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Vinformatix receives ONC-ATCB certification for MedSonic EMR solution

Vinformatix announced today that after integrating the Healthwise Patient Education EMR Module and its patient-friendly content, the MedSonic EMR has earned certification from InfoGard Laboratories, an authorized Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology—Authorized Testing and Certification Body.

19 May 2011

Inspector General: Push for EMRs overlooks security issues

The Office of the Inspector General found "a lack of general [information technology] security controls during prior audits at Medicare contractors, State Medicaid agencies, and hospitals."

19 May 2011

Mpex, Synteract partner for cystic fibrosis fundraising event

Synteract, Inc., a full-service, global contract research organization, and Mpex Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company developing new therapies to combat the growing issue of antibiotic resistance, have partnered for the second annual Great Strides fundraiser to benefit cystic fibrosis.

19 May 2011

State roundup: Med schools in Texas face budget crunch

Patients would have access to detailed histories of Illinois doctors — including whether the physician has been fired, convicted of a crime or made a medical malpractice payment in the past five years — under legislation headed to the governor's desk.

19 May 2011

New gripping and safety device to protect nurses' fingers and hands to be displayed at INS meeting

MedeGrip™, a new gripping and safety device that protects nurses' fingers and hands, will be displayed next week at the Infusion Nurses Society (INS) annual meeting. The device makes it easier and safer for nurses to perform various essential duties.

18 May 2011

Schryver Medical adopts Zmanda's backup and disaster recovery solutions to backup critical enterprise data

Zmanda™, the industry's leading provider of open source backup and disaster recovery solutions, today announced that Schryver Medical, Inc. has adopted Amanda Enterprise to backup the company's mission critical enterprise data. The company is also in the process of deploying Zmanda's Disaster Recovery module to ensure they meet all regulatory compliance and uptime requirements.

18 May 2011

Probability of contamination during handshaking could be lower than is commonly perceived

Graduations are a celebration of achievement and growth, but could all the pomp and circumstance increase your risk of exposure to harmful bacteria? A team of researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health examined the risk of acquiring pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) through shaking hands at graduation ceremonies across Maryland.

18 May 2011

First Edition: May 18, 2011

Today's news highlights include reports about the latest developments regarding the budget talks and the Senate's "Gang of Six," the continuing political hijinx surrounding Medicare issues, and the Obama administration's plan to offer a new path for accountable care organizations.

18 May 2011

Oak Point students raise $42,474.24 to combat cancer

Penny by penny, students at Oak Point Intermediate School in Eden Prairie, MN, raised an incredible $42,474.24 through Pennies for Patients, making them the top fundraiser nationwide in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's School & Youth Programs.

18 May 2011

Gingrich focuses attention on aging research

The presidential hopeful urged more investment in Alzheimer's research as a step that would lead to savings down the road. Meanwhile, The AP reports how the tight budget could pit scientific priorities against each other in a funding competition.

18 May 2011

GOP intra-party divisions emerge over Medicare revamps

Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., offered a forceful defense of his budget plan that includes a proposal to make major changes in the Medicare program after Newt Gingrich, the newly minted candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, ripped the plan.

18 May 2011

State efforts to protect patients fall short, group says

News reports examine the role of physician boards in protecting patients as well as how a self-referral rule is faring in the courts.

18 May 2011

Kool Smiles inaugurates new Takoma Park dental office

Kool Smiles, a leading dental health provider for children and adults, now has opened its doors to additional families in Maryland with a new office location in Takoma Park. Kool Smiles of Takoma Park officially opened on May 2 as the organization continues to expand access to quality dental care for families in underserved communities across the nation.

18 May 2011

Haiti presents plan to immunize 90 percent of newborns

Haiti has a plan to vaccinate 90 percent of newborns by 2015, according to PAHO, but "whether the plan works will depend on Haiti's ability to reverse decades of incompetent government and bad coordination among aid groups," as well as whether there will be funding, the New York Times reports.

18 May 2011

GAO report looks at U.S. aid for food emergencies, iWatch reports

According to a GAO report issued last week, "the USAID program designed for food emergencies now spends more than half of its funding to cover multi-year shortages that have become the norm. About 96 percent of the food aid supplied in 2010 went to 21 countries that have received U.S. food aid for four years or more," iWatch News reports.

18 May 2011

CitiusTech receives ONC-ATCB certification for BI-Clinical 10.3 EHR Module

CitiusTech announced today that BI-Clinical Framework 10.3 is 2011/2012 compliant and was certified as an EHR Module on May 12, 2011 by the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology, an ONC-ATCB, in accordance with the applicable Eligible Hospital certification criteria adopted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

18 May 2011

Scientists detect potentially toxic flame retardants in common baby products

Scientists are reporting detection of potentially toxic flame retardants in car seats, bassinet mattresses, nursing pillows, high chairs, strollers, and other products that contain polyurethane foam and are designed for newborns, infants and toddlers.

18 May 2011

State Senators in Minnesota and Iowa pass abortion measures

A pair of bills that would dramatically limit abortion rights passed their final legislative hurdle on Monday and will soon be headed to the governor's desk. The GOP-led Minnesota Senate voted 40-26 to eliminate state funding of abortions for poor women and voted 42-24 to prohibit all abortions 20 weeks after conception.

18 May 2011

Restrictive gadolinium-based contrast agent guidelines help prevent nephrogenic systemic fibrosis

A simple blood test may help prevent a serious complication associated with a contrast agent commonly used in MRI exams, according to a study published in the July issue of Radiology.

18 May 2011

Provider backlash to ACO rule continues

According to the American Hospital Association, the formation of accountable care organizations will cost millions more than Medicare projected. Meanwhile, PoliticoPro reports on how CMS might respond to the complaints.

18 May 2011