A twice-monthly compendium of key health IT news for physicians.
August 19, 2010 - Vol. 1, No. 12

EHR  
More EMR, less superhighway, says CMA   
The Canadian Medical Association’s recent Health Care Transformation in Canada report calls for a fundamental change in the way healthcare technology is developed. The CMA wants IT development to shift from building an information superhighway for healthcare to practical applications of technology at the point of care. More 

EMR  
Ontario chain of clinics opts for hosted EMR   
The Markham-based AIM Health Group, which operates the largest independently owned group of Health and Wellness Centres in Ontario, has selected Nightingale On Demand as its exclusive practice management and EMR provider. AIM signed a five-year agreement with Nightingale for the hosted system, which requires only an internet connection to access it and doesn’t  require costly installation of servers at each clinic location. More 

eHealth   
Doctor-patient e-mails boost clinical outcomes   
Secure patient-physician e-mail messaging improves the effectiveness of care for patients with diabetes and hypertension, according to new research by Kaiser Permanente, the giant U.S.-based healthcare provider. A study published in the July issue of Health Affairs shows that health information technology improves quality-of-care scores in measurable ways. More 

Diagnostics   
Winnipeg firm markets skin test for cholesterol 
A Winnipeg biotech company has acquired the worldwide rights to a new technology that can detect high levels of cholesterol in a patient through a simple skin test that can be performed in a doctor’s office. Chemicals are applied to a patient’s hand that binds to the cholesterol, and results are read and generated by a computerized reader in five minutes. More 

Mental health  
Quick test helps get mental patients on right meds   
McMaster University psychiatrists and engineers in Hamilton are working together to find faster ways to get the right drug to the right mental health patients. A study, published online by medical journal Clinical Neurophysiology, shows a common, safe and cheap electroencephalography (EEG) test can predict which patients will do best on various drugs with about 89 percent accuracy. More 

Digitizing the physician office with mobile technology    
When it comes to the use of technology, physicians are frequently and unfairly characterized as luddites. Yet, in my research for my book on digitizing the physician office, I have found quite the opposite to be the case. Physicians are more than willing to embrace technology that helps them deliver better care or that frees up their time by allowing them to work more efficiently. More 



Samsung launches Android-powered Galaxy
Samsung Mobile and Bell Mobility have launched the Samsung Galaxy S Vibrant smartphone. The Android 2.1-powered Samsung Galaxy offers a fully integrated entertainment, messaging and social networking device. It’s now available for $149.95 on a three year contract with a minimum $50 per month voice/data or combo plan or for $499.95 without a contract. More 

Free pregnancy tracking app for the iPad   
The Hello Baby Pregnancy Calendar, a free iPad app developed by Pampers, is a must-have application for expectant mothers, according to medical reviewers at iMedicalapps.com. This application is also a great resource for OB/GYN physicians to use in the office setting with patients. Other providers who perform prenatal visits, such as family medicine practitioners, could use the app in the same capacity. More 

Free Google Translate app for Androids  
Doctors often encounter language barriers in delivering care, particularly in multi-cultural Canadian cities. Interpreters may be available, but if time is an issue, you may need to deliver care before they can arrive. The free Google Translate app presents a possible solution to this problem. More 

Anime preps kids for medical procedures  
The anime cartoon production company TMS Entertainment is launching Smile-Touch, an anime-viewing, touch-screen tablet for use in pediatric care. The 1.6-kilogram portable device contains four 12-minute animated educational shorts to prepare young children for medical procedures such as X-rays, intravenous drips, inhalers, and blood samples. More 
 
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