClickOn Claims Editor (Billing Module) version 6.5.

This product, according to the company, includes functions to augment professional healthcare claims, as well as reporting options and claims tracking capabilities. New security reports, accordong to the company, include the Default User Access report, Special User Access report, User List report and Security Report.

* CareMedic Updates Compliance

CareMedic Systems Inc. recently made available the eighth version of VerifyAR Compliance Checking. According to CareMedic, the solution helps hospitals remain compliant prior to providing and billing for medical services.

CareMedic, a St Petersburg, Fla.-based financial management company servicing hospitals and providers, states that the product has been updated to support the new National Provider Identifiers (NPI).

Enhancements to Version 8 include multiple updates to the Advanced Beneficiary Notification (ABN) form and the Compliance Checking administrator, says CareMedic.

* Ingenix Launches e-Billing Solution

Eden Prairie, Minn.-based Ingenix has launched an ebilling solution designed to offer integrated bill editing to workers' compensation healthcare providers, payers and state program administrators.

According to Ingenix, its technology facilitates the access and exchange of financial and clinical data, directly and in batches. Ingenix contends the software also edits incoming medical bills, and processes electronic attachments from multiple practice management and document management solutions.

Through a strategic partnership between Ingenix and Clarksville, Va.-based Red Oak EDI Solutions (ROES), workers' compensation healthcare providers, payers and state administrators may also integrate submission of the First and Subsequent Reports of Injury in the e-billing process to determine claim status and coverage, eliminating the need for multiple data streams, says Ingenix.

* Intergy Knows its Community

Tampa, Fla.-based Sage Software will begin offering a new version of its Intergy by Sage solution, targeting the needs of community health centers.

Based on Sage Software's flagship intergy product line, the new solution will include features to help manage sliding fee schedules, UDS, and behavioral health management.

Combined with other Sage Software products, the new offering will provide community health centers with the ability to manage funds, control budgets, and monitor accountability, according to the company. The solution is integrated with the Sage's Intergy EHR, practice management and electronic data interchange tools, and Sage Software's financial offerings.

* SSI Enhances ClickOn

The SSI Group, a healthcare electronic data interchange (EDI) company located in Mobile, Ala., has implemented a recent enhancement to its Webbased application, ClickON Net Eligibility. The enhancement notifies users when content between request data from the provider and response data from the payer differ.

The company claims that utilizing this type of technology results in cost saving of about 80 percent on the front end, when compared to typical manual processes.

SSI is the industry's first organization to achieve CAQH Committee on Operating Rules for Information Exchange (CORE) Phase I rules certification seals, as both a clearinghouse and software vendor.

* Connecting Experts

Summit, N.J.-based Premier Healthcare Exchange Inc. (PHX) recently made available Xpert Connect, an integrated solution for healthcare cost containment.

Xpert Connect can be used by payers, insurance companies, HMOs, and third-party administrators. Featuring plug-and-play installation, the service delivers a one-step process for HIPAA-compliant data submission, according to the company, which contends that 90 percent of all claims are handled in-house, through a single file extract.

The core components of Xpert Connect, outlined by PHX, include:

* Xpert Editor

* Xpert Examiner

* Xpert Negotiator

* Purkinje Launches CareSeries Plus

Purkinje, a managed software and professional services partner of physicians, has launched CareSeries Plus, a solution that provides small and medium-sized medical practices a single source for clinical and billing requirements.

According to Purkinje, CareSeries Plus combines its suite of integrated, Web-based practice management and electronic medical record applications with value-added billing and A/R management services.

CareSeries Plus customers also receive free access to Purkinje's suite of Web-based applications, including electronic health record, practice management, e-prescribing and personal health record modules that facilitate clinical and administrative workflow, contends the St. Louis, Mo.-based company.

* Lawson Launches Quickstep

St. Paul, Minn.-based Lawson Software has launched Quickstep Healthcare, a pre-configured enterprise resource planning (ERP) application package.

According to Lawson, Quickstep Healthcare facilitates the following functions:

* Processes new hires, creating HR management reports, and administering benefits and employee absence plans

* Establishes supply chain visibility to manage vendor agreements

* Minimizes time and cost needed to implement new technology

* Keeps track of financial information to meet compliance needs

*Accuro Updates CodeCorrect CDM

Accuro Healthcare Solutions, a provider of revenue management solutions, has launched version 3.0 of CodeCorrect CDM, a Web-based chargemaster management tool.

According to Accuro, version 3.0 includes a request feature that facilitates interactivity within hospital departments and multi-hospital health systems. Users can also request additions, deletions and changes to the chargemaster file via an internal e-mail system and track actions through an audit feature, the company contends.

In addition, users can access a database of coding and billing intelligence through Accuro's CodeCorrect Knowledge product, providing information on reimbursement, compliance and revenue opportunity information, the Dallas-based company says.

* Siemens Provides Tailored Financial Services

Siemens Financial Services Inc. (SFS), a provider of business-to-business financial services located in lselin, N.J., has launched a structure to provide tailored financing solutions for the healthcare, energy, and industrial sectors.

According to SFS, the structure applies to Equipment Finance (EF) and Working Capital Finance (WCF) Divisions.

SFS has made several additions to its senior management team to lead the implementation of the new structure for EF and WCF Divisions, contends the company. SFS says it has reinforced the sales activities of the EF and WCF Divisions by forming a Healthcare Finance Unit, an Energy Finance Unit and an Industrial Finance Unit.

*EpicTide Launches Audit Solution

EpicTide, a provider of privacy auditing solutions based in St Petersburg, Fla., has launched EpicTide FairWarning policy engine.

According to the software company, its solution is designed to help increase security responsiveness, identify insider security incidents, and automate compliance. EpicTide says its policy engine reviews the audit logs from health information systems, detecting alerts on security, privacy and compliance exceptions through a non-invasive audit log review approach.

The company contends its solution provides support for most healthcare applications including: Cerner Millennium, Cerner Power Chart, Eclipsys E7000, Epic Chronicles, Epic Clarity, and GE Centricity Access.

* Ingenix Teams With Exante

Ingenix (Eden Prairie, Minn.), a health information technology company, and Exante Financial Services (Minnetonka, Minn.), a financial services organization, have launched Exante Electronic Payments and Statements to health insurance plans nationwide.

According to Ingenix, Exante's electronic payments and statements can save payers 20 percent to 50 percent in administrative expenses by migrating providers to electronic payments and statements, the health IT company says.

Ingenix contends that the partnership provides an opportunity for both companies to reduce administrative expenses for plans and providers through electronic payments and remittances.

* PatientKeeper Launches P4P Solution

PatientKeeper Inc. (Newton, Mass.), a provider of physician information systems, has launched PatientKeeper P4P, a quality measurement module.

According to PatientKeeper, its solution automates the process of collecting and reporting quality metrics under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) 2007 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI).

The PatientKeeper P4P solution enables hospitals to manage data collection and reporting processes for PQRI without having to create a separate process for each CMS measure, says the company. In addition, PatientKeeper contends its solution provides a way for physicians to automatically trigger the appropriate questions as charges are being entered.

* Applix Updates Data Systems

Applix Inc. (Westborough, Mass.), a business analytics software solutions provider, has updated its SAP and SAP BI 7.0 systems in an effort to provide greater access to data.

According to Applix, the enhanced interface, developed in conjunction with syskoplan AG, a systems integrator and consultancy headquartered in Gutersloh, Germany, enables Applix customers to access strategic information stored in SAP for more informed business decisions with flexible analytics and reporting.

The Applix business analytics solution is based upon a single platform of performance management applications that support business intelligence and business performance management needs from simple static reporting to real-time planning and forecasting, says the company.

* NextGen Rallies RCM

Horsham, Pa.-based NextGen Healthcare, a wholly owned subsidiary of Quality Systems Inc., has launched Practice Solutions, a business division devoted to providing physician practices with cost-effective RCM services.

The Practice Solutions Division combines a Web-delivered software-as-a-service model and the NextGen software platform to execute its RCM offerings, the company says.

Product and service offerings include:

* Eligibility checking

* Charge capture

* Claims scrubbing

* Electronic claims submission

* Payment posting

* Argole Launches Oncology EMR for Billing

Argole Systems Inc. (Rockville, Md.) has launched the beta release of Akessa Oncology, an electronic medical record (EMR) and practice workflow suite for oncology practices.

According to Argole, its solution provides oncologists with a comprehensive EMR integrated with systems for pharmaceutical inventory management, practice management and billing to improve office workflows and ensure quality patient care.

Key features of Akessa Oncology include:

* Front-office management

* Oncology EMR

* Medical billing

* Pharmaceutical inventory management

* athenaheaKh Launches All-Payer Platform

athenahealth Inc. has developed and launched, through a partnership with health benefits company Humana (Louisville, Ky.), an integrated all-payer platform designed to enable its national client base to perform real time adjudication (RTA) of medical claims a the point-of-service.

According to athenahealth (Watertown, Mass.), a provider of Internet-based business services for physician practices, the platform can be used for any payer that links to the athenaNet system, athenahealth's centrally-hosted practice management and EMR service platform.

athenahealth's contends its RTA functionality enables physicians and their staff to submit a claim at the time of service, receive a fully adjudicated claim response from the payer and collect the appropriate payment for services that qualify for real-time claim adjudication before the patient leaves the office.

ADMINISTRATIVE

* IT Management Made Easy

The SSI Group Inc. (SSI), a healthcare electronic data interchange (EDI) company based in Mobile, Ala., recently released the ClickON Hosted Management Service.

The new service provides a solution in which healthcare providers' claims software applications and supporting hardware are hosted and managed at SSI's Corporate Data Center. According to the company, this enables healthcare organizations to direct the claims management functions located at their facility via remote connectivity without the need for an extensive IT support structure.

Through ClickON Technology, SSI connects to a variety of commercial and government healthcare payers, including Medicare, utilizing its EHNAC-certified clearinghouse/data center or a direct-to-payer claims submission solution.

Advantages of ClickON Hosted Management Service include a secure environment for physical and network protection, a business continuity plan, 24/7 operations, claims reporting, claims tracking and status capabilities, and software and hardware upgrades, the company states.

* Alloy Software Proves its Mettle

Nutley, N.J.-based Alloy Software, Inc., a provider of service management, asset management, and network management software solutions, has released the Alloy Navigator 5.2 - an enhanced version of its IT service desk management suite.

The new Alloy Navigator 5.2 provides a range of features to automate IT service and support operations as well as other business-critical processes, the company states.

Some of the new features in Alloy Navigator 5.2 include workflow, support for recurring and global tickets, software license compliance and a customizable sidebar for agents to customize and personalize their work environments.

* Security for SIEM Vendors

Third Brigade, headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, has released a new program designed for Security Information and Event Management vendors that provides tight integration with the Third Brigade host intrusion prevention system.

The new program provides a source of host security information and allows a Security Information Manager/Security Event Manager to actively respond to and change host-level security policies through its Web services interface, the company stated.

* Patient Tracking, Stat!

Alpharetta, Ga.-based StatCom recently launched its patient flow logistics and tracking software. According to the company, the system enables hospitals to anticipate and manage demand.

StatCom coordinates patients and resources from admission through discharge, including managing beds, environmental services and discharge. The product informs physicians, staff, and family as to the patient's status and location, and provides real-time tools to manage departmental flow, the company claims.

* Lost in Translation

Aurora, Colo.-based Health Language, Inc. (HLI), a supplier of language engine technology for medical vocabulary, recently announced the addition of ICD-10-CM functionality to the Language Engine (LE) product.

According to HLI, the capabilities of the Language Engine will allow users to translate ICD-9-CM inpatient and outpatient diagnostic coding into the approved ICD-10-CM code sets.

The LE product provides a tool for healthcare organizations, application solution providers, payers and government agencies to localize, update and disseminate over 70 controlled, licensed healthcare terminologies, mappings and other terminology-related content issued by a growing number of standards bodies.

* Making the Switch from PBX to IP Phones

Citel, headquartered in Seattle, recently launched the Portico Telephone VoIP Adapter to enable and convert existing PBX phones into IP phones over existing wiring infrastructure. The Portico platform delivers the features and functionality of VoIP without the costs associated with typical "rip and replace" VoIP migration solutions, such as network upgrades, new handsets, and retraining, according to the company.

According to Citel, Portico TVA connects legacy PBX handsets to a premise-based IP PBX or Hosted IP service provider network, and reduces the disruption usually associated with IP telephony migration. High value VoIP features and services pass through Portico TVA directly to existing PBX handsets over existing wiring, transforming them into new IP phones. Citel claims that with Portico enterprises avoid the expense of a LAN assessment, LAN upgrade, and new IP handsets. A laptop or desktop web browser is used for enhanced VoIP features such as click to call, simultaneous ringing, and Microsoft Outlook integration.

* Managing the OR with Extelligence

Wakefield, Mass.-based Picis, Inc., has rolled out Extelligence OR version 3.0, a business intelligence (BI) solution that analyzes and manages the business performance of the operating room (OR).

Extelligence OR version 3.0 integrates with CareSuite OR Manager, Picis' operating room management system, allowing end-users to directly access and interpret recorded data during the surgical continuum, Picis says. The company claims new features include out-of-the-box integration and an enhanced best practice report library.

* Henry Schein Goes 6.0

Melville, N.Y.-based Henry Schein Medical Systems, the medical software division of Henry Schein Inc., recently released MicroMD PM 6.0, a windows-based client/server practice management system.

According to Henry Schein Medical Systems, enhancements in version 6.0 include:

* Identity and Access Management

* Referral Tracking

* Co-pay Tracking

* Collection by Sequence

* Enhanced Reporting

* User Interface Facelift

* Kodak Updates its Dashboard

Eastman Kodak Company, based in Rochester, N.Y., recently released an updated version of its Kodak Carestream Digital Dashboard software.

According to Kodak, the digital dashboard feature allows system administrators to monitor equipment performance, storage utilization and user volumes for picture archiving and communications systems (PACS), as well as check patient's vital statistics.

The software supports users of Kodak Carestream PACS and Kodak Carestream Information Management Solutions, says the company.

* McKesson Examines Inventory

McKesson Specialty, a division of San Francisco based McKesson Corporation, recently launched OncolMS, a Web-based inventory management solution designed to help oncology practices manage medication inventory levels and streamline manual inventory processes.

Gabrail Cancer Center in Canton, Ohio, and Matthews Hematology Oncology in Matthews, N.C., are two of the pilot practices implementing the solution, followed by a general release in June.

According to McKesson, OncolMS's key features include capturing lost charges; tracking inventory items including partial vials - to facilitate patient and practice reimbursement; linking inventory items according to regimens to assist with practice standardization; automated inventory ordering; and backing up data to ensure disaster recovery.

* Philips Sends a Memo

Royal Philips Electronics, headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, recently launched an updated version of its Digital Pocket Memo.

* According to Phillips, enhanced features of the handheld digital recorder include:

* An economically updated screen.

* Automatically uploaded dictation to a local area network (LAN) without the need for a PC connection.

* Automatically encrypted dictation in real time.

* Two levels of security: a PIN and a personal user keyword.

* Encryption technology to ensure that dictation is compliant with current confidentiality and security standards.

* A USB chargeable battery.

* Upgraded DSS (Digital Speech Standard files) and SpeechExec Pro software.

* Halogen Set to Release eAppraisal Healthcare

Ottawa, Ontario-based Halogen Software Inc., a provider of Web-based employee performance and staffing management software, plans to release eAppraisal Healthcare 8.1 this summer.

According to Halogen, its software enables hospitals to develop and assess nurses, while also providing access to reports and detailed information for the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) surveyors and organizations as a whole.

eAppraisal Healthcare supports position specific checklists with areas to collect verification method, initials, date of observation, and the assignment of action plans to address competency compliance, Halogen says. The product's reporting tools enable managers to track completed checklists and identify potential high performers and competency gaps.

* Kronos Goes 6.0 with Workforce Central

Chelmsford, Mass.-based Kronos Inc., a provider of staffing solutions, has launched Workforce Central 6.0, a global workforce management suite.

According to Kronos, updated features in Workforce Central 6.0 include:

* A centralized location for labor data which enables managers to monitor and compare workforce performance across geographies

* Improved visibility into workforce performance from enhanced analytics solutions

* New industry-specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), such as the Overall Labor Efficiency (OLE) KPI for manufacturing, which is based on workforce availability, performance, and quality

* Infocrossing Launches RA-Expert

Infocrossing Inc., a provider of IT infrastructure and business process outsourcing services, has launched RA-Expert, a risk adjustment processing system.

According to Infocrossing, highlights of RA-Expert include:

* Analysis and comparison reports to identify potential errors or missing diagnoses

* Baseline generation of all available hierarchical condition category (HCC) and risk adjustment processing system (RAPS) data for historical risk identification for each member

* Analysis and comparison reports of prior years' HCC data and RAPS submissions to current year RAPS submissions

* Risk scores and expected payment for reporting years are calculated through Infocrossing's RECON system for up to three years

* Data analysis reporting to identify potential issues

* Recommendations and assistance to implement a detailed corrective action plan

* RA-Expert helps health plans to create, manage and submit HCC risk scores that drive claim reimbursement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), says the Leonia, N.J.-based company.

* IBM Launches New Archive Solution

IBM launched a Grid Medical Archive Solution (GMAS) that provides hospitals, clinics, research institutions and pharmaceutical companies with an enterprise storage archive for delivering medical images, patient records and other healthcare reference Information.

* According to IBM, the clinical and IT benefits offered by GMAS are:

* Improved clinical application reliability

* Data protection for life

* Multi-site, multi-application and multi-tier operation

* Ability to leverage existing investments, including non-IBM hardware

IMAGING

* PACS Aggregation Engine

St. Paul, Minn.-based, Acuo Technologies recently announced the availability of a new software component, the PACS Aggregation Engine.

According to Acuo Technologies, PACS Aggregation Engine, a component of the Acuo DICOM Services Grid, can be licensed and used with any third party DICOM-compiiant application, such as DICOM workstations and traditional department PACS. Common applications include location DICOM device object location, content pre-fetching and archive data migration.

* What's Your Perception?

Medicalis Corporation based in Kitchener, Ontario, a provider of radiology workflow and decision support solutions, has released upgraded capabilities for the management of preauthorization requests for radiology benefits management (RBM) programs.

Percipio RBM solutions help physician offices and radiology groups manage the complexities of pre-authorization programs and provide capabilities such as checks for patient eligibility, notification of pre-authorization requirements, management of multiple program requirements and exceptions, and automation of pre-authorization requests, the company says.

* Sign Says: Merge

Milwaukee, Wis.-based Merge Healthcare, a provider of medical imaging software and services, has rolled out its Merge PET/CT Workstation software.

According to the company, the workstation accommodates standard methods used by radiologists to read Positron Emission and Tomography (PET) and Computed Tomography (CT) datasets.

Merge explains that the PET/CT Workstation displays images across dual monitors, allowing healthcare specialists to view physiological activities in conjunction with anatomical location. This method of review also allows simultaneous comparison of CT images, PET Corrected, PET Uncorrected, PET/ CT Fused Images and MIP among others, the company touts.

The company claims that the PET/CT Workstation can be used as a stand-alone workstation, or it can be integrated into a DICOM-compiiant PACS environment.

* Bartron Medical Imagines Kazeon

Largo, Md.-based Bartron Medical Imaging, Inc. (BMI), a provider of medical image analysis, has chosen Kazeon's Information Server IS1200-ECS to manage its patient information.

Mountain View, Calif.-based Kazeon, an information management company, states that its IS1200-ECS enables medical professionals to search, manage and secure medical images.

Kazeon indexes digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) images that pass through BMI's MedSeg solution, collecting metadata about the digital image such as patient name, patient ID number, hospital location, file size and last access time. Radiologists and medical practitioners can search to locate any document or image related to a particular patient or case stored across hundreds of hospital server and storage devices, according to Kazeon.

* A Dynamic Launch

Dynamic Imaging, a provider of Web-based image and information management, has released IntegradWeb RIS/PACS, a solution for ambulatory imaging centers and radiology group practices.

According to Dynamic, IntegradWeb RIS/PACS includes the following application modules:

* Enterprise Scheduling

* Pre-certification Workflow

* Clinical Workflow (Tech Log)

* Document Management

* Exam Visualization, Transcription, and Dictation

* Distribution and Storage

* Billing and Claims Management

* Management Reporting

Following successful beta testing, the company states IntegradWeb RIS/PACS was implemented at Liberty Pacific Medical Imaging facilities in California and Ohio.

* Merge Fuses RIS/PACS MX

Milwaukee, Wis.-based Merge Healthcare has released Fusion RIS/PACS MX, an imaging informatics solution.

According to Merge, Fusion RIS/PACS MX combines the functionalities of a RIS (radiology information system) and a PACS (picture archiving and communication system), resulting in a solution that gives single-desktop access to all information required for reading and reporting on an exam.

* Merge claims that client ROI analysis showed the following improvements:

* Turnaround times reduced from days to minutes.

* Addition of new imaging centers, while limiting volume for new staff hires.

* Increased exam volumes within the same cost structure.

* Condensed space requirements from distributed workloads.

* MedSolutions Launches Cardiac Imaging Product

MedSolutions, a provider of radiology management services based in Franklin, Tenn., has launched its cardiac imaging management product, Outcomes-Focused Cardiac Imaging.

According to MedSolutions, its cardiac management solution promotes the delivery of appropriate tests through qualified providers, leveraging analytics, personalized call center operations and radiology care management.

The timing of this product introduction also coincides with National Coverage Analysis (NCA) from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regarding Computed Tomographic Angiography (CTA). According to CMS, proponents have claimed that the use of cardiac CTA - a noninvasive method used to visualize the coronary arteries (or other vessels) - will lead to better health outcomes and a reduction in cardiac catheterization.

* Carestream and Siemens Release Imaging System

Rochester, N.Y.-based Carestream Health Inc. and Malvern, Pa.-based Siemens Medical Solutions have released an integrated digital medical imaging system featuring a portable X-ray generator and computed radiography (CR) system.

According to both companies, the CR-ITX 560 system features a shared user interface and power source, processes up to 60 images an hour with images being ready after 38 seconds, and supports multiple plate sizes. |

The system also has hospital information system/radiology information system (HIS/RIS) compatibility, contends Carestream and Siemens, and 560 supports DICOM Store and DICOM Print capabilities and uses a standard network outlet for communication.

Formerly part of Kodak's Health Group, Carestream is now owned by Onex.

* Siemens Manages its Image

Siemens Medical Solutions (Malvern, Pa.) recently launched a new cardiology image management and reporting solution, syngo Dynamics version 6.

According to Siemens, the solution delivers data transfer between Siemens' Sensis XP, a cardiology and electrophysiology recording solution, and syngo Dynamics. The solution improves the efficiency of clinical procedures related to cardiology, vascular and other medical disciplines, says the company.

Version 6 of syngo Dynamics continues the evolution of Siemens ACUSON KinetDx, an image management and reporting solution for the echocardiography laboratory, says Siemens.

* Cedara Launches Orthopedic Package

Cedara Software, a Merge Healthcare company and a developer of medical software technologies, has introduced an orthopedic package for imaging companies.

According to Cedara, its OrthoWorks ProPlanner features several automated functions to streamline planning of common orthopedic procedures. ProPlanner is designed for integration into existing imaging platforms, such as picture archiving and communication systems (PACS), the company touts.

OrthoWorks ProPlanner offers a digital solution for joint arthroscopy, trauma, and deformity correction, while also supporting surgical planning and archiving, Cedara contends.

* Carestream Introduces New Digital Radiography System

Rochester, N.Y.-based-Carestream Health Inc. says it has rolled out a new version of its digital radiography system, Kodak DirectViewDR 3500, replacing the DR 3000 platform. According to Carestream, the system offers a small footprint, functionality and customizable digital radiograph convenience for a broad range of healthcare facilities including hospitals, outpatient imaging centers and specialty clinics.

The company says new capabilities include:

* Optional pre-programmed auto-positioning

* Auto-collimator enhancements including field size and filter are pre-programmed for each projection

* Patient positioning enhancements including a support bar for lateral chest exams and patient handles.

* A new control panel displays additional information

The DR 3500 system is motorized with a floor-mounted stand that does not require wall mounts or ceiling suspension provisions, according to Carestream. The company claims preview images are available in less than six seconds.

* Nuance Launches PowerScribe Workstation 4.8

Nuance Communications Inc., a supplier of speech and imaging solutions based in Burlington, Mass., has launched PowerScribe Workstation 4.8, a speech recognition reporting solution for radiology.

According to the company, the new version support Internet Explorer Version 7, Windows XP, and has an updated report coding interface, which is voice enabled to allow users to enter various codes into reports for such functions as peer review, image quality and risk management.

* Fujifilm Releases Synapse 3.2

Fujifilm Medical Systems USA Inc. (Stamford, Conn.) has released Synapse version 3.2, a picture archiving and communication system (PACS).

According to Fujifilm, the software is designed to facilitate the adoption of digital mammography by providing capabilities for the soft copy interpretation of mammography and other breast imaging studies.

The company says improvements include:

* Integrating CAD into both the technologist and radiologist workflow.

* Enabling the display of CAD markers.

* Providing support for MQSA compliant overlays.

* RIS/PACS ASP Model Hits Market

Amercian Fork, Utah-based Novarad is now offering NovaRIS and NovaPACS through an ASP model.

The company says the cost of entry is a "low" upfront fee for set up and a per study fee. Facilities are able to choose the type of viewer and tech workstation that best suits their needs.

Images are stored on archives at NovaRad Corporation's International Data Center near Salt Lake City and are accessed securely through a Web browser. Technical support is available 24/7.

* HxTI Releases Open-Source

Philadelphia-based Hx Technologies (HxTI) has released a free, open-source software platform, called Xebra, for medical imaging distribution and visualization.

According to HxTI, Xebra provides healthcare organizations and other vendors with all necessary components to securely transmit and review medical images over a network.

The project, the company says, has opened up access to Web distribution/review features previously found only in proprietary, closed software. Xebra is able to run on any operating system, supporting the IHE standards required for sharing health information regionally and nationally in RHIOs, the NHIN, as well as international initiatives, the company says.

Xebra is intended to work alongside any PACS and to provide advanced imaging capabilities to a wide range of healthcare IT applications, the company says. Written in Java, the software is designed with an ultra-thin client that can be launched over the Web without any installation required by the end user.

* eHeatth Global Rolls Out Migration Service

Rochester, N.Y.-based eHealth Global Technologies has launched the eHeaithLoader service designed to help healthcare facilities with transferring patient images and medical records into an electronic information management system.

According to the company, the eHeaithLoader assists institutions transforming legacy data into digital systems, such as PACS, EMRs or other clinical information systems.

Through the use of industry standards, including DICOM and HL7, the product provides a solution for facilities seeking to capture historical paper or film-based medical records electronically, the company says. The service also interfaces with a healthcare facility's existing IT systems and uploads the data for use by clinicians.

* Offshore Teleradiology Offering on the Way

Milwaukee, Wis.-based Merge Healthcare, a medical Imaging software and services provider, has introduced a new teleradiology software application and a consulting service utilizing offshore radiologists.

The company says Consult PreReads provides a preliminary report of a medical imaging study (prepared and revised by offshore radiologists) producing a detailed report that a U.S. radiologist may consult and utilize in preparing the final diagnostic report. The report includes references to prior studies, relevant patient clinical information or data requested in the radiology order, and measurements of relevant and incidental pathology and associated key images.

Merge says it plans to begin offering the Merge TeleRead application and Consult PreRead service in the first quarter of 2008.

* Carestream Launches Updated RIS

Carestream Health Inc. (Rochester, N.Y.), a provider of medical imaging systems, has launched a pre-configured version of its Kodak Carestream Radiology Information System (RIS).

According to Carestream, the solution enables small to medium-sized hospitals to achieve desired workflow efficiencies and carry out comprehensive reporting.

An optional mammography module includes specialized scheduling, patient communication and reporting capabilities, says the company.

WIRELESS

* See Spot Track

Richardson, Texas-based InnerWireless, Inc., a provider of in-building wireless systems, recently announced that its realtime location system (RTLS), Spot, is commercially available after one year of beta tests and integration with location-enabled applications. According to InnerWireless, Spot gives healthcare organizations room-level accuracy for tracking and locating critical medical devices and valuable assets, which enhances workflow and improves patient care.

Spot uses a purpose-built architecture comprised of master radios, beacons and asset tags based on the 802.15.4 standard to locate equipment.

* 3M's Track and Trace

3M, headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., recently announced it is bringing Saratoga, Calif.-based Ekahau, Inc. Wi-Fi-based Real Time Location Systems (RTLS) technology to its customer base. According to 3M, the system can operate over any existing enterprise Wi-R network.

With this addition to 3M's Track and Trace Solutions portfolio, the company claims it can identify and meet critical needs of business process optimization, such as tracking high-value assets and enhancing general process efficiencies.

The Ekahau RTLS platform includes server software, application software and tags. According to Ekahau, RTLS can locate Wi-R-enabled devices such as laptops, personal digital assistants and other Items to which an Ekahau tag has been attached.

* McKesson Delivers Connect-RN

McKesson has released the Connect-RN solution for nurses, a product which integrates bar code medication administration, medication cabinets and pharmacy information systems on one mobile device, according to the company.

From anywhere in the hospital, nurses use Connect-RN to control medication retrieval and administration, the company contends. Using McKesson's Horizon Admin-Rx device, nurses automatically generate the list of medications to be administered and identify the locations for all specified medications, including stationary or mobile medication cabinets, carts and other locations.

Through McKesson's Horizon MedComm-Rx order transmission system, nurses also can electronically notify the pharmacy and prioritize missing doses, refill requests, schedule changes, overrides and other routine communications, the company states.

* Socket Rolls out SoMo 650

Socket Communications Inc. (Newark, Calif.), a provider of mobile productivity solutions, has launched its SoMo 650 handheld mobile computer.

According to Socket Communications, the SoMo 650 features the following:

* PDA-like form-factor

* A three-to-five year life cycle

* Windows Mobile 5.0 Professional operating system

* Business-class Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, a 624 MHz processor, a QVGA display, program and storage memory for running multiple applications, and a high-capacity battery

* Pre-integration with a range of peripherals and information systems, such as scanning, RFID, communications and interface devices

The SoMo 650 has been trialed by nurses at St. Clair Hospital in Pittsburgh.

* SYMX Leverages RFID with Microsoft

Miami-based SYMX Technologies, a provider of equipment lifecycle management services for healthcare facilities, has launched a real-time business process solution designed to help hospitals leverage RFID data.

The SYMX ATLAS (Asset Tracking Location Accountability System) provides hospitals with data access, management and integration by using active RFID to deliver real-time location and process automation, says the company.

According to SYMX, it has built its solution on top of Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft Corporation's BizTalk Server 2006 R2.

* Time Domain Launches RTLS

Huntsville, Ala.-based Time Domain released a real-time location system (RTLS) that can read thousands of small, active RFID tags per second through multiple walls with a precision of 12-36 inches, according to the company.

Time Domain says its new Precision Location Ultra Wideband System (PLUS) product line will enable RTLS solutions to move from an "approximate presence" technology to a solution that precisely locates and monitors the interaction of people and assets for a host of new healthcare applications.

The new PLUS products are currently being trialed in several healthcare applications, including Washington Hospital Center, a not-for-profit 926-bed acute care teaching and research hospital based in Washington, D.C.

* Telemedicine Project Launched in Afghanistan

Roshan (Kabul, Afghanistan), a provider of telecom operations, has launched a telemedicine solution to expand healthcare access and delivery across Afghanistan.

Using wireless video consultation and digital image transfer, the telemedicine project will provide hospitals in Afghanistan with access to specialist diagnosis and treatment and training expertise from abroad, says Roshan. According to the company, additional applications of the project include the ability to send real-time X-ray, ultrasound, and CAT Scans (Computerized Axial Tomography) for evaluation.

Roshan has teamed with Cisco (San Jose, Calif.), Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH, Karachi, Pakistan), French Medical Institute for Children (FMIC, Paris) and other technology suppliers to launch the project. The first phase of the project has linked FMIC in Kabul to AKUH in Karachi, says Roshan, whereas subsequent phases will link major Afghan regional hospitals to the FMIC. Eventually, the links can be extended to medical institutions in Europe and North America, says the organization.