EHI’s industry news roundup 15.02.08

E-Health Insider’s industry news round up for the week ending 15 February 2008 featuring supplier news, product launches, awards and events.

Supplier news

Agfa reaches 100 million mark on NPfIT PACS

Agfa Healthcare has announced that the100 millionth study using a digital picture archiving and communications system (PACS) has been captured by NHS trusts using Agfa PACS in the North East and East and East Midlands regions of the National Programme for IT (NPfIT). The study was captured at the Queens Medical Centre of the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust in December 2007.

NHS to create Integrated Research Application System

The NHS has launched a new online streamlined Integrated Research Application System (IRAS) to enable researchers to lodge applications with seven research bodies, under the umbrella of the UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC), at one time. The UKCRC said: “While some successful integration of the governance and ethical application systems has occurred, IRAS is a major step forward in integrating and simplifying processes for researchers.”

NHS North West to implement pay-for-performance model for quality monitoring

NHS North West has agreed a deal with Premier Software to implement a pay-for-performance project as a model for improving patient care. Over 30 hospitals in the region will have to submit quality data to Premier using software as part of a new Advancing Quality initiative. The programme aims to reduce re-admissions and complications and cut the time patients spend in hospital.

Leeds Partnership implements new virtualisation technology

Leeds Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust which provides mental health and learning disability services to over 725,000 people within the metropolitan boundaries of Leeds has implemented virtualisation technology from VMware and Vizioncore to improve efficiency and disaster recovery capabilities across its two data centres.

Gateshead deploy new e-Rostering solution from SMART

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust has signed a contract with a view to implementing SMART’s eHL workforce management solution trust-wide to remove manual timesheets, improve payroll accuracy and rostering.

Dr Foster helps NHS South Central with stop smoking programme

South Central SHA has commissioned Dr Foster Intelligence and BUPA Commissioning to help launch an ambitious programme aimed at assisting 3,500 people in NHS South Central stop smoking by the end of March.

Product launches

Olympus launch new professional digital dictation systems

With the DS-5000 Voice Recorder and AS-5000 Transcription Kit, Olympus introduces two new products for across-the-board professional dictation requirements. The DS-5000 can be further enhanced when used in conjunction with the AS-5000 Transcription Kit. Dictation and transcription requirements are therefore seamlessly integrated into the daily office workflow. Both the DS-5000 and AS-5000 will be available from March 2008.

Data Resolve launch environment management software

Data Resolve, a Cheshire based software company, are set to release their new CleanseCheck hospital patient environment management software solution that is designed to assist NHS Trusts in adhering to the Department of Health’s PEAT procedures; a best practice guide to help improve the hospital environment and patient experience with the long term aim of reducing the spread of MRSA and other hospital acquired infections.

Awards

Connecting for Health programme leader wins telehealth contributor award

George MacGinnis, who leads the Assistive Technology Programme, as part of the NHS Connecting for Health Technology Office, has received a ‘Continua Health Alliance Key Contributor` Award. He was recognised for outstanding results in defining and developing proposals for Continua’s work reflecting a wide variety of perspectives and getting them ready for agreement by all the 140 organisations represented.

Events

Telepresence World – 18 – 19 March, ExCeL, London

Telepresence World 2008 London will explore the real world applications of telepresence via case studies, roundtables, and business analyses on a wide variety of topics ranging from management of the global enterprise via telepresence to ways that the technology can reduce the corporate carbon footprint and contribute to the development of sustainable business models. For more information on Telepresence World’s updated agenda and additional registration details, see http://www.telepresenceworld.com.

Joe Fernandez