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CytoSorbents Corporation Achieves ISO 13485 Certification

Posted on September 27, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: CytoSorbents Corporation

MONMOUTH JUNCTION, NJ–(Marketwire – September 27, 2010) –  CytoSorbents Corporation (OTCBB: CTSO), a critical care focused company using blood purification to treat life-threatening illnesses, announced the achievement of ISO 13485:2003 Full Quality Systems certification, a major milestone. ISO 13485 is an internationally recognized quality standard designed to ensure that medical device manufacturers have the necessary comprehensive management systems in place to safely design, develop, manufacture and distribute medical devices in the European Union (E.U.). It is a regulatory requirement of the E.U.’s Medical Device Directive and an important step toward attaining European CE Mark approval. 

Dr. Phillip Chan, Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are very pleased to have attained this key milestone. ISO 13485 certification confirms that our manufacturing and quality systems meet the same high standards required of other major US medical device companies selling into Europe. Of the possible options, Full Quality Systems certification is the most stringent and efficient route to CE Mark approval for CytoSorb™ and other future CytoSorbents products. When coupled with CE Mark approval, ISO 13485 certification will allow CytoSorbents to commercialize its products in the E.U. market and other countries that recognize the ISO 13485 and CE Mark standards.”

About CytoSorbents and CytoSorb™

CytoSorbents Corporation, and its operating subsidiary CytoSorbents, Inc., is a critical care focused therapeutic device company in clinical trials to treat severe sepsis, often called “overwhelming infection,” with a novel blood purification device called CytoSorb™. Severe sepsis afflicts more than 1 million people in the United States and an estimated 18 million people worldwide each year, killing one in every three patients despite the best treatment. In the United States, more die from severe sepsis than from either heart attacks, strokes or any single form of cancer. Severe sepsis is typically triggered by bacterial infections like pneumonia, or viral infections like influenza. However, it is the body’s abnormal immune response to the trigger that leads to severe inflammation and the unregulated, massive production of cytokines, often called “cytokine storm,” that then causes multi-organ failure and often death. CytoSorb™ is a cartridge containing highly porous polymer beads that are designed to filter cytokines and treat potentially fatal cytokine storm. As blood is pumped repeatedly through the CytoSorb™ cartridge using standard dialysis equipment, the beads bind and remove cytokines and other toxins from blood. The treated blood is then returned to the patient. The Company is currently conducting its European Sepsis Trial — a multi-center, randomized, controlled clinical trial using CytoSorb™ to treat up to 100 patients with severe sepsis in the setting of respiratory failure. Pending a successful trial, the Company will seek CE Mark approval and commercialization of CytoSorb™ in the European Union. Importantly, cytokine reduction via CytoSorb™ has broad applicability to a number of other critical care diseases where cytokine storm plays a detrimental role, including burn and smoke inhalation injury, trauma, acute respiratory distress syndrome, advanced influenza, acute pancreatitis and other. CytoSorb™ is one of a number of different resins designed for various medical applications, including improved dialysis, the potential treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, rhabdomyolysis in trauma, removal of chemotherapy during treatment of cancer with high dose regional chemotherapy, drug detoxification and others. Additional information is available for download on the Company’s website: www.cytosorbents.com

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements in this press release are not promises or guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions and are naturally subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. We caution you not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein. CytoSorbents Corporation and CytoSorbents, Inc believe that its primary risk factors include, but are not limited to: obtaining government approvals including required FDA and CE Mark approvals; ability to successfully develop commercial operations; dependence on key personnel; acceptance of the Company’s medical devices in the marketplace; the outcome of pending and potential litigation; compliance with governmental regulations; reliance on research and testing facilities of various universities and institutions; the ability to obtain adequate financing in the future when needed; product liability risks; limited manufacturing experience; limited marketing, sales and distribution experience; market acceptance of the Company’s products; competition; unexpected changes in technologies and technological advances; and other factors detailed in the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 9, 2010, which is available at http://www.sec.gov.

Contact:
CytoSorbents Corporation
David Lamadrid
(732) 329-8885 ext. 816
[email protected]

Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

Kansas Governor and New CMS Deputy Administrator Keynote Medline’s Long-Term Care Summit

Posted on September 24, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Medline Industries, Inc.

More Than 150 Long-Term Care Leaders Attending Meeting to Explore Changing Expectations for Quality Resident Care

MUNDELEIN, IL–(Marketwire – September 24, 2010) –  Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson and new CMS Deputy Administrator for the Center for Strategic Planning Tony Rodgers will be the keynote speakers at Medline Industries, Inc.’s second annual Long-Term Care Quality Summit, September 27-29 in New York City. More than 150 leaders from the nation’s long-term care community are attending the two-day forum which is focused on how nursing homes can meet the changing expectations for quality among their residents and families. 

Through panel discussions, the Summit will also address the changing regulatory expectations for the long-term care industry and how nursing homes can implement a system to continuously improve quality of care and life for their residents.

Governor Parkinson was recently named the next president of the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), the nation’s largest long-term care association. Rogers is also starting in a new position with CMS, where he is responsible for enterprise-wide strategic planning, Medicare and Medicaid research and demonstrations, policy research and development and CMS enterprise decision support.

Other speakers include: Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.; Andy Kramer, MD, chief executive officer of Nursing Home Quality and professor of medicine, University of Colorado; Neil Pruitt, Jr., chairman and CEO, UHS Pruitt Corporation; Jim Foy, president and CEO, St. John’s Riverside Healthcare System, Yonkers, NY; Barbara Baylis, senior vice president of clinical operations, Kindred Healthcare, Inc.; Mary Ousley, president of Ousley & Associates; Elizabeth Ayello, president of Ayello, Harris and Associates; and Kevin Yankowsky, partner in the health law litigation group of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. 

About Medline
Medline, the nation’s largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of healthcare products, manufactures and distributes more than 100,000 products to hospitals, extended care facilities, surgery centers, home care dealers and agencies. Headquartered in Mundelein, IL, Medline has more than 900 dedicated sales representatives nationwide to support its broad product line and cost management services.

Medline has a growing network of 32 distribution centers around the country, as well as an expanding, dedicated transportation fleet with over 200 vehicles in a variety of sizes to fit customers’ specific delivery needs. The fleet is equipped with the latest navigation devices for enhanced order tracking and communication.

Media Contacts:
Jerreau Beaudoin
(847) 643-3011

John Marks
(847) 643-3309

Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

New Study: Dysport(TM) Data Shows Superiority Versus Botox(R) Cosmetic at the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 2010…

Posted on September 24, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Clinical Results Show Efficacy Benefit With DysportTM for Treatment of Crow’s Feet

ALEXANDRIA, VA–(Marketwire – September 24, 2010) – The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) today announced positive clinical results demonstrating a significant efficacy advantage with Dysport™ (abobotulinumtoxinA) over Botox® Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) for the treatment of Crow’s feet. The data were presented Friday, September 24 at a scientific session at the AAFPRS 2010 Annual Fall Meeting, taking place September 23-26 in Boston.

Downloadable photos, fact sheets and other supporting materials available here: http://www.multimedianewscenter.com/aafprs/dysport-data-shows-superiority-versus-botox-cosmetic

The 90-subject study, titled “Internally Controlled Double-Blind Comparison of Onabotulinum and Abobotulinum Toxin Type A (Nettar, Kartik D., M.D., et. al),” met its primary endpoint (p=0.01) of greater efficacy of action with Dysport™ as defined by investigator assessment of maximum contraction at Day 30 post injection compared to Day 0. Additionally, a secondary endpoint — subject assessment at maximum contraction at Day 30 compared to Day 0 — also demonstrated statistical significance with Dysport™ (p=0.027).

“Botox has long been considered the gold standard of injectables, so this data showing Dysport’s stronger efficacy is compelling,” said Corey S. Maas, M.D., F.A.C.S., AAFPRS Group Vice President for Public and Regulatory Affairs. “Since injectables are the non-surgical cosmetic procedure rising fastest in popularity, it is important to continue honing new applications for existing treatments. Dysport’s potential here is exciting as Crow’s feet are a common concern for many men and women.”

The study concluded that Dysport™ offers a quantifiable and demonstrable advantage in wrinkle effacement (shortening) and hyperfunctional frown lines compared to Botox® Cosmetic in the treatment of Crow’s feet. Study investigators recommend further studies in additional facial regions to confirm the data.

Both Botox® Cosmetic and Dysport™ are FDA approved for treatment of moderate-to-severe glabellar lines (vertical lines between the eyebrows); neither product is presently indicated for treatment of Crow’s feet. The study was funded by an educational grant from Medicis Aesthetics.

Additional Study Information: The randomized, double-blind, internally-controlled (split face) study was conducted at the Maas Clinic in California. Ninety subjects (75 females, 15 males) with moderate-to-severe lateral orbital rhytids (Crow’s feet) were enrolled in the study. Participants received equivalent doses of both treatments: 10 units of Botox® Cosmetic on one side of the face and 30 units of Dysport™ on the other side. Investigator and subject gradings of Crow’s feet at relaxation and maximal contraction were obtained using the published validated dynamic and static Merz Crow’s feet grading scale before injection (Day 0) and then two, four, six, and 30 days post injection. All patients were photographed in standard five-view series at rest and at maximal contraction in a dedicated photo lane recorded by Mirror software. Additional secondary endpoints not met in the study include investigator assessment at rest at Day 30 (p=0.41) and subject assessment at rest at Day 30 (p=0.28).

About The AAFPRS: The AAFPRS is the world’s largest association of facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons with more than 2,700 members — whose cosmetic reconstructive surgery focuses on the face, head and neck. Academy fellows and members are board-certified and subscribe to a code of ethics. In addition, the AAFPRS provides consumers with free information and brochures and a list of qualified facial plastic surgeons in their area by visiting the AAFPRS website, www.facemd.org.

Contact:
Deborah Sittig
Green Room Public Relations
973-263-8585 ext. 22
Email Contact

Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

American Diabetes Association Announces Second Annual John Pipe Voices For Change Award Winners

Posted on September 24, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: American Diabetes Association

Recipients Celebrated for Their Achievements in Diabetes Treatment and Prevention

SIOUX FALLS, SD–(Marketwire – September 24, 2010) –  The American Diabetes Association, the nation’s leading voluntary health organization in the fight against diabetes, announces several leading Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) grantees presented with the John Pipe Voices For Change Award in recognition of their effective diabetes treatment and prevention services in American Indian and Alaskan Native communities. The awards were presented at the National Indian Health Board’s 27th Annual Consumer Conference on Wednesday, September 22nd in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. 

“At nearly 17%, Alaska Natives have the highest age-adjusted prevalence of diabetes among all U.S. racial and ethnic groups,” said Gale Marshall, Chair of the American Diabetes Association’s Awakening the Spirit Native American initiative. “The John Pipe Voices For Change awards give us the opportunity to honor selected programs for their outstanding achievements in the delivery of diabetes prevention and treatment services in tribal communities. By showcasing these programs we are also acknowledging over 450 SDPI programs and their valuable efforts to stop diabetes.”

The name of these awards was changed to honor long-time diabetes supporter John Pipe of Wolf Point, Montana, who passed away earlier this year. Pipe was a dedicated diabetes advocate and served as a member of the Awakening the Spirit Subcommittee. His longstanding advocacy efforts reached from his local community to Washington, DC and impacted countless tribal communities. 

The 2010 John Pipe Voices For Change Award recognizes SDPI programs that have excelled in the following categories: Advocacy, Outcomes, and Innovation.

Advocacy Award:
Hualapai Healthy Heart Program
Peach Springs, Arizona
The Hualapai Healthy Heart Program is an SDPI funded demonstration project designed to reduce cardiovascular disease, the most compelling complication of diabetes among their participants. They have engaged their greater community in a variety of successful advocacy efforts having a local, regional and national impact.

Outcomes Award:
Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation (BBAHC)
Dillingham, Arkansas
BBAHC Diabetes Prevention/Lifestyle Change Program provides a comprehensive array of programs in effort to prevent diabetes or diabetes related complications spanning 34 villages within the Bristol Bay region. Programs work on improving individuals’ rates of diabetes, nutrition and exercise education, as well as lowering blood pressure.

Innovation Award:
Tuba City Diabetes Treatment and Prevention
Tuba City, Arizona
The Department of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention Services at the Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation (TCRHCC) has employed innovative approaches that have resulted in community wide collaborations to effectively provide diabetes prevention and treatment services.

Honorable Mentions:

Advocacy Honorable Mention:

  • Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest (NARA) Diabetes Treatment & Prevention Program (Portland, Oregon)
  • Cow Creek Health & Wellness Center (Roseburg, Oregon)

Outcomes Honorable Mentions:

  • SDPI Diabetes Prevention Program Warm Springs Health and Wellness Center Indian Health Services (Warm Springs, Oregon)
  • American Indian Health and Family Services (AIHFS) Diabetes Program (Detroit, Michigan) 

Innovation Honorable Mention:

  • Chickasaw Nation Division of Health (Ada, Oklahoma)

The SDPI continues to give Indian health programs and tribal communities the resources and tools they need to both prevent and treat diabetes. It funds more than 450 community directed programs, offering local tribes and health programs the opportunity to set priorities that meet the needs of the community, whether it be prevention activities or treatment. For over a decade Congress has provided funding for the SDPI and the American Diabetes Association has played an integral part in promoting this important program. The Association will continue to work for strong support of SDPI.

The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to stop diabetes and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.

Contact:
Colleen Fogarty
[email protected]

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Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

MMRGlobal Prevails in Biotech Assets Case With Lymphoma Research Foundation

Posted on September 24, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: MMRGlobal, Inc.

LOS ANGELES, CA–(Marketwire – September 24, 2010) –  MMRGlobal, Inc. (OTCBB: MMRF) (MMR) announced today that it has successfully opposed a Summary Judgment Motion brought by the Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) as part of its efforts to protect a portion of the Company’s intellectual property, which it previously disclosed on May 3, 2010.

The Company acquired the biotech assets from its reverse merger with Favrille, Inc., a San Diego biotech company, in January 2009. Over the past year, MMR identified a collection of these biotech assets, which include biotech samples that were in the possession of the Lymphoma Research Foundation. They do not include other pre-merger biotech assets, including the Company’s anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, results of clinical trials data, patents and other intellectual property.

According to declarations filed on behalf of MMR, the Company understands that the biotech samples could have a value as high as $1.376 million. However, based on other information currently maintained by the Company, the samples could have a far greater value, depending on the extent and depth of the clinical data collected at trial initiation, the extent and depth of the clinical data collected during patient follow-up, whether follow-up tissue samples are available, and whether accompanying whole blood or serum is available from patients from trial enrollment or during trial progression.

Robert H. Lorsch, Chairman and CEO of MMRGlobal, said, “We are pleased by this early ruling. When combined with clinical data from the Company’s vaccine research into the causes and potential treatment of B-Cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, including data from patient follow-ups which the Company has, the value could be significant.”

The Company understands its intellectual properties may also be of value in a possible reinterpretation of the pre-merger Favrille vaccine trials and that the IP may also unlock ways to create other “custom-made” cancer vaccines and be valuable in discovering additional opportunities in cancer research. The Company hopes to enter into licensing agreements with biopharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, research organizations and others regarding the use of its assets.

About MMRGlobal, Inc.
MMR Global, Inc., through its wholly-owned operating subsidiary, MyMedicalRecords, Inc. (“MMR”), provides secure and easy-to-use online Personal Health Records (“PHRs”) and electronic safe deposit box storage solutions, serving consumers, healthcare professionals, employers, insurance companies, financial institutions, and professional organizations and affinity groups. MyMedicalRecords enables individuals and families to access their medical records and other important documents, such as birth certificates, passports, insurance policies and wills, anytime from anywhere using the Internet. The MyMedicalRecords Personal Health Record is built on proprietary, patented technologies to allow documents, images and voicemail messages to be transmitted and stored in the system using a variety of methods, including fax, phone, or file upload without relying on any specific electronic medical record platform to populate a user’s account. The Company’s professional offering, MMRPro, is designed to give physicians’ offices an easy and cost-effective solution to digitizing paper-based medical records and sharing them with patients in real time through an integrated patient portal. MMR is an Independent Software Vendor Partner with Kodak to deliver an integrated turnkey EMR solution for healthcare professionals. MMR is also an integrated service provider on Google Health. To learn more about MMR Global, Inc. and its products, visit www.mmrglobal.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical in nature constitute “forward-looking statements.” Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding MMRGlobal, Inc.’s assets including but not limited to its primary Health IT businesses, samples and data from vaccine and clinical trials, and anti-CD20 antibody assets. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from historical results or from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to the development and approval of biotechnology/biopharmaceutical product candidates and Health IT products and additional risks discussed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company (or any person acting on the Company’s behalf) are qualified by the cautionary statements in this notice. MMRGlobal, Inc. is providing this information as of the date of this release and, except as required by law, does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information.

CONTACT:

Michael Selsman
Public Communications Co.
(310) 553-5732
[email protected]

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Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

New Randomized Controlled Trial Supports Efficacy and Safety of Spiracur SNaP Wound Care System

Posted on September 24, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Spiracur, Inc.

Interim Analysis Shows Non-Inferiority of SNaP Wound Care System Compared to Kinetic Concepts, Inc. Wound V.A.C. Therapy System

SUNNYVALE, CA–(Marketwire – September 24, 2010) – Spiracur, Inc. today announced important results from a clinical study highlighting the safety and efficacy of its SNaP Wound Care System for the treatment of chronic lower extremity wounds. The data was presented this week at the Fall 2010 Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) in Anaheim, Calif.

The 12-center, 65-patient randomized controlled trial (RCT) compared negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) between the KCI Wound V.A.C. Therapy System and the SNaP Wound Care System for the treatment of chronic lower extremity wounds. The Poster was presented by David G. Armstrong, DPM, M.D., Ph.D., William A. Marston, M.D., Alexander M. Reyzelman, DPM and Robert S. Kirsner, M.D., Ph.D. The subjects were randomly assigned to treatment with either the SNaP System or the V.A.C. System, and the trial evaluated treatment for up to 16 weeks, or until there was complete closure of the ulcer.

Planned interim analysis of the first 65 patients from 12 centers found no significant differences in the proportion of subjects healed between the two devices evaluated or in percent wound size reduction. Non-inferiority was demonstrated between the two therapies in percent wound size reduction to the *p < 0.05 significance level. The study also found no significant differences in wound related complications such as wound infections.

According to David G. Armstrong, DPM, M.D., Ph.D., professor of surgery at the University of Arizona and principal investigator on this study, “We have been using the technology for over a year now and our patients have responded well to this new portable therapy. For those of us dedicated to healing wounds and preventing amputations, this device provides an important tool for treating these chronic conditions. This novel technology may prove to hold substantial potential for patients requiring smaller NPWT treatment options.”

“We are thrilled to have such positive clinical data presented at SAWC, as they clearly demonstrate the unique opportunity the SNaP Wound Care System offers to patients and clinicians for the treatment of chronic wounds,” said Gary Restani, president and chief executive officer, Spiracur, Inc. “The response to our proprietary system has been extremely positive by both patients and clinicians, and we are confident that this new data will help increase awareness for and broaden adoption of the SNaP Wound Care System.”

About the SNaP Wound Care System:
The SNaP Wound Care System is an ultraportable negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) device that was approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in August 2009 in a new therapy category the FDA has defined as “non-powered” NPWT devices. The SNaP System provides the same level of negative pressure as competitive technologies; however, it requires no electric or battery power. In addition, the SNaP System, unlike powered NPWT, is silent, small and lightweight (weighing less than 3 oz.), which enables patients to wear the device under clothing and resume daily activity without exposing their wound care treatment to the world.

The FDA determined that the SNaP System is indicated for patients who would benefit from a suction device particularly as the device may promote wound healing. The SNaP System is used for the removal of small amounts of exudate from chronic, traumatic, dehisced, acute, subacute and ulcer (diabetic or pressure) wounds. Additional information can be found by visiting http://www.spiracur.com/snapproduct.html.

About Spiracur, Inc.
Spiracur, Inc. is a privately held medical device company focused on the development of innovative wound healing technologies. Spiracur was founded out of the Stanford Biodesign Innovation Program in 2007. Its first product, The SNaP Wound Care System, grew out of the notion that current negative pressure wound therapies were too cumbersome for patients and clinicians. Spiracur strives to develop products that are truly patient-centric. For more information, please visit http://www.spiracur.com.
SNaP, Spiracur and the Spiracur Design are registered trademarks of Spiracur Inc.

Media Contact:
Amy Cook
925.552.7893
Email Contact

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Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

UK Is One of the Most Obese Nations in the World

Posted on September 24, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

BIRMINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM–(Marketwire – Sept. 24, 2010) – Shocking research has revealed that the UK is a nation of overweight people, with many classed as dangerously overweight or morbidly obese.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that 24.5 per cent of adults in England were classed as obese in 2008, amounting to an 8.8 per cent increase since 1994 when only 15.7 per cent of adults were classed as dangerously overweight.

As concerns for the state of people’s health in the UK grow, so too does the amount of people who are dangerously overweight sparking fears that the UK is stuck in the middle of an obesity crisis that shows no signs of slowing down.

According to the World Health Organisation, also known as WHO, the UK has featured far more frequently in the their top 10 most obese nations list in the last few years and according to Nation Master.com the UK is ranked as the third most overweight nation only to be beaten by Mexico and the United States.

With 46 per cent of men in England and 32 per cent of women in England classes as overweight and an additional 17 per cent of men and 21 per cent of women classed as obsess it is hardly surprising that the NHS has seen an increase in the number of surgical procedures performed on obese patients in the last five years.

Those who are worried about being overweight should book a consultation with an expert bariatric surgeon at The Hospital Group.

The Hospital Group is the UK’s biggest provider of weight loss surgery, including gastric bands, gastric bypasses and gastric balloons.

David Ross, Chief Executive of The Hospital Group said: “Being overweight can affect every aspect of your life. Not only does it have a huge impact on your health, putting you at risk of diabetes, heart disease, strokes and depression but it can also cause low self esteem and confidence.

“Those who are overweight often find themselves in a vicious circle, they want to lose weight and become more healthy but are locked in a battle with overeating and don’t know how to change their bad and harmful eating habits.

“Our consultants ensure that, as well as having an absolute need for a gastric procedure, the patient understands that weight loss surgery isn’t a miracle cure and they would need to work with the band to achieve the healthier lifestyle they desire.”

Since The Hospital Group was established in 1992, it has risen to become the UK’s biggest weight loss surgery providers, performing more gastric procedures last year than the NHS.

The Hospital Group is committed to providing the very highest standards and all procedures are performed by an expert medical team in state-of-the-art facilities that are second to none.

For further information of The Hospital Group’s range of weight-loss procedures, surgery-seekers should visit the website www.thehospitalgroup.org or call our patient care coordinators on 0845 762 6727.

Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

Sun Healthcare Group, Inc. Announces Proposed Refinancing

Posted on September 23, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Sun Healthcare Group, Inc.

IRVINE, CA–(Marketwire – September 23, 2010) –  Sun Healthcare Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: SUNH) (“Sun”) announced today that it intends to refinance its existing senior secured credit facilities with borrowings under a new senior secured credit facility to be entered into by SHG Services, Inc., a subsidiary of Sun (“SHG”). The new senior secured facility is expected to include a $60 million revolving credit facility, a $150 million term loan and a $75 million funded letter of credit facility. The refinancing, which is being undertaken in connection with Sun’s previously announced restructuring, is subject to market and other conditions, and there can be no assurances that these transactions will be consummated.

About Sun Healthcare Group, Inc.

Sun’s subsidiaries provide nursing, rehabilitative and related specialty healthcare services principally to the senior population in the United States. Sun’s core business is providing, through its subsidiaries, inpatient services, primarily through 166 skilled nursing centers, 16 combined skilled nursing, assisted and independent living centers, 10 assisted living centers, two independent living centers and eight mental health centers. On a consolidated basis, Sun has annual revenues of $1.9 billion and approximately 30,000 employees in 46 states. At June 30, 2010, SunBridge centers had 23,209 licensed beds located in 25 states, of which 22,427 were available for occupancy. Sun also provides rehabilitation therapy services to affiliated and non-affiliated centers through its SunDance subsidiary, medical staffing services through its CareerStaff Unlimited subsidiary and hospice services through its SolAmor subsidiary.

In May 2010, Sun announced a plan to restructure its business by separating its real estate assets and its operating assets into two separate publicly traded companies through a series of internal restructurings (the “Restructuring”), subject to the approval of stockholders and other conditions. In connection with the Restructuring, SHG will own and continue to operate all of Sun’s operating subsidiaries, with stockholders of Sun receiving a pro rata distribution of the stock of SHG (the “Separation”). Substantially all of Sun’s currently-owned real estate assets will be owned by Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc., a subsidiary of Sun (“Sabra”) and, immediately after the Separation, Sun will merge into Sabra. Following this merger, SHG will change its name to Sun Healthcare Group, Inc. The common stock of both companies is expected to trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. The Restructuring (including the Separation) is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Forward-Looking Statement

Statements made in this release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking” statements (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements containing words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” “hope,” “intend,” “may” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this release include all statements regarding our expected future financial position and results of operations, business strategy, the impact of reductions in reimbursements and other changes in government reimbursement programs, the timing and impact of the Separation and transactions related thereto, growth opportunities and plans and objectives of management for future operations. Factors that could cause actual results to differ are identified in the public filings made by Sun with the Securities and Exchange Commission and include changes in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements; the impact that any healthcare reform legislation will have on our business; our ability to maintain the occupancy rates and payor mix at our healthcare centers; potential liability for losses not covered by, or in excess of, our insurance; the effects of government regulations and investigations; the significant amount of our indebtedness, covenants in our debt agreements that may restrict our activities and our ability to make acquisitions, to incur more indebtedness and to refinance indebtedness on favorable terms; our ability to accomplish the Separation and the transactions related thereto, the impact of the current economic downturn on our business; increasing labor costs and the shortage of qualified healthcare personnel; and our ability to receive increases in reimbursement rates from government payors to cover increased costs. More information on factors that could affect our business and financial results are included in our public filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Forms 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, copies of which are available on Sun’s web site, www.sunh.com. There may be additional risks of which we are presently unaware or that we currently deem immaterial.

The forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are, in some cases, beyond our control. We caution investors that any forward-looking statements made by Sun are not guarantees of future performance and are only made as of the date of this release. We disclaim any obligation to update any such factors or to announce publicly the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments.

Additional Information

In connection with the Separation, SHG has filed with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-1 and Sabra has filed with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4, each containing an identical proxy statement/prospectus. The definitive proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to Sun stockholders. Before making any voting or investment decision, Sun stockholders and investors are urged to read the proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC carefully and in their entirety when they become available because they will contain important information about the proposed transactions. Stockholders will be able to obtain these documents free of charge at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and stockholders of Sun may obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC by contacting Sun’s investor relations department at (505) 468-2341 (TDD users, please call (505) 468-4458) or by sending a written request to Investor Relations, Sun Healthcare Group, Inc. 101 Sun Avenue N.E., Albuquerque, N.M. 87109.

Sun and its directors and executive officers and other members of its management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Sun in connection with the transactions described in this release. Information about the directors and executive officers of Sun and their ownership of shares of Sun common stock are set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, filed with the SEC on March 5, 2010, and in the definitive proxy statement relating to Sun’s 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders filed with the SEC on April 30, 2010. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above. Additional information regarding the interests of these participants will also be included in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus when it becomes available.

Contact:
Investor Inquiries
(505) 468-2341

Media Inquiries
(505) 468-4582

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Dirty Hospitals Causing Alarm Among Infectious Disease Experts; Zimek Technologies Provides Solutions

Posted on September 23, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Zimek Technologies

TAMPA, FL–(Marketwire – September 23, 2010) –  Bacteria breakouts that are surviving the best antibiotics available are spreading across the U.S. at an alarming rate, according to infectious disease experts. 

“Bugs, superbugs, MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and KPC (Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenamase) have cropped up in germ-infested health clubs, gyms and even dirty hospitals,” says Dr. Brad Spellberg, infectious disease specialist, scientist, author and researcher at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Harbor/UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. “Our industry is not developing any new antibiotics to combat this medical urgency.”

Spellberg, a recognized expert on the topic of antibiotic-resistant germs, and other physicians expressed alarm at the lack of antibiotics currently in development while testifying this past June during a U.S. House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee special hearing.

Dr. Spellberg, and other physicians who testified, raised concern for the spread of antibiotic-resistant microbes, including out of the hospital and into the community — with lethal results. 

“Everyone is at risk of these infections,” warned Dr. Spellberg, who spoke on behalf of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Dr. Spellberg is also a member of the Advisory Board of Zimek Technologies, a worldwide leader in infection control and biohazard remediation which has been developing and marketing its proven patented automatic Micro-Mist® decontamination technologies for more than five years.

Zimek’s industry-leading technologies are used by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, Fire and EMS departments, healthcare facilities, public health agencies, transit systems, correctional facilities, and local law enforcement agencies across America. Zimek’s special products “micronize” disinfectants that can quickly and automatically decontaminate facilities, equipment and vehicles. Zimek’s germ-killing, revolutionary “micro-mist” can permeate crevasses and hidden surfaces where super-germs are untouched by standard sanitizing methods.

A dangerous new “superbug” gene created more attention last week. Labeled New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase, better known as NDM-1, it is a resistant gene proliferating in particular “superbugs” which have the potential of spreading around the world, and scientists say there are almost no drugs in the pipeline to treat it.

Antibiotic-resistant infections “are extremely difficult to treat and frequently recur,” Spellberg said. “These infections result in tremendous pain, suffering and disfigurement in adults, children and infants, and have caused millions of deaths worldwide.”

Nearly 100,000 Americans die annually from infections acquired in hospitals, and treatment-resistant strains are spreading into our health clubs and gyms, Spellberg added.

“Zimek’s proven rapid infection control application is a meaningful 21st century best practices infection prevention technology which will add another weapon to our arsenal to combat the spread of infectious diseases,” said Kurt Grosman, CEO of Zimek Technologies. 

Spellberg, who is on the frontlines of the infectious disease battle, will discuss these concerns in a special investigative news story on the “CBS Evening News with Katie Couric” scheduled for broadcast on September 27th and 28th. (Please visit www.zimek.com for exact airdate/time.)

Spellberg will also be interviewed on an upcoming episode of “The Doctors,” the award-winning syndicated talk show airing daily in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Ireland, Sweden and Finland. “The Doctors” is distributed domestically and worldwide by CBS Television Distribution. (Please visit www.zimek.com for exact airdate/time.)

Media Contact:
Bob Mazza
Email Contact
(310) 994-4847

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Lance Armstrong Applauds Efforts to Ensure Affordable Health Care for Children

Posted on September 23, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: LIVESTRONG

Armstrong Joined by American Cancer Society CEO John Seffrin at Special Visit to Children’s National Medical Center

WASHINGTON, DC–(Marketwire – September 23, 2010) –  Today, Lance Armstrong, LIVESTRONG(R) founder and chairman, cancer survivor and champion cyclist, made a surprise visit to the pediatric oncology unit at Children’s National Medical Center. He was joined by John R. Seffrin, PhD, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society, to meet with hospital administrators, doctors and young patients and their families.

Today marks the six month anniversary of the Affordable Care Act. Starting today, several critical provisions of the law begin to take effect. Under the new law, healthcare plan providers cannot discriminate against children with pre-existing conditions. More than nine million children in the United States are currently living without health insurance. Up to 72,000 uninsured children with pre-existing conditions could gain coverage as a result of the new reform.

“Parents already feel the weight of the world on their shoulders when a child is diagnosed with cancer,” said Armstrong. “Insurance and health costs shouldn’t serve as a barrier to receiving quality, timely treatment. I’m hopeful that this reform will save lives and improve the quality of life for the more than 270,000 childhood cancer survivors currently living in the United States.”

“The Affordable Care Act is providing critical protections that are expanding access to lifesaving health care to children and adults with cancer or at risk of cancer,” said Seffrin. “Important provisions taking effect today prohibit health plans from denying coverage to children up to age 19 with pre-existing conditions such as cancer, and enable dependent children to remain on their parent’s insurance policy up to age 26.”

“With advances and breakthroughs in therapy, approximately 75% of children with cancer are cured of their disease. Nevertheless, cancer remains the leading cause of non-accidental death in children in the United States and many survivors suffer from chronic conditions that result from their treatment. Children’s National Medical Center is proud to be a leader in the search for novel treatments that will increase cure rates while decreasing adverse effects,” said Jeffrey S. Dome, MD, PhD; Chief, Division of Oncology; Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders; Children’s National Medical Center.

Armstrong’s visit also falls during National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a time to increase awareness and encourage support for the children and families affected by the disease. Cancer is currently the leading cause of death by disease among U.S. children between infancy and age 15, and it is estimated that 10,730 new cases of pediatric cancer were diagnosed in children 0-14 years of age in 2009. Two-thirds of childhood cancer survivors face at least one chronic health condition later in life and one quarter of survivors face a late effect from treatment that is severe or life threatening.

LIVESTRONG, the organization Armstrong established to support fellow cancer survivors and their families, offers a multitude of resources to help pediatric cancer survivors and their families manage the long-term effects of childhood cancers. The organization recently helped establish the LIVESTRONG Childhood Cancer Survivorship Center at Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin, Texas. The Center aims to improve the health and well-being of childhood cancer survivors by promoting adherence to a schedule of follow-up appointments; providing referrals to specialists; offering psychosocial support groups; transitioning patients to adult care when they are ready; and educating patients, parents and healthcare professionals about the long-term effects of cancer treatment.

LIVESTRONG SurvivorCare also offers specialized resources that focus on the needs of cancer survivors, including children. The free resource, available in English and Spanish, provides survivors and their families with emotional support; individual counseling; financial and legal advice, including finding assistance for the uninsured or underinsured; and matching to clinical trials.

About LIVESTRONG
Founded in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong and based in Austin, Texas, LIVESTRONG fights for the 28 million people around the world living with cancer today. LIVESTRONG connects individuals to the support they need, leverages funding and resources to spur innovation and engages communities and leaders to drive social change. Known for the iconic yellow wristband, LIVESTRONG‘s mission is to inspire and empower anyone affected by cancer. For more information, visit www.LIVESTRONG.org.

About Children’s National Medical Center
Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC, has been serving the nation’s children since 1870. Home to Children’s Research Institute and the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Children’s National is consistently ranked among the top pediatric hospitals by U.S. News & World Report and the Leapfrog Group. With 283 beds, more than 1,330 nurses, 550 physicians, and seven regional outpatient centers, Children’s National is the only exclusive provider of pediatric care in the Washington metropolitan area. Children’s National has been recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Magnet® designated hospital, the highest level of recognition for nursing excellence that a medical center can achieve. For more information, visit www.ChildrensNational.org.

Contact:
Rae Bazzarre
(512) 279-8367
[email protected]

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

This Week on ORLive: Live Hip Replacement Surgery and Atrial Fibrillation Awareness

Posted on September 23, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: OR-Live, Inc.

New On-Demand and Live Surgery Video for the Week of September 20, 2010

WEST HARTFORD, CT–(Marketwire – September 23, 2010) –  ORLive, the leader in online medical video, presents a live interactive broadcast of a hip replacement surgery featuring technology from Zimmer. On-demand features this month include our library of procedures and educational programming focused on atrial fibrillation. Additionally, ORLive invites you to take part in the latest installment of the Virtual Brain Tumor Board.

NEW ON ORLIVE

LIVE SURGERY VIDEO – Continuum® Acetabular System and Zimmer® M/L Taper with Kinectiv® Technology
Premieres Thursday, September 23, 2010 at 7PM EDT

On Thursday, September 23rd at 7 PM EDT Zimmer Medical Education will broadcast an ORLive Total Hip Arthroplasty featuring the Continuum Acetabular System and the Kinectiv Modular Neck Technology. The surgery will be performed by Dr. Mark Hartzband, Hartzband Center for Hip and Knee Replacement, L.L.C., Paramus, NJ and will be moderated by Dr. Paul Duwelius, St. Vincent Hospital, Portland, OR. The broadcast will last one hour and will show the entire surgical procedure. Following the live broadcast the surgery will be archived for future playback.

This opportunity allows for firsthand insight of the safe and effective implantation and surgical procedure involved with the Continuum® Acetabular System and the Zimmer® M/L Taper with Kinectiv® Technology.

This surgery video is available exclusively to members of the ORLive community, and members can interact and ask questions via the ORLive website. Learn more about this broadcast or get a reminder at ORLive.com, and be ready to view this exciting procedure by activating your free membership to ORLive today.

NOW ON-DEMAND – Artificial Disc Treatments for Cervical Disease
Now Available On-Demand

Until recently, spinal fusion was the surgical solution to cervical disc disease. ORLive invites you to watch footage of an Artificial Discectomy performed by William Kuhn, MD of Halifax Hospital, and join in on a live online discussion with the doctor and patient, Ali Rabatsky. 

Viewers of this video are invited to interact with the team via the ORLive website, where you can also request a reminder to alert you when this video is going live.

ORLIVE REFERRALS – Week of September 20, 2010
September is National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month, and each week ORLive highlights on-demand videos for our membership and visitors. 

Medical Education Referral: Paracardioscopic Ex-Maze, from FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital

CME Referral: Reality EP: Tackling Left Atrial Tachycardias after Catheter Ablation for AF from the Heart Rhythm Society

Viewer’s Referral: Convergent Procedure for Atrial Fibrillation, from FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital

HIGHLIGHTS

NOW ON-DEMAND – Surgical and Medical Treatments for Type 2 Diabetes
Now Available On-Demand

Type 2 diabetes can lead to potentially deadly complications for many patients, but the team at NewYork-Presbyterian remains on the forefront of research and treatment innovations. Join Dr. Francesco Rubino, Chief, Gastrointestinal Metabolic Surgery at the Weill Cornell Medical Center, Dr. Judith Korner, from Columbia University Medical Center, and Dr. Louis Aronne, from the Weill Cornell Medical Center as they review the advancements that are being made and see what happens when gastric bypass surgery results in a possible remission of diabetes.

Viewers of this video can still interact with the team via the ORLive website, where you can also request updates as they become available.

PREVIEW – Zimmer Patient Specific Instruments and the Gender Solutions™ Natural-Knee® Flex System
Premieres Tuesday, September 28, 2010 at 7PM EDT

On Tuesday, September 28th at 7 PM EST Zimmer Medical Education will broadcast an ORLive Zimmer Patient Specific Instrument surgery featuring Zimmer Patient Specific Instruments and Natural Knee. The surgery will be performed by Dr. Michael Bolognesi, Duke University Medical Center and will be moderated by Dr. Shawn Hocker from Atlantic Orthopedics, PA in Wilmington, NC. The broadcast will last one hour and will show the entire surgical procedure.

This surgery video is available exclusively to members of the ORLive community, and members can interact and ask questions via the ORLive website. Learn more about this broadcast or get a reminder at ORLive.com, and be ready to view this exciting procedure by activating your free membership to ORLive today.

About ORLive
ORLive is the leading provider of video communication channels to the healthcare community. Working collaboratively with hospitals and device manufacturers, ORLive produces and distributes customized, interactive, video programs that demonstrate the latest advances in medicine, surgical techniques and product innovations. The ORLive broadcasting network provides an intimate look at over 650 live and on-demand surgeries to a global audience, streaming over 50,000 hours of programming each month. The ORLive network can be found on-line at www.ORLive.com.

Contact:
Bonnie Gergely
Communications Manager
(860) 953-2900
Email Contact

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Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

FDA Announces It Will Significantly Restrict Access to the Diabetes Drug Avandia

Posted on September 23, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: American Diabetes Association

The American Diabetes Association, the Endocrine Society and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists Joint Statement in Response to the FDA Decision to Restrict the Use of Avandia (rosiglitazone) in the U.S.

ALEXANDRIA, VA–(Marketwire – September 23, 2010) –   Today, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it will significantly restrict the use of the diabetes drug Avandia and other drugs containing rosiglitazone to patients with Type 2 diabetes who cannot control their diabetes on other medications. These new restrictions are in response to data that suggest an elevated risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke, in patients treated with Avandia.

The FDA, in its announcement, noted that it will require GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to develop a restricted access program for Avandia under a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS). Under the REMS, Avandia will be available to new patients only if they are unable to achieve glucose control on other medications and are unable to take Actos (pioglitazone), the only other drug in this class. Current users of Avandia who are benefiting from the drug will be able to continue using the medication if they choose to do so. Doctors will have to attest to and document their patients’ eligibility; patients will have to review statements describing the cardiovascular safety concerns associated with this drug and acknowledge they understand the risks. The agency anticipates that the REMS will limit use of Avandia significantly.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has suspended the marketing authorization for all rosiglitazone-containing medicines (Avandia, Avandamet® and Avaglim®). These medicines will no longer be available in Europe within the next few months.

The American Diabetes Association, The Endocrine Society and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists urge patients who are currently taking Avandia or any combination pill that includes Avandia to contact their diabetes care provider’s office for instructions about treatment options. Patients should be aware that stopping a diabetes medication without consulting a doctor can result in higher levels of blood glucose that may cause serious short term health problems and could increase the risk of long term diabetes-related complications.

Patients and health care professionals should also be aware that multiple classes of drugs, often with more than one agent per class, are available to achieve and maintain glucose control in type 2 diabetes. In order to limit the risk of long-term complications, optimal glucose control, along with control of other risk factors, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol, is critically important for patients with type 2 diabetes. A number of other medications can be used to control diabetes and should be discussed with a patient’s health care team. For more information on the different classes of available medications drugs: http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/medication/oral-medications/what-are-my-options.html.

The American Diabetes Association, The Endocrine Society, and American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists continue to support the FDA in its role as the regulatory agency that makes decisions regarding drug safety and efficacy.

The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to stop diabetes and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.

Founded in 1916, The Endocrine Society is the world’s oldest, largest and most active organization devoted to research on hormones and the clinical practice of endocrinology. Today, The Endocrine Society’s membership consists of over 14,000 scientists, physicians, educators, nurses and students in more than 100 countries. Society members represent all basic, applied, and clinical interests in endocrinology. The Endocrine Society is based in Chevy Chase, Maryland. To learn more about the Society and the field of endocrinology, visit our site at www.endo-society.org.

AACE is the world’s largest professional medical organization of clinical endocrinologists with more than 6,500 members in the United States and 91 other countries. AACE members are physicians who specialize in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism. For more information about AACE, visit our Web site at www.aace.com, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/theaace or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/theaace. 

Contacts:
American Diabetes Association
Colleen Fogarty
(703) 549-1500, ext. 2146

The Endocrine Society
Aaron Lohr
(240) 482-1380

American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists
Bryan Campbell
(904) 353-7878, ext.122

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Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

CEGEDIM : H1 Results

Posted on September 23, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: CEGEDIM

PARIS–(Marketwire – September 23, 2010) – First half-year Financial Information as of June30, 2010

IFRS – Regulated information – Audited

Cegedim: Half-year net profit up 15.6% to ?19.9 million

First half 2010 marked by a strong dynamic commercial performance

Paris, September 23, 2010 – Cegedim, a global technology and services company specializing in the healthcare field, announces consolidated net profit of ?19.9 million for the first half of 2010, up 15.6% over the year-earlier period.

The first half was marked by numerous commercial successes, proving that Cegedim’s range of products and services is well suited to market demand, and that its recent acquisitions hold great promise.

– Simplified income statement

+-------------------------+---------+-------+-------+---------+---------+
|                         |  H1 2010|       |       |  H1 2009|         |
+-------------------------+---------+-------+-------+---------+---------+
|?M                       |        %|       |     ?M|        %|         |
+-------------------------+---------+-------+-------+---------+---------+
|Revenues                 |    448.8|       |  433.9|         |    +3.4%|
+-------------------------+---------+-------+-------+---------+---------+
|EBITDA from ordinary     |     84.1|       |   88.3|         |    -4.7%|
|activities               |         |       |       |         |         |
+-------------------------+---------+-------+-------+---------+---------+
|Depreciation             |    -33.5|       |  -34.2|         |    -2.0%|
+-------------------------+---------+-------+-------+---------+---------+
|Operating profit from    |     50.6|  11.3%|   54.1|    12.5%|    -6.4%|
|ordinary activities      |         |       |       |         |         |
+-------------------------+---------+-------+-------+---------+---------+
|Other exceptional        |     -5.4|       |   -4.7|         |   +17.0%|
|operating revenues /     |         |       |       |         |         |
|expenses                 |         |       |       |         |         |
+-------------------------+---------+-------+-------+---------+---------+
|Operating profit         |     45.2|  10.1%|   49.4|    11.4%|    -8.6%|
+-------------------------+---------+-------+-------+---------+---------+
|Net cost of financial    |    -21.6|       |  -29.8|         |   -27.6%|
|debt                     |         |       |       |         |         |
+-------------------------+---------+-------+-------+---------+---------+
|Tax expenses             |     -4.1|       |   -2.7|         |  +49.1% |
+-------------------------+---------+-------+-------+---------+---------+
|Share of earnings of     |      0.4|       |    0.4|         |     n s |
|equity-accounted         |         |       |       |         |         |
|affiliates               |         |       |       |         |         |
+-------------------------+---------+-------+-------+---------+---------+
|Consolidated net profit  |     19.9|       |   17.2|         |   +15.6%|
+-------------------------+---------+-------+-------+---------+---------+
|Group share of net profit|     19.8|       |   17.2|         |   +15.2%|
+-------------------------+---------+-------+-------+---------+---------+

Consolidated H1 2010 revenues amounted to ?448.8 million, up 0.4% like for like* and 3.4% on a reported basis. As expected, second-quarter growth of 3.8% like for like* and 8.0% on a reported basis offset the first-quarter decline.

The fact that every Group sector made a positive contribution to revenue growth in the second quarter, both like for like* and on a reported basis, is proof of Cegedim’s dynamic sales performance.

Operating profit from ordinary activities came to ?50.6 million, down 6.4% compared with the first half of 2009. This dip is attributable to an increase in personnel costs, which rose 6.2% due to delays implementing certain large-scale CRM projects.

Thus, margin decreased from 12.5% to 11.3%, despite a fine improvement in Healthcare Professionals and Insurance and services sector margins.

Consolidated net profit rose 15.6% compared with a year earlier to ?19.9 million. The biggest contribution to the increase came from lower interest charges on debt, which fell from ?21.4 million to ?10.6 million due to a drop in the average level of outstanding financial debt.

Consolidated net profit attributable to the Group amounted to ?19.8 million, a 15.2% increase over the first half of 2009. Earnings per share amounted to ?1.4, against ?1.8 last year. The increase of the number of shares following the ?180.5 million capital issue of December 2009 explains the drop in EPS.

Sector business trends

– CRM and strategic data

In the first half of 2010, sector revenues rose 3.5% on a reported basis to ?249.1 million. Currency effects and acquisitions helped boost revenues by 1.9% and 2.9% respectively over the first half. Like-for-like revenues fell slightly, by 1.4%. As expected, the 4.8% rise in Q2 revenues helped offset the drop in Q1 caused by delays in executing certain large-scale projects.

One impact of these delays was an increase in personnel costs, which hurt the sector’s operating margin. The sector’s operating profit from ordinary activities was ?18.3 million, down ?6.0 million compared with H1 2009. As a result, operating margin from ordinary activities was 7.3%, versus 10.1% a year earlier.

Second-quarter revenues testify to the sector’s substantial sales momentum, successful geographic expansion of new services, and the beneficial impact of launching new Mobile Intelligence offerings – particularly the SaaS version – with both current and new clients.

Able to integrate SK&A both operationally and commercially in just six months, Cegedim is now fully profiting from the successful strengthening of its OneKey offering in the USA.

These performances lend credence to the Group’s strategic choices: a global presence as a result of the Dendrite acquisition, particularly in rapidly growing markets such as emerging countries; expanding platforms (iPad® and iPhone®, BlackBerry®, etc.); a richer compliance offering in Europe; bringing Dendrite’s business model in line with that of Cegedim (services vs. licenses); and continuing to make substantial investments in R&D to support new products.

The strategic data activity posted a clear rebound in its revenues and profitability in the second quarter. The Group expects this trend to continue in the months ahead.

– Healthcare professionals

Sector first-half 2010 revenues were ?138.7 million, up 0.8% on a reported basis and stable on a like-for-like* basis. Growth of 1.3% in the second quarter offset the slight first-quarter decline, as expected.

Currency effects and acquisitions boosted first-half revenues by 0.5% and 0.4% respectively.

Operating profit from ordinary activities rose 4.2% to ?23.8 million, reflecting a sizeable 60bp increase in the margin to 17.2%. This result is especially remarkable considering that the sector margin was hurt by the wait-and-see attitude of UK physicians and the expected drop in Cegelease’s margin.

The Group continues to generate impressive performances in France, Spain and Italy. In the UK, Cegedim is convinced that it is in a position to profit from new opportunities arising from a reorganization of the UK healthcare system over the coming years.

Lastly, we note that the RMI (paramedic software) and RNP activities (promotional information for pharmacists) continue to turn in very fine performances in terms of revenues and profitability.

After the close of the first-half financial statements, Cegedim’s acquired Pulse, a US company specializing in electronic healthcare records (EHR) management. In the second half, this move will propel the Cegedim Healthcare Software division onto the global stage, positioning the division to capitalize on the considerable new opportunities in this market. For more information on the deal, please see the “Important post-closing transactions and events” section on page 5.

– Insurance and services

Sector revenues rose 9.9% on both a like-for-like* and a reported basis to ?61 million. Insurance and services activities continued to grow by nearly 6% like for like* following an exceptional first quarter.

As expected, operating margin on ordinary activities rose substantially, up 150bp from 12.5% to 14.0%. Operating profit from ordinary activities amounted to ?8.5 million, a 23% increase over the same period in 2009.

These excellent performances are proof that Cegedim’s range of software (Activ’Infinite) and services (various data flow management platforms) is well suited to a rapidly evolving health insurance sector, in which differentiation and productivity gains are crucial.

It is also worth noting the robust trend in the sales of Cegedim SRH, which specializes in the services associated with outsourcing payroll and HR management. Its revenues rose by more than 12% in the first half of 2010, and its profitability improved.

Financial resources

At June 30, 2010, Cegedim’s consolidated total balance sheet amounted to ?1,535 billion, a 15.6% jump over the year-earlier period.

The Group has a robust balance sheet position, with share capital representing 37% of total asset, a 20% increase.

Acquisition goodwill was ?713 million, compared with ?613 million at the end of 2009. This represents 46% of the total balance sheet, which is the same level as six months prior. These trends are attributable chiefly to currency exchange rate and acquisitions.

Cash and equivalents exceed short-term financial debt (less than 1 year).

Netfinancial debt amount to ?443 million compared with ?395 million six months earlier. As expected this increase is due to the use of Cegedim credit revolver facility in order to finance ac quisitions and to the negative evolution of the dollar against the euro.

After the net cost of financial debt and taxes, cash flow was ?51.4 million, on a par with that of the first half of 2009. Gearing level remains unchanged at 0.9 against 0.8 six months earlier.

Working capital requirement increased by ?6.6 million, mainly due to the change in customer receivables. These trends reflect seasonal effects on the Group’s working capital requirement.

At the end of June 2010, the Group complied with all its bank covenants.

First-half highlights

On January 7, 2010, the Group acquired US company SK&A Information Services, Inc., a top-notch supplier of healthcare data. The acquisition strengthens Cegedim’s OneKey offering in the US. Created 26 years ago, SK&A has built and maintains a database with targeted information on more than 2 million healthcare professionals, including more than 800,000 prescribing physicians. This is the only database of US prescribing physicians and other healthcare professionals for which every single email address has been verified by phone contact. The acquired businesses generate full-year revenues of roughly $15 million. Its operational and commercial integration, which was completed in less than 6 months, was a complete success.

On June 3, 2010, Cegedim finalized the acquisition of Swiss CRM and direct marketing businesses from IMS Health to complement and strengthen its existing Swiss offerings. The CRM and Direct Marketing Direct business unit of IMS Health GmbH has been targeting the life science industry in Switzerland for more than a decade and is recognized for its quality and reliability by more than 500 users and 30 companies. The acquired businesses will contribute to the Group’s consolidated result from Q2 2010. Cegedim expects the acquired company to contribute annual revenues in the region of ?2 million.

Moreover, the Group announced on June 18, 2010 the acquisition of French company Hosta, a specialist in third-party management in which it has held a minority stake since 2004. Managing 400,000 beneficiaries and boasting extensive experience in third-party management of health and personal protection insurance policies, Hosta is among France’s leading third-party management companies. This acquisition expands Cegedim Group’s portfolio of solutions dedicated to all of its clients in the insurance sector. The acquired businesses represent annual revenues of approximately ?11 million.

These three deals were financed by internal financing and will not prevent the Group from respecting its debt covenants. Under the agreements signed by the parties, all other terms of the transactions are confidential.

Significant post-closing transactions and events

– Extension of the average maturity of the debt

As part of its policy of diversifying and extending the average maturity of its debt, Cegedim (BB+ S&P), completed on July 27 issuance of a ?300 million bond maturing in 2015, with a fixed annual coupon of 7.00% payable every six months. The strong demand generated by the operation, finalized in just half a day, the quality of the interested parties, and geographic diversity of the investors – of which 70% were located outside of France – enabled Cegedim to raise the ?300 million under favorable conditions. At the same time, the debt issue demonstrates Cegedim’s ability to tap financial markets.

– External growth

On July 27 Cegedim finalized the acquisition of Pulse Systems, Inc., a leading US healthcare software and services supplier. The move gives Cegedim access to the US market for the computerization of healthcare professionals at a very critical time for the Electronic Health Records (EHR) and Practice Management (PM) software markets.

Founded in 1997, Pulse Systems has developed an extremely sophisticated and scalable ambulatory healthcare IT solution – Pulse Patient Relationship Management. This solution includes EHR, PM, e-Prescribing, Revenue Cycle Management services, etc. The company is based in Wichita and has more than 100 employees. Pulse is profitable and will likely continue to grow in a rapidly expanding sector: it expects to increase its revenues more than four-fold by 2014.

Building on the Target Software acquisition in 2005, the Dendrite acquisition in 2007 and the SK&A acquisition earlier this year, this new addition in the US is squarely in line with the Group’s global strategy. It will enable the Group to leverage its complementary activities in North America and transform its European Cegedim Healthcare Software division into a global player by utilizing the Pulse solutions to expand its presence in the US market.

Cegedim finalized the acquisition of Deskom a leading French B-to-B invoice dematerialization company, on September 6th. The deal is an opportunity for Cegedim EDI, its professional electronic data management department, to build on its leadership in the field.

The Deskom acquisition allows Cegedim EDI, the healthcare data exchange leader, to move ahead with its strategy of opening its services to all business sectors and becoming Europe’s top electronic invoicing network, able to handle any request regardless of invoice volumes, project complexity, or the number of countries involved.

These activities represent annual revenues of around ?4 million and will be part of the consolidation scope of Cegedim Group for H2 2010.

These two deals were financed by internal financing. Under the agreements signed by the parties, all other terms of the transactions are confidential.

– New trademark strategy and visual identity for the Group

In order to strengthen its image, Cegedim Management decided to simplify the brand’s visual identity for the Group and its main healthcare Business Units. Each Business Unit’s logo and name will reflect a key description of its overall activity. Therefore, Cegedim Dendrite has been renamed Cegedim Relationship Management.

This change is inspired by the Group’s desire to present its customers with a more coherent, unified image of all of its businesses and to succinctly convey its commitment to providing them with the most advanced products and services in the industry. It is also a way of expressing the successful integration of Dendrite, as the new visual identity will incorporate some graphic elements from its logo.

These changes will take place gradually starting on September 24, 2010. An analysis of the possible accounting consequences of canceling the Dendrite trademark are still under way.

As part of its new brand strategy and to simplify and modernize this window on the Group, Cegedim will launch its new corporate website: www.cegedim.com This new, redesigned portal does more to emphasize the Group’s various activities and gives users direct access to the sites of its Business Units, while incorporating traditional sections on Recruitment, Press and Finance.

2010 outlook

Acquisitions made during the first half-year, as well as the post-closing acquisitions of Pulse and Deskom, are in line with the external growth policy the Group presented at the time of the December 2009 capital increase. These acquisitions did not prevent the Group from meeting all of its covenants. We recall that the sole purpose of the bond issue for ?300 million on July 27, 2010, was to refinance existing bank debt.

Given its adaptability, good regional mix and business mix of revenues, commercial momentum and half-year performances, the Group confirms its goal to consolidate leadership in the global healthcare market with revenue growth of approximately 5% for 2010

Based on its half-year results, the Group is no longer aiming for margin improvement for 2010.

Financial calendar

+-------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+
|The Group will hold a    |                    |                    |
|conference call this     |                    |                    |
|evening (September 23) at|                    |                    |
|6:15 pm in French and    |                    |                    |
|7:00 pm in English at the|                    |                    |
|following numbers (Paris |                    |                    |
|time):                   |                    |                    |
+-------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+
|                         |· From France: 01 72|Access code:        |
|                         |30 02 03            |13648531            |
+-------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+
|                         |· From UK: 1616 018 |#                   |
|                         |915                 |                    |
+-------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+
|                         |· From the US: 703  |                    |
|                         |62 19 122           |                    |
+-------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+
+-------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+

September 24, 2010

– SFAF Meeting – 24 rue de Penthièvre 75008 Paris (at 10:00am)

– Half-year Financial Report (after the stock market closes)

From September 27 to October 15, 2010

– Roadshow in Europe

From October 4 to October 8, 2010

– Roadshow in the US

November 15, 2010

– Q3 revenues announcement (after the stock market closes)

Additional information

The Board of Directors and the Auditors met on September 23, 2010, to approve 2010 Half-year consolidated financial statements. Audit procedures have been performed and the 2010 Half-year statutory auditors’ report on the consolidated financial statements is forthcoming.

The financial information presented in this press release comes from Cegedim half year consolidated financial statements and is fully available on the 2010 Half-year Financial Report at www.cegedim.fr/finance as of September 24, 2010.

A presentation of Cegedim 2010 Half-year results is also available on the Website.

Appendices

– Revenues by sector and by quarter#:

# Figures rounded to the nearest unit.

Year 2010

+-------------------------+---------+---------+----+----+---------+
|? thousands              |    Q1   |    Q2   |  Q3|  Q4|   Total |
+-------------------------+---------+---------+----+----+---------+
|CRM and strategic data   |  111,532|  137,575|    |    |  249,107|
+-------------------------+---------+---------+----+----+---------+
| Healthcare professionals|   64,461|   74,278|    |    |  138,739|
+-------------------------+---------+---------+----+----+---------+
|Insurance and services   |   29,627|   31,364|    |    |   60,991|
+-------------------------+---------+---------+----+----+---------+
|Group                    |  205,620|  243,217|    |    |  448,837|
+-------------------------+---------+---------+----+----+---------+
+-------------------------+---------+---------+----+----+---------+

Year 2009 pro-forma

For information, Revenues at June 30, 2009 were restated between sectors for an amount of ?4.4 million. In order to continue streamlining the Group’s structure, certain activities of the Healthcare professionals and Insurance and services sectors have been linked to entities of the CRM and strategic data sector. Pro-forma revenue is mentioned below.

+-------------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
|? thousands              |    Q1   |    Q2   |    Q3   |    Q4   |   Total |
+-------------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
|CRM and strategic data   |  117,523|  123,223|  117,178|  140,361|  498,285|
+-------------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| Healthcare professionals|   65,247|   72,411|   58,779|   67,817|  264,254|
+-------------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
|Insurance and services   |   25,892|   29,609|   22,062|   33,970|  111,533|
+-------------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
|Group                    |  208,662|  225,245|  198,017|  242,148|  874,072|
+-------------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
+-------------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+

– By sector of activity and currency, the distribution of revenues for the first half-year of 2010 is as follows:

+-------------------------+------+-----+-----+--------+
|                         |  Euro|  USD|  GBP|  Others|
+-------------------------+------+-----+-----+--------+
|CRM and strategic data   |   51%|  23%|   4%|     22%|
+-------------------------+------+-----+-----+--------+
| Healthcare professionals|   80%|    -|  20%|       -|
+-------------------------+------+-----+-----+--------+
|Insurance and services   |   99%|    -|    -|      1%|
+-------------------------+------+-----+-----+--------+
|Group                    |   66%|  13%|   9%|     12%|
+-------------------------+------+-----+-----+--------+
+-------------------------+------+-----+-----+--------+

– By sector of activity and geographic zone, the distribution of revenues for the first half-year of 2010 is as follows:

+-------------------------+--------+------------------+---------------+
|                         |  France|  Europe ex France|  North America|
+-------------------------+--------+------------------+---------------+
|CRM and strategic data   |     31%|               33%|            24%|
+-------------------------+--------+------------------+---------------+
| Healthcare professionals|     77%|               23%|              -|
+-------------------------+--------+------------------+---------------+
|Insurance and services   |     99%|                 -|              -|
+-------------------------+--------+------------------+---------------+
|Group                    |     55%|               26%|            13%|
+-------------------------+--------+------------------+---------------+
+-------------------------+--------+------------------+---------------+

+-------------------------+-------------------+
|                         |  Rest of the world|
+-------------------------+-------------------+
|CRM and strategic data   |                12%|
+-------------------------+-------------------+
| Healthcare professionals|                  -|
+-------------------------+-------------------+
|Insurance and services   |                 1%|
+-------------------------+-------------------+
|Group                    |                 7%|
+-------------------------+-------------------+
+-------------------------+-------------------+

– Consolidated first-half financial statements

Assets

+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|? thousands              |  06/30/2010|  06/30/2009|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Goodwill on acquisition  |     713,179|     613,342|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Development costs        |      31,057|      57,644|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Trademarks, patents      |     135,868|     104,810|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Other intangible fixed   |     106,145|      63,192|
|assets                   |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Intangible fixed assets  |     273,070|     225,646|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Property                 |         446|         417|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Buildings                |       6,168|       6,225|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Plant, machinery and     |      24,940|      24,377|
|equipment                |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Other tangible fixed     |      13,866|      13,969|
|assets                   |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Construction work in     |          35|         234|
|progress                 |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Tangible fixed assets    |      45,456|      45,221|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Equity investments       |         295|         302|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Loans                    |         555|         551|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Other fixed financial    |       9,103|       8,030|
|assets                   |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Fixed financial assets ? |       9,953|       8,883|
|excluding shares of      |            |            |
|equity-accounted         |            |            |
|affiliates               |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Shares of                |       6,811|       7,173|
|equity-accounted         |            |            |
|affiliates               |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Government ? Deferred tax|      42,476|      33,350|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Accounts receivable:     |      16,056|      15,282|
|long-term portion        |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Other receivables:       |       2,064|         983|
|long-term portion        |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Non-current assets       |   1,109,064|     949,881|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Services in progress     |         188|         200|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Goods                    |      11,005|      10,956|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Advances and deposits    |       1,882|       1,172|
|received on orders       |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Accounts receivable:     |     226,488|     210,502|
|short-term portion       |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Unpaid, called-up capital|           -|           -|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Other receivables:       |      20,533|      18,413|
|short-term portion       |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Cash equivalents         |       1,159|      30,630|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Cash                     |     141,814|      90,739|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Prepaid expenses         |      22,936|      15,847|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Current assets           |     426,006|     378,461|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Total assets             |   1,535,070|   1,328,341|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+

Liabilities

+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|? thousands              |  06/30/2010|  06/30/2009|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Share capital            |      13,337|      13,337|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Issue premium            |     185,562|     185,562|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Group reserves           |     294,967|     249,732|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Group translation        |        -238|        -238|
|reserves                 |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Group translation        |      46,317|     -37,844|
|gains/losses             |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Group earnings           |      19,849|      54,719|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Investment subsidies     |           -|           -|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Regulated provisions     |           -|           -|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Shareholders? equity,    |     559,794|     465,267|
|Group share              |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Minority interests       |         383|         609|
|(reserves)               |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Minority interests       |          72|         114|
|(earnings)               |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Minority interests       |         455|         724|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Shareholders? equity     |     560,249|     465,991|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Long-term financial      |     453,067|     391,408|
|liabilities              |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Long-term financial      |      10,707|      16,517|
|instruments              |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Deferred tax liabilities |      60,298|      51,394|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Non-current provisions   |      28,534|      21,517|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Other non-current        |      12,396|       9,550|
|liabilities              |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Non-current liabilities  |     565,002|     490,386|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Short-term financial     |     142,671|     133,621|
|liabilities              |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Short -term financial    |           -|           -|
|instruments              |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Accounts payable and     |      71,813|      73,604|
|related accounts         |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Tax and social           |     119,088|     113,705|
|liabilities              |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Provisions               |       6,116|       7,133|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Other current liabilities|      70,131|      43,902|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Current liabilities      |     409,819|     371,965|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Total liabilities        |   1,535,070|   1,328,341|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+

– Income statement

+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|? thousands              |  06/30/2010|  06/30/2009|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Revenues                 |     448,837|     433,906|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Other income from        |           -|           -|
|business activities      |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Capitalized production   |      15,186|      16,616|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Purchased consumed       |     -48,637|     -47,729|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|External expenses        |    -110,205|    -106,409|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Taxes                    |      -7,069|      -6,503|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Payroll costs            |    -213,954|    -201,391|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Depreciation expenses    |     -33,494|     -34,179|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Provision expenses and   |         -69|         391|
|write-backs              |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Change in inventories of |         -20|         -63|
|in-progress and finished |            |            |
|products                 |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Other operating income   |          49|        -560|
|and expenses             |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Operating profit from    |      50,624|      54,079|
|ordinary activities      |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Other non-current        |      -5,448|      -4,657|
|operating income and     |            |            |
|expenses                 |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Operating profit         |      45,175|      49,422|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Income from cash and cash|         564|         829|
|equivalents              |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Gross cost of financial  |     -12,283|     -20,304|
|debt                     |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Other financial income   |      -9,866|     -10,349|
|and expenses             |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Net cost of financial    |     -21,585|     -29,824|
|debt                     |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Income taxes             |     -16,134|      -3,005|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Deferred income taxes    |      12,069|         279|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Tax expenses             |      -4,065|      -2,726|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Share of earnings of     |         396|         368|
|equity-accounted         |            |            |
|affiliates               |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Consolidated net profit  |      19,921|      17,240|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Group share (A)          |      19,849|      17,237|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Minority interests       |          72|           3|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Average number of shares |  13,963,775|   9,331,449|
|excl. Treasury stocks (B)|            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Earnings per share -     |         1.4|         1.8|
|euros (A/B)              |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Dilutive instruments     |           -|           -|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Diluted earnings per     |         1.4|         1.8|
|share - euros            |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+

– Cash flow statement

+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|? thousands              |  06/30/2010|  06/30/2009|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Consolidated net profit  |      19,921|      17,240|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Share of earnings of     |        -396|        -368|
|equity-accounted         |            |            |
|affiliates               |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Depreciation and         |      31,885|      34,411|
|amortization expense     |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Capital gain or losses on|         -33|         275|
|disposals                |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Cash flow after net cost |      51,377|      51,558|
|of financial debt and    |            |            |
|taxes                    |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Net cost of financial    |      21,585|      29,824|
|debt                     |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Tax expenses             |       4,065|       2,726|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Cash flow before net cost|      77,027|      84,108|
|of financial debt and    |            |            |
|taxes                    |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Tax paid                 |      -9,368|         245|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Plus: change in operating|     -17,759|     -11,179|
|working capital          |            |            |
|requirement              |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Net cash from operations |      49,900|      73,174|
|(A)                      |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Acquisitions of          |     -18,160|     -20,044|
|intangible fixed assets  |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Acquisitions of tangible |     -13,045|     -12,098|
|fixed assets             |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Acquisitions of financial|           -|      -1,454|
|assets                   |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Disposals of tangible and|       2,074|       2,263|
|intangible fixed assets  |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Disposals of financial   |         124|         363|
|assets                   |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Impact of changes in     |     -25,680|      -2,691|
|consolidation scope      |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Dividends from equity    |           -|           -|
|accounted affiliates     |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Net cash from investment |     -54,687|     -33,661|
|operations (B)           |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Dividends paid to parent |           -|           -|
|company shareholders     |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Dividends paid to the    |           -|           -|
|minority interests of    |            |            |
|consolidated companies   |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Increase in cash capital |           -|           -|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Debt issued              |      61,611|      62,240|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Debt reimbursements      |     -57,587|     -86,091|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Interest paid on debts   |     -10,606|     -21,435|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Other financial income   |      -8,073|      -2,675|
|and expenses             |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Net cash from financing  |     -14,655|     -47,961|
|operations ©           |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Change in cash (A+B+C)   |     -19,442|      -8,448|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Opening cash position    |     102,338|      70,254|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Closing cash position    |      89,379|      61,539|
+-------------------------+------------+------------+
|Foreign exchange gains or|      -6,483|         267|
|losses                   |            |            |
+-------------------------+------------+------------+

*at constant scope and exchange rates

About Cegedim: Founded in 1969, Cegedim is a global technology and services company specializing in the healthcare field. Cegedim supplies services, technological tools, specialized software, data flow management services and databases. Its offerings are targeted notably at healthcare industries, life sciences companies, healthcare professionals and insurance companies. The world leader in life sciences CRM, Cegedim is also one of the leading suppliers of strategic healthcare industry data. Cegedim employs 8,600 people in more than 80 countries and generated revenue of ?874 million in 2009. Cegedim SA is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: CGM). To learn more, please visit: www.cegedim.com

Contacts:

+--+--------------------+--------------------+--------------------+--+
|  |     Aude BALLEYDIER|Jan Eryk UMIASTOWSKI|Guillaume DE        |  |
|  |                    |                    |CHAMISSO            |  |
+--+--------------------+--------------------+--------------------+--+
|  |             Cegedim|             Cegedim|Presse & Papiers    |  |
|  |                    |                    |Agency              |  |
+--+--------------------+--------------------+--------------------+--+
|  |     Media Relations|Chief investment    |       Press Officer|  |
|  |                    |Officer Investor    |                    |  |
|  |                    |Relations           |                    |  |
+--+--------------------+--------------------+--------------------+--+
|  |                    |Tel.: +33 (0)1 49 09|                    |  |
|  |                    |33 36               |                    |  |
+--+--------------------+--------------------+--------------------+--+
|  |Tel.: +33 (0)1 49 09|investor.relations@c|Tel.: +33 (0)1 77 35|  |
|  |68 81               |egedim.fr           |60 99               |  |
+--+--------------------+--------------------+--------------------+--+
|  |aude.balleydier@cege|                    |guilaume.dechamisso@|  |
|  |dim.fr              |                    |pressepapiers.fr    |  |
+--+--------------------+--------------------+--------------------+--+
+--+--------------------+--------------------+--------------------+--+

This information is provided by HUGIN

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Netgain and Indigo Identityware(TM) Announce Distribution Partnership

Posted on September 23, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Indigo Identityware

Netgain, a Leader in Healthcare IT, Partners With Indigo Identityware to Add Strong Authentication, Single Sign-On and Workflow Management to Enhance Service Offerings

MINNEAPOLIS, MN–(Marketwire – September 23, 2010) –  Indigo Identityware, a growing leader in the Identity & Access Management industry, has partnered with Netgain to market and deploy its software-only solution that offers Behavioral Strong Authentication, single sign-on and session management for the extended enterprise. Indigo’s secure identity management solutions, paired with Netgain’s data security and delivery, meet clinicians’ desire for increased productivity and simplicity. 

In the ever-increasing security conscious environment, healthcare providers are required to use multiple complex passwords when accessing patient records. With Indigo’s solution, it eliminates the cumbersome password process while maintaining security, allowing the doctor more time to focus on the patient.

“Our clients trust us to provide an all-encompassing solution that combines HIPAA-level security with ease of use, and we found that with Indigo. By utilizing their unique Behavioral Strong Authentication and Single Sign-on solution, providers are more productive and the patient’s experience is enhanced because doctors can focus on the patient instead of worrying about complex or forgotten passwords,” said Matt Riley, Netgain’s COO.

“We’re excited to work with an organization like Netgain, whose mission in healthcare IT so closely aligns with ours,” said John Woodward, COO and President of Healthcare for Indigo Identityware. “Our services are complementary to Netgain’s, and together we provide a complete solution that addresses a major issue for all healthcare organizations.”

About Netgain
Netgain, a privately held provider of healthcare information technology solutions, relieves the day-to-day burden of information technology operations for healthcare organizations. Netgain provides application hosting and infrastructure support with extensive technical expertise in securing sensitive data by deploying a rare combination of process excellence and personal service. 

About Indigo
Indigo Identityware, a leader in the identity and access management industry, distinguishes itself by offering the first and only Behavioral Strong Authentication and Single Sign-on solution for the extended enterprise. Indigo’s flexible design supports multiple strong authentication methods, including next generation biometrics, providing users with secure and fast access to information. It increases workflow productivity while helping customers ensure regulatory compliance. The software-only solution is cost-effective and deploys quickly for organizations of any size.  

Contact Information:
John Woodward
Indigo Identityware
Phone: (952)294-3051
Email Contact

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

BC Medical Association/Patient-Focused Funding: Valuing What Health Care Providers Do for Patients

Posted on September 23, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwire – Sept. 23, 2010) – Reduced wait times and better access to hospital services are among the benefits patients in BC’s health care system could expect with the implementation of Patient Focused Funding (PFF). In this model, patients are seen as a benefit to hospitals instead of a cost. Hospitals would be paid for every patient they treat providing the impetus to see everyone in a timely manner and increase the volume of services provided to patients. The measures used to determine success of PFF programs must be evidence-based, risk-adjusted, and developed in collaboration with patient representatives.

Recently, there have been various funding models discussed by government and other stakeholders in the quest to contain health care costs. Patient Focused Funding in this case is defined as any method of compensating providers – which can include physicians, nurses, and hospitals – that uses financial incentives to improve the appropriateness, quality, and efficiency of care for patients. The BC Medical Association has released its policy paper Valuing Quality: Patient-Focused funding in British Columbia, which offers ten recommendations on the structure, implementation and evaluation of PFF including:

  • Any PFF program must be designed to support and improve the timeliness, safety, and health outcomes of patient care within a cost certain environment.
  • A multi-stakeholder working group under the BC Health Services Purchasing Organization must be created and should include physicians and other health care providers.
  • All PFF programs must be rigorously evaluated for their impact on patient care, access and costs.

“Our research has shown that PFF models need to be flexible and phased in to any situation in which they could be applied,” said Dr. David Attwell, Chair of the Working Group that developed the paper. “Implementation of a successful PFF program requires system-wide collaboration, commitment and leadership to achieve the highest level of quality for patients, for those who work in the health care system, and for government who pays for it.”

The BC government has recently announced its investment of $250 million, plus another $24.3 million, to launch and further develop its PFF model. Although the BC Medical Association supports many of government’s PFF initiatives, we also believe that patient safety and quality of care must be included as key measurement criteria. As well, more work needs to be done to ensure everyone involved in PFF from hospitals to health care providers to government share the same understanding of how PFF models function.

The policy paper can be found on the BCMA website at www.bcma.org.

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Miracle-Ear Says Hearing Loss Is Third Most Common Chronic Health Condition

Posted on September 23, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Miracle-Ear

Hearing Aid Awareness Week Focuses on Importance of Early Detection and Management

PLYMOUTH, MN–(Marketwire – September 23, 2010) –  Hearing loss is now the third most common chronic, but manageable, health condition in the United States, after arthritis and high blood pressure, according to the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA). Yet, fewer than half of those with hearing loss who could benefit from hearing aids use them. “During Hearing Aid Awareness Week, October 3 – 10, we want to help everyone understand how important it is to take steps to detect and manage hearing loss early, before it has a chance to impact your quality of life and even your earning potential,” says Rebecca Younk, audiologist for Miracle-Ear.

According to the HLAA, 1 in 10 Americans experiences some type of hearing loss. And yet, fewer than half of those hearing-impaired individuals use any type of hearing aid. Why? One reason may be that hearing loss is so gradual over time, that most people don’t notice a change until it has become really pronounced. Other reasons may include embarrassment. “Even though eyeglasses and contact lenses have now become perfectly socially acceptable, we still have to work hard to ensure that hearing aid wearers are treated with the same respect as eyeglass wearers,” explains Younk.

“The impact that unmanaged hearing loss can have on your life goes way beyond missing a word in a conversation here and there,” emphasizes Younk. “Here are just a few good reasons, beyond simply enhancing your overall quality of life, to consider having a hearing test soon.”

  • Hearing loss can starve the auditory centers of the brain of acoustic information, leading to auditory deprivation — and a resulting decrease in speech understanding. Hearing aids can help these auditory centers “stay busy,” to protect against this loss.
  • Research available at The Better Hearing Institute (BHI) suggests that patients with unmanaged hearing loss suffer more from depression and social isolation compared to those of similar age who wear hearing aids.
  • A study conducted by the BHI also suggests that hearing impaired patients choosing not to wear hearing aids earn less when compared to hearing impaired patients who choose to use hearing aids.

Today’s hearing aids offer discreet, customized hearing solutions, tailored to your lifestyle, age and activities. Miracle-Ear offers a comprehensive hearing assessment that includes a complete hearing health history, ear canal inspection, hearing threshold test and speech discrimination test. If these tests indicate a hearing loss, Miracle-Ear works with the client to determine which solution best meets his or her individual needs.

“Hearing loss is a growing problem in the U.S.,” says Younk, “but only about 13 percent of physicians routinely screen for hearing loss during a physical. You could have hearing loss and not even know it. It’s the people closest to you who may recognize it first. If your friends or family are advising you to have your hearing tested, you should listen to them!”

For more information on Miracle-Ear, please visit http://www.miracle-ear.com/.

About Miracle-Ear
A trusted resource for hearing solutions for over 60 years, Miracle-Ear uses state-of-the-art technology to remove the barriers of hearing loss. The Plymouth, Minn.-based company specializes in customizable hearing solutions that feature discreet, comfortable products designed to meet each individual’s hearing loss needs. Free hearing tests and consultations are available at all of the company’s 1,200 locations across the U.S., many of which are in Sears stores. Franchise opportunities are available for those interested in running their own Miracle-Ear business with the support of a nationwide industry leader. 

For more information, visit www.miracle-ear.com. 

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Medizone International Expands Patent Protection and Discusses Development

Posted on September 23, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Medizone International, Inc.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA–(Marketwire – September 23, 2010) –  Medizone International, Inc. (OTCBB: MZEI) (OTCQB: MZEI) announced today the Company has filed a fourth U.S. Provisional patent application involving what it terms, “Advanced Oxidative Sterilization Processes.”

Dr. Michael Shannon, Director of Medical Affairs, explained, “We are now exploring a new development in the field of oxidative chemistry which we believe will have a significant impact on our future technology and the ease with which we can effectively decontaminate hospitals, chronic care facilities, veterinary facilities, hotels, cruise ships, sports facilities and the equipment therein. Our research to date clearly demonstrates that the combination of modest levels of ozone and low concentrations of peroxide, properly delivered at the right temperature and humidity, will reliably eliminate bacterial loads of at least 6 logs (sterilization standard) on a broad range of surface materials, including carpets, for all of the ‘Superbugs’ responsible for Hospital Acquired Infections. This new development, however, further enhances Medizone’s AsepticSure™ technology in a manner not anticipated. In fact, decontamination in the future will very likely be based on unique combinations of what we are calling ‘Advanced Oxidative Sterilization Processes’ which build on the existing technology by using a family of chemical moieties considered to be even more potent than either ozone or peroxide to destroy a broad range of potentially lethal pathogens. Research is now underway at our laboratories in Kingston on a parallel track with our hospital beta testing program to evaluate the merits of a multifactorial decontamination system which appears to further increase the potency of AsepticSure™ while dramatically reducing the exposure time, both of which have major implications for certain applications.”

Medizone’s CEO, Edwin Marshall, added, “With two international patent applications filed in addition to the four U.S. provisional applications now in place, we are taking the steps we believe necessary to fully protect the commercial rights of Medizone International. It is now clear that what began as a technology to decontaminate and sterilize hospital spaces has grown into the foundations of an entirely new sterilization industry. We are developing a family of solutions based on the nuances of specific applications. Given the outcomes of recent meetings with both private industry players and government, it is clear we are not alone in recognizing this concept. As I announced in a recent interview with Don Baillargeon for a segment of his show, ‘MoneyTV,’ to be aired this coming Saturday, we have even filed a patent application addressing the bed bug issue for the cruise ship and hotel industry. We are not making too much of it yet, as the science for that application remains to be completed. However, we are guardedly optimistic that we will be able to provide an effective and affordable solution to that market segment as well, and thus wanted to get the IP protection in place as soon as possible.”

Medizone International, Inc. is a research and development company engaged in developing its AsepticSure™ System to decontaminate and sterilize hospital surgical suites, emergency rooms, intensive care units, schools and other critical infrastructure. A government variant is being developed for bio-terrorism counter measures with additional variants for sports facilities and food processing applications and, potentially, the hotel and cruise ship industry for bed bug eradication and Norwalk virus.

This Press Release contains certain forward looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the results of ongoing clinical studies, economic conditions, product and technology development, production efficiencies, product demand, competitive products, competitive environment, successful testing and government regulatory issues. Additional risks are identified in the company’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

A New Era for Transport Medicine Takes Flight in Ontario

Posted on September 23, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – Sept. 23, 2010) –

Editors Note: A photo for this release will be available via Marketwire on the picture wire of The Canadian Press.

Ornge, a world leader in the field of transport medicine, is proud to introduce the most significant fleet upgrade in the history of aero medical transport in Ontario. The first of the new AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters were unveiled this morning at the Ornge base at the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. The new helicopters will transport Ornge’s medical teams who provide services for patients requiring advanced and critical levels of care during transport.

Ornge paramedics and pilots employed by CHL, the operator of Ornge rotor aircraft, will begin transporting patients in the new high-performance medium twin turbine helicopters over the coming months. Ornge purchased ten AW139 aircraft from AgustaWestland, a Finnmeccanica company, in 2008 to replace the older fleet of Sikorsky S76 helicopters currently in use at Ornge bases across the province. 

“As innovators in our field, we are on the cutting edge of both aviation and medicine,” said Dr. Christopher Mazza, Ornge CEO and Emergentologist. “The AW139 medically-equipped aircraft will help us to deliver a modern, high quality, sustainable transport medicine program for Ontario patients today and for generations to come.”

The AW139 is the most technologically advanced rotor wing aircraft in air medical transport today. The fastest helicopter in its class, it is capable of operating in a wide variety of weather conditions – from extreme heat to extreme cold – found across Ontario’s one million square kilometers. Ornge is the first AgustaWestland client in North America to have a full ice protection installed in medically equipped helicopters. The AW139 also has enhanced safety and environmental features.

Giuseppe Orsi, Chief Executive Officer, AgustaWestland said: “We are proud to be part of this new era in transport medicine in Ontario providing the best medium twin helicopter to such a leading operator and to the benefit of the large community they serve. The AW139 will enable Ornge to perform a quantum leap forward in operational capability to successfully accomplish the mission and save lives in the harshest conditions when other models would be confined to the hangar.”

Each helicopter is outfitted with an advanced full medical interior designed and configured by Ornge transport medicine physicians and paramedics in collaboration with Aerolite, a world leader in medical helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft interiors. 

In January 2006, Ornge began coordinating all aspects of the province’s transport medicine system. Since then, Ornge has transported nearly 95,000 patients more than 30 million statute miles – over 1,200 times around the earth — in its rotor and fixed wing aircraft, along with its critical care land units.

ABOUT ORNGE

Ornge is the world’s leading innovator in the emerging field of transport medicine, and operates from a number of bases across the province of Ontario and performs more than 20,000 admissions annually. It coordinates all aspects of Ontario’s aero medical transport system, the new critical care land transport program, paediatric transport program and the authorization of air and land ambulance transfers between hospitals. Ornge is dedicated to the provision of high quality patient care through innovative transport medicine.

ABOUT AGUSTAWESTLAND

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is a technology leader in its markets and has an unrivalled range of rotorcraft products designed to satisfy the requirements of commercial and military customers. AgustaWestland has its main operations in Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

GetWellNetwork Chief Outcomes Officer Speaks on "Pay for Performance" at New Jersey HIMSS Conference

Posted on September 23, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: GetWellNetwork

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ–(Marketwire – September 23, 2010) – GetWellNetwork, Inc., today announced that David Wright, the Company’s chief outcomes officer, will address the New Jersey and Delaware chapters of HIMSS on how hospitals can strengthen their position in the “Pay for Performance” provisions of the new health care reform law. The fall regional health information symposium is being held from September 22-24th at the Atlantic City Caesars Hotel and Casino.

Mr. Wright will share with attendees how the “Pay for Performance” model impacts the quality measurements that are being evaluated in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s Value-Based Purchasing and Accountable Care Organizations programs. “Pay for Performance” programs measure a variety of performance indicators such as clinical processes of care, health outcomes, patient safety, patient experience and satisfaction, and information technology investment and use.

Mr. Wright will also explain how leading hospitals and health systems are using interactive patient care technology to achieve evidence-based outcomes and to improve hospital performance in these areas that directly impact “Pay for Performance” provisions.

Without a clear outcomes plan and technology solution in place, hospitals may see dramatic reductions in their Medicare reimbursements as early as October 2012 with payments made based on 2011-2012 performance(1). Using best practices and practical examples from leading hospitals, Mr. Wright will provide insights that will help hospitals formulate their own plans to become “high performers” in the era of health care reform.

“The regional HIMSS conference provides an opportunity to address the key issues hospitals must consider for implementing initiatives that affect the patient care factors of the Pay for Performance provision,” said David Wright, chief outcomes officer, GetWellNetwork, Inc. “To ensure continuation of maximum reimbursements from the Federal government, all hospitals need to have a core strategy that helps them excel in the new performance measurements that will be used to calculate their effectiveness in patient treatment.”

About GetWellNetwork
GetWellNetwork, Inc. uses the bedside TV to entertain, educate and empower hospital patients and caregivers to be more actively engaged in their care. This patient-centered approach improves both satisfaction and outcomes for patients and hospitals. GetWellNetwork is the leader in interactive patient care solutions and exclusively endorsed by the American Hospital Association. More information about GetWellNetwork can be found at www.GetWellNetwork.com.

(1) More information about CMS’ Value-Based Purchasing Program is available at http://www.cms.gov/AcuteInpatientPPS/downloads/HospitalVBPPlanRTCFINALSUBMITTED2007.pdf and http://www.cms.gov/QualityInitiativesGenInfo/downloads/VBPRoadmap_OEA_1-16_508.pdf

Media Contact:
Jenny Song
(703) 338-8434
Email Contact

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Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Portola Pharmaceuticals Appoints Jean-Jacques Bienaime to Board of Directors

Posted on September 23, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Portola Pharmaceuticals

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA–(Marketwire – September 23, 2010) – Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the appointment of Jean-Jacques Bienaimé to the company’s board of directors. Mr. Bienaimé currently serves as chief executive officer of BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. He is chairman of the board of NeurogesX, Inc., a member of the board of BIO and a member of the advisory board of Bellevue Asset Management’s BioVentures II fund.

“Jean-Jacques Bienaimé is a biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry veteran with more than 25 years of experience,” said William Lis, chief executive officer of Portola. “His experience as a CEO managing and building fully integrated biotechnology companies and his expertise commercializing anti-thrombotic products will be invaluable to Portola as we advance our two lead partnered product candidates, elinogrel and betrixaban, and our pipeline of proprietary products in cardiovascular disease and inflammation through clinical development and into commercialization.”

Mr. Bienaimé joined BioMarin, which develops and commercializes innovative biopharmaceuticals for serious diseases and medical conditions, in May 2005 as chief executive officer and member of the board of directors. Prior to joining BioMarin, he served as chairman, chief executive officer and president of Genencor, a biotechnology company focused on industrial bioproducts and targeted cancer biotherapeutics. Before that, he served as chairman, chief executive officer and president of Sangstat Medical Corporation, an immunology-focused biotechnology company that he guided to profitability prior to its acquisition by Genzyme Corporation. Earlier in his career, Mr. Bienaimé held several senior management positions at Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Pharmaceuticals (now sanofi-aventis) culminating in the position of senior vice president of worldwide marketing and business development responsible for, among other things, the launch of Lovenox® (for the prevention of pulmonary embolism and treatment of unstable angina) in the United States. He also worked at Genentech, Inc. where he was involved in the launch of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) for the treatment of heart attacks.

He received an M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and an undergraduate degree in economics from the École Supérieure de Commerce de Paris.

About Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Portola Pharmaceuticals develops innovative therapeutics based on targets with established proofs of concept that are designed to provide significant advances over current treatments for cardiovascular disease and inflammation. The company has global development and commercialization agreements with two of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies collectively valued at about $1 billion in upfront and milestone payments plus double-digit royalties on future sales. Betrixaban, its oral direct Factor Xa inhibitor, is licensed to Merck & Co., Inc., and elinogrel, its competitive, reversible P2Y12 ADP receptor antagonist, is licensed to Novartis Pharma AG. Both are Phase 2 product candidates that have features to address the global multi-billion dollar hospital, specialty and chronic care anticoagulant and antiplatelet markets, respectively.

Portola’s proprietary pipeline programs are focused on the discovery and development of PRT061103, a thromboxane receptor antagonist, which is targeted to address a significant unmet need as a potential aspirin alternative for patients intolerant to aspirin; PRT064445, a Factor Xa inhibitor antidote to help manage or reverse the bleeding complications in the tens of millions of patients expected to be treated with Factor Xa inhibitors or low-molecular weight heparin worldwide in the next decade; and PRT062607, a novel, oral Syk-specific kinase inhibitor to treat chronic inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, and certain cancers, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. For additional information, visit www.portola.com.

Contacts:

Mardi Dier
CFO
Portola Pharmaceuticals
(650) 246-7236
Email Contact

Joey Fleury
Invigorate
(415) 946-1090
Email Contact

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Symetis Reports on Its Trans-Apical ACURATE TA(TM) First-in-Man Clinical Study

Posted on September 23, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Symetis

LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND–(Marketwire – September 23, 2010) –  

  • 40 patients enrollment completion
  • Positive preliminary results

Symetis SA, a private Swiss company developing new transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) systems, announced today the completion of patient enrollment in its ACURATE TA™ first-in-man (FIM) clinical study and positive preliminary results. ACURATE TA™ is a self-aligning nitinol stent valve designed for optimal trans-apical delivery, providing the physician with unmatched positioning tolerance and ease of use.

Details of the study
The study — the largest 2nd generation TAVI FIM study ever conducted — was conducted at 5 sites in Germany: Leipzig Herzzentrum, Kerckhoff-Klinik Bad Nauheim, Freiburg UniversitätsSpital, Westdeutsches Herzzentrum Essen and Universitäres Herzzentrum Hamburg. Forty (40) patients with severe aortic stenosis were recruited and treated with ACURATE TA™. The average age of treated patients was 83 years with a mean Logistic EuroScore of 21.5% and STS Score of 9.0%.

Results
Successful valve implantation with the ACURATE TA™ occurred in 38 patients (95.0%). One patient received a valve-in-valve using a commercially available transapical valve and one patient was converted to sAVR. Only one patient required a new pacemaker post-implant. 30-day mortality was 12.5% including 3 deaths from non-valve-related respiratory complications. Comprehensive 30-day results will be presented at the Dallas / Leipzig International Valve conference in December 2010.

Dr. Joërg Kempfert of Leipzig Herzzentrum commented: “The ACURATE TA™ is truly intuitive, easy to use, reliable and covers the full spectrum of severe aortic stenosis. We look forward to the Pilot study to confirm the excellent results obtained in this comprehensive FIM study.”

Laura Brenton, VP Clinical / Regulatory Affairs, added: “The ease of use of the ACURATE TA™ was acknowledged by all physicians participating in the study. Additionally, the learning curve was significantly shorter than that of competitive systems. Furthermore, the robust size of the FIM allows for comparison of its initial data to published statistics from competitors suggesting comparable or improved initial outcomes.”

Jacques R. Essinger, CEO of Symetis, added: “ACURATE™ TA is the second generation TAVI system with the largest clinical experience to date. We are building on this competitive advantage by soon beginning a pilot clinical study, a major step toward achieving European compliance and the CE mark.”

About Symetis
Symetis SA (www.symetis.com) is a private Swiss company developing innovative, minimally invasive heart valve replacement solutions. Symetis’s Acurate TA™ system, based on proprietary geometry and delivery technology, is in clinical trials and is well positioned to target the ca. $2 billion transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) market. The company is financed by leading European venture capital firms including Truffle Capital, Novartis Venture Fund, Aravis Venture, Wellington Partners, Vinci Capital, Banexi Venture and BiomedInvest.

For further information, please contact:
Dr. Jacques R. Essinger
CEO
Symetis SA
Tel: +41 21 651 01 60
Email: Email Contact

US Media
Michelle Linn
Linnden Communications
508-362-3087
Email Contact

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Educate Patients During Dental Hygiene Month With Dental Marketing Solutions From Patient News

Posted on September 23, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Patient News

NEW YORK, NY and HALIBURTON, ON–(Marketwire – September 23, 2010) – October is National Dental Hygiene Month (NDHM) and it’s also the perfect time to create new dental marketing materials to reach out to your dental patients, says Patient News, a leading dental marketing solutions company.

Effective dentist/patient communication is essential to keeping patients, and a multi-channel patient retention campaign is extremely effective because it’s a means of sharing ideas and knowledge, not selling. NDHM is a great time for dental practitioners to ramp up their communication/marketing efforts and provide much needed and appreciated dental patient education to their patients.

“To build a vibrant and profitable practice it’s important to include a patient-centered marketing approach. Even the healthiest practice can’t help but lose patients over time due to natural attrition, competition, dissatisfaction, and perceived indifference,” said Karen Galley, President of Patient News. “Perceived indifference sends customers away nearly five times more often than dissatisfaction and seven times more often than for competitive reasons. A patient newsletter shows your patients you care.”

A consistent effort to communicate and educate patients, especially when paired with the efforts of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association in October, can reap measurable rewards. The ADHA website includes information to help promote events planned in honor of NDHM. Patient News can improve dentist/patient communications through their extensive resources, including an exceptional article library featuring stories about the importance of dental hygiene — clearly linked to overall health and systemic diseases.

“Although people continue to score smile and appearance of teeth as most important to their personal appearance and place a high value on oral health, more than 80% remain fearful of the dentist. It takes time and quality dental patient education via email and mail to encourage existing and prospective patients to make even a positive change,” said Galley. This type of communication can also assist dentists reduce no shows and cancellations, improving the overall health of the practice and patient community.

For more information on NDHM, visit ADHA.org. For additional information on dental newsletters or dental email newsletter options from Patient News call 800.667.0268 or visit www.Patientnews.com.

Read more: http://www.patientnews.com/pressreleases/educate-patients-during-dental-hygiene-month.html.

About Patient News:

Patient News is North America’s most trusted resource in helping dental practices succeed. The company produces award-winning healthcare and dental marketing products in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

Contact:

Joanne Bishop
Vice-President, Patient News
800-667-0268

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Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

Media Alert: An Important Update on Stem Cell Research in Toronto

Posted on September 22, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – Sept. 22, 2010) –

Attention: Health and Science Reporters, Assignment and Photo Editors. 

On September 23 2010, media are invited to an in-depth briefing with senior scientists on current stem cell research activity at the McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine. McEwen Centre Director, Dr. Gordon Keller will discuss eight “Accelerated Discoveries.” These are research initiatives that include a new project that will push the frontier forward for patients suffering from heart disease, the number one killer in the western world. 

Research at the McEwen Centre also holds important implications for diabetes, lung disease, diseases of the blood as well as neurodegenerative disease.

Please join us to learn more about this exciting research field. The tour will include an opportunity to interview senior scientists and gain new understanding of the latest developments in this cutting edge research. You are also invited to attend a Public Symposium on The Stem Cell Healthcare Revolution which follows the tour at 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Telephone interviews with senior scientists, the McEwens, and patient advocates can be arranged in advance.

Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

Medex, Inc. Announces New Hires and Facilities Expansions

Posted on September 22, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: MedEx, Inc.

Steps Intended to Increase Creative Rehab and Bee Mobile Revenues 30% With Commensurate Earnings Growth

LAS VEGAS, NV–(Marketwire – September 22, 2010) –  Medex, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: MDXX), today announced four strategic hires and several facilities expansions intended to foster significant revenue and earnings growth at the Company’s Creative Rehab Technology Services, Inc. and Bee Mobile, Inc. operations.

Kia Davis, 35, has been appointed service coordinator for Creative Rehab and will be based in that company’s newly relocated and expanded facility in Rancho Cucamonga, California. Davis will be responsible for new business development in the greater Los Angeles area as well as contracts management with a growing dealer network there and throughout the Inland Empire.

Additionally, Michael Spradley, 40, has been hired as a seating and mobility specialist. With significant industry contacts and related sales experience, he will be supported by two additional technician hires in San Diego and Escondido, California. These individuals will support sales at Creative Rehab and servicing contracts for Bee Mobile.

In related matters, Medex indicated that facility expansions are in progress at Creative Rehab’s headquarters in Chula Vista, California and that Bee Mobile, in addition to the above referenced Rancho Cucamonga relocation, has acquired an additional 5,000 square foot repair and warehouse facility in Fontana, California to improve efficiency and output of its capacities.

Medex also indicated that Bee Mobile is currently finalizing contractual arrangements with several dealers in the greater Las Vegas area to provide services and repair.

“Growth in demand for products and service necessitate capital investment for both plant infrastructure as well as key personnel. We anticipate that this investment should yield a 30% revenue growth for both companies combined with previously disclosed corresponding cumulative net margin improvement,” said Paul Protzman, President of Medex, Inc. “We are encouraged by current market response to these business lines.”

About Medex, Inc.

Medex, Inc. is a development stage Nevada-based medical support services company, which plans to grow through acquisitions of medical supply companies, medical technology companies, and assisted living and care facilities worldwide. For additional information, see www.medexsynergies.com.

Safe Harbor Statement:

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may,” “future,” “plan,” or “planned,” “will,” or “should,” “expected,” “anticipates,” “draft,” “eventually,” or “projected.” You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

Investor Contact:
MedEx, Inc.
1-800-869-1060

Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

Joint Commission Annual Report Shows Big Improvements for Hospital Care

Posted on September 22, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: The Joint Commission

Quality Performance Linked to Better Patient Outcomes

OAKBROOK TERRACE, IL–(Marketwire – September 22, 2010) –  Accredited hospitals in the United States are providing higher-quality, evidence-based care for heart attack, pneumonia, surgical care and children’s asthma care, according to Improving America’s Hospitals: The Joint Commission’s Report on Quality and Safety 2010. The report presents scientific evidence of improvement and how it relates to these common medical conditions and procedures.

“It is very encouraging that this year’s report shows high rates of performance on these critical process measures and high levels of consistent excellence among hospitals on many measures,” said Mark R. Chassin, M.D., M.P.P., M.P.H., president, The Joint Commission. “Hospitals devote enormous resources and energy to using these performance measures to drive improvement in their clinical processes. This report demonstrates that these efforts are resulting in consistently improving patient care in America’s hospitals.”

The fifth annual report shows continual improvement over an eight-year period on accountability measures — quality measures that meet four criteria designed to identify measures that produce the greatest positive impact on patient outcomes. For example, the 2009 heart attack care result is 97.7 percent, up from 88.6 percent in 2002. A 97.7 percent score means that hospitals provided an evidence-based heart attack treatment such as aspirin at arrival and beta-blockers at discharge 977 times for every 1,000 opportunities to do so.

The data, drawn from more than 3,000 accredited hospitals, show:

  • Significant progress in consistently using evidence-based treatments. In 2002, hospitals achieved 81.8 percent composite performance on 957,000 opportunities to perform care processes related to accountability measures. In 2009, hospitals achieved 95.4 percent composite performance on 12.5 million opportunities — an improvement of 13.6 percentage points.
  • Hospital performance on measures of quality relating to inpatient care for childhood asthma has increased dramatically in the two years since being introduced. The 2009 children’s asthma care result is 88.1 percent, up from 70.7 in 2007.
  • The 2009 pneumonia care result is 92.9 percent, up from 72.4 percent in 2002 — an improvement of 20.5 percentage points.
  • The surgical care result improved to 95.8 percent in 2009 from 77.4 percent in 2004.

Although hospitals achieved 90 percent or better performance on most individual process of care measures, the report contends that more improvement is needed. For example, hospitals finished 2009 with relatively low performance on the following two measures introduced in 2005:

  • Providing fibrinolytic therapy within 30 minutes of arrival to heart attack patients — only 55.2 percent of hospitals achieved 90 percent compliance or better.
  • Providing antibiotics to intensive care unit pneumonia patients within 24 hours of arrival — only 67.5 percent of hospitals achieved 90 percent compliance or better.

The report, which focuses on accountability measures for the first time, is an effort to clearly demonstrate the impact that performance measures have on improving patient outcomes. Doing so will strengthen the partnerships hospitals have with physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other clinicians who are engaged in the hard work of improving the processes of care. Specific expectations for performance on accountability measures will be included in hospital accreditation standards by 2012.

Quality, safety and patient satisfaction results for specific hospitals can be found at www.qualitycheck.org. For a complete copy of the report Improving America’s Hospitals: The Joint Commission’s Report on Quality and Safety 2010, please visit www.jointcommission.org.

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 18,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 9,700 hospitals and home care organizations, and more than 6,800 other health care organizations that provide long term care, behavioral health care, laboratory and ambulatory care services. In addition, The Joint Commission also provides certification of more than 1,700 disease-specific care programs, primary stroke centers, and health care staffing services. An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Learn more about The Joint Commission at www.jointcommission.org.

Media Contact:
Elizabeth Eaken Zhani
Media Relations Manager
630.792.5914
Email Contact

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ForceLogix Technologies Inc. Announces Issuance of Common Shares Upon Conversion of Special Warrants

Posted on September 22, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: ForceLogixTechnologies Inc.

CHICAGO, IL–(Marketwire – September 22, 2010) – ForceLogix Technologies Inc. (TSX-V: FLT) www.ForceLogix.com (the “Company“) announced today that effective September 22, 2010, 340,216 common shares were issued to an Insider (as that term is defined in Exchange Policy 1.1) upon conversion of certain special warrants originally issued to holders at the closing of the Company’s Qualifying Transaction on November 30, 2009. Following issuance of said common shares, the Company has 61,202,615 common shares and 22,552,060 non-exercised special warrants outstanding. 

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information please contact
Mr. Patrick Stakenas
President and Chief Executive Officer
ForceLogix Technologies Inc.
(847) 281-9307

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Electronic Control Security, Inc. Announces Fiscal 2010 Year-End Profitability

Posted on September 22, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Electronic Control Security, Inc.

CLIFTON, NJ–(Marketwire – September 22, 2010) –  Electronic Control Security, Inc. (OTCBB: EKCS) (ECSI), a leading provider of a broad line of electronic security system technologies to the government and private sectors, announced financial results for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010.

Arthur Barchenko, President and CEO, stated, “We achieved our objective during fiscal 2010 to change the direction of the Company’s marketing effort from that of a prime contractor to the Department of Defense to that of a technology manufacturing resource and support service provider to the large system integrators, dealers/installers and, in certain cases, the end user i.e. nuclear power stations.

“To that end, we achieved net revenues of $4,513,737 for fiscal year 2010 as compared to $3,472,696 for fiscal year 2009, representing an increase of approximately 30%. The increase in net revenues during 2010 as compared to 2009 is attributable equally to increases in both government and private-sector related purchase orders.”

Gross margins for 2010 were 55% as compared to 28% of revenue for the 2009 Period. The increase in gross margin for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010 compared to the corresponding period in 2009 is primarily attributable to a change in the order mix of equipment sales and support services. We experienced an increase in both higher margin equipment sales as well as design and engineering support service billings which, combined, resulted in the increase in gross margins for the Fiscal 2010 Period.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased approximately 34% in the 2010 Period to $1,771,923 from $1,318,910 in 2009. The increase is partially attributable to costs relating to the U.N. project in Ethiopia where we incurred significant increases in freight and marketing related expenses. However, the major increase in costs related to management’s decision to recognize and write off certain receivables totaling $629,437 related to two overseas projects in Asia and the Middle East and uncollectible Department of Defense (DoD) program-related expenses. Although we attempted to resolve these issues during the past year, we have not been able to collect these receivables. Based on these results, management has made the decision not to seek the award of DoD prime contracts in the future. 

Mr. Barchenko stated that, “I am also pleased to announce that, on July 30, 2010, the Company paid off the principal balance of $100,000 plus interest completing its short and long-term convertible principal debt obligations.

“During fiscal 2010, the Company submitted proposals on projects for Department of Defense facilities and certain nuclear power stations in the United States and southeast Asia valued at approximately $13,650,000. A number of these DoD and nuclear projects amounting to $2.2 million was awarded and partially shipped during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010. Most of these proposals are still pending and awaiting approval, funding and award. We anticipate decisions relating to these remaining proposals within the first half of fiscal 2011 with deliveries scheduled through the last six months of fiscal 2011 with deliveries scheduled through the last six months of fiscal 2011 and the first half of fiscal 2012.”

About ECSI

ECSI is a global leader in perimeter security and a quality provider to the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, nuclear power stations, and other large commercial-industrial complexes. The Company designs, manufactures and markets physical electronic security systems for high profile, high threat environments utilizing risk assessment and analysis to determine and address the security needs of its customers. Teaming agreements with major system integrators enable ECSI to support the installation and aftermarket of its products in the U.S. and overseas. ECSI is located at 790 Bloomfield Avenue, Bldg. C-1, Clifton, NJ 07012. Tel: 973-574-8555; Fax: 973-574-8562. For more information on ECSI and its customers, please visit http://www.ecsiinternational.com.

ECSI INTERNATIONAL, INC. SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT: This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial uncertainties and risks. These forward-looking statements are based upon our current expectations, estimates and projections about our business and our industry and reflect our beliefs and assumptions based upon information available to us at the date of this release. We caution readers that forward-looking statements are predictions based on our current expectations about future events. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Our actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including but not limited to changes in economic conditions generally and in our industry specifically, changes in security technology, legislative or regulatory changes that affect us, the availability of working capital, timing of purchase orders, acceptance of company proposals, changes in costs and the availability of goods and services, the introduction of competing products, changes in our operating strategy or development plans, our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, changes in our acquisition and capital expenditure plans, sufficiency of cash reserves and the risks and uncertainties discussed under the heading “RISK FACTORS” in Item 1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010 and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement for any reason.

For contact:
Natalie Schneider
973-574-8555

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Pharos Innovations Recognizes Industry Association Rebranding Effort

Posted on September 22, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Pharos Innovations

NORTHFIELD, IL–(Marketwire – September 22, 2010) – Pharos Innovations today congratulated the Care Continuum Alliance on the launch of its new brand and ongoing work on behalf of organizations and individuals providing healthcare at all stages of well-being.

The Care Continuum Alliance, established in 1999 as the Disease Management Association of America, has completed its transition to a new name and brand that reflect the industry’s evolution toward care across the continuum of health, from wellness and prevention to care management and more complex interventions.

Pharos Innovations, a Care Continuum Alliance member represented on the association’s Board of Directors, provides a unique IVR and Web-based remote patient monitoring/behavior change technology through its Tel-Assurance® program.

“The continuum of care is as much about keeping the healthy well and minimizing health risks as it is about managing specific conditions,” said Randall E. Williams, MD, CEO of Pharos Innovations. “With its new brand, the Care Continuum Alliance captures the broad variety and value of programs and products we and other CCA members provide.”

Care Continuum Alliance (CCA) members are uniquely positioned to contribute to new models of care and the drive toward wellness, prevention and health information technology spurred by federal reform initiatives. Pharos Innovations and other CCA members offer extensive expertise in health risk assessment, innovative technologies to promote healthful behaviors, care coordination across multiple settings and physician collaborations — skills and activities at the core of the reform law.

Pharos Innovations will exhibit this year at The Forum 10, the annual meeting of the Care Continuum Alliance, Oct. 13 to 15, in Washington, D.C. Visit Pharos at booth #416, at the Hilton Washington hotel, the Forum host site. Learn more about the Forum at TheForum10.org.

About Pharos Innovations
Pharos Innovations is actively involved in transforming the U.S. healthcare delivery system. Pharos offers IVR and Web-based behavior change services and tools that enable payers and providers to cost-effectively and efficiently manage their chronic care population.

Pharos’ main offering, Tel-Assurance, engages, motivates and drives improved self-care. Through Tel-Assurance, participants self-report their health status daily through the phone or Web. This unique approach actively engages individuals with chronic conditions in their healthcare and provides care managers/nurses with real-time information to intervene before symptoms escalate. Tel-Assurance has been proven an effective way to reduce avoidable, all-cause hospital admissions and readmissions and reduce overall healthcare costs among diverse populations.

The Pharos’ solution is strongly validated to show measured clinical improvement and financial impact, is the recipient of the prestigious American Heart Association National Outcomes award and was selected for the first ever National Institutes of Health (NIH) sponsored evaluation of remote monitoring interventions. For more information visit www.pharosinnovations.com or join in on the discussion at our blog, www.thecollaborativeforum.com.

Contact:
Shawn-Laree De St. Aubin
312-725.3740
Email Contact

Bonni L. Kaplan
Pharos Innovations
847-790-7649
Email Contact

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Wisconsin Hospitals Will Implement Send Word Now(R) Alert Service for Emergency Preparedness

Posted on September 22, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Send Word Now

Hospitals Throughout the State to Leverage Send Word Now’s On-Demand Notification Platform to Improve Communication and Coordination During Emergencies

NEW YORK, NY–(Marketwire – September 22, 2010) –  Send Word Now, the leading provider of emergency notification and on-demand incident management, alerting, and response services, announced today that The Wisconsin Hospital Emergency Preparedness Program will make Send Word Now’s Alert Service available to all hospitals in Wisconsin. The initiative sets a new standard for hospital management and a model for unified communications across a state-wide health care network.

“We were looking for a notification system that could meet our communications needs, and specifically for a system that is easy to use,” affirmed Bob Ritger, Operations Officer for the Emergency Preparedness Program. He added, “Having one system throughout the state will allow us to implement our messaging strategies more easily and consistently throughout Wisconsin hospitals. We look forward to working with Send Word Now on this project over the long-term.”

Tony Schmitz, President and CEO of Send Word Now, said, “We are extremely proud to be able to provide our services to hospitals in Wisconsin. Send Word Now is well suited to support these hospital emergency preparedness initiatives based on its experience and expertise in servicing healthcare providers and hospitals across the country.” 

About Send Word Now

Send Word Now is the leading provider of on-demand alerting and incident management services for both routine and emergency communication. The easy-to-use, web-based emergency notification service is used by government agencies, municipalities, universities, non-profit organizations and businesses, including many Fortune 500 companies, to ensure fast, effective, two-way communication in real-time. Send Word Now’s Alert Tracer® provides a full audit trail of messages sent and received for after-action reporting and follow-up. Designed to reach anyone, anywhere, anytime, with any device over any type of connection, Send Word Now’s mass notification system is capable of transmitting hundreds of thousands of voice and text messages in minutes. The company is headquartered in New York City. Visit Send Word Now on the web at http://www.sendwordnow.com or email us at [email protected]. Follow Send Word Now on Twitter at http://twitter.com/sendwordnow and check out our new blog for industry news and insights at http://www.sendwordnow.com/Company/Blog.

About The Wisconsin Hospital Emergency Preparedness Program

The Wisconsin Hospital Emergency Preparedness Program supports hospital emergency preparedness planning and response to mass casualty incidents or pandemic events. The Wisconsin Hospital Emergency Preparedness Program is funded by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). 

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UV Flu Technologies UV-400 Air Purifier Fights Superbugs and Bacteria

Posted on September 22, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: UV Flu Technologies, Inc.

CENTERVILLE, MA–(Marketwire – September 22, 2010) –  UV Flu Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: UVFT) (the “Company”) announced today that in response to recent outbreaks of drug resistant superbugs such as NDM-1, and persistent occurrences of highly contagious strains of bacteria such as MRSA, the Company is implementing a national campaign to inform the public how its ViraTech UV-400 indoor air purifier significantly helps reduce exposure risks.

Dr. Wladyslaw Jan Kowalski, PE, Phd, a world leading expert on the bacteria killing efficacy of ultraviolet light, recently commented on the UV-400: “Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) destroys bacteria by damaging the nucleic acids and thereby preventing reproduction. Multidrug-resistant microbes (superbugs) may have resistance to antibiotics but they remain as susceptible to ultraviolet radiation as any normal bacteria variant. The number of multidrug resistant microbes has been increasing, apparently due to overuse of antibiotics and other factors, and is expected to pose a serious challenge to health care facilities in the future as treatment options diminish.”

Dr. Kowalski further added, “The ViraTech UV-400 model air cleaner has a demonstrated ability to disinfect air and inactivate a wide range of bacterial pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas, and Klebsiella as has been conclusively demonstrated in independent laboratory tests. The UV-400 produces a germicidal UV exposure dose of 41 J/m2, as independently verified by biodosimetric testing, which is sufficient to reduce pathogenic bacterial populations by at least 99%. This disinfection rate will apply regardless of the multidrug resistance of bacteria such as those that may contain the NDM-1 enzyme (the superbug gene). The ViraTech UV-400 unit provides a viable option for health care facilities struggling to cope with the growing problem of multidrug resistant organisms and this technology can serve as an adjunct to existing infection management procedures and disinfection protocols wherever the potential exists for microorganisms to spread by the airborne route.”

“Our Company receives reports from around the world on an almost daily basis about the growing problems connected with the spread of these increasingly drug resistant bacterial strains,” said Jack Lennon, President of UV Flu Technologies. “Antibiotics have become so pervasive in today’s medical therapies, that not only are they becoming less effective, but their overuse is increasingly being considered as part of the problem. Drug-resistant superbugs have now been found in 20 states, as well as worldwide, and when they hit the critically ill, they can be fatal 30-60% of the time. In one recent incident at an infant ward at the University College Hospital in London, 15 babies in the unit were found to be carrying several types of bacteria, including 13 who had bacterial superbugs resistant to treatment. Of four babies seriously infected, one survived.”

“So that the public can participate in actions to help reduce the spread of these strains, the Company has committed to advertising, including television and other media in order to educate consumers and to offer help where needed,” said Mr. Lennon. “We are looking to develop a plan to offer our UV-400 indoor air quality units either free or at significantly discounted costs to those schools and hospitals that suffer from serious outbreaks. We hope to partner with institutions which are genuinely interested in working with us in order to develop an action plan for their facilities. For those with respiratory problems or weakened immune systems, hospital or institution acquired bacterial infections can prove deadly. We believe our product delivers an immediate, effective and proven ability to kill at least 99% of airborne bacteria thereby reducing the risk of infection.”

Further details regarding the Company’s business, financial reports and agreements are filed as part of the Company’s continuous public disclosure as a reporting issuer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) EDGAR database.

About UV Flu Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: UVFT)
UV Flu Technologies is an innovative developer, manufacturer and distributor of bio technology products initially targeting the rapidly growing Indoor Air Quality (“IAQ”) industry sector. The Company manufactures the ViraTech UV-400, which utilizes high-intensity germicidal ultraviolet radiation (UV-C) inside a killing chamber that goes beyond filtration to destroy harmful airborne bacteria at rates exceeding 99.2% on a first-pass basis. VIRATECH UV-400 is a Class II medical device and is available without a prescription. 

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, the development, costs and results of new business opportunities. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with new projects and development stage companies. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our annual report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

UV Flu Technologies, Inc.
—————————–
John J. Lennon, President & CEO

Investor Information:
Geaux IR Services, Inc.
Toll-Free: 1-888-355-8838
Email Contact

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Media Alert: New Clinical Findings on Efficacy and Safety of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy to Be Presented at Fall 2010 Symposium on Advanced Wound…

Posted on September 22, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Spiracur, Inc.

Poster Highlights First Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Market Leading Kinetic Concepts, Inc. Wound V.A.C.® System to Spiracur® SNaP® Wound Care System for Treatment of Chronic Lower Extremity Wounds

ANAHEIM, CA–(Marketwire – September 22, 2010) – Leading wound care experts will present a Poster highlighting results from a multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) between the SNaP® Wound Care System from Spiracur, Inc., of Sunnyvale, Calif., and the Wound V.A.C.® Therapy System from Kinetic Concepts, Inc. of San Antonio, Texas, for the treatment of chronic lower extremity ulcers. The Poster will be presented at the Fall 2010 Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) in Anaheim, Calif.

Background:  The SNaP Wound Care System is an ultraportable and disposable NPWT device that was approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in August 2009 in a new technology category the FDA defined as “non-powered” NPWT devices. It is currently available for purchase in the U.S. The new system produces the same level of negative pressure as competitive technologies; however, it requires no electric or battery power making treatment completely silent. In addition, the therapy system weighs less than three ounces, enabling patients to wear the device under clothing and resume daily activity during the course of treatment.

About Spiracur, Inc.
Spiracur, Inc. is a privately held medical device company focused on the development of innovative wound healing technologies. Spiracur was founded out of the Stanford Biodesign Innovation program in 2007. Its first product, the SNaP Wound Care System, grew out of the notion that current negative pressure wound therapies were too cumbersome for patients and clinicians. Spiracur strives to develop products that are truly patient-centric. For more information, please visit http://www.spiracur.com.

SNaP and Spiracur are registered trademarks of Spiracur, Inc.

Media Contact:
Amy Cook
925.552.7893
Email Contact

Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

Vicor Technologies’ CEO David Fater Interviewed for The Wall Street Transcript Medical Devices Report

Posted on September 22, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Vicor Technologies, Inc.

BOCA RATON, FL–(Marketwire – September 22, 2010) –  Vicor Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: VCRT), today announced that CEO David Fater’s interview by The Wall Street Transcript for its September 20, 2010 Medical Devices Report is now available for download at the company’s website: www.vicortech.com. Vicor Technologies is a biotechnology company focused on the development of innovative, non-invasive medical devices using its patented, proprietary PD2i® nonlinear algorithm and software. Vicor is currently in the process of commercializing diagnostics that accurately risk stratify specific target populations for future pathological events including cardiac death resulting from arrhythmia or pump failure, and autonomic nervous system dysfunction, and trauma victims in need of lifesaving intervention.

“We are gratified to have been given the opportunity to discuss Vicor’s product commercialization status in The Wall Street Transcript‘s Medical Devices Report. This is an exciting time for Vicor and we’re eager to share our progress with those following the evolving medical device industry,” stated Mr. Fater.

About Vicor Technologies, Inc.
Vicor Technologies is a biotechnology company creating innovative non-invasive diagnostics employing its patented, proprietary point correlation dimension algorithm (PD2i®). The PD2i® nonlinear algorithm is a deterministic, nonlinear measure of electrophysiological potentials that predicts future pathological events with a high degree of accuracy in target populations.

Vicor currently has three products employing the PD2i® nonlinear algorithm. The PD2i Analyzer™, which has FDA 510(k) marketing clearance, measures heart rate variability; physicians performing diagnostic tests with the PD2i Analyzer™ are able to receive reimbursement under existing CPT codes. The PD2i VS™ (Vital Sign), in clinical trials under a collaborative effort with the U.S. Army Institute for Surgical Research (http://www.usaisr.amedd.army.mil/), risk stratifies combat and civilian trauma victims. The PD2i CA™ (Cardiac Analyzer), in multiple clinical trials, identifies patients at risk of sudden cardiac death.

Vicor anticipates additional applications employing the PD2i® nonlinear algorithm to enable early detection and risk stratification for a variety of other disorders and diseases. Additional information is available at www.vicortech.com.

Disclaimer
The appearance of name-brand institutions or products in this media release does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Army Institute for Surgical Research of the information, products or services contained therein.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Forward-looking statements in this press release are based on current plans and expectations that are subject to uncertainties and risks, which could cause our future results to differ materially. The following factors, among others, could cause our actual results to differ: our ability to generate revenues from the sale of the PD2i Analyzer™; our ability to obtain FDA approval of our 510(k) submission to secure a claim for the PD2i CA™(Cardiac Analyzer) for risk stratifying congestive heart failure patients at elevated risk of cardiac mortality and our ability to obtain marketing clearance from the FDA for the PD2i VS™ (Vital Sign) for military and civilian applications; our ability to continue to receive financing sufficient to continue operations and complete critical clinical trials; our ability to continue as a going concern; our ability to successfully develop products based on our technologies; our ability to obtain and maintain adequate levels of third-party reimbursement for our products; the impact of competitive products and pricing; our ability to receive regulatory approval for our products; the ability of third-party contract research organizations to perform preclinical testing and clinical trials for our technologies; the ability of third-party manufacturers to manufacture our products; our ability to retain the services of our key personnel; our ability to market and sell our products successfully; our ability to protect our intellectual property; product liability; changes in federal income tax laws and regulations; general market conditions in the medical device and pharmaceutical industries; and other matters that are described in Vicor’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of the press release, and we assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements or the reasons why actual results could differ.

Release 10-16

CORPORATE CONTACT
David H. Fater
Vicor Technologies, Inc.
561.995.7313
[email protected]

INVESTOR CONTACT
Richard Moyer
Cameron Associates
212.554.5466
[email protected]

MEDIA CONTACT
Robin Schoen
Robin Schoen Public Relations
215.504.2122
[email protected]

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Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital Selects BI Solution From Information Builders

Posted on September 22, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Information Builders

Dutch Cancer Institute Implements WebFOCUS Platform to Support Organizational Expansion

AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS–(Marketwire – September 22, 2010) –  Information Builders, the independent leader in operational business intelligence (BI) systems, today announced that The Dutch Cancer Institute — Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital (NKI-AVL) has implemented the WebFOCUS BI platform. Using Information Builders’ technology, the NKI-AVL is able to optimize internal processes and to reduce operational costs.

The NKI-AVL consists of a center for scientific cancer research, the Dutch Cancer Institute, and an oncologic hospital, the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital. The NKI-AVL collaborates with national and foreign hospitals and laboratories and fulfills a leading role with regard to new developments in the fight against cancer.

This year, the NKI-AVL started an expansion process with the ultimate goal of growing up to 45 percent within the next ten years. To facilitate its growth, the institute needed to increase efficient operational processes and decrease operational costs. To measure the efficiency targets in the expansion plan and to gain better insight into costs, the NKI-AVL decided to select a suitable reporting and analysis environment. 

After a comprehensive and detailed tendering process, based on a pilot project, the NKI-AVL selected Information Builders’ WebFOCUS. The BI platform will first be deployed to gain insights in the production and financial information from the SAP and ChipSoft systems. In the second phase, all the research data from the NKI-AVL will be extracted as well.

“WebFOCUS is a multilateral platform. Many other BI solutions mainly focus on finance, while with this platform we are perfectly able to extract and share our healthcare and research information as well,” says Michel Glintmeijer, Head of Information and Financial Services at the NKI-AVL. “We used to connect SAP and ChipSoft through Excel, now we can rely on one reporting tool for all systems. With this solution, we gain much more insight in a much shorter time frame. Ultimately, we will set up a data warehouse and will start with forecasting based on scenario analytics.”

“We are very pleased that the NKI-AVL has selected Information Builders as a strategic partner to implement process optimization and aid with organizational growth,” says Dave Kemme, sales manager, Benelux, at Information Builders. “WebFOCUS offers the NKI-AVL the opportunity to present all relevant information company wide to the management and employees. Furthermore, the organization can start working with scenario planning based on analysis. An extra advantage is that the NKI-AVL will be able to measure governmental performance indicators that are automatically included in WebFOCUS.”

About NKI-AVL
The Dutch Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital (NKI-AVL) accommodates approximately 550 scientists and scientific support personnel, 53 medical specialists, 180 beds, an outpatient clinic that receives 24,000 new patients each year, 5 operating theaters, and 9 irradiation units. It is the only dedicated cancer center in The Netherlands and maintains an important role as a national and international center of scientific and clinical expertise, development, and training. The three major areas of research are fundamental, clinical, and translational cancer research.

From its first inception, the NKI-AVL is convinced close collaboration between scientists and clinicians is essential to fighting cancer. Having a laboratory and hospital under one roof in a single independent organization with an open and collaborative atmosphere has led to many important discoveries and improved therapies.

About Information Builders
Information Builders’ award-winning combination of business intelligence (BI) and enterprise integration software has been providing innovative solutions to more than 12,000 customers for the past 30 years. WebFOCUS is the world’s most widely utilized business intelligence platform. It provides the security, scalability, and flexibility needed at every level of global extended enterprises. Its simplicity helps create executive, analytical, and operational applications that reach dozens to millions of users. Information Builders’ iWay Software suite provides state of the art, multi-purpose, pre-built integration components that address all SOA, application, data and information management requirements. Its integration adapters have been adopted by the leading software platform providers. Information Builders also offers solutions in the performance management, business activity monitoring, and enterprise search markets. The company’s comprehensive enterprise product offerings give Information Builders’ customers the ability to grow and innovate according to their needs.

Information Builders’ customers include most of the Fortune 100 and U.S. federal government agencies. Headquartered in New York City with 90 offices worldwide, the company employs 1,450 people and has more than 350 business partners. More information is available at informationbuilders.com.

Press Contacts
Kathleen Moran
Information Builders
(917) 339-6313
[email protected]

Erica Salamida
LEWIS PR
(617) 226-8845
[email protected]

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Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

Life Uniform Introduces Laura Ashley Medical Apparel

Posted on September 22, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Life Uniform

ST. LOUIS, MO–(Marketwire – September 22, 2010) –  Life Uniform, the leader for today’s healthcare fashion trends, will be launching a new and exclusive collection of Laura Ashley medical apparel on September 30th, 2010 nationwide. Building on a tradition of providing fashion-forward styles, innovative products, the most popular brands, and exclusive styles for 45 years, Life Uniform will introduce their latest fashion in medical scrubs under the Laura Ashley name. Laura Ashley has granted exclusive licensing rights to Life Uniform to design, manufacture, and sell medical scrub tops and pants through their retail outlets and online.

“The Life Uniform and Laura Ashley collaboration is a great opportunity to offer consumers fashionable, affordable, and premium quality medical apparel that encompasses the essence of two great brands,” says Life Uniform’s President and CEO Jim Rudd. “We are excited to bring another fashion choice to our customers who look for distinctive designs that reflect their own individual style.”

“The field of healthcare is dominated by women who are looking for styles and colors that reflect their individual personalities,” says Laura Ashley Vice President of Licensing Penne Cairoli. “We believe the classic yet contemporary style of Laura Ashley will resonate exceptionally well with so many of the dedicated professionals throughout this field.”

The new Laura Ashley medical scrubs can be found in all Life stores and online beginning September 30th, 2010 with a special in-store celebration on that day to include refreshments and drawings.

About Life Uniform
Life Uniform, headquartered in St. Louis, MO, has been providing fashionable medical uniforms and accessories since 1965. With nearly 200 stores nationwide, on premise hospital stores and a sophisticated online store, Life Uniform is a one-stop shopping destination for all healthcare apparel, medical uniforms, scrubs, nurses shoes, lab coats, hosiery and healthcare accessory needs. Life Uniform represents top brands including Cherokee, Dickies, Barco, Landau, Koi, Dansko and many others, including exclusive merchandise that only Life carries including the new Laura Ashley line of medical scrubs. They also sell their own product line, Life Uniform, which reflects the Life philosophy of STYLE and VALUE.

For more information, visit Life Uniform or call Deb Weis, VP of Marketing at 314-824-2906.

About Laura Ashley
Laura Ashley, Inc., headquartered in Fort Mill, S.C., is the master franchising and licensing holder of the Laura Ashley brand in North and South America. The company strives to be the ultimate destination brand for home products, women’s wear and children’s wear. Licensed categories include bed linen, mattresses, women and children’s clothing and accessories, and much more. For additional information visit www.lauraashley-usa.com.

Contact:

Deb Weis
VP of Marketing
314-824-2906

Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

New Research May Prove SE Concepts’ Flagship Results in More Medical Benefits Than Expected

Posted on September 22, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Simulated Environment Concepts

Weight Loss, Cellulite Reduction & Improved Circulation May Just Be a Few Benefits Dermscan’s Research Report May Uncover With Each Use of the Spa Capsule

MIAMI, FL–(Marketwire – September 22, 2010) –  Simulated Environment Concepts (PINKSHEETS: SMEV) a/k/a SE Concepts, manufacturer and developer of medical, aesthetic and wellness equipment, announced that the Dermscan Group is close to wrapping up its clinical trial research on the SpaCapsule and the equipment’s medical benefits.

Dr. Ella Frenkel, Chairman and CEO of Simulated Environment Concepts, Inc. said, “SE Concepts tirelessly strives to develop products which return dividends to our customers by way of overall improved health. The Spa Capsule does just that. In allowing users to not only feel de-stressed and refreshed after each therapeutic session, but internally renewed, we’re able to deliver a product to the medical and wellness community that simply pays for itself.”

The international cosmetic and clinical research company, Dermscan, began its study during late spring of this year with an expected completion time of early to late October 2010. Due to the great emphasis on weight loss, cellulite reduction and therapeutic use in Europe, Dermscan took to task proving just a few of the medical benefits derived from using the SpaCapsule. Results of the study are anticipated to lend to the increasing international appeal of the SpaCapsule — possibly doubling its current global distribution commitment.

Dr. Ilya Spivak, Marketing Director and co-inventor of the SpaCapsule stated, “From this study we deduce that the Spa Capsule will continue to grow as a medical apparatus that is a ‘must have’ by the physical therapy, rehabilitation and pain management community. Being a doctor myself, many times I’ve witnessed the reversing affects that the Spa Capsule has on ailments. Frankly, it is quite amazing.”

Sources close to SE Concepts say the company is receiving much international fan fare from the incredible results achieved by those continuously using the Spa Capsule. It is strongly believed a positive reporting from Dermscan will continue to fuel the current growth of the product within the medical and wellness industries worldwide.

About Simulated Environment Concepts, Inc.

Simulated Environment Concepts, Inc. is the developer of a variety of products for wellness, relaxation, weight loss, and rehabilitation. Our aqua massage and hydromassage products are used by Doctors, Gyms, Spas, retail locations, offices, and many other venues. Incorporating oxygen, aromatherapy, massage, and even music or video from an iPod or an iPhone, our products deliver consistent results and excellent earning potential for businesses. For more information on Simulated Environment Concepts and its flagship product, SpaCapsule®, PTjetCapsule™, and Celude Laboratories™ products you can visit the company’s product website at www.spacapsule.com, the corporate website at www.seccorporation.com, or request more information via email at [email protected], or call at (888) 757-0797 or (305) 651-9200.

Safe Harbor

Statements in this news release that are not historical facts, including statements about plans and expectations regarding products and opportunities, demand and acceptance of new or existing products, capital resources and future financial results are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which may cause the Company’s actual results in future periods to differ materially from those expressed. These uncertainties and risks include changing consumer preferences, lack of success of new products, loss of the Company’s customers, competition and other factors discussed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SpaCapsule is registered trademark of Simulated Environment Concepts, Inc.

For further information, contact:

Simulated Environment Concepts
Investor Relations Department
(888) 757-0797

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Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

Optimum Performance Institute, the First of Its Kind to Receive JCAHO Accreditation

Posted on September 22, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Optimum Performance Institute

WOODLAND HILLS, CA–(Marketwire – September 22, 2010) –  In August 2010, the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO) granted accreditation to Optimum Performance Institute (OPI), a highly-individualized therapeutic/educational and residential treatment program helping young adults, aged 17 – 25, achieve their goals in education, job skills, and improved social interactions. Located in Woodland Hills, CA, OPI’s coed program helps its participants understand and resolve those issues that have kept them from moving forward in their lives. 

The accreditation from The Joint Commission makes OPI one of the first programs in the country focusing exclusively on helping young adults transition into adulthood to receive this prestigious status. Receiving JCAHO’s national accreditation is the highest level of achievement a health care organization can receive signifying its overall commitment to quality of care and services.

“The JCAHO accreditation is a huge honor,” states Robert F. Fischer, M.D., OPI executive director. “It requires key competencies in all areas of performance and validates that we operate at the highest level of professionalism possible with an ongoing commitment to continuing to improve the services we deliver to our participants. Accreditation from JCAHO sets OPI apart from other facilities of our kind in receiving this prestigious accreditation.”

To receive accreditation, a healthcare organization must submit to a substantial review process of its practices to ensure that it complies with JCAHO standards. The Joint Commission accredits over 17,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. A majority of state governments recognize JCAHO accreditation as a condition of licensure and the receipt of Medicaid reimbursement.

By voluntarily choosing to participate in the accreditation process, OPI asked to be measured against the national standards to which health care professionals agree are most conducive to providing quality care in organized health care delivery settings.

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Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Save the Children Panel Discussion on Newborn and Child Survival

Posted on September 21, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

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Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Great American Group(R)* to Conduct Online Auction for Assets of Shuttered Hospital in Springfield, Ohio

Posted on September 21, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Great American Group, Inc.

WOODLAND HILLS, CA–(Marketwire – September 21, 2010) –  Great American Group, Inc. (OTCBB: GAMR), a leading provider of asset disposition, valuation and appraisal services, today announced a complete disposition of all medical and support equipment assets of a now-closed Springfield, Ohio hospital.

Great American Group will conduct a public auction sale of the 100+ bed facility on behalf of Community Mercy Health Partners piece-by-piece in an online-only, timed sale event, with bidding open from September 23 through 28, 2010.

Having conducted complete asset dispositions and valuations for dozens of hospitals and clinics of all sizes over the last decade, Great American Group is uniquely positioned to perform this specialized sale. The asset management firm has garnered a wealth of experience and built a strong following of healthcare equipment buyers throughout the modernized world. 

“Good, used medical equipment is in demand everywhere, so it is not uncommon for us to see the healthcare assets we sell at auction redeployed on a global scale,” commented Mark Weitz, President of Great American Group’s Wholesale and Industrial Services. “When a hospital such as this closes, it results in a positive opportunity for other regional hospitals, clinics, and specialized healthcare facilities to expand or modernize their operations at an economical cost,” Mr. Weitz continued.

A Great American Group online auction allows buyers to bid from their computer over the course of the timed sale event. Buyers who tender the highest bid on each item or lot offered will be awarded those items after the close of the auction. Inspection of all items will take place at 1343 N. Fountain Boulevard in Springfield, Ohio on Wednesday, September 22, or by appointment. Bidding will close on September 28, 2010.

About Great American Group®

Great American Group, Inc. is a leading provider of asset disposition solutions and valuation
and appraisal services to a wide range of retail, wholesale and industrial clients, as well as
lenders, capital providers, private equity investors and professional service firms. Great
American Group has offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, London, Los Angeles, New
York, and San Francisco. www.greatamerican.com

*Great American Group and the Eagle Design are trademarks registered in the US Patent and
Trademark Office and are exclusive property of Great American Group, Inc.

GAMR-G

Press Contact:
Great American Group
Laura Wayman
Vice President of Marketing
847-444-1400 ext. 2312
Email Contact: Email Contact

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation Announces $10 Million Gift for Levindale Elderly Care

Posted on September 21, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation

Largest Such Donation in Foundation History

BALTIMORE, MD–(Marketwire – September 21, 2010) –  The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, one of the largest private foundations in the United States, today celebrates the largest gift to a long-term care center in the Foundation’s history.

The $10 million pledge is part of a $31 million construction project at Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital that will set a new standard for excellence in elder care. The occasion will be marked with a ceremony Tuesday, September 21, at 5 p.m. on the newly named Harry and Jeanette Weinberg campus at Levindale.

“Harry Weinberg was always concerned about the lives of poor older adults, and his commitment is carried out by the Foundation which bears his name,” said Barry I. Schloss, the Foundation treasurer, and one of its trustees. “The Foundation is proud to partner with Levindale on this groundbreaking project.”

With completion expected in the spring of 2012, the new Levindale will be a cheerful, inviting residence providing a comfortable, elegant and friendly atmosphere.

The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation is dedicated to assisting the poor, meeting basic needs such as shelter, nutrition, and health with special emphasis on older adults and the Jewish community.

About The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation annually distributes approximately $100 million to a wide range of charitable organizations. The Foundation is dedicated to assisting the poor through operating and capital grants to direct service organizations primarily located in Maryland, Hawaii, Northeastern Pennsylvania, New York, Israel, and the Former Soviet Union. Grants are focused on meeting basic needs such as shelter, health and socialization, nutrition, and on enhancing an individual’s ability to meet those needs. Within that focus, emphasis is placed on older adults and on the Jewish community. The trustees, some of whom also serve as executive officers of the Foundation, are Alvin Awaya, Judge Ellen M. Heller, Robert T. Kelly, Jr., Barry I. Schloss, and Chair of the Board Donn Weinberg. Rachel Monroe serves as the Weinberg Foundation’s President. For more information please go to www.hjweinbergfoundation.org.

Media Contact:
Craig Demchak
443-738-1159
Email Contact

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Coventry Health Care to Release Third Quarter 2010 Financial Results

Posted on September 21, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Coventry Health Care, Inc.

BETHESDA, MD–(Marketwire – September 21, 2010) –  Coventry Health Care, Inc. (NYSE: CVH) announced today that it will release third quarter 2010 financial results on Friday, November 5, 2010. Allen Wise, Coventry’s Chief Executive Officer, will be hosting a conference call at 8:30 a.m. ET on that day. To listen to the call, dial toll-free at (877) 591-4959 or, for international callers, (719) 325-4748. Callers will be asked to identify themselves and their affiliations. 

The conference call will also be webcast from Coventry’s Investor Relations website at www.coventryhealthcare.com. Coventry asks participants on both the call and webcast to review and be familiar with its Securities and Exchange Commission filings. A replay of the call will be available for one week at (888) 203-1112 or, for international callers, (719) 457-0820. The access code is 5680841.

Coventry Health Care (www.coventryhealthcare.com) is a diversified national managed healthcare company based in Bethesda, Maryland, operating health plans, insurance companies, network rental and workers’ compensation services companies.  Coventry provides a full range of risk and fee-based managed care products and services to a broad cross section of individuals, employer and government-funded groups, government agencies, and other insurance carriers and administrators. 

Contact:
Drew Asher
SVP, Corporate Finance
(301) 581-5717

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Parents of Children With Autism Recommend Free U.K. Presentation on Treatment Techniques Using The Son-Rise Program(R)

Posted on September 21, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Autism Treatment Center of America

LONDON–(Marketwire – September 21, 2010) –  The Autism Treatment Center of America is launching a free lecture series in U.K. cities in October. The lecture details highly effective treatment techniques for use by parents of children with Autism and related developmental difficulties. Lecture attendees have seen miraculous changes in their children since attending.

“I would urge parents to grab the chance to go to a lecture,” said Mark O., whose son was diagnosed with Autism. “The Son-Rise Program has seen my six-year-old’s abilities improve so dramatically in the last year, that he is almost ready for a mainstream school. It helped him improve his verbal skills, flexibility and emotional ties, and improved the quality of life for me, my wife and our 10-year-old daughter.”

Lee J. agrees. “Prior to attending Raun’s lecture, my son Adam, who had been diagnosed with Autism, had no language, rarely looked at us, avoided physical contact, and flapped his hands,” he says. “My wife and I went to Raun’s lecture and it felt like someone had finally given us the answer. Four years later, our son has progressed beyond our expectations. He speaks in full sentences now! When I hear him say ‘Night, night Daddy,’ it melts my heart. That two-hour lecture was a turning point for all of us.”

Attendees will be given techniques to use immediately from The Son-Rise Program at the lecture, presented by Raun K. Kaufman, international Autism lecturer and Director of Global Education of the Autism Treatment Center of America. Mr. Kaufman is the subject of the book Son-Rise: The Miracle Continues, which details his own recovery from Autism.

Register now at: http://www.AutismHelpuk.org/uk. Lectures are free to the public. NOTE: Children cannot be accommodated at the lectures.

LONDON — 9 October, 10 a.m. & 3 p.m. — Regents College
LONDON — 14 October, 6:30 p.m. — Regents College
LONDON — 16 October, 10 a.m. & 3 p.m. — UCL Institute of Child Health
MANCHESTER — 2 October, 10 a.m. — University of Salford
LEEDS — 3 October, 3 p.m. — Leeds College of Music
SHEFFIELD — 5 October, 6:30 p.m. — Ponds Forge
LEICESTER — 7 October, 6:30 p.m. — Leicester Tigers Walker Stadium
BIRMINGHAM — 10 October, 3 p.m. — Aston University
NOTTINGHAM — 12 October, 6:30 p.m. — St. Peter’s Church

For more information, contact
Katherine Hilliard
[email protected]
TEL: 001.413.229.2100 ext.109

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Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Rose Pediatrics Launches Comprehensive Health Resource Website

Posted on September 21, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Rose Pediatrics

This Wide-Ranging Health and Wellness Resource Is Aimed at Helping Parents and Patients

DENVER, CO–(Marketwire – September 21, 2010) –  Rose Pediatrics, a provider network dedicated to delivering true customer service to patients and families, this month launched RosePediatrics.com, a comprehensive health and wellness resource for families everywhere. This innovative and informative website offers advice from leading pediatricians to help parents make informed decisions about their children’s health.

“RosePediatrics.com leverages the expertise of leading pediatricians, which in turn, empowers parents to make educated decisions when it comes to their children’s health,” said Andrew Lieber, MD, co-founder and chief medical officer of Rose Pediatrics.

A popular feature available at RosePediatrics.com is the dosages resource. This interactive tool provides accurate dosage information — in amounts and frequency — for common childhood medications depending on an individual’s age and weight.

“The website incorporates a steady stream of health and wellness advice from Rose Pediatrics physicians,” said Howard Lieber, co-founder and chief executive officer of Rose Pediatrics. “It’s designed to be a user-friendly tool for families across the country.”

RosePediatrics.com offers advice related to caring for kids from birth to age 21; ranging from jaundice in newborns, to managing flu shots and other immunizations, to recognizing the symptoms of commonly seen childhood illnesses, among other topics. Also available on the educational website are how-to articles, answers to FAQs, and book reviews focused on children’s common health issues. In addition, RosePediatrics.com offers engaging, helpful blogs written by parents and some of the medical providers who are sharing their stories, successes, counsel, and concerns.

The site’s goal is to empower parents to better understand their child’s illness or injury and visit their pediatricians armed with the appropriate questions.

Rose Pediatrics, which operates two clinics in Colorado, launched the user-friendly website as an extension of the company’s mission: “our family caring for your family.” This family run, service-based medical provider network plans to open six additional clinics in the Denver metro area over the next several years.

For more information, visit RosePediatrics.com.

About the Rose Pediatric Provider Network
Rose Pediatrics is a provider network dedicated to delivering true customer service to patients and families. Led by chief medical officer, Andrew Lieber, MD, the network’s pediatric team has more than 35 years of pediatric practice experience and 20 years of specialized training in asthma, diabetes, obesity, allergies, flu and other child health issues. Receiving the highest quality designations from every insurance company, the pediatric network aims to provide high quality treatment while delivering efficiency and cost effectiveness to patients. As a family-run organization with Dr. Lieber’s brother, Howard Lieber, serving as CEO, Rose Pediatrics is committed to treating each patient like family. Through its online resource, RosePediatrics.com, the Rose Pediatric Provider Network is dedicated to providing education and services to families across the nation. For more information about Rose Pediatrics’ clinics in Denver and Highlands Ranch, or to find a pediatrician, visit RosePediatrics.com.

Contact:
Shannon Fern
CSG|PR
303.433.7020
Email Contact

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Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Accountability-Based Wellness Saves Money, Improves Health

Posted on September 21, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Health Behavior Innovations

Health Behavior Innovations Approach Engages Employees and Achieves Measurable Results

SALT LAKE CITY, UT–(Marketwire – September 21, 2010) –  What if health insurance was like auto insurance and “safe drivers” were eligible for discounts on their health care coverage? Now, because of new federal guidelines, “safe drivers,” or those who engage in taking better care of their health, can be rewarded with lower health insurance premiums.

A growing number of organizations are offering accountability-based wellness programs to their employees, rewarding those who participate by engaging in the improvement of their health, while employees who don’t participate continue to pay higher health premiums. Employers are finding that not only is the average employee showing improvements in measurable health indicators, but the wellness program adds no extra cost to the employer or the participating employee.

Health Behavior Innovations (HBI) is the founder of accountability-based wellness programs. According to CEO Darrell Moon, HBI’s innovative wellness program, the Apple Program®, has involved tens of thousands of participants, with more than 75 percent of eligible employees participating (including their spouses) with a customer satisfaction rating of more than 85 percent. With the new federal guidelines, companies can now design benefits programs that assist, support and engage participants differently according to their willingness to take accountability for their health. That’s where the Apple Program excels.

“Accountability makes the program work,” Moon said. “If you participate, you save money and generally become healthier. If you choose not to participate, you pay more. The whole thing works because those employees who opt in are not only saving money but they are losing weight, reducing blood pressure and generally enjoying healthier lives. And employers have a healthier workforce with no added cost to the company.”

Over the past five years, HBI’s total average biometric health scores per at-risk person have improved every year. For example:

  • Blood pressure — Systolic pressure (while heart is contracting) dropped 5.9 mmHg each year, and diastolic pressure (heart resting) fell 3.7 mmHg each year.
  • Glucose — declined 8.9 mg/dL each year.
  • Triglycerides — fell 19 mg/dL each year.
  • Total cholesterol — dropped 11 mg/dL each year.
  • Bad cholesterol — declined 8.8 mg/dL each year.

In terms of body weight, according to AmericasHealthRankings.org the average American gains weight each year. In contrast, the average obese Apple Program participant loses weight each year. This represents a more than 300 percent difference in weight change between the average American and the average obese Apple participant.

The Apple Program doesn’t rely on financial incentives alone to help employees make lifestyle changes. The key to success is the personalized assistance each person receives from a dedicated health coach and having their progress tracked via an advanced Web portal.

“Bottom line: when employees choose to be engaged they see results and so do employers,” Moon said. “HBI is identifying the health care safe drivers and helping those who aren’t to become health care safe drivers, without raising costs.”

For more information about Health Behavior Innovations and the Apple Program, visit www.healthbehaviorinnovations.com and www.theappleprogram.com.

Press Contacts:
Judi Harrison
Health Behavior Innovations
(801) 266-0990
Email Contact

Kevan Barney
The Summit Group
(801) 990-1191
Email Contact

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Oracle Announces Oracle Health Management Platform

Posted on September 21, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Oracle Corporation

Supports Provider and Payor Initiatives to Improve Collaboration, Continuity of Care and Outcomes While Reducing Costs

SAN FRANCISCO, CA–(Marketwire – September 21, 2010) – ORACLE OPENWORLD — Oracle (NASDAQ: ORCL)

News Facts

  • Oracle today announced the launch of the Oracle Health Management Platform, a complete, open and integrated suite of unified solutions, combined with a framework on which providers and payors can build secure applications and services. This Platform can help to reduce administrative costs, gain insight into operations and patient outcomes, and enable more effective and secure interactions with patients, sales teams and enrolled members.
  • The Oracle Health Management Platform provides organizations with validated and integrated solutions for business intelligence, interoperability, relationship management, and operations management. 
  • Developed with an industry-tailored, hot-pluggable architecture, the Oracle Health Management Platform — which includes Oracle Database, Oracle Fusion Middleware and Oracle Applications — helps provider and payor organizations support immediate business requirements today while providing a clear, integrated framework to which they can add additional applications as business requirements change.
  • The platform supports a broad range of healthcare applications and functions, including patient discharge management, provider referral analysis, patient outreach and relationship management, member enrollment and relationship management, medications reconciliation, chronic disease management and Thin Electronic Health Records.
  • Oracle Health Management Platform enables providers and payors to expand interaction with patients and enhance care coordination. It also provides a more integrated foundation to support the diverse and ever-changing requirements of today’s health industry organizations.

Supporting Quotes

  • “Healthcare providers and payors are looking for ways to extend their interaction with patients and members beyond the walls of healthcare facilities to drive more effective and cost-efficient care,” said Lynne A. Dunbrack, Program Director, Connected Health IT Strategies, IDC Health Insights. “To achieve this goal, they require flexible IT frameworks and integrated platforms that give them the ability to deploy new applications quickly, as needed to meet changing demand. Oracle Health Management Platform delivers a scalable foundation that supports efforts to reduce operational costs and enable accountable care.”
  • “To fulfill the potential of healthcare reform initiatives and citizen health management, today’s healthcare industry requires greater levels of transparency and insight across the healthcare continuum to enable better care coordination and improved outcomes at lower costs,” said Marc Perlman, Global Vice President for Healthcare and Life Sciences, Oracle Healthcare. “Oracle Health Management Platform combines Oracle’s technology and services offerings to reduce costs while advancing provider and payor efforts to implement accountable care infrastructures, and improve patient interactions, collaboration, and outcomes.” 

Supporting Resources

  • Oracle in Healthcare
  • Follow Oracle Health Sciences on Twitter
  • Join the Oracle Health Sciences Community on Facebook

About Oracle
Oracle (NASDAQ: ORCL) is the world’s most complete, open, and integrated business software and hardware systems company. For more information about Oracle, visit oracle.com.

Trademarks
Oracle and Java are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation and/or its affiliates. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Contact Info

Greg Lunsford
Oracle
+1.650.506.6523
Email Contact

Mary Tobin
O’Keeffe & Company
+1.503.658.7396
Email Contact

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Watching TV Can Improve Patient Health

Posted on September 21, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Interactivation Health Network

New Programming From Interactivation Health Network’s Patient Channel and Newborn Channel Are Helping Hospitals Keep Patients Healthy

NEW YORK, NY–(Marketwire – September 21, 2010) –  The Patient Channel and the Newborn Channel, part of the nation’s largest hospital-based health television network, currently available in over 2,700 hospitals nationwide, today announced the addition of twelve exciting new programs designed to promote patient wellness and parenting success.

A survey* commissioned by the Patient Channel shows that 43% of Americans felt that they didn’t receive enough information regarding their own or a loved one’s condition during their last hospital stay, and hospitalized patients often have difficulty getting health information at the very time they want it most — at the point of care.

The new programs, which range in content from helping dads become more involved in infant care to how patients can finally quit smoking, deliver important health information and advice in an entertaining and engaging format that positively affects patient lifestyle decisions upon discharge.

All programs are developed by the Patient Channel and the Newborn Channel, with the clinical guidance and expertise of its distinguished medical advisors and review board. Videos are shot on location and feature national health experts and patient stories told by the patients and their physicians. This unique storytelling helps patients better understand and cope with what is required to manage their care.

“With the increases in fiscal restrictions and regulations, it is more difficult than ever for doctors and nurses to give each patient the personal care and attention they would like and as a result, the patient may miss out on important information,” said Dave Ross, Chief Operating Officer, Interactivation Health Networks. “We’ve added programs designed to help hospitals not only meet requirements for regulatory compliance and reimbursement but also supply patients with a source of poignant and credible advice.”

“The Patient Channel and Newborn Channel provide our nurses with the resources they need to supplement their patient and family education. It also gives us valuable tools to help us meet some of our regulatory requirements to provide mandated education to our patients,” said Beth Quinn-O’Neill, Director of Clinical and Community Education at Holy Name Medical Center, Teaneck, NJ, which has been participating in the network since 2002.

The following programs have been recently added and are now available in all participating hospitals:

NEWBORN CHANNEL

  • Mommy Calls — Information on when new moms should call the doctor
  • Mommy Don’t Smoke — A practical guide to quitting
  • Shaken Baby Syndrome — Information on how to avoid a preventable tragedy
  • Special Care for Preemies — A look at the special needs of premature newborns
  • Baby’s Clean Home — Information about creating a safe and clean home for babies
  • Keeping Baby Safe — Important safety information for new parents
  • Dad’s Role with Baby — Pointers for Dads new to parenting

PATIENT CHANNEL

  • Men’s Health: Advice to Baby Boomers — Health issues unique to male boomers
  • Women’s Health: Advice to Baby Boomers — Health issues unique to female boomers
  • Stop Smoking Today — A practical guide to quitting
  • Living With Heart Disease — How to resume life after a heart attack and avoid readmission
  • Preventing Flu and Pneumonia — The latest information, just in time for the cold and flu season

For a full listing of the Patient Channel’s programming please click here and for the Newborn Channel’s programming click here, or visit thepatientchannel.com and thenewbornchannel.com for more information.

*The Patient Channel Hospital Patient Education Survey was commissioned through ORC International. The survey was conducted among 1,025 American adults [509 men and 516 women] living in private households, age 18 years and older. The overall margin of error for the survey was +/- 3%.

About Interactivation Health Networks
The Patient Channel and the Newborn Channel are the most comprehensive in-hospital TV networks. Delivered directly to patient rooms and waiting areas, the Channels provide viewers with original, award-winning health programs and advertisers with the unique ability to integrate brand messaging with content that is compelling and endorsed by healthcare professionals. The Newborn Channel broadcasts baby care and postpartum programming for new parents, reaching 60% of new moms. The Patient Channel features both condition-specific and preventative health programming to empower and inform patients. The channels are currently available in over 2,700 hospitals nationwide. For more information, visit www.thenewbornchannel.com and www.thepatientchannel.com

Media Contact Information:
For more information or to speak with an executive of the company, please contact:

Wendy Simmons
Email Contact
Josh Kail
Email Contact
Vendeloo
Ph: 718.522.9873

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

CNS Response CEO George Carpenter to Present at The Fifth Annual JMP Securities Healthcare Industry Conference

Posted on September 21, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: CNS Response, Inc.

Carpenter’s September 28 Presentation Rescheduled From 4:00 p.m. to 10:30 a.m.

ALISO VIEJO, CA–(Marketwire – September 21, 2010) –  CNS Response (OTCBB: CNSO) today announced that CEO George Carpenter will be presenting at JMP Securities Fifth Annual Healthcare Industry Conference to be held Monday, September 27, through Tuesday, September 28, at the New York Palace Hotel in New York, NY. Carpenter’s presentation time has been rescheduled to 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, September 28, 2010. Institutional investors wishing to schedule a one-on-one meeting with Mr. Carpenter may do so by contacting JMP Securities’ Kelly Weigel at [email protected].

About CNS Response
Today, most physicians are able to base treatment on objective test data, such as EKGs, MRIs, blood tests, etc. Broadly speaking, such advances have not yet come to those physicians practicing psychiatry.

Referenced-EEG was developed by physicians to provide objective, personalized, statistical data on patient neurophysiology. In clinical trials, physicians using rEEG® data have consistently achieved superior clinical results compared to physicians using trial and error pharmacotherapy.

The Company recently announced publication of results from its most recent clinical trial in The Journal of Psychiatric Research, in which physicians using Referenced-EEG (rEEG®) had success rates reaching 65 percent for patients with treatment-resistant depression.

To read more about the benefits this patented technology provides physicians, patients and insurers, please visit the CNS Response website, www.cnsresponse.com.

Investor and Media Relations:
Marty Tullio
Managing Partner
McCloud Communications, LLC
949.553.9748
Email Contact

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

U.S. Army Selects InterSystems HealthShare for South Sound Health Information Exchange

Posted on September 21, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: InterSystems

Research Grant to Fund Data Exchange Among Military and Commercial Hospitals in the Pacific Northwest

CAMBRIDGE, MA–(Marketwire – September 21, 2010) –  InterSystems Corporation today announced that the U.S. Army has awarded the company a Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation grant for a project that will enable health information exchange (HIE) among military and commercial healthcare providers via the Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN). The grant will fund implementation, deployment and support of the InterSystems HealthShare™ platform for regional and national electronic health records. The global leader in software for connected healthcare, InterSystems provides advanced software technologies for breakthrough applications. 

The project will demonstrate the feasibility of efficiently implementing an integrated HIE between a Department of Defense (DOD) facility, the Madigan Healthcare System, and civilian partner organizations of the South Sound HIE. SSHIE was formed to organize and implement information exchange, in order to improve the health of the South Puget Sound community in the state of Washington. It includes MultiCare Health System, Franciscan Health System and Madigan.

Functionality provided by the proposed solution includes a regional Enterprise Master Patient Index, a Record Locator Service, and a bi-directional data exchange platform that provides for interoperability between Madigan, MultiCare, and Franciscan. “The DOD, Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies have embraced the NHIN to facilitate information sharing on a national basis. This project will leverage that work for NHIN interoperability between Madigan and its private sector partners,” said Paul Grabscheid, InterSystems Vice President of Strategic Planning. “Reflecting our successful working partnership, InterSystems has provided the DOD and VA hospitals with multiple advanced software technologies to implement healthcare systems across the country. We appreciate the opportunity to work on an initiative that is another step forward to truly connected healthcare.”

“I see this initiative as contributing to the overall information exchange between our managed care partners and a DOD facility… in this case, Madigan,” said Rick Barnhill, Program Manager, Clinical Informatics at Madigan. “If, in the end, we have the ability to quickly find basic patient and health data that can be used either in the emergency room setting for patients who require urgent care, or in the standard outpatient setting when information relating to patients’ health is available to the contracted care provider, we will consider this project a success.”

About InterSystems

InterSystems is the worldwide leader in software for connected healthcare. With headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and offices in 25 countries, InterSystems provides advanced software technologies for breakthrough applications. InterSystems CACHÉ® is a high performance object database that makes applications faster and more scalable. InterSystems Ensemble® is a seamless platform for integration and the development of connectable applications. InterSystems HealthShare™ is a platform that enables the fastest creation of an Electronic Health Record for regional or national health information exchange. InterSystems DeepSee™ is software that makes it possible to embed real-time business intelligence capabilities in transactional applications.

InterSystems is the world’s #1 vendor of database and integration technologies for healthcare applications. InterSystems products are used by thousands of hospitals and labs, including all 14 hospitals on the Honor Roll of America’s Best Hospitals as rated by U.S. News and World Report. For more information, visit InterSystems.com.

About Madigan Healthcare System

Madigan Healthcare System is an ever-expanding care facility occupying more than 120 acres of land on Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Tacoma, Wash. With 57,000 beneficiaries, the medical center’s tri-service mission encompasses active duty, family members and military retirees residing in its 40-mile catchment area.

As one of the U.S. Army’s most state-of-the-art and technically advanced medical centers, Madigan is one of only three designated Level II trauma centers throughout the U.S. Medical Command (MEDCOM). Additionally, Madigan’s Andersen Simulation Center, which helps train thousands of doctors, nurses and medics each year, holds the distinction of being the first educational institution in the Department of Defense accredited by the American College of Surgeons. Finally, Madigan continues to consistently be named among the “100 Most Wired Hospitals and Health Systems” by Hospitals and Health Networks magazine. For additional information, go to http://www.mamc.amedd.army.mil/mamcinfo.cfm

About MultiCare Health System

MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals including Allenmore Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and Tacoma General Hospital, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington since 1882, MultiCare has grown over the years in response to community needs. Today it is the area’s largest provider of health care services, serving patients at 93 locations in Pierce, South King, Kitsap and Thurston counties. For additional information, visit www.multicare.org.

About Franciscan Health System
The Franciscan Health System, located in Washington State, is a faith-based organization affiliated with Catholic Health Initiatives, one of the largest non-profit health organizations in the United States.

Franciscan includes five full-service hospitals; a large primary-care and specialty-care medical group; in-home and inpatient hospice and palliative care; same-day surgery centers; occupational health and physical therapy clinics; and centers for advanced medicine that are distinguished by expertise and state-of-the-art technology. For more information, see www.fhshealth.org.

Editorial Contacts
Rita Shoor
Shoor & Company
(803) 699-0710
[email protected]

Maureen Flaherty
InterSystems
(617) 621-0600
[email protected]

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Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

VHA’s Patient Flow Collaborative Helps Members Improve Throughput, Reduce Costs and Improve Patient Satisfaction

Posted on September 21, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: VHA

IRVING, TX–(Marketwire – September 21, 2010) – VHA Inc., the national health care network, has created a new offering to support members’ efforts to improve patient flow within their organizations. Health care organizations are concerned about efficiently moving patients around and through their facilities because delays and bottlenecks cost money, resources and impact patients’ satisfaction. The Joint Commission expects hospitals to identify barriers to patient flow and to implement solutions that will improve patient flow.

VHA works collectively with hospitals’ multi-disciplinary teams to identify and implement strategies that simplify and improve patient flow using analytics, national benchmarks, a cultural assessment and onsite observations and interviews. Armed with a thorough appraisal gleaned from a wide array of benchmarks for procedure times, length of stay, mortality, complications, co-morbidities and readmission rates, the VHA team pinpoints specific improvement opportunities and creates a plan of action tailored to an organization’s needs.

“Health care organizations searching for a quick fix to patient flow problems have typically focused on their emergency department,” said Nik Fincher, vice president of Purchased Services Sales and Capital for VHA. “While many patient flow inefficiencies are more apparent in the ER, exhibited by diversions, temporarily keeping patients in hallways, patients leaving without being seen, etc., organizations that have developed successful solutions recognize that patient flow is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive, enterprise-wide approach. VHA’s team of experts and portfolio of suppliers offer effective, results-oriented solutions to patient flow problems.”

VHA supports member efforts to streamline operations and enhance workflow by helping members improve patient arrival and transport logistics, patient tracking during their stay, room cleaning, turn time for operating rooms and patient rooms and discharge procedures.

VHA member Sharon (Pa.) Regional Health System engaged VHA supplier Sodexo for various support services and has since added other services including patient transport management.

“We’ve definitely seen increased patient satisfaction with the implementation of our central transport department,” says Sam Kudelko Jr., senior director of Support Services for Sharon Regional. “Patients arrive for their appointments on time, which prevents the snowball effect that happens when one patient runs late. The number of transports handled by nursing has decreased dramatically, allowing nurses to concentrate on patient care — translating into improved quality of care.”

As part of this services solution, VHA provides hospitals and non-acute care facilities with savings opportunities on a broad range of value-added services that help streamline operations, improve staff efficiency, reduce overall costs and assist with HIPAA compliance. For more information on VHA’s Patient Flow Collaborative please visit https://www.vha.com/Solutions/Contracting/Pages/PurchasedServicesOverview.aspx

About VHA — VHA Inc., based in Irving, Texas, is a national network of not-for-profit health care organizations that work together to drive maximum savings in the supply chain arena, set new levels of clinical performance and identify and implement best practices to improve operational efficiency and clinical outcomes. In 2009, VHA delivered record savings and value of $1.47 billion to members. Formed in 1977, through its 16 regional offices, VHA serves 1,400 hospitals and more than 30,000 non-acute care providers nationwide. VHA was ranked by Modern Healthcare as the 7th best place to work in health care in 2009.

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MMRGlobal CEO Discusses Opportunities in Health IT at the Health Technology Investment Forum

Posted on September 21, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: MMRGlobal, Inc.

NEW YORK, NY–(Marketwire – September 21, 2010) –  MMRGlobal, Inc. (OTCBB: MMRF) (www.mmrglobal.com), a leading provider of Personal Health Records (PHRs) and electronic document imaging and management systems for healthcare professionals, today announced that Robert H. Lorsch, the Company’s Chairman and CEO, will be a featured speaker at the Health Technology Investment Forum (www.ihealthtran.com) taking place today at the Westin New York at Times Square. Lorsch’s presentation will outline the benefits for investors in the Electronic Health Records and Electronic Medical Records industries, of which the federal government has allocated over $42 billion for healthcare information technology (HCIT) over the next several years.

“MMRGlobal represents an opportunity for entrepreneurs with emerging growth companies in health information technology to attract the capital and visibility to maximize their prospects,” Lorsch said. “From personal experience, I understand how difficult it is for people with good ideas to execute on them without proper infrastructure and resources. We will offer selected companies the tools to build out their products and sell into the ever-expanding government and consumer health information markets.”

“Health IT represents an opportunity for investors to take advantage of the momentum created by the Obama Administration and the focus on reducing the cost of healthcare through computerized medical records. Our business plan includes a growth strategy of acquisitions to create a leadership position in this emerging marketplace,” added Lorsch.

MMRGlobal is uniquely positioned as a market leader in Personal Health Records with the Company’s MyMedicalRecords.com PHR (www.mmrvideos.com ). A recent Wall Street Journal study found that over $51 billion is available for investment by the end of 2011 from American private equity firms. Coupled with the fact that federal legislation mandates everyone in the U.S. to have an electronic health record by 2014, this offers investors and companies like MMRGlobal the ability to participate in the consolidation of a new industry.

About MMRGlobal

MMR Global, Inc., through its wholly-owned operating subsidiary, MyMedicalRecords, Inc. (“MMR”), provides secure and easy-to-use online Personal Health Records (“PHRs”) and electronic safe deposit box storage solutions, serving consumers, healthcare professionals, employers, insurance companies, financial institutions, and professional organizations and affinity groups. MyMedicalRecords enables individuals and families to access their medical records and other important documents, such as birth certificates, passports, insurance policies and wills, anytime from anywhere using the Internet. The MyMedicalRecords Personal Health Record is built on proprietary, patented technologies to allow documents, images and voicemail messages to be transmitted and stored in the system using a variety of methods, including fax, phone, or file upload without relying on any specific electronic medical record platform to populate a user’s account. The Company’s professional offering, MMRPro, is designed to give physicians’ offices an easy and cost-effective solution to digitizing paper-based medical records and sharing them with patients in real time through an integrated patient portal. MMR is an Independent Software Vendor Partner with Kodak to deliver an integrated turnkey EMR solution for healthcare professionals. MMR is also an integrated service provider on Google Health. To learn more about MMR Global, Inc. and its products, visit www.mymedicalrecords.com and view the videos at www.mmrtheater.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements contained in this press release that refer to future events or other non-historical matters are forward-looking statements, and some can be identified by the use of words (and their derivations) such as “need,” “possibility,” “offer,” “development,” “if,” “negotiate,” “when,” “begun,” “believe,” “achieve,” “will,” “estimate,” “expect,” “maintain,” “plan,” and “continue,” or the negative of such terms and other comparable terminology. MMRGlobal, Inc. disclaims any intent or obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on MMRGlobal, Inc.’s reasonable expectations as of the date of this press release and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. The information discussed in this release is subject to various risks and uncertainties related to changes in MMRGlobal, Inc.’s business prospects, results of operations or financial condition, government regulation, and such other risks and uncertainties as detailed from time to time in MMRGlobal, Inc.’s public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

CONTACT:

Michael Selsman
Public Communications Co.
(310) 553-5732
[email protected]

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Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Client Outlook Awarded Class II Medical Device License by Health Canada for eUnity(TM)

Posted on September 21, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

WATERLOO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – Sept. 21, 2010) – Client Outlook, an emerging leader in healthcare IT, announced today that is has been awarded its Class II Medical Device License by Health Canada for its eUnity™ product.

eUnity™ is a zero footprint medical image viewer that provides healthcare professionals with secure access to diagnostic images such as X-rays, CT, MRI and nuclear medicine scans from any Internet-enabled location. Where in the past, clinicians have been forced to rely upon expensive, specialized equipment to view and share medical images, limiting access and collaboration, eUnity™ allows clinicians to view diagnostic quality images from any Web browser while using the Internet to directly collaborate with other medical professionals within a hospital setting or in other locations.

Client Outlook’s Class II Medical Device license, granted on September 14, 2010, legally permits clinicians using a calibrated monitor to use information displayed by eUnity’s™ viewer for patient diagnosis. The announcement comes on the heels of the Client Outlook’s ISO 13485 certification, received in June, 2010, a prerequisite for the Class II Medical Device license.

“eUnity™ significantly broadens access to diagnostic images within the healthcare enterprise improving efficiency of patient treatment, speeding access to care, and lowering cost to hospitals. In the past, clinicians were required to use high cost, specialized software or workstations to view images, and access was typically very limited –,” says Steve Rankin, Client Outlook president and CEO. “With eUnity™, hospitals can now inexpensively grant health professionals access to diagnostic quality images from virtually any workstation with a calibrated monitor.

“In addition to greatly expanding access to critical diagnostic images for purposes of diagnosis, we believe eUnity™ will play an instrumental role in bringing collaboration back into the patient diagnosis process. Using modern age technology, we’ve created a ‘virtual lightbox’ environment where physicians, radiologists and other healthcare professionals can collaborate in real time regardless of location. They can view images simultaneously and share mouse clicks and other gestures to enrich communication.” 

About Client Outlook

At Client Outlook we’re building innovative IT solutions that provide Health Professionals with secure access to the information they need at the point of care. For more information about our company and our product, eUnity, visit us on the web at www.clientoutlook.com

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Vycor Medical Continues to Build Its Sales and Marketing Infrastructure for Its ViewSite(TM) Neurosurgery Retraction Devices

Posted on September 21, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Vycor Medical Inc

Vycor Medical Appoints a National Sales Director and New Distributors for Its ViewSite Brain Access Systems in the US and Internationally — Now Part of the Company’s Global Distribution Network That Encompasses the US, Canada, the Benelux, Spain, Italy, Greece, Scandinavia, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea

BOHEMIA, NY–(Marketwire – September 21, 2010) –  Vycor Medical, Inc. (OTCBB: VYCO) (www.vycormedical.com), a medical device company that designs, develops and markets next generation neurosurgery retraction devices, today announced the appointment of a National Sales Director. Tom Bridges is a veteran sales and marketing executive with over 28 years of experience in the medical device industry. He has a proven track record of success in various markets such as cardiovascular surgery and critical care (American Edwards), neurosurgery (Image-Guided Neurologics, which was acquired by Medtronic, and StarFix), minimally invasive surgery (Unisurge and Innerdyne, which was acquired by US Surgical) and critical blood products (Haemonetics).

“We are delighted that Tom has joined us at Vycor,” commented Kenneth T. Coviello, Vycor Medical, Inc.’s CEO. “He brings tremendous experience in sales of devices critical to surgeons in the operating room, but also his own clinical experience as a US Naval Hospital Corpsman, which have provided him with the ability to build strong relationships with key physicians. Tom has also played a key role in new product development and introduction throughout his career and will continue to contribute in this way.”

ViewSite™ Brain Access System (VBAS) medical device continues to gain US and international distribution with the addition of several new partners to its worldwide distributor network. In the US: Day Surgical, covering states in the northwest; Focus Group, covering Ohio, Michigan and Kentucky; and Novus Group, covering states in the southwest. Internationally: Xycorp, Inc. in Canada, PO Medica in Scandinavia and Aurora BioScience in Australia. Vycor’s distribution partnerships now cover approximately 70% of the US population and internationally its partnerships also encompass the Benelux, Spain, Italy, Greece, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea. Vycor and its partner for China, Devon Medical, Inc., have recently completed the filing with China’s State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) for the sale of VBAS in China.

“We are very excited with the growing recognition of our ViewSite retractor among highly respected distributors and surgeons,” notes Kenneth T. Coviello, Vycor Medical, Inc.’s CEO.

A paper recently issued by the Department of Neurosurgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, reported that the use of VBAS during brain surgery “provides a unique means of deep visualization and even force distribution of the retracted brain tissue… allowing one to achieve safe access to deep intracerebral lesions and decrease the rate of retraction-related complications.” The paper also states that “although the retractors were originally designed for the removal of deep subcortical tumors they may be used to access and evacuate intracerebral hematomas.” A leading university teaching hospital has also submitted for publication an evaluation paper outlining its clinical experience with VBAS. Vycor anticipates that this will be published shortly.

VBAS was designed to offer better deep brain access by causing less tissue trauma and allows for excellent binocular visualization of the surgical target and surrounding tissue — objectives among neurosurgeons world-wide. Citing the critical need for such an advance, Coviello continues, “Most are shocked to learn that brain retraction technology has not significantly changed in over 50 years. Where other forms of diagnostic and operative procedures have evolved by leaps and bounds, this crucial instrument has remained virtually unchanged. It’s common knowledge among brain surgeons that existing ‘ribbon’ or ‘blade’ retractors can cause brain tissue damage and/or potentially prolonged patient recovery. Given the estimated 600,000 brain surgeries conducted annually worldwide, this is a very significant and sizeable problem that our VBAS is now directly — and aggressively — addressing through a solution that Vycor believes is also fiscally sound.”

About Vycor Medical, Inc.
With corporate headquarters in Bohemia, NY, Vycor Medical, Inc. (OTCBB: VYCO) is a medical device company committed to making brain, spinal and other surgical procedures safer and more effective. The company’s flagship, Patent Pending ViewSite™ Surgical Access Systems represent an exciting new breed of retraction technology that holds the potential for speedier, safer and more economical brain, spinal and other surgeries and a quicker patient discharge. Vycor’s innovative medical instruments are designed to optimize neurosurgical site access, reduce patient risk, accelerate recovery, and add tangible value to the professional medical community. Vycor is ISO 13485:2003 compliant, has FDA 510(K) clearance for brain and spine surgeries, and CE marketing and HPB licensing in Canada. 

For the latest information on the company, including media and other coverage, and to learn more, please go online at www.VycorMedical.com.

Safe Harbor Statement
Information in this document constitute forward-looking statements or statements which may be deemed or construed to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “forecast,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “believe,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve, and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause Vycor Medical’s actual results, performance (financial or operating) or achievements to differ from the future results, performance (financial or operating) or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The risks, uncertainties and other factors are more fully discussed in Vycor Medical’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements attributable to Vycor Medical herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by the abovementioned cautionary statement. Vycor Medical disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this estimate, except as may be required by law.

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Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Polycom Transforms Mobile Unified Communications in the Workplace With Next-Gen Voice-Over-Wi-Fi Handsets

Posted on September 21, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Polycom, Inc.

SpectraLink 8400 Series, Featuring Barcode Reader and Industry-Leading Application Platform, Delivers Renowned Voice Quality, Reliability and up to 33 Percent Lower TCO

PLEASANTON, CA–(Marketwire – September 21, 2010) –  Polycom, Inc. (NASDAQ: PLCM), a global leader in telepresence, video and voice communications solutions, today expanded Polycom’s leadership in voice over Wi-Fi (VoWi-Fi) products with next-generation Polycom® SpectraLink® 8400 series handsets for wireless voice and data applications that transform mobile unified communications (UC) in the workplace. The new Polycom SpectraLink 8400 series are the first in the industry to feature a revolutionary standards-based application platform, the most reliable form factor for enterprise use, an integrated barcode reader, Polycom’s renowned voice quality, and the industry’s broadest interoperability with 802.11a/b/g/n wireless infrastructure and market-leading UC platforms.

The SpectraLink VoWi-Fi telephones allow people to stay in contact and easily access important data from any location within the enterprise Wi-Fi network. The new solutions are designed to improve productivity and responsiveness of mobile workers, meet the critical communication needs in the healthcare, industrial, and retail markets, and deliver the industry’s lowest total cost of ownership — up to 33 percent lower than competing systems.

“Polycom is taking enterprise-grade VoWi-Fi to a higher level of functionality and performance with the introduction of the 8400 series handsets,” said Craig Mathias, principal, Farpoint Group, an advisory firm specializing in wireless communications and mobile computing. “The SpectraLink 8400 incorporates all of the key features enterprises are looking for in wireless handsets, including durability and ease of use, and also includes support for critical business applications through a powerful and flexible thin-client approach. And, of course Polycom’s reputation for building rugged, reliable products will put these new handsets on the short list across a huge range of applications.”

“Having access to people and data when and where you need it is important for any business, but is mission-critical in environments like hospitals, manufacturing facilities and large retail stores,” said Jim Kruger, Polycom vice president of Solutions Product Marketing. “Polycom SpectraLink handsets are the gold standard in wireless workplace mobility and we are raising the bar again with the 8400 series in terms of voice quality, reliability, application support and open standards-based interoperability.”

Support for mission-critical industry applications
The Polycom SpectraLink 8400 series’ open application platform and developer-friendly browser capabilities support enterprise and industry-specific applications such as nurse call in hospitals, inventory control applications in retail, and equipment monitoring systems in manufacturing. The phones are available with an integrated barcode reader delivering a revolutionary voice, application and data capture solution unlike any currently available platform in the market. For example, in a hospital environment, the integrated barcode reader and interface allows a nurse to quickly scan and transfer barcode information from a prescription from the phone. This supports barcode medicine administration best practices, which can reduce medical errors by up to 93 percent1.

“Polycom is addressing Adventist Health’s demanding requirements by providing a platform for application support without compromising the durability, telephony features and voice quality we expect from our SpectraLink handsets,” said Scott Mahnke, telecom coordinator, Information Technology Services at Adventist Health. “We’re looking forward to deploying the 8400 series handsets throughout the organization, because they will have an immediate impact on meeting our initiatives for improved care, zero errors and greater patient satisfaction.”

Customer-driven design for ease of use and enhanced productivity
The Polycom SpectraLink 8400 series were designed with extensive customer input. The phones feature a large color display and simple, intuitive user interface, enterprise-grade durability, and broad accessory support for battery packs, headsets, etc.

Lowest total cost of ownership vs. competition
Through lower administrative costs, superior reliability and a more extensive warranty program, Polycom delivers up to 33 percent lower total cost of ownership than competing solutions. The Polycom SpectraLink 8400 series also delivers greater functionality through the combined power of two-way radios, pagers, barcode scanners, intercoms, and high-quality conferencing in a single fully-integrated device. It offers simple provisioning and management, and best-in-class warranty, maintenance and service offerings for long-term investment protection.

Broadest standards-based interoperability for greatest investment protection
The phones feature an integrated 802.11a/b/g/n radio with Polycom Voice Interoperability for Enterprise Wireless (VIEW) Certified performance on leading, enterprise-grade wireless LAN infrastructure platforms, as well as extensive enterprise call server support for a wide range of UC platforms.

The Polycom SpectraLink 8400 series handsets will begin shipping in the first half of 2011 through certified Polycom reseller partners. For more information, visit www.polycom.com/sl8400.

About Polycom
Polycom, Inc. (NASDAQ: PLCM) is a global leader in unified communications solutions with industry-leading telepresence, video, voice and infrastructure solutions built on open standards. Polycom powers smarter conversations, transforming lives and businesses worldwide. Please visit www.polycom.com for more information or connect with Polycom on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

1Source: The Journal of Healthcare Information Management

© 2010 Polycom, Inc. All rights reserved. POLYCOM®, the Polycom “Triangles” logo and the names and marks associated with Polycom’s products are trademarks and/or service marks of Polycom, Inc. and are registered and/or common law marks in the United States and various other countries. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

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Robin Raulf-Sager
Polycom, Inc.
+1.303.583.5342
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Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Rothman Healthcare Corporation Announces Appointment of Richard Sommer as Chief Executive Officer

Posted on September 21, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Rothman Healthcare Corporation

SAN FRANCISCO, CA–(Marketwire – September 21, 2010) –  Rothman Healthcare Corporation (Rothman) today announced the appointment of Richard Sommer as Chief Executive Officer. “Richard is a natural fit for our company because he shares our passion for leveraging the new digital infrastructure in medicine to save lives and lower costs and because of his strong track record and background in healthcare information technology,” said Michael Rothman Ph.D., Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer. “We’ve spent over six years researching and developing our product and with Richard’s proven leadership, we can bring Rothman Healthcare into a burgeoning marketplace seeking true ‘meaningful use’ tools.”

Mr. Sommer has over 20 years of executive experience with 12 in the field of healthcare. He served as Co-Founder and CEO of De La Cruz Occupational Healthcare, Inc. and Medchannel, Inc., Chairman of the Committee for Hospital and Provider Reimbursements for the State of California, and Healthcare Economist for the State of California. As a seven-time CEO of both public and private companies, Mr. Sommer has demonstrated the ability to create strong profitable growth, substantially increase shareholder value, and bring revolutionary technologies to the marketplace. While CEO of HomeGain.com, Mr. Sommer grew revenues 250% and led the sale of the company for 29 times earnings, creating over $108 million in shareholder value. While at De La Cruz, Mr. Sommer grew revenues and earnings for ten consecutive years between 30-100% annually.

“Rothman has a long-standing commitment to improving patient care,” said Dr. G. Duncan Finlay, Chief Medical Officer and former CEO of Sarasota Memorial Hospital. “Richard understands our mission, our market and how to bring Rothman’s product to caregivers across the country.”

“I am excited to work with Rothman Healthcare,” said Sommer. “It combines my expertise in healthcare and my experience of growing promising companies with big ideas into big market players. Rothman’s technology has the potential to revolutionize the practice of medicine. I want to be a part of that paradigm shift.”

About Rothman Healthcare Corporation

Since 2004, Rothman Healthcare Corporation has been developing the Patient Condition Tracker to bridge gaps in continuity of care. Rothman’s software application uses electronic health record (EHR) data to highlight subtle declines in patient health and alert physicians in snapshot form. Rothman’s software application draws data from a hospital’s EHR system to generate and display a health score based on vital signs, nursing assessments and lab results, in a user-friendly and color-coded graphical format. The software allows clinicians to more easily understand patient conditions, offering the ability to see multiple patient graphs simultaneously for a high-level overview of a whole unit.

Rothman Healthcare Corporation is committed to improving quality and efficiency in patient care through innovative, patient-centric software enabling healthcare professionals to easily access critical and actionable patient health data. For more information, visit www.rothmanhealthcare.com.

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Rothman Healthcare Corporation
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Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Three Million Give ‘Thumbs Up’ to Saving Children’s Lives

Posted on September 21, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Save the Children

Claire Danes Unveils Unique Visual Petition in Grand Central Terminal

NEW YORK, NY–(Marketwire – September 21, 2010) –  Emmy award-winning actress Claire Danes joined millions of people who’ve added their thumbprints to a unique petition at Grand Central Terminal, led by global humanitarian organisation Save the Children.

For downloadable photos, video and other supporting documents please visit: http://www.multimedianewscenter.com/savethechildren/three-million-give-thumbs-up-to-saving-childrens-lives

The thumbprint mosaic was designed by New York-based artist Ian Wright and represents the support of three million people from 40 countries who have taken part in Save the Children’s EVERY ONE campaign. The campaign aims to put pressure on world leaders meeting at the United Nations in New York, to do more to stop children dying needlessly of preventable and treatable causes.

The thumbprints will be handed over to a high level representative of the United Nations during the summit this week to review progress on the Millennium Development Goals, the internationally agreed targets to tackle poverty. Save the Children is calling for an action plan to be agreed to by all governments, to reach the Millennium Goal of cutting child deaths by two thirds by 2015. Hitting this target would save the lives of 15 million children by 2015, the charity said. It would involve improving children’s access to basic health care, nutrition, water and sanitation and education.

For more information, please visit www.everyone.org for the global EVERY ONE campaign and www.goodgoes.org in the U.S.

Click here http://www.multimedianewscenter.com/savethechildren/three-million-give-thumbs-up-to-saving-childrens-lives for access to:

  • Footage of NYC Unveil Event
  • Visuals of the Thumbprint Installation
  • Photos of Emmy Award-Winning Actress Claire Danes
  • B-roll of Claire adding her thumbprint
  • Photos and B-roll of visual petition
  • Soundbites w/ Emmy Award-Winning Actress Claire Danes
  • Soundbites w/ Jasmine Whitbread, CEO, Save the Children International
  • Other supporting documents and photos

Contact:
Katy Gray
Weber Shandwick
917-848-8997
Email Contact

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

San Francisco’s Laguna Honda Showcases Its New Facility and AeroScout’s Patient Safety Solution to Healthcare Organizations Nationwide

Posted on September 21, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: AeroScout

AeroScout Wi-Fi RTLS Solutions Contribute to Laguna Honda’s Goal of Creating the Safest Possible Environment for Residents of Its New, 780-Bed Facility

SAN FRANCISCO, CA–(Marketwire – September 21, 2010) –  Pebble Project National Conference — AeroScout, the leading provider of Unified Asset Visibility for the healthcare industry, today announced that Laguna Honda Hospital & Rehabilitation Center has deployed AeroScout’s Patient Safety, Staff Safety and Asset Tracking solutions at its state-of-the-art skilled nursing facility set to open later this year. The AeroScout solutions are part of Laguna Honda’s initiative to create the safest possible environment, while providing its residents with an open lifestyle that fosters community and independence. At a conference today hosted by the Center for Health Design on the latest advances and best practices in healthcare design, Laguna Honda will showcase its new facility, including its AeroScout Wi-Fi RTLS implementation, as a model for leading organizations from around the country to learn from and emulate.

Operated by the San Francisco Department of Public Health, Laguna Honda Hospital & Rehabilitation Center provides skilled nursing and rehabilitation services to a diverse, safety net population. Located on a 62-acre campus, it is one of the largest acute care skilled nursing facilities in the United States and represents extensive commitments by the city to therapeutic care for seniors and adults with disabilities.

In 2003, the city broke ground on the construction of a complete replacement of the main Laguna Honda facility. The vision for the new 500,000 square-foot facility was to provide housing and community-style living, with the highest level of independence, for Laguna Honda’s hundreds of residents by constructing the most technologically advanced, efficient, flexible, humane and natural facility in the world. In planning the project, Laguna Honda incorporated many advanced concepts derived from evidence-based design, recognizing the significant benefits it would have on the health and quality of life of residents.

Assisted by AeroScout’s Professional Services team, Laguna Honda implemented AeroScout’s Patient Safety solution at the new facility, including three residential buildings, to provide an additional level of safety for residents with cognitive impairments, such as Alzheimer’s. The potential for people with advanced dementia to put themselves in harm’s way make AeroScout’s RTLS solutions a particularly important part of Laguna Honda’s quality of care.

“Our goal is to provide the safest and most therapeutic environment, while encouraging independence and freedom of movement across the 62-acre campus,” said Larry Funk, Associate Administrator at Laguna Honda. “AeroScout impressed our selection committee with its unparalleled experience in the healthcare market and was the overwhelming choice of the participants. In addition, the intuitiveness of their many applications made it the unanimous choice among our clinician panel.”

With the consent of residents and their families, people who need an additional level of safety will wear AeroScout Wi-Fi Wristband Tags, which allow caregivers to determine their location quickly. In three residential buildings, the AeroScout solution is integrated with the Access Control systems, and it also triggers voice commands if residents approach certain exit points. The verbal messages remind residents in their native language not to leave their household or neighborhood by themselves. If a resident continues alone beyond these points, appropriate caregivers receive alerts via VoIP phones, pagers and AeroScout’s Instant Notifier application, which delivers pop-up windows on workstations.

In addition to displaying the location of the resident, the AeroScout solution shows a photo to help caregivers identify the person in need of assistance. The AeroScout solution leverages Laguna Honda’s Cisco Unified Wireless Network, and because the system is linked to the City of San Francisco’s network infrastructure, Laguna Honda has future plans to locate residents who need help anywhere in the city where network coverage is available, such as at bus and train stations.

Laguna Honda has also implemented AeroScout’s Staff Safety solution to help provide the safest possible environment at the new facility. The solution includes 1,400 Wi-Fi Badge Tags with call buttons, which are worn by caregivers. When a button is pressed, the solution routes notifications or emergency alerts to the appropriate team members.

Laguna Honda is currently deploying an additional AeroScout application to help with operational goals of improving the efficiency of asset management, increasing equipment utilization and ensuring that clinicians have the medical equipment they need when and where it is needed. AeroScout’s Healthcare Asset Tracking solution will help Laguna Honda staff monitor and optimize 3,000 pieces of critical equipment, including specialized beds, EKG machines, crash carts, diagnostic units and portable x-ray machines.

“Laguna Honda created a remarkable design achievement that will not only benefit its residents and community, but also sets the standard for patient safety and care that benefits the entire healthcare industry,” said Gabi Daniely, Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy at AeroScout. “Laguna Honda has incorporated AeroScout’s Patient Safety solution into its business processes and integrated with its information systems, resulting in a seamless solution. We are proud to be part of this nationally-acclaimed project and to help this important organization in our local area meet its goals.”

About Laguna Honda Hospital & Rehabilitation Center
Laguna Honda is an acute care skilled nursing and rehabilitation center owned and operated by the San Francisco Department of Public Health. It provides personalized, culturally competent services to a diverse safety net population of 780 residents. Among its innovative programs are:

  • An award-winning restorative care program

  • The San Francisco Bay Area’s only HIV/AIDS skilled nursing program

  • Monolingual care in Chinese and Spanish

  • A safe and comfortable environment for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias

  • Rehabilitative services that include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and audiology

  • Programming for adults with developmental disabilities

  • An in-house hospice

  • Care that combines medical and social support for people coping with the effects of stroke, traumatic brain injury and multiple sclerosis

About AeroScout
AeroScout is the market leader in Unified Asset Visibility solutions. Customers improve operational efficiency using AeroScout products that leverage standard Wi-Fi networks to track and manage the location, condition and status of mobile assets and people. AeroScout’s global customer base consists of leading hospital, manufacturing and logistics organizations, including many of the Fortune 500. The company invented the first Wi-Fi-based Active RFID tag, and today is widely recognized as leading the market in number of deployments and tags shipped. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, AeroScout has offices in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and Latin America. For more information, please visit www.aeroscout.com.

AeroScout is a registered trademark of AeroScout, Inc. Information is subject to change without notice.

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

World’s First Digital Cancer Education Network Created by JGH, McGill and Aurora

Posted on September 21, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

MONTREAL, QUEBEC–(Marketwire – Sept. 21, 2010) – The Jewish General Hospital and Aurora Interactive Ltd., both of Montreal, Quebec, today announced the signing of a landmark sales contract. The three-year agreement will see the integration of Aurora’s mScope Education Suite and the mScope Clinical Image Sharing Suite at the Jewish General, a major teaching hospital affiliated with McGill University. The hospital intends to use the mScope suites to create a unique online education network for pathology research.

The project will be led by Dr. Alan Spatz, director of the Department of Pathology at the Jewish General Hospital, a senior investigator at the Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, and Professor of Pathology and Oncology at McGill University. He is also co-director of the Integrated Cancer Training Program at McGill and Canada Research Chair in Molecular Pathology.

“With this agreement, McGill and the Jewish General Hospital have acquired the only digital suite that will allow us to achieve our ambitious goals,” said Dr. Spatz. “The melding of our unique expertise with Aurora’s products enable us to provide our students the best online pathology education available.”

“Aurora is pleased to partner with McGill University and Jewish General Hospital’s ambitious plans to take pathology education online and make it truly global” stated Pierre Le Fèvre, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aurora Interactive.

In September 2010, McGill University placed among the top 25 universities globally for the seventh consecutive year in the QS World University Rankings.

About the Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research at the Jewish General Hospital

The Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research (LDI), located in Montreal, Quebec, is the research arm at the Jewish General Hospital, and has strong academic ties to McGill University. With over 150 affiliated researchers, the LDI is one of the largest and most important biomedical research institutes in Quebec and all of Canada. Major breakthroughs have been made by LDI researchers in the areas of HIV/ AIDS, aging, cancer, vascular disease, epidemiology and psychosocial science, and have thereby contributed to the health and well-being of millions of patients in Montreal, across Quebec and around the world.

About the Jewish General Hospital

Now in its landmark 75th year of providing Care for All, the Jewish General Hospital has been a mainstay of superior medical care for generations of patients of all backgrounds. One of Quebec’s largest and busiest acute-care hospitals, the JGH is committed to improving the quality of healthcare for all Quebecers in partnership with the provincial healthcare network. In this anniversary year, the Jewish General Hospital has redoubled its commitment providing patients the best possible care in a clean, safe and human-centered environment. The JGH is able to deliver these pioneering, innovative medical services by strengthening its role as a McGill University teaching hospital, by expanding and upgrading its facilities, and by pursuing cutting-edge research at the Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research. Website: www.jgh.ca.

About McGill University

McGill University, founded in Montreal in 1821, is Canada’s leading post-secondary institution. It has two campuses, 11 faculties, 10 professional schools, 300 programs of study and more than 35,000 students. McGill attracts 6,800 foreign students from more than 160 countries around the world. Almost half of McGill students claim a first language other than English – including 6,200 francophones – with more than 6,200 international students making up almost 20 per cent of the student body.

About Aurora Interactive Ltd.

Aurora Interactive has developed the leading web based software platform (mScope) for simplification, productivity and ease of communications. mScope’s Universal Web Viewer has collaborative tools to view medical slides and images anytime, anywhere, regardless of file format. The software has three applications to aid digital pathology web based communications needs: mScope Education, mScope Clinical, and mScope Universal Viewer. Aurora’s mission is to improve patients outcomes and help members of the medical community achieve their full potential by eliminating the learning, diagnostic and collaborative restrictions imposed by time and space. www.aurorainteractive.com.

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Le premier réseau mondial d’éducation numérique sur le cancer créé par l’HGJ, McGill et Aurora

Posted on September 21, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC–(Marketwire – 21 sept. 2010) – L’Hôpital général juif et Aurora Interactive Ltd., tous deux de Montréal, au Québec, ont annoncé aujourd’hui la signature d’un important contrat de vente. L’entente de trois ans permettra l’intégration de la plate-forme de communication numérique et visualiseur mScope éducation d’Aurora et le partage d’images cliniques à l’Hôpital général juif, un grand hôpital universitaire affilié à l’Université McGill. L’hôpital a l’intention d’utiliser les logiciels mScope pour créer un réseau d’éducation en ligne unique pour la recherche en pathologie.

Le projet sera dirigé par le Dr Alan Spatz, directeur du Département de pathologie de l’Hôpital général juif, chercheur principal à l’Institut Lady Davis de recherches médicales, et professeur de pathologie et d’oncologie à l’Université McGill. Il est également co-directeur du Programme intégré de recherche et de formation en cancer à l’Université McGill et titulaire de la Chaire de recherche du Canada sur la pathologie moléculaire.

« Avec cette entente, l’Université McGill et l’Hôpital général juif ont acquis la seule plate-forme numérique qui nous permettra d’atteindre nos objectifs ambitieux», a déclaré le Dr Spatz. « La fusion de notre expertise unique et des produits d’Aurora nous permettent d’offrir à nos étudiants la meilleure éducation de pathologie en ligne disponible. »

« Aurora est heureux de s’associer aux ambitieux plans de l’Université McGill et de l’Hôpital général juif de permette l’éducation de la pathologie en ligne et de la rendre véritablement mondiale », a déclaré Pierre Le Fèvre, président et chef de la direction, Aurora Interactive.

Au sujet de l’Institut Lady Davis de recherches médicales de l’Hôpital général juif

Situé à Montréal au Québec, l’Institut Lady Davis de recherches médicales constitue l’organe de recherche de l’Hôpital général juif et entretient des liens étroits avec l’Université McGill. Avec plus de 150 chercheurs affiliés, l’Institut est un des plus importants centres de recherche biomédicale du Québec, voire du Canada. Ses chercheurs ont réalisé des percées majeures dans les domaines du VIH et du sida, du vieillissement, du cancer, des maladies vasculaires, de l’épidémiologie et de la psychosociologie. De ce fait, ils contribuent à la santé et au mieux-être de millions de patients montréalais, québécois et étrangers. (site web : www.ladydavis.ca)

À propos de l’Hôpital général juif

Oeuvrant pour une 75e année à prodiguer des soins « Au service de tous », l’Hôpital général juif a été un pilier du traitement médical de niveau supérieur pour des générations de patients de toutes origines, de Montréal et de partout au Québec, et même de l’extérieur. Un des hôpitaux les plus grands et les plus achalandés de la province offrant des soins de courte durée, et mettant à profit son expertise et son expérience, l’HGJ reste déterminé à améliorer le niveau de soins pour tous les Québécois en travaillant en collaboration étroite avec le gouvernement et son système de soins de santé. Pour souligner cette année d’anniversaire, l’Hôpital général juif réaffirme son engagement à veiller à ce que les patients reçoivent des soins de la plus haute qualité dans un environnement propre et sécuritaire. L’HGJ a été en mesure d’offrir ces services pionniers et novateurs en renforçant son rôle comme hôpital d’enseignement affilié à l’Université McGill, en agrandissant et en modernisant ses installations, et en réalisant des études de pointe à l’Institut Lady Davis pour la recherche médicale. Pour en savoir plus, veuillez consulter www.JGH.ca

À propos de l’Université McGill

McGill est l’un des établissements d’enseignement supérieurs les plus prestigieux du Canada et la principale université de recherche du pays. Notre effectif étudiant, issu de 160 pays, est le plus international des universités canadiennes offrant des programmes de médecine et de doctorat. L’Université McGill, le plus ancien établissement universitaire de Montréal, a été fondée en 1821 grâce à un legs d’un riche marchand, James McGill. À l’origine modeste collège, McGill est aujourd’hui une université trépidante comme en témoignent ses deux campus, ses 11 facultés, ses quelque 300 programmes d’études et ses 35 000 étudiants, donc 6 200 francophones et 6 800 étudiants étrangers. L’Université compte aussi quatre hôpitaux d’enseignement d’où sortent chaque année plus de 1 000 professionnels de la santé.

À propos d’Aurora Interactive

Aurora Interactive a développé mScope, une plateforme performante de logiciels basée sur le Web pour la simplification, la productivité et la facilité des communications. Le visualiseur Web universel mScope a des outils de collaboration pour visualiser des lames microscopiques et des images médicales à tout moment, n’importe où, indépendamment du format du fichier. Le logiciel comprend trois applications pour l’aide de vos besoins de communication basés sur votre toile de pathologie numérique, mScope pédagogique, mScope clinique et le visualiseur universel mScope. La mission d’Aurora est de faciliter une meilleure santé des patients et d’aider les membres de la communauté médicale à réaliser leur plein potentiel en éliminant les contraintes d’acquisition des connaissances, de diagnostic et de collaboration imposées par le temps et l’espace. www.aurorainteractive.com

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Allied Healthcare International Inc. to Present at the Jefferies 2010 Global SpecPharma and European Healthcare Conference

Posted on September 21, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Allied Healthcare International Inc.

NEW YORK, NY–(Marketwire – September 21, 2010) – Allied Healthcare International Inc. (NASDAQ: AHCI), a leading provider of flexible healthcare staffing services in the United Kingdom, announced today that Sandy Young, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, will be presenting at the Jefferies 2010 Global SpecPharma and European Healthcare Conference to be held October 5-6, 2010 at the Waldorf Hilton in London.

Allied’s presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, October 6, at 4:30 p.m. UK Time.

The presentation will be webcast live and will be available on the Investors section of Allied’s website at www.alliedhealthcare.com. For those who are not available to listen to the live broadcast, the presentation will be archived.

About Allied Healthcare International Inc.
Allied Healthcare International Inc. is a leading provider of flexible healthcare staffing services in the United Kingdom. Allied operates a community-based network of approximately 115 branches with the capacity to provide carers (known as home health aides in the U.S.), nurses, and specialized medical personnel to locations covering approximately 90% of the U.K. population. Allied meets the needs of private patients, community care, nursing and care homes, and hospitals. For more news and information please visit: www.alliedhealthcare.com.

CONTACT

Allied Healthcare International Inc.
Sandy Young
Chief Executive Officer
Paul Weston
Chief Financial Officer
+44 (0) 17 8581 0600

Or

ICR Inc.
Sherry Bertner
Managing Director
+1 646 277 1200
[email protected]

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Asbury Place Maryville Breaks Ground on St. Clair Apartments

Posted on September 21, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Asbury Place – Maryville

MARYVILLE, TN–(Marketwire – September 21, 2010) –  Asbury, Inc. announced that it will break ground on its St. Clair Apartments project at Asbury Place Maryville today. The groundbreaking will take place at 10:00 a.m. at the Asbury Place Maryville campus, 2648 Sevierville Road, Maryville, TN. The ceremony will include local officials and staff. Staff members who have been with Asbury for twenty or more years will also be honored. The public is invited.

With an estimated construction cost of $6 million, St. Clair Apartments at Asbury Place includes 48 new residential apartment homes, a new Wellness Center and Dining Room, and renovations to the existing Clubhouse.

The apartments will range in size from 900 to more than 1700 square feet, and residents have a choice of 1, 2 or 3-bedroom floor plans with walk-in closets, full kitchens, telephone, internet and cable hookups, built-in garbage disposals, dishwashers, washers and dryers and central heating and air. Other features include choice of interior colors, window treatments, skylights on upper floors, pocket doors, tray ceilings, optional fireplaces, smoke detection and sprinklers, screened porches, elevators, and under building garages with automatic door openers.

The groundbreaking is a milestone in making true enhancements to the retirement lifestyle at Asbury. Bistro-style and private dining, a brand-new Wellness Center, and fitness classes combine to make tangible Asbury’s vision of a person-centered approach to overall wellness.

“St. Clair is a direct response to what people fifty-five and better are looking for in residences at a community. Residences are becoming more personalized and customized, and they have accents and finishes that rival other new home construction. Senior living communities are upgrading their wellness centers in response to more residents focusing on fitness and a dedication to staying healthy longer. Restaurant-style and quality dining is also now the norm, including having an executive chef, fresh ingredients and more menu choices,” said Joy Evans, The Asbury Group’s Regional Director of Marketing.

Tesa Brown, Asbury Place Maryville Executive Director, added, “This is a much-anticipated day for Asbury Place Maryville. Residents at St. Clair will have an active lifestyle, a better lifestyle, and it’s exciting to see all the planning become reality. Asbury Place Maryville has a full continuum of on-site care, and St. Clair is now a significant part of that.”

Joseph Construction of Knoxville is the construction consultant and anticipates as many as 125 workers will be employed for the project.

Reservations are now being accepted for the apartments, and a welcome center on the Asbury campus provides further information. For a limited time, those who reserve a new apartment home receive Charter Member benefits, including the best selection of residential living style and location, preferential pricing, and invitations to special Members-only events.

About Asbury, Inc.
Founded in 1956, Asbury, Inc. manages a network of not-for-profit retirement communities and health care centers for individuals fifty-five or better in Maryville, Kingsport, and Johnson City, Tennessee. For more information, please visit http://www.AsburyPlaceExpansion.com or call (865) 238-8304.

Contact:
Chuck Morris
Morris Creative Group LLC
[email protected]
(865) 637-9869 office
(865) 300-5669 cell

Click here to see all recent news from this company

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Mount Sinai and Westchester Health Host FREE Breast Cancer & Diabetes Prevention Forum on September 22nd in Mount Kisco

Posted on September 20, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Mount Sinai and Westchester Health

WESTCHESTER, NY–(Marketwire – September 20, 2010) –

WHAT:
Mount Sinai and Westchester Health physicians to conduct a forum about the latest news in prevention and treatment of Breast Cancer and Diabetes. The panel will feature topics such as the new mammogram guidelines, prevention and treatment of breast cancer and fundamentals of diabetes detection and management.

This forum, designed to inform the community and create awareness about Diabetes and Breast Cancer, is FREE, but seating is limited.

RSVP is required. Call: 1 -800-MD-SINAI (800-637-4624) or E-mail: [email protected]

WHEN:
Wednesday, September 22, 2010, 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

WHERE:
The Mount Kisco Holiday Inn, 1 Holiday Inn Drive, Mount Kisco, NY 10549

WHO:

  • Moderated by Nancy R. Beran, MD, Medical Director of Westchester Health
  • Diabetes Awareness – Tracy Breen, MD from Mount Sinai and Michael Goldberg, MD of Westchester Health
  • Breast Cancer Awareness – Elisa Port, MD from Mount Sinai and Bonnie Litvack, MD, a community imaging specialist in Westchester

ABOUT THE MOUNT SINAI MEDICAL CENTER 
The Mount Sinai Medical Center encompasses both The Mount Sinai Hospital and Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Established in 1968, Mount Sinai School of Medicine is one of a few medical schools embedded in a hospital. It has more than 3,400 faculty members in 32 departments and 15 institutes. The school was awarded for Outstanding Community Service by the Association of American Medical Colleges Spencer Foreman in 2009.

The Mount Sinai Hospital, founded in 1852, is one of the nation’s largest and most-respected voluntary hospitals. In 2009 it was ranked among the nation’s top 20 hospitals. Nearly 60,000 people were treated at Mount Sinai as inpatients last year, and approximately 530,000 outpatient visits took place.

ABOUT WESTCHESTER HEALTH ASSOCIATES
Westchester Health Associates physicians have been caring for patients in Northern Westchester for over thirty years. They have combined community practices to create a unique multi-specialty medical group, with over thirteen different specialties. Westchester Health has over 47 offices located throughout the area which provide personalized attention, as well as confidential and compassionate care. Integrated into each office is direct access to the area’s leading specialists and cutting-edge technology. Westchester Health Associates offers modalities such as electronic medical records, simplified communications between referring physicians, and direct communication with insurance companies.

Many of the Westchester Health physicians have been honored by their peers for their high standards of care, technical expertise, and compassion for their patients. Westchester patients are considered part of the Westchester Health family, which is 100,000 strong and growing.

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Triumph Over Adversity for Disabled Veterans

Posted on September 20, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Help Hospitalized Veterans

Cutting Edge Adaptive Sports Helps Rehabilitate Injured Veterans

WINCHESTER, CA–(Marketwire – September 20, 2010) –  Thousands of American men and women have been called to duty, bound for Afghanistan and Iraq since the global War on Terror began, with many having since returned home injured or disabled. For them, the road to recovery can be a long and arduous one. Simple daily activities once accomplished with ease now require planning and effort. Recreational pursuits once enjoyed are now distant memories of a time without disability.

But for some recently injured veterans, sports and activities they once thought were beyond their grasp are now within reach thanks to the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) cutting edge use of adaptive sports medicine and rehabilitation in its third annual National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic.

The Clinic will be held September 19-25 in San Diego, and is aimed at introducing newly injured veterans to adaptive sports. Events include adaptive kayaking, sailing, track & field, cycling and surfing. What makes this rehabilitative event even more successful is that VA includes in the participation of the veterans’ sporting activities spouses or significant others, children and in some cases care givers.

VA is teaming up with founding sponsors Help Hospitalized Veterans (HHV) and the Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) to provide this exciting event along with many other national and community sponsors. The event is hosted by the VA San Diego Health Care System. “VA’s unique approach in ‘treating the whole family’ by including them in Summer Sports Clinic activities demonstrates to the veterans that they can indeed have an active and rewarding leisure lifestyle which their families can enjoy with them. HHV’s mission is to provide products and services that have a therapeutic and rehabilitative benefit to our nation’s hospitalized veterans. Miracles happen here and we are proud to be part of it,” said Mike Lynch, HHV President and CEO.

HHV provides free therapeutic arts & crafts kits to VA and military hospitals worldwide, with over 25 million kits donated since HHV’s inception. For more information about HHV’s programs & services for veteran patients visit www.hhv.org or call 888-567-VETS.

Documents and/or Photos available for this release:

PDF_of_release

To view supporting documents and/or photos, go to www.enr-corp.com/pressroom and enter Release ID: 271023

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Active Lung Cancer Vaccine Market in Next Five Years: Kalorama Reports

Posted on September 20, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Kalorama Information

NEW YORK, NY–(Marketwire – September 20, 2010) – There could be as many as three vaccine treatments for lung cancer by 2015, according to a market research report from Kalorama Information. The report, “Emerging Cancer Vaccines: Forecasts, Developments and Pipeline Analysis, 4th Edition,” notes that one product will see an approval in three years and two more products could join shortly thereafter, setting the stage for healthy competition. The healthcare market research publisher recently forecasted a market exceeding $7 billion for vaccines treating all cancers in the next five years. Lung, cervical and prostate cancers are among the most viable areas, according to the report.

Lung cancer continues to be deadly despite a decrease in smoking in many developed countries. Worldwide, more than 1.2 million people are diagnosed with lung cancer annually, while 1.1 million people lose their battle against the disease each year. The American Cancer Society reports that the 5 year survival rate for lung cancer patients in all stages is only 15%.

“Although lung cancer continues to show steadily increasing incidence and mortality rates and is the number one cancer in terms of new cases worldwide, it is still an underserved area of therapeutic options,” said Melissa Elder, analyst for Kalorama Information. “Therapeutic vaccines are a big step in providing life-saving options for these patients.”

According to the report, one of the most promising products in development is Stimuvax, co-developed by Oncothyreon and Merck. The approval of Stimuvax, which Kalorama Information expects to occur in 2013, could slow the number of long-term treatment cases of lung cancer each year, offering huge health and economic benefits to the United States and other approved areas.

Kalorama Information also anticipates the approval of NovaRx Corporation’s Lucanix at the end of 2013, and GlaxoSmithKline’s MAGE-A3 vaccine sometime after 2015 — both products are currently in Phase III development. If approved these products would compete directly with Merck/Oncothyreon’s vaccine, increasing the competitive landscape in the lung cancer treatment segment.

More information on lung cancer vaccine developments can be found in Kalorama Information’s report, “Emerging Cancer Vaccines: Forecasts, Developments and Pipeline Analysis, 4th Edition,” which also includes markets for and developments in other cancer areas along with forecasts, issues and company profiles. The report can be found at: http://www.kaloramainformation.com/redirect.asp?progid=79625&productid=2794580.

About Kalorama Information
Kalorama Information supplies the latest in independent market research in the life sciences, as well as a full range of custom research services. We routinely assist the media with healthcare topics. Follow us on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/KaloramaInfo) and LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=2177845&trk=hb_side_g).

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Patient Prompt Introduces New "Best Practice Protocols" at 2010 Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) Annual Conference in New…

Posted on September 20, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Patient Prompt

Advanced Patient Communication Research Offers Enterprise Level Healthcare Practices More Effective Ways to Communicate With Their Patients

TORONTO–(Marketwire – September 20, 2010) –  Patient Prompt, a leader in patient communication technology since 2004, has just completed an in-depth analysis of over a six year period to determine the effectiveness of traditional appointment reminder systems and how advancements in patient communication technology can play an important role in improving patients’ lives and reducing costs for healthcare practices.

Patient Prompt™ analyzed millions of reminder calls on behalf of a variety of group and specialty practices. As a result, new “Best Practice Protocols” were developed. These reminder protocols are specifically tailored to produce the optimum results for the practice.

The result has been a 97% success rate in appointment confirmations with fewer hang ups, reduced patient cancellations, and increased revenue for the practice. Patient Prompt™ “Best Practice Protocols” can play an important role in providing more effective Preventative Care Programs, as well as Patient Compliance Programs.

Patient Prompt™ first revolutionized patient communication in 2004 by introducing its patented “Seamless Two Way Technology™” designed to integrate directly with existing practice scheduling systems to provide real time appointment confirmations. Two years later Patient Prompt™ introduced “Smart Calling Technology™” to reduce the number attempts necessary to reach and confirm patient appointments. 

“Since our inception, our goal has been to provide health care practices with the most effective patient communication tool in the industry. This comprehensive analysis reinforces our belief that traditional automated appointment reminder applications just don’t work. Patient Prompt™ is the culmination of years of research and development. As a long time supporter of the MGMA, we look forward to discussing our findings with its members at the upcoming annual convention in New Orleans in October,” said Jeremy Greven — President & CEO, Patient Prompt™ / Prompt Alert Inc.

About Patient Prompt:

Patient Prompt™ is a product of Prompt Alert Inc. a privately owned technology solution provider specializing in patient communication in the healthcare sector. Established in 2004, Prompt Alert Inc. introduced its highly successful patient communication tool, Patient Prompt™ to service enterprise level practices seeking a customized, flexible, and fully scalable automated patient communication tool. Since its launch, Patient Prompt™ has been the fastest growing patient communication tool in North America, servicing a wide variety of group practices and specialties such as, Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Endoscopy, Orthopedics, Nephrology, and Oncology.

For further information regarding Patient Prompt visit:

www.patientprompt.com or call toll free 1.800.417.9486

Press contact:

Ronnie Welch
CWR & Partners
Email Contact
508-222-4802

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Actor Anthony Anderson Takes on Diabetes

Posted on September 20, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: American Diabetes Association

ALEXANDRIA, VA–(Marketwire – September 20, 2010) –  As one of Hollywood’s self-proclaimed “fat funny guys,” Anthony Anderson has appeared in comedies including “Big Momma’s House” and “Kangaroo Jack,” but when he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at the age of 32, Anderson found that his weight was no laughing matter. In the October issue of Diabetes Forecast, the consumer magazine of the American Diabetes Association, Anderson opens up about incorporating diabetes management into his busy schedule and how his desire to go skydiving has inspired him to shed pounds. 

It was eight years ago that Anderson started experiencing symptoms of diabetes — he was tired and lethargic. “I chalked it up to being overworked,” he tells Diabetes Forecast. “I just thought I was running myself ragged.” When other symptoms started to appear, such as constant thirst and frequent urination, he saw his doctor and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. 

After his initial diagnosis, Anderson didn’t make many changes to his lifestyle, only to find that he wasn’t feeling better. The turning point was the idea of skydiving. “I want to skydive,” he says, “and one place I called told me you can’t weigh more than 235 pounds.” At 240 pounds, Anderson asked, jokingly, what he could do. Without missing a beat, the person from the skydiving center said, “Lose five pounds.” He started to run three miles a day, and cut back his portion sizes. “Now I’m well below 235, and I’m going to jump out of a plane!”

Diabetes was not new in Anderson’s family. His father had the disease, and his mother was recently diagnosed. Despite this, Anderson found that there were very few people talking about diabetes who spoke to him as a young African American man. He decided to be a spokesperson for Eli Lilly’s FACE Diabetes, an initiative to educate and empower African Americans about diabetes. “Statistics show that African Americans born today have a 50 percent chance of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes,” Anderson says. “That’s what I’m doing now with the FACE Diabetes initiative through Lilly — getting as much information [as possible] and bringing awareness to our community and to our youth, because if we catch it early enough, this can be prevented.”

This issue of Diabetes Forecast also features an article titled “Why Me? Understanding the Causes of Diabetes.” It’s the question nearly everyone with a serious illness asks sooner or later: What did I do to deserve this? With both type 1 and type 2 diabetes on the rise, understanding the causes of diabetes may help curb the increase in new cases as well as quiet those pesky questions that have no easy answers.

The October issue offers more:

  • Trick or Treat: Enjoying Halloween when you (or your kids) have diabetes
  • Healthy Steps: School Walk for Diabetes promotes health and fitness in youngsters
  • Research Profile: Can video games help people lose weight? Looking at how the “exergame” Dance Dance Revolution can be used in a diabetes management program

Diabetes Forecast has been America’s leading diabetes magazine for more than 60 years, offering the latest news on diabetes research and treatment to provide information, inspiration, and support to people with diabetes. 

The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to stop diabetes and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure, and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, its mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information, please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.

Contact:
Dayle Kern
[email protected]
(703)549-1500 x2290

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Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Bassett Medical Center Scores Double Digit Clinical Performance Improvement in Two Core Measures Using VHA’s Leading Practices Portal(TM)

Posted on September 20, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: VHA

IRVING, TX–(Marketwire – September 20, 2010) –  Using the clinical improvement methodology outlined in the Leading Practices Portal from VHA Inc., the national health care network, Bassett Medical Center improved its performance on two core measures, pneumococcal vaccination screening and heart failure discharge instructions. During an 18-month period from the first quarter of 2008 through the third quarter of 2009, Bassett’s pneumococcal vaccination screening for patients 65 and older improved to 100% from 72%, an increase of 28%, while its heart failure discharge instructions score improved to 89% from 59%, an increase of 30%.

Bassett Medical center, a 163-bed academic medical center in upstate Cooperstown, N.Y., is a member of the Bassett Healthcare Network.

As the nation’s health care system shifts from a fee-for-service based reimbursement system to a pay-for-performance model, limiting unwarranted or avoidable recurring hospitalizations and preserving quality patient care by using proven clinical processes can positively affect a hospital’s CMS reimbursement. CMS is the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the U.S. federal agency that administers Medicare, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Applying the knowledge from VHA’s Leading Practices Portal, Bassett created interdisciplinary work groups of clinicians who worked collaboratively to implement critical practice changes that led to the organization’s success. For example, the health system had traditionally administered the pneumonia vaccine to patients upon discharge. Supported by evidence from VHA’s Leading Practice Blueprint™ packet, internal consensus suggested administering the vaccination upon a patient’s admission.

VHA’s efforts to help members improve clinical performance align with its larger efforts to help them prepare for Medicare’s value-based purchasing program, which officially begins in October 2012, but baseline performance is being measured now. The second component of VHA’s VPB work involves helping members with their patient experience scores.

“Transferring knowledge from the blueprints involved applying social science techniques that enabled us to see both sides of clinical improvement,” said Kathleen Reilly, director of Quality Management at Bassett Medical Center. “Looking beyond the empirical data to understand the context of our own health system allowed us to implement the improvement measures successfully within our own environment.”

For more information on how VHA is helping hospitals improve clinical performance, go to https://www.vha.com/Solutions/ClinicalImprovement/Pages/Default.aspx

About VHA — VHA Inc., based in Irving, Texas, is a national network of not-for-profit health care organizations that work together to drive maximum savings in the supply chain arena, set new levels of clinical performance and identify and implement best practices to improve operational efficiency and clinical outcomes. In 2009, VHA delivered record savings and value of $1.47 billion to members. Formed in 1977, through its 16 regional offices, VHA serves 1,400 hospitals and more than 30,000 non-acute care providers nationwide. VHA was ranked by Modern Healthcare as the 7th best place to work in health care in 2009.

About Bassett Medical Center: Bassett Healthcare Networks is an integrated health care system that provides care and services to people living in an eight county region covering 5,600 square miles in update New York. Bassett Medical Center, the foundation for the Bassett Healthcare Network, is a 180-bed, acute care inpatient facility that maintains a strong academic program through its affiliation with Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. The Bassett Clinic provides outpatient primary and specialty care. Bassett offers 24-hour emergency and trauma care, comprehensive cancer care and heart care, dialysis and most medical and surgical specialties in Cooperstown.

VHA Media Contact
Maxine Levy
972.830.7845
Email Contact

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Canyon Ranch Named to Travel + Leisure’s 2010 World’s Best Awards

Posted on September 20, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Canyon Ranch

Canyon Ranch in Tucson, Lenox and Hotel & Spa in Miami Beach All on 2010 List of Top Ten Destination Spas Voted on by Travel + Leisure Readers

TUCSON, AZ–(Marketwire – September 20, 2010) –  Travel + Leisure has revealed its Top Ten Destination Spas (World’s Best Awards 2010) and Canyon Ranch is thrilled to announce it has received this highly coveted accolade. Resort properties in Tucson and Lenox are once again joining the ranks, and Canyon Ranch Hotel & Spa in Miami Beach is making its debut.

The “World’s Best Awards” are voted on by the readers of Travel + Leisure to honor the top hotels, destinations, airlines, cruises, spas and transportation companies in the world. In the annual survey, destination spas were rated independently by Travel + Leisure readers in five categories: accommodations/ambiance, treatments, service, food and value. The Top Ten Destination Spas will be featured in the October issue of Travel + Leisure magazine (on newsstands September 24) and on www.travelandleisure.com.

“We couldn’t be happier to see three of our properties listed in the World’s Best Awards by the well-traveled readers of Travel + Leisure,” said Jerry Cohen, Canyon Ranch Vice Chair and CEO. “This recognition reflects our continued dedication to creating an environment that promotes health and the highest enjoyment of life for all of our guests.”

As a newcomer to the list, Canyon Ranch Hotel & Spa in Miami Beach, which opened in November 2008, has quickly established itself as a top hotel for the healthful minded traveler. Canyon Ranch Hotel & Spa in Miami Beach provides its guests with an integrative approach to health and wellness in order to create a life-enhancing transformation while also delivering a complete luxurious travel experience and world class spa.

“Canyon Ranch was founded 31 years ago with a mission to inspire people to make a commitment to healthy living,” said Cohen. “Whether our guests choose to experience Canyon Ranch in Tucson, Lenox or Miami Beach, they know they will receive the same personalized attention — it’s the Canyon Ranch way of life.”

About Canyon Ranch
Canyon Ranch pioneered the evolution of wellness lifestyle and has been an industry leader for 30 years. Operating the world’s most celebrated collection of life-enhancement properties, Canyon Ranch has destination health resorts in Tucson, Ariz., Lenox Mass., and recently opened Canyon Ranch Hotel & Spa in Miami Beach, the nation’s first luxury wellness hotel and residential community. In addition, Canyon Ranch operates SpaClub facilities (spa, wellness and fitness facilities designed to give guests a taste of the more intensive resort experiences) at The Venetian & The Palazzo in Las Vegas, Nev. and the newest Canyon Ranch venture, Canyon Ranch SpaClub at Sea, features facilities onboard ships that make up Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, as well as on board Cunards’ Queen Mary 2 luxury ocean liner. In addition, the company Canyon Ranch has been named the “Healthiest Spa in America” by Health magazine as well as the “Best Spa for Food” by Gourmet magazine. Also, Canyon Ranch is the only 11-time recipient of the Condé Nast Traveler Best Destination Spa Award.

Contact:
Sheryl Press
Director of Public Relations
520/749-9655 x 4287
Email Contact

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Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Selects Oracle for Health Insurance Claims Adjudication Solution

Posted on September 20, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Oracle Corporation

#1 Commercial Health Plan in America Seeks to Rapidly Implement State of the Art Technology to Respond to Dynamic Business Environment

SAN FRANCISCO, CA–(Marketwire – September 20, 2010) –  ORACLE OPENWORLD — Oracle (NASDAQ: ORCL)

News Facts

  • Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Inc., the number one commercial health plan in America for five straight years, according to U.S.News & World Report and the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), has chosen Oracle Health Insurance to build its core claims adjudication solution.
  • The Oracle Health Insurance Claims solution will be the first application resulting from the combination of Oracle’s European health insurance market experience and intellectual property with the Oracle Insurance rules-based adaptive application strategy. The combination provides the foundation for the next generation of core Oracle Health Insurance applications, delivering the configurability required to address critical time-to-market issues for implementing new health benefits and those resulting from United States regulatory changes.
  • The service-oriented-architecture (SOA)-based solution offers numerous integration points and a phased approach to system replacement, enabling Harvard Pilgrim to simplify and extend its existing multi-claims platform environment, reducing system integration and custom coding requirements, and ultimately its total cost of IT systems ownership.
  • The solution supports the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision (ICD-10), which is mandated for adoption in the United States by 2013.
  • Claims adjudication for all types of claims and alternative reimbursement models will be highly automated in the solution, minimizing the need for human intervention. This will enhance comprehensive straight-through processing capabilities, driving down claims processing costs.
  • Critical back-office processes will be streamlined based on the solution’s integration with Harvard Pilgrim’s Oracle E-Business Suite (Oracle Financials).
  • The solution will replace a legacy system that is not equipped to support the ICD-10 mandate and is costly to adapt to other new regulatory requirements and market challenges.
  • The solution is being built by Oracle Health Insurance, a newly formed group within Oracle Insurance, the business unit created within Oracle to focus on the unique challenges of its global insurance customers.
  • Dell Services, Harvard Pilgrim’s technology and business process outsourcing partner, will work with Oracle to implement the Oracle solution.

Supporting Quotes

  • “U.S. health insurance payers are facing the most fundamental shift in their history. We must have systems to support rapidly changing product portfolios and the pending requirements of Federal healthcare reform,” said Deborah Norton, Chief Information Officer, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Inc. “Oracle’s European solution for claims adjudication, currently the dominant application in The Netherlands, addresses that hybrid public/private market with a uniquely flexible solution. Oracle’s proposal to combine this with a native service-oriented-architecture approach provides Harvard Pilgrim with a timely and compelling solution.”
  • “Oracle Insurance welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with Harvard Pilgrim in a collaboration that represents our entry into the U.S. core health insurance applications market — an area in which Oracle Insurance sees extensive room for growth as insurers seek solutions to help them navigate major industry changes,” said Michiel Walsteijn, Senior Director, Oracle Health Insurance. “With Harvard Pilgrim, we will bring to life our vision of the adaptive health insurer, one that can be nimble and profitable while managing regulatory change.”

Supporting Resources

  • Oracle Insurance
  • Oracle Insurance on Twitter
  • Join the Oracle Insurance Community on Facebook
  • Join the Oracle Insurance Group on LinkedIn

About Oracle
Oracle (NASDAQ: ORCL) provides the most complete, open, and integrated business software and hardware systems in the world. For more information about Oracle, visit oracle.com

About Harvard Pilgrim
Harvard Pilgrim is a not-for-profit health plan that provides a variety of health benefit options and funding arrangements to more than one million members in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. Harvard Pilgrim, for the fifth consecutive year, was named the #1 commercial health plan in America according to a joint ranking by U.S.News & World Report and the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)*. For more information, please visit www.harvardpilgrim.org.

Trademark
Oracle and Java are registered trademarks of Oracle and/or its affiliates. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Contact Info
Katie Barron
Oracle
+1.703.364.2488
Email Contact

Mary Tobin
O’Keeffe and Company
+1.503.658.7396
Email Contact

Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

RecMan Releases World’s First Compliance and Records Management Software for Google Apps(TM)

Posted on September 20, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: RecMan Inc.

Enables Millions of Additional Users to Flock to Google Apps Without Being in Violation of Compliance Standards

AUSTIN, TX–(Marketwire – September 20, 2010) –  RecMan Inc., today announced the availability of RecMan for Google Apps™, the world’s first web-based compliance and records management software designed to ensure policy and regulation compliance for millions of Google Apps™ users.

More than 20 million users within businesses, government agencies, schools and other organizations world-wide have switched to Google Apps. Unfortunately, many of them cannot use all of the applications within Google Apps since it does not have any built-in document compliance or records management features to meet organizational standards and legal regulations.

“By adding records management and compliance features to Google Apps, corporations, government and organizations of any size now have the ability to centrally apply document access control, retention and disposition policies. This enables compliance with HIPAA, Sarbanes Oxley, FERPA and other regulations, as well as internal policies,” says Richard Roberts, President and CEO of RecMan, Inc. “Records management and compliance features are usually only part of big expensive enterprise systems, but now those same capabilities are available in Google Apps for a fraction of the price.”

With the release of RecMan it can be expected that millions of additional users will flock to Google Apps, confident that they can be in full compliance with organization and government regulations.

On July 26, 2010 Google announced it was one of the first to receive certification and accreditation to provide cloud computing services to government agencies and private sector affiliations. Google is aware of the critical role that enterprise-grade records management and compliance occupies.

At the 2009 Gartner Symposium/ITxpo in Orlando, Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google, was asked how the company plans to meet compliance standards and regulations for information stored in the cloud. Schmidt responded that, “It’s time now for people to figure out how to take their business logic and connect it using our APIs to our underlying data stores,” thereby opening the door for third party vendors to help meet compliance needs.

The release of RecMan for Google Apps meets these needs and supports the three main standards for compliance and electronic records management including ISO 15489, DoD 5015.2 and MoReq2. RecMan for Google Apps enables records managers and compliance officers to easily and quickly apply organizational policies to all of the information stored in Google Apps.

RecMan for Google Apps meets five critical compliance needs espoused by ARMA International, the Association of Records Managers and Administrators, including a) centrally controlled document access management, b) document classification policy management, c) retention policy management, d) destruction and disposition policy management, e) legal hold management.

There is minimal training required to implement RecMan. Once the Records Manager or compliance officer sets up the policy information, users can drag and drop their document into the appropriate shared folder or choose it from the folder menu of Google Docs. The document then falls under the control of RecMan for Google Apps, enabling all of the access and retention policies of the organization to be applied automatically.

RecMan for Google Apps is available in the Google Apps Marketplace for $18 per user annually. It will also be available from a growing number of system integrators and resellers. For more information about RecMan for Google Apps, you can visit http://www.RecMan.net. 

About RecMan Inc.
RecMan Inc. is a venture funded start-up to provide world-class compliance and records management software. With offices in Austin, TX and Yokohama, Japan, RecMan was developed by Richard Roberts, the same designer that engineered the world’s first web-based compliance and records management software that is used by thousands of users world-wide. RecMan for Google Apps is the world’s first and only application that brings enterprise-grade records management and compliance to Google Apps.

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Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

APHL Commends U.S. Senate for Preserving New Health Reform Law: Threat to Unravel Prevention and Public Health Fund Defeated

Posted on September 20, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Association of Public Health Laboratories

SILVER SPRING, MD–(Marketwire – September 20, 2010) –  The Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) and its members commend the 52 Members of the United States Senate who on September 14 voted against the elimination of funding for the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which was created in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the federal health reform law. This action assures that much-needed increases in federal support for public health laboratory operations will occur in federal fiscal years 2010 – 2015; jobs will be saved, surveillance and detection of harmful outbreaks will be increased and the health of Americans will improve.

Voting on a procedural matter (Roll Call Vote #231), the Senate rejected an amendment offered by Senator Mike Johanns (R-Nebraska) that would have used the resources in the Fund as an off-set on a matter wholly unrelated to the health of Americans.

In federal fiscal year 2010, the Fund will provide an increase in resources of almost fifty percent for activities that will improve the surveillance and detection of foodborne disease outbreaks and of emerging and re-emerging infectious disease outbreaks, while advancing the completeness of electronic health records. It is likely that the Fund will supply a doubling of funding for these activities in federal fiscal year 2011.

The significance of the eight-vote margin by which the amendment was defeated is greater when the extraordinarily strong push by the business community for the amendment is considered. Even in the face of this great success, the public health community nonetheless remains vigilant for the likely continuous attempts to siphon off the Fund for other uses and all other attacks to overturn the ACA and harm the health of Americans.

“The public health community came together quickly and cohesively in the effort to protect the Prevention and Public Health Fund from this attack,” said APHL Executive Director Scott Becker. “This accomplishment will be easily replicated for any future attempts to reduce or eliminate the Fund and should send a very clear message to those who seek other uses for it: ‘Hands Off!'”

The Association of Public Health Laboratories is a national non-profit located in Silver Spring, MD, that is dedicated to working with members to strengthen governmental laboratories with a public health mandate. By promoting effective programs and public policy, APHL strives to provide public health laboratories with the resources and infrastructure needed to protect the health of US residents and to prevent and control disease globally.

Contact:
Michelle M. Forman
Senior Media Specialist
240.485.2793
Email Contact

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Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

Children’s Hospital Boston Plans to Deploy On-Cue Software Solution From Allocade Throughout Entire Radiology Department

Posted on September 20, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Allocade Inc.

Hospital Uses Artificial Intelligence System to Advance Pediatric Care

MENLO PARK, CA–(Marketwire – September 20, 2010) –  Allocade, Inc., the developer of healthcare’s most advanced tools to orchestrate patient flow, today announced that Children’s Hospital Boston plans to expand implementation of the On-Cue® Operations Management Software suite throughout its Radiology Department. Children’s Hospital Boston originally deployed On-Cue in the hospital’s Interventional Radiology (IR) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) areas, and worked closely with Allocade to ensure that the application met the complex needs of a pediatric site.

On-Cue is powered by an Artificial Intelligence engine, which automatically adapts to disruptions as they occur. This generates the industry’s only Dynamic Patient Itinerary — a real time list of each patient’s procedures and related preparatory tasks.

“On-Cue helped to make our processes for communication more efficient,” said Sharon Silk, M.P.H., director, radiology quality management and operations improvement, Children’s Hospital Boston. “The new system offers an easy way to capture meaningful metrics, which are necessary for making operational improvements.”

“As a communication tool, the impact of implementing On-Cue was apparent immediately,” said Richard L. Robertson, Jr., M.D., acting radiologist-in-chief, Children’s Hospital Boston. “Within the first hours of go-live, the number of telephone calls between the control room and reading room decreased dramatically. The ability to see patient status at a glance and communicate directly with the technologists performing the exam allows the radiologists to focus on image interpretation, which leads to greater efficiency in patient turnover.”

The On-Cue core technology was conceived by Don Rosenthal, founder and chief technology officer of Allocade. At NASA, Rosenthal led the Artificial Intelligence Applications Group in the NASA Ames Research Center. He was also part of the team that developed the dynamic rescheduling software that optimally utilized the limited resources on the Hubble Space Telescope. The company’s patented Schedule Repair™ technology augments information already available in Hospital Information Systems (HIS), Radiology Information Systems (RIS) and Electronic Medical Record Systems (EMR), by adding a layer of intelligence to these systems.

About Allocade, Inc.
Allocade Inc., headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif., is a healthcare software company that develops tools to intelligently optimize patient flow throughout the hospital. The company’s first product is the On-Cue Hospital Operations Management system. Allocade’s management team includes former top executives from NASA Ames Research Center, Fujifilm Corporation, and Stentor. For more information about Allocade and the On-Cue Software Solution, visit www.allocade.com.

On-Cue is a registered trademark of Allocade, Inc.

Allocade Media Contact:
Amy Cook
925.552.7893
Email Contact

Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

Mobile Armor and Panasonic Partner to Provide Comprehensive and Fortified Data Protection on Rugged Toughbook(R) Notebooks and Healthcare Devices

Posted on September 20, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Mobile Armor

Select Rugged Toughbook Computers Available to Ship Fully Integrated With Mobile Armor’s DriveArmorTM Data Security Solution; Panasonic Authorized to Resell Entire Mobile Armor Data Encryption Suite

SECAUCUS, NJ and ST. LOUIS, MO–(Marketwire – September 20, 2010) –  Panasonic Solutions Company, manufacturer of durable, reliable Panasonic Toughbook® mobile solutions for government and commercial enterprises, and Mobile Armor, Inc., a leader in portable data encryption and mobile device management, today announced the companies have entered into a license and reseller agreement to integrate the Mobile Armor Data Encryption Solution into select Panasonic Toughbook rugged notebooks and mobile clinical assistants (MCA).

Mobile Armor’s DriveArmor is an enterprise-class solution for policy-driven control for managing data security on notebook PCs and desktop computers with FIPS certified 2.5-inch self-encrypting disk drives from Seagate Technology®. DriveArmor delivers centralized management, strong pre-boot authentication and extensive auditing and reporting capabilities for Seagate® Momentus® self-encrypting drives, designed to prevent unauthorized access to data on lost or stolen computers. Seagate Momentus self-encrypting drives and Mobile Armor DriveArmor ship fully integrated and are available today on the Toughbook 31 flagship rugged clamshell, the Toughbook 19 rugged convertible tablet and the Toughbook H1 Health, a mobile clinical assistant device developed for healthcare users.

“In regulated sectors like the federal government, law enforcement and healthcare, customers often require FIPS 140-2 Level 2 encryption certification,” said Roger Kay, president, Endpoint Technology Associates. “This relationship will deliver integrated multi-layer data protection to Toughbook PC users right out of the Panasonic factory.”

“Customers in classified environments depend on the physical security of Panasonic Toughbook mobile computing devices. Combining our best-in-class rugged computing features, Seagate Momentus self-encrypting hard drives and Mobile Armor DriveArmor award winning management and authentication create a secure computing choice for these mission-critical users,” said Jan Ruderman, vice president, government solutions, Panasonic Solutions Company.

DriveArmor is just one product in Mobile Armor’s arsenal of fortified data encryption and device management products. Mobile Armor is the only vendor to offer a fully integrated, centrally managed data encryption suite that protects mobile and desktop PCs, smartphones, CD/DVDs, removable media and ships FIPS certified 140-2 level 3 USB encrypted flash drives with embedded anti-virus protection. The Mobile Armor Suite may be delivered on-premise or in a SaaS hosted environment.

Mobile Armor also announced that Panasonic is an Authorized Reseller of the complete Mobile Armor Data Encryption Suite: PolicyServer™, DataArmor™, FileArmor™, KeyArmor™ and DriveArmor™.

“We are excited to create such an all-encompassing relationship with Panasonic, incorporating product development and integration, sales and marketing and technical support,” said Michael Menegay, Mobile Armor’s chief executive officer. “Toughbook customers have come to expect superior computing products from Panasonic and Mobile Armor customers expect the same superior quality for data protection. Jointly we are providing industry-leading hardware and software that is at the forefront of innovation resulting in the most reliable solutions in response to the current security climate and regulatory compliance mandates.”

About Panasonic Solutions Company
Panasonic Solutions Company empowers people whose jobs depend on reliable technology. The company delivers collaboration, information-sharing and decision-support solutions for customers in government, healthcare, education and a wide variety of commercial enterprises. Products and services within the company’s portfolio include Panasonic Toughbook® mobile computing solutions, projectors, professional displays (including both plasma and LCD), and HD and 3D video acquisition and production solutions. As a result of its commitment to R&D, manufacturing and quality control, Panasonic is known for the reliability and longevity of its products. Panasonic Solutions Company is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, which is the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC).

Information on Panasonic Solutions Company’s full line of products can be obtained by calling 877-803-8492 or at www.panasonic.com/business-solutions.

About Mobile Armor
 
Mobile Armor, Inc. is an innovator and a visionary leader in data protection and encryption technology, headquartered in St Louis, Missouri. Mobile Armor is an American company that provides domestically developed trusted data security solutions to commercial and government organizations. Notable customers include the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, civilian agencies and customers in healthcare and financial services verticals. Mobile Armor offers a solution that provides centralized management of all mobile devices, including desktops, laptops, PDAs, smartphones, and removable drives (including thumb drives). The company is a recipient of the coveted DoD Data at Rest Tiger Team award for its data encryption products. Mobile Armor technology is certified to meet the standards and guidelines for security set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Additional information regarding Mobile Armor can be found at www.mobilearmor.com.

About Seagate
Seagate is the worldwide leader in hard disk drives and storage solutions. Learn more at http://www.seagate.com. Seagate, Seagate Technology and Momentus are registered trademarks of Seagate Technology LLC or one of its affiliated companies in the United States and/or other countries.

All brand and company/product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies. All specifications are subject to change without notice.

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Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Can You Hear Me Now?

Posted on September 20, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Phonak

Hearing Loss in Teens and Tweens

MISSION, KS–(Marketwire – September 20, 2010) –  (Family Features) If you’re the parent of a teen or tween, chances are you’ve wondered, half-jokingly, if your child hears anything you say. The reality is that there are over 6.5 million American children ages 12 to 19 living with some form of hearing loss — and much of it is preventable.

Noise induced hearing loss
Every day, we experience sound in our environment — from television and radio, to household appliances and dreaded rush-hour traffic. Normally, we hear these sounds at safe levels that do not affect our hearing. However, when we are exposed to harmful noise, sounds that are too loud or loud sounds that last a long time, sensitive structures in our inner ear can be damaged, resulting in noise induced hearing loss (NIHL).

Noise induced hearing loss can be caused by a one-time exposure to an intense “impulse” sound, such as an explosion, or by continuous exposure to loud sounds over an extended period of time, such as a too-loud MP3 player. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), long-term exposure to 80 to 85 decibels, or any more than 15 minutes exposure to 100 decibels, can lead to hearing loss. Music players like iPods can top 100 decibels when turned all the way up.

In fact, according to a survey conducted by Hear the World, a global initiative by leading hearing system manufacturer Phonak, exposure to high noise levels was found to not only result in gradual hearing loss, but also stress, aggression or insomnia in 73 percent of those surveyed.

MP3 players and your teen

A study released in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that 1 in 5 U.S. teens suffer from some form of hearing loss. Among other culprits named, from nutrition to environmental toxins, the use of the “earbud” style of headphones while listening to high decibel music was found to be one reason for the increase.

“It is no surprise that teens and young adults today are listening to music longer and potentially louder than years past,” said Dr. Craig Kasper, Chief Audiology Officer of Audio Help Hearing Centers and Hear the World spokesperson. “Ongoing exposure to loud sounds daily, through earphones for example, can have a direct impact on your hearing early in life and not just as you age.”

How loud is too loud? If an earbud headphone sounds loud to people nearby, it’s too loud.

If you suspect your child might have hearing loss, contact your local audiologist for a complete hearing screening. For more information on hearing loss and how loud is too loud, as well as an online hearing test, visit www.hear-the-world.com.

Reducing the risk
The good news is that noise induced hearing loss is 100 percent preventable.

“The impact of noise on hearing is often underestimated because the damage may take place gradually. As a result, many people do little to prevent the process of hearing loss that takes place throughout their lives due to the noise pollution around them,” said Dr. Kasper.

To protect hearing, Dr. Kasper recommends these tips for teens and tweens:

1. Be mindful of your hearing. Think about the level of noise you’re exposed to as well as the duration of time you’re in that noise.
2. When attending concerts or loud events, wear hearing protection. Most of us would never think to sunbathe without some form of SPF protection. Using either over-the-counter earplugs or custom-molded hearing protection is like SPF for your ears.
3. When listening to your iPod or other MP3 player, invest in a sound-isolating earphone, such as the Audéo PFE by Phonak (see sidebar). This will reduce the amount of environmental sounds and allow you to turn the volume down.

Sound waves travel through the ear canal to the inner ear, where tiny hair cells convert the sound into nerve impulses that travel to hearing centers in the brain. Excessive noise can damage those cells and cause permanent hearing loss.

Top five misconceptions about hearing loss
1. Hearing loss is only for the elderly: Only 35 percent of people with hearing loss are older than age 64. There are over 6.5 million American children ages 12 to 19 living with some form of hearing loss.
2. If my child or I had hearing loss, my family doctor would have told me: Only 14 percent of physicians routinely screen for hearing loss during a physical.
3. Your hearing loss cannot be helped: With modern advances in technology, nearly 95 percent of people with a sensorineural hearing loss — a type of hearing loss in which the root cause lies in the inner ear — can be helped with hearing aids.
4. Hearing aids are large, clunky and obvious: Many modern hearing aids are nearly invisible to the naked eye and smaller than a quarter.
5. Hearing loss isn’t serious enough to treat: Hearing loss can create social and emotional barriers for the individuals living with it, or the families of those it affects. Research shows that when left untreated, hearing loss can lead to reduced earning power, disruptions in family life and can cause a wide range of other psychological problems.

Signs of hearing loss in your teen

  • Loss of hearing sensitivity, first to high-pitched (high-frequency) sounds, then eventually to lower pitches.
  • Difficulty hearing conversations, especially in a group setting or in a noisy environment.
  • Temporary or permanent ringing, buzzing or fluttering in one or both ears.
  • Often asks people to repeat themselves.
  • Needs to set the TV or radio volume louder than other people.
  • A sense of fullness in the ears.
  • Voices and other noises sound muffled and/or distorted.

Audéo PFE Perfect Bass
The Audéo PFE (Perfect Fit Earphones) Perfect Bass are a set of high-end, sound-isolating earphones by leading hearing systems manufacturer Phonak. The Audéo PFE provides exceptional fit with different, replaceable ear tips, great sound (even at low volume levels) without sacrificing the health of your ears, and starts below $100. The Audéo PFE Perfect Bass can be purchased online at www.audeoworld.com.

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Female Hair Loss on the Increase

Posted on September 20, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

BIRMINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM–(Marketwire – Sept. 20, 2010) – If you think hair loss is a condition which only affects men when they hit their 50s, think again, as more than a third of 25 to 35-year-old females suffer from the devastating condition.

There are a number of reasons why premature hair loss is now increasingly common in women, including crash dieting, low iron levels, hormone changes post-pregnancy and certain medications.

Genes also play a part, with the likelihood of bald patches increasing if a woman’s mother also has thin hair and for many, it can have a profound effect.

Leading psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos said: “In our culture, hair is bound up in notions of womanhood and sexual attractiveness. Plus, we live in such an appearance-driven society that our looks often become one of the largest factors contributing to our self-esteem”

We all naturally lose between 50 to 100 strands of hair a day, but how can you know when you are losing too much?

The simplest way to judge excess shedding is if you see more hairs than usual falling on a daily basis – over a period of at least a month. Often a change of diet can restore hair back to its former glory, but don’t despair, if eating well still doesn’t help, there are a number of cutting edge treatments available at The Hospital Group.

The Hospital Group carry out more hair transplant procedures than anyone else in the UK, using the very latest Follicular Unit Techniques and non-surgical therapies. 

Leading hair transplant surgeon, Dr Peter Williams from The Hospital Group said: “For both women and men the loss of hair can be a very emotional experience but The Hospital Group can provide expert advice with experienced hair transplant surgeons.

“Hair transplants are becoming increasingly popular and the techniques used have advanced substantially. At The Hospital Group only state-of-the-art techniques are used to achieve the best possible results and men and women are now keen to benefit from the amazing results of hair restoration that are on offer.”

Providing expert advice and assistance, The Hospital Group carries out more hair transplantations than any other clinic in the UK, recognising that hair restoration is an art just as much as a surgical procedure.

Since The Hospital Group was established in 1992, it has grown from a small pharmaceutical company to one of the UK’s foremost weight loss surgery and cosmetic surgery providers.

For further information of The Hospital Group’s range of surgical procedures, surgery-seekers should visit the website www.thehospitalgroup.org or call our patient care coordinators on 0845 762 6727.

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Ray Bradbury Stars in ‘Big Read’ at WesternU

Posted on September 17, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Western University of Health Sciences

POMONA, CA–(Marketwire – September 17, 2010) –  Renowned author Ray Bradbury will make a special appearance at Western University of Health Sciences on Friday, Oct. 8, 2010 as part of Pomona’s “Fahrenheit 451” Big Read.

Ray Bradbury and Sam Weller, his authorized biographer, will appear at WesternU’s Health Education Center, 701 E. Second St., Pomona, Calif., from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 8 to discuss “The Bradbury Chronicles” and the newly released “Listen to the Echoes: The Ray Bradbury Interviews.”

“An Evening with Ray Bradbury and Sam Weller” will feature an interactive program with the two men, and is a rare opportunity to meet one of America’s most celebrated authors. A reception will be held at 6 p.m., with a book signing following the program.

Bradbury will sign copies of “Fahrenheit 451,” and Weller will sign copies of “The Bradbury Chronicles” and “Listen to the Echoes: The Ray Bradbury Interviews.” No other books, CDs, DVDs or memorabilia of any kind, please.

This event, which is open to the public, serves as the kick-off for Pomona’s “Fahrenheit 451” Big Read. Everyone in the community is invited to read the novel “Fahrenheit 451” and share in the numerous discussions, film screenings, art exhibits and other events scheduled throughout October and November. Event details and updates are available on the Pomona Public Library web page (www.pomonalibrary.org) and here (http://www.neabigread.org/communities/?community_id=2024), or call the Pomona Public Library at 909-620-2043.

The goal of the Big Read is to restore reading to the center of American culture and highlight the importance of literature in daily life. The Big Read, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts, aims to directly address the decline of reading for pleasure by providing citizens with an opportunity to read and discuss a single book within their community.

WesternU’s Harriet K. and Philip Pumerantz Library, 287 E. Third St., Pomona, will feature a special display of controversial medical books and some consumer health books that have been banned, as well as “Fahrenheit 451” and other fiction. The “Banned Books Display” will remind students and visitors not to take freedom for granted. The display runs Sept. 25 to Oct. 31, 2010.

Contact:
Rodney Tanaka
Office: (909) 469-5402
E-mail: [email protected]

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Save the Children Experts Available for Interviews at the U.N. Summit on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Sept. 20-22, 2010

Posted on September 17, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Save the Children

NEW YORK, NY–(Marketwire – September 17, 2010) – Save the Children experts attending the summit can discuss the following and more:

  • How the MDGs affect everybody–even those who’ve never heard of them.
  • What’s happening on the ground in the race to achieve the MDGs by 2015.
  • How the MDGs have been incredibly successful in some of the poorest countries on earth–and what’s preventing them from being achieved elsewhere.
  • Why U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki­moon will ask the world to focus on MDGs 4 and 5 (reducing child and maternal mortality), and what that’s likely to achieve.
  • How the launch of a new nutrition movement could save 2.7 million children a year.
  • How the U.S. role in global development could change in the years to come.

Charles MacCormack, President and CEO of Save the Children USA
Dr. Charles MacCormack is a senior statesman among leaders of U.S. development and humanitarian organizations. He has been president of Save the Children USA since 1993 and joined its board in 1989. Save the Children is the leading independent organization for children in need, with programs in 120 countries, including the United States. The agency works for immediate and lasting change in children’s lives by improving their health, education and economic opportunities. In times of acute crisis, Save the Children mobilizes rapid assistance to help children recover from the effects of war, conflict and natural disasters.

Anne M. Mulcahy, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Save the Children USA; Former Chairman and CEO, Xerox Corporation
Anne Mulcahy saved Xerox and now she’s saving children. She became Chairman of Save the Children in March, 2010, after retiring as CEO of Xerox. One of the few women to lead a Fortune 500 company, she executed a dramatic turnaround at Xerox, lifting the corporation from threat of bankruptcy and putting it back on a profitable path. She’s recently visited Save the Children programs in Haiti, Guatemala and Afghanistan.

Ambassador Michael Klosson, VP for Policy and Humanitarian Response, Save the Children USA
Ambassador Michael Klosson draws on decades as a U.S. diplomat to advocate for children. He oversees Save the Children’s public policy and advocacy work with the U.S. and foreign governments around issues including health, education, food security, emergencies, and aid effectiveness. He also leads Save the Children’s emergency response work, including in Pakistan and Haiti.

Mary Beth Powers, Chief, Newborn & Child Survival Campaign, Save the Children USA
 
Mary Beth Powers leads a campaign to bring lifesaving care to children in need. Save the Children’s “Seewherethegood goes™” campaign mobilizes citizen action to help local health workers help save more children worldwide. Powers is passionate about the power of training people in their own communities to provide better health opportunities for newborns and children around the world. See videos and blogs from these frontline workers at GoodGoes.org.

Carolyn Miles, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Save the Children USA
Carolyn Miles manages all aspects of the global operations of Save the Children USA. She recently returned from Pakistan, where Save the Children has a major humanitarian response to the floods. Other recent trips to the field include Bangladesh and Haiti. Before joining Save the Children in 1998, she was an executive at American Express and a successful private entrepreneur in Hong Kong.

Dr. Rajiv Tandon, Sr. Advisor, Maternal, Newborn, Child Health and Nutrition, Save the Children India
Dr. Tandon works to save children’s lives in India, where more die than anywhere else. One fifth of the 8.1 million newborns and children who die before age 5 each year live in India. Most of those 1.7 million children die from preventable causes. Dr. Tandon is a pediatrician and public health expert with 25 years experience in child health and nutrition.

For interviews around the U.N. Summit on the Millennium Development Goals, contact:

Media Contacts:
Wendy Christian
203­465­8010
Email Contact

Tanya Weinberg
202­247­6610
Email Contact

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Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

RxAir(TM) Products Showcased by Global Protection at the Disaster Planning for California Hospitals Conference September 21 – 23rd, 2010 in Booths 62…

Posted on September 17, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: RxAir Industries, LLC

DALLAS, TX–(Marketwire – September 17, 2010) –  RxAir™ Industries, LLC (RxAir™), a leading manufacturer of patented air purification and isolation systems and accessories for medical and hospitality facilities nationwide, announced today that Global Protection will be showcasing RxAir’s products at the Disaster Planning for California Hospitals Conference in Sacramento, CA, September 21st – 23rd, 2010 at the Sacramento Convention Center and Hyatt Regency in Booths 62 & 63 http://www.calhospital.org/disasterplanning. The conference is organized by the California Hospital Association (CHA) http://www.calhospital.org/, which collaborates with its members to provide strong and effective representation and advocacy to advance the interests of California hospitals, patients and communities.

Global Protection is a proud distributor of RxAir’s products. Global Protection’s sales force will be available at the conference to discuss the features and benefits as well as answer questions about RxAir’s products. To set up a private one-on-one meeting to learn more about how RxAir’s products can benefit your hospital, please contact Jack Denker, Dir. of Sales for Global Protection, at [email protected].

About RxAir™ Industries, LLC
RxAir Industries, LLC (RxAir™) is a leading manufacturer of patented air purification systems and accessories for medical and hospitality facilities nationwide. The Company’s patented technologies originated more than 15 years ago through a partnership with Baylor Biomedical Services in Dallas, TX. RxAir™ air purification systems utilize HEPA filtration technologies enabling the filtration of air at high levels of efficiency, exceeding 99.97%, comply with NIOSH & CDC recommendations and are certified to UL electrical safety standards. RxAir™ air purification systems are manufactured in the USA. For more information about RxAir™ air purification systems and accessories please visit http://www.rxair.com.

About Global Protection
Global Protection offers Preparedness products which include: Protective Suits, Gas Masks, Air Purification and a variety of equipment used for protection against Domestic Emergencies. US government agencies, Police and Fire First responders, HealthCare companies, and individuals rely on Global to provide the leading products to protect against potential pandemics, chemical warfare agents, biological warfare, and terrorist threats such as Anthrax, Smallpox, and Nerve Gas. For more information please visit http://www.globalprotectionllc.com.

Contact:
Jack Denker
800-957-8955
Email Contact

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Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Medex, Inc. to Issue Updated Audited Financials September 27

Posted on September 17, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Medex, Inc.

Quarterly Earnings Releases & Calls to Commence Q4 2010

LAS VEGAS, NV–(Marketwire – September 17, 2010) – Medex, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: MDXX) today announced that on September 27, 2010 the Company will issue updated financials reflecting the closing of the previously announced Creative Rehab Technology Services, Inc. and Bee Mobile, Inc. acquisitions. Audited figures are expected to be consistent with previously disclosed revenue and earnings estimates and include those for the previously announced second Bee Mobile location which is now in operation.

In a related disclosure, Medex indicated that as of the close of the Company’s fourth quarter, December 31, 2010, Medex will commence routine scheduled quarterly earnings releases and investor conference calls. 

“Transparency is the foundation of investor confidence for any publicly held concern. As Medex energes from concept to reality and now perpares to accelerate its acquisition activity, routine financial disclosure is essential,” said Paul Protzman, President of Medex, Inc. “With newly acquired and growing revenue as well as free cash flow, the timing is now appropiate to begin this activity.”

About Medex, Inc.

Medex, Inc. is a development stage Nevada-based medical support services company, which plans to grow through acquisitions of medical supply companies, medical technology companies, and assisted living and care facilities worldwide. For additional information, see www.medexsynergies.com.  

Safe Harbor Statement:

This release contains “forward-looking statement” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may,” “future,” “plan,” or “planned,” “will,” or “should,” “expected,” “anticipates,” “draft,” “eventually,” or “projected.” You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

Medex, Inc.
Investor Contact:
1-800-869-1060

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Electronic Health Records Pioneer WritePad(TM) Applies for EHR Certification

Posted on September 16, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Addison

WritePad Applies to the Drummond Group for EHR Certification

DALLAS, TX–(Marketwire – September 16, 2010) – Addison Health Systems, Inc. (AHS), considered a pioneer (since 1996) of Electronic Health Records with its WritePad™ EHR product line, has applied on September 1st for October 2010 EHR certification with the Austin-based Drummond Group, Inc. AHS has been very successful by offering unique capabilities for computerizing doctor specialties in pain management, alternative, sports medicine, behavioral psych, occupational and pain/rehab care.

The U.S. government announced in February of 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The ARRA act included $19 billion under the portion of its HITECH Act to promote the adoption of Electronic Health Record (EHR) technology in healthcare. Starting in 2011, medical providers can receive up to $44,000 or more by demonstrating what has termed as “meaningful use” of certified EHR technology to be eligible for government funds. 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through its Office of National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC), has awarded certification accreditation to two organizations: The Certification Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT) and Drummond Group, Inc. Drummond Group announced it would be taking applications immediately while CCHIT will start taking applications on September 20, 2010. 

“It has been a long process of waiting for the ONC to determine what organizations would be put in charge of EHR accreditation. Thus AHS made the decision to move forward immediately with Drummond Group, Inc. on the 1st allowable sign up date so our thousands of clients could be eligible for up $44,000 stimulus money,” said Greg Winterkamp, CEO/President of AHS. “In fact with our ePrescribing partner, WritePad will accomplish ARRA certification from both Drummond and CCHIT!”

Drummond Group brings years of government software certification experience to the table. The company had been involved with the ONC throughout its evaluation of certification organizations. CCHIT was originally appointed by the government in 2005 as the sole certification organization and had certified EHRs under the CCHIT-created guidelines. However, with the ARRA legislation, the federal government (ONC) was provided the authority to refine and add additional criteria that now make up the new meaningful use guidelines.

“I think it is crucial that an additional certifying organization was added. Competition brings down certifying costs and adds additional controls to define practical capability providers need for using an EHR. The term ‘meaningful use’ is a product of this.” Mr. Winterkamp added, “I was very skeptical when the government got involved in the definition of the certification guidelines however, I have been impressed that so much has been done in a short period of time. The Stage 1 guidelines that the ONC has defined for 2011 certification are helpful to allow many providers to incorporate EHRs in an efficient manner.”

Scott Giddiens, Director of Sales at AHS, stated, “We are proud that WritePad will be one of the first EHRs to be certified in the U.S.! That is very important for our clients and the many prospective doctors that have been sitting on the fence waiting, to get the assurance that our EHR will be government certified.”

About Addison Health Systems, Inc.

Addison Health Systems, Inc. has been in business since 1985. With the release of the WritePad’s EHR in 1996, AHS became a pioneer in computerizing doctors. The WritePad suite of products is being used by over 4,500 physicians and, with support staff, over 17,000 users daily for their clinical documentation needs. Patients can log into stations and fill out intake information that automatically updates into the doctor’s workflow of encounter data. WritePad is utilized by pain management, chiropractic, PMR, physical therapy, osteopathic and many other physical medicine and rehabilitative care facilities and hospitals. From electronic billing, practice management, EHR documentation, ePrescribing to 3-dimensional patient education and exercise videos, the WritePad increases clinical compliance, efficiency and 3rd party reimbursements. For further information, visit http://www.writepad.com

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Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

Center for Technology and Aging Report Examines Technologies That Help Improve Transitions From Hospital to Home and Reduce Readmissions

Posted on September 16, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Center for Technology and Aging

OAKLAND, CA–(Marketwire – September 16, 2010) –  Every day thousands of patients are readmitted to hospitals because they did not get adequate follow-up care following their previous hospitalization. In fact, 18% of patients are readmitted to a hospital within 30 days of discharge — and as many as 76% of these readmissions are preventable. The most recent national figures on health care expenditures indicate that unplanned hospital readmissions cost Medicare $17.4 billion in a single year. In its latest report, “Technologies for Improving Post-Acute Care Transitions,” the Center for Technology and Aging examines how the use of a variety of existing technologies could dramatically reduce readmissions.

“Several technologies are widely available and have potential to support post-acute care transitions, but they are underutilized,” said David Lindeman, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Technology and Aging. “Home-use technologies help decrease readmissions in a variety of ways, including engaging patients and caregivers in ways that promote better communication, medication adherence, and monitoring of chronic conditions.”

The complete report is available for download at www.techandaging.org.

The report covers four post-acute care transition (PACT) technology focus areas. Included is information such as technology definitions, how they are used in the home, their impact on readmissions, and charts that compare basic features of various technologies.

  • Medication adherence technologies
    • Non-adherence is responsible for 33% to 69% of medication related hospital readmissions.
    • Four categories are described in a chart that lists sample technologies, pros/cons of each, market stage, economics, and what function each fills in the medication adherence spectrum.
  • Medication reconciliation technologies
    • “Med-rec” seeks to reduce adverse drug events. Twenty percent of discharged patients experience an adverse event and 2/3 of those are medication related.
    • A chart lists seven tools that help patients maintain an accurate list of medications, a description of each tool, and the organizations sponsoring them.

(More on medication optimization technologies is available in the Center’s report, “Technologies for Optimizing Medication Use in Older Adults.”)

  • Remote patient monitoring (RPM) technologies
    • A chart shows RPM capabilities and applications.
    • A discussion of the VHA’s use of and research on Health Buddy.
    • A chart describing seven popular remote patient monitoring devices: Health Buddy, Telestation, Genesis DM, Intel’s Health Guide, LifeView, Ideal LIFE Pod, and Healthanywhere.

(More information is available in the Center’s report, “Technologies for Remote Patient Monitoring in Older Adults.”)

  • Health information and communication technologies (ICT)
    • Personal health records and information — includes a description of the Stepping Stones Project of Whatcom County.
    • Web-based social networking — including a description of Tyze, www.tyze.org, which provides secure, online personal support networks.
    • Remote training and supervision technologies — includes a description of Rest Assured, and a Visiting Nurse Service of New York demonstration project.

According to the report, ICT enables timely access to vital health information. It points out that when ICT is used in conjunction with devices that monitor health parameters in the home, care becomes continuous rather than episodic. And, according to Dr. Lindeman, “care becomes patient-centered, rather than facility-centered.”

The report includes a description of four well-known care transition models with varying use of home-based technologies. The models are: the Care Transitions Intervention (www.caretransitions.org), Guided Care (www.guidedcare.org), the Transitional Care Model (www.innovativecaremodels.com/care_models/21/overview), and Geriatric Resources for Assessment and Care of Elders (www.medicine.iupui.edu/iucar/research/grace.asp).

The Center for Technology and Aging (www.techandaging.org) supports more rapid adoption and diffusion of technologies that enhance independence and improve home and community-based care for older adults. Through grants, research, public policy involvement and development of practical tools and best practice guidelines, the Center serves as an independent, non-profit resource for improving the quality and cost-effectiveness of long-term care services. The Center was established with funding from The SCAN Foundation (www.thescanfoundation.org) and is affiliated with the Public Health Institute (www.phi.org) in Oakland, CA.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Daniel Danzig
925-254-6078
Email Contact

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Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

TetriDyn Solutions, Inc. Introduces Virtualization at Harms Memorial Hospital

Posted on September 16, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: TetriDyn Solutions, Inc.

POCATELLO, ID–(Marketwire – September 16, 2010) –  TetriDyn Solutions, Inc. (OTCBB: TDYS), announced today that it has delivered a proven virtualization solution targeted specifically for hospital environments like Harms Memorial Hospital in American Falls, Idaho. The virtualization solution is built using the industry’s leading platforms for its customers to achieve energy savings, faster application and service delivery, full IT management automation, and higher levels of business continuity.

Virtualization improves the efficiency of IT resources by eliminating “one physical server to one application paradigm” by running multiple virtual machines on each physical machine. A typical datacenter’s budget spends two-thirds of the budget maintaining existing infrastructure needs. Using virtual machines, virtualization delivers more efficiency and better response to the dynamic needs of an organization. Servers, applications, and desktops can be virtualized in minutes, deploying when and wherever they are needed.

The design for the Harm’s virtual environment was developed after an initial assessment of the existing infrastructure was developed as a baseline. After securing grant resources from the State of Idaho specifically identified for improving business and revenue flow for critical access hospitals, TetriDyn and Harms began designing Harms’ new high-efficiency virtual environment. Susan Barger, Director of Development at Harms, stated, “TetriDyn Solutions provided us with the technical information enabling us to win a grant that solidified our infrastructure in preparation for the inevitable EMR implementation.”

TetriDyn’s IT Services department guided Harms by providing education and experience through the design, securing the best purchase prices, and implementing the right virtualization technology for their environment. The results were dramatic. Infrastructure servers are now fully leveraged by increasing their utilization. Servers were consolidated, reducing points of failure, all while achieving more energy-efficiency for a greener environment.

TetriDyn adheres closely to following the system engineering lifecycle for producing successful technology implementations. The end goals of which are to ensure that the customer’s needs or requirements are met and the project risk is substantially reduced.

About TetriDyn Solutions, Inc.
TetriDyn Solutions, Inc. (OTCBB: TDYS) specializes in providing business information technology (IT) solutions to its customers. TetriDyn Solutions optimizes business and IT processes by utilizing systems engineering methodologies, strategic planning, and system integration to add efficiencies and value to its customers’ business processes and to help its customers identify critical success factors in their business. For more information about the company, visit www.tetridyn.com.

For Further Information:
Phone 208-232-4200
Public Relations
TetriDyn Solutions, Inc.

Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

ONRAD Announces Support of National Rural Health Association

Posted on September 16, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: ONRAD, Inc.

Industry Leading Radiology Provider Will Highlight Teleradiology Solutions for Critical Access Hospitals

RIVERSIDE, CA–(Marketwire – September 16, 2010) –  ONRAD, Inc., a leading radiology services provider, announces support for the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) by exhibiting at the Critical Access Hospital and Rural Health Clinic Conference in Kansas City, MO. 

Visit ONRAD at booth #221 to learn about the company’s complete teleradiology solution for critical access facilities, which can include standard teleradiology services, subspecialty teleradiology interpretations, professional radiology staffing, and technology consulting.

As a national radiology services provider, ONRAD’s team understands the challenges associated with staffing radiologists in rural locations. “ONRAD’s technology allows the radiology group to provide services to any location,” said Dr. Alix Vincent, Vice President of Medical Affairs at ONRAD. “We are even able to offer subspecialty expertise in the most difficult to staff areas including MSK and mammography.” 

“It is important that all patients have access to quality radiology services, regardless of where they are located, and ONRAD will continue to offer turnkey solutions to critical access hospitals at the most competitive prices,” said Dr. Vincent of the company’s dedication to working with rural facilities across the U.S.

About ONRAD: ONRAD is a full service physician-owned radiology provider offering customized radiology services including teleradiology solutions, professional radiology staffing, subspecialty teleradiology interpretations, and technology consulting. As a partner, ONRAD helps its customers be more competitive in their local markets by complementing and expanding the radiology services already in place, or providing a comprehensive solution.

About NRHA: The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) is a national nonprofit membership organization with more than 20,000 members. The association’s mission is to provide leadership on rural health issues. NRHA membership consists of a diverse collection of individuals and organizations, all of whom share the common bond of an interest in rural health.

Contact:
Elizabeth Perley
Email: Email Contact

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Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

Sage Healthcare Division Announces Customer Appreciation Program (CAP) to Support Customers Concerned About Adopting Health IT

Posted on September 16, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Sage

CAP Designed to Remove Barriers for Loyal Customers

TAMPA, FL–(Marketwire – September 16, 2010) –  Sage North America today announced that the Sage Healthcare Division, a provider of electronic health records (EHR) and practice management software, has launched its Customer Appreciation Program (CAP) that’s designed to say thank you to its existing customers and provide them with assistance toward adopting EHRs and achieving meaningful use requirements. Under this loyalty program, qualifying Sage customers can receive additional software to help them achieve federal stimulus incentives, manage care quality and evolve with the changes in healthcare today.

“For customers who have been part of the Sage Healthcare family, the Sage Customer Appreciation Program shows that not only do we appreciate their loyalty and commitment, but that we are invested in their success and want them to achieve their goals,” said Tony Ryzinski, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Sage Healthcare. “Many of our customers are asking how to achieve meaningful use compliance and benefit from stimulus funding. The Sage Customer Appreciation Program will help by reducing barriers practices face as they continue making investments in their business.”

Sage created the CAP to honor the commitment their customers have demonstrated by supporting Sage and its solutions over the years. More than a resource to help eligible Sage clients reach EHR and meaningful use, Sage considers CAP a rewards-style program.

Sage customers have the benefit of choice. Based on customer feedback, many practices would prefer to stay on the practice management system, such as Sage Medical Manager, they’ve used and trusted for years while they focus on implementing an EHR. Others are ready to make a bigger change and take advantage of the full Sage Intergy product family. Sage Intergy EHR and the Sage Intergy Meaningful Use Edition allow customers to select the best path for their practices.

“Navigating the complexities of the ever changing healthcare economy has been a major source of anxiety for many customers,” said Ryzinski. “Sage is committed to helping our customers evolve with these changes, meet upcoming regulatory requirements such as 5010 and ICD-10 as well as achieve meaningful use — all of which equate to better patient health care outcomes, which is always our ultimate goal.”

View Sage Healthcare Division YouTube interviews.
View Sage Healthcare Division information.

About Sage Healthcare Division
Sage Healthcare Division provides integrated electronic health records, EDI applications and practice management systems to approximately 80,000 physicians and thousands of ambulatory care practices throughout North America. These systems enable physicians and practice managers to better manage their practices and improve profitability. Sage Healthcare Division is based in Tampa, Fla., and is a division of Sage North America. For more information, please visit www.sagehealth.com or call (877) 932-6301.

About Sage North America
Sage North America is part of The Sage Group plc, a leading global supplier of business management software and services. Sage North America employs 4,000 people and supports 3.1 million small and midsized business customers including approximately 80,000 physicians. The Sage Group plc, formed in 1981, was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1989 and now employs 13,100 people and supports 6.2 million customers worldwide. For more information, please visit the website at www.sagenorthamerica.com.

© 2010 Sage Software, Inc. All rights reserved. Sage, the Sage logos, and the Sage product and service names mentioned herein are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sage Software, Inc. or its affiliated entities. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Media Contact:

Scott Rupp
Sage North America
813-249-4264
[email protected]

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

South Jersey Healthcare Expands Post Discharge Care Management Program to Include COPD Management for Its Rural Population

Posted on September 16, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Pharos Innovations

NORTHFIELD, IL–(Marketwire – September 16, 2010) – 50 million Americans live in rural areas, and accessing healthcare when they need it can be challenging and costly. Complicating matters is that individuals living in these areas have a higher prevalence of chronic health conditions, such as heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

To combat this challenge, Pharos Innovations, the provider of unique IVR and Web-based remote patient monitoring/behavior change technology, has partnered with South Jersey Healthcare (SJH)-a leading regional healthcare provider in southern New Jersey that serves a largely rural and hard to reach population — to improve access to care and care quality for patients with heart failure. Pharos and SJH today announced that, due to the program’s success, they are expanding the Tel-Assurance program to include the monitoring and management of patients with COPD.

Through the current heart failure program, SJH reduced hospital admissions by 60% for enrolled patients, reduced healthcare costs for the enrolled population by $1,203 per patient and achieved an 83% patient satisfaction rate — proving that a technology-leveraged chronic care management program can penetrate diverse geographies, including low socioeconomic groups, to improve access to care and quality of life and reduce healthcare costs.

“We have seen first-hand the impact that regular monitoring and management through Tel-Assurance can have on patients with heart failure, especially those who live in rural areas, and on improving outcomes and organizational performance,” said Dr. Steve Linn, Chief Medical Officer, South Jersey Healthcare. “We are expanding our partnership to afford our patients with COPD the same benefits and see an even greater reduction in avoidable hospital readmissions.

“One of the great values of Tel-Assurance is that it consistently and sustainably reduces average length of stays and readmissions; improves care access and quality and improves patient and care manager satisfaction for a multitude of chronic and costly conditions across various geographies and demographics,” said Randall E. Williams, CEO, Pharos Innovations. “We designed Tel-Assurance to reach even the most challenging populations and easily scale.”

About South Jersey Healthcare
SJH is a nonprofit, integrated health care system, providing access to a continuum of health services. SJH provides hospital services, numerous community health clinics, home health services, and specialty services, which serve the medical and health care needs of Southern New Jersey residents.

About Pharos Innovations
Pharos Innovations is actively involved in transforming the U.S. healthcare delivery system. Pharos offers IVR and Web-based behavior change services and tools that enable payers and providers to cost-effectively and efficiently manage their chronic care population.

Pharos’ main offering, Tel-Assurance, engages, motivates and drives improved self-care. Through Tel-Assurance, participants self-report their health status daily through the phone or Web. This unique approach actively engages individuals with chronic conditions in their healthcare and provides care managers/nurses with real-time information to intervene before symptoms escalate. Tel-Assurance has been proven an effective way to reduce avoidable, all-cause hospital admissions and readmissions and reduce overall healthcare costs among diverse populations.

The Pharos’ solution is strongly validated to show measured clinical improvement and financial impact, is the recipient of the prestigious American Heart Association National Outcomes award and was selected for the first ever National Institutes of Health (NIH) sponsored evaluation of remote monitoring interventions. For more information visit www.pharosinnovations.com or join in on the discussion at our blog, www.thecollaborativeforum.com.

Contact:
Shawn-Laree De St. Aubin
312-725.3740
Email Contact

Bonni L. Kaplan
Pharos Innovations
847-790-7649
Email Contact

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Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

CLSI Publishes Methods for Antimicrobial Dilution and Disk Susceptibility Testing of Infrequently Isolated or Fastidious Bacteria

Posted on September 16, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute

WAYNE, PA–(Marketwire – September 16, 2010) –  Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) recently published a document, “Methods for Antimicrobial Dilution and Disk Susceptibility Testing of Infrequently Isolated or Fastidious Bacteria; Approved Guideline — Second Edition” (M45-A2). This document provides guidance to clinical or public health microbiology laboratories for standardized susceptibility testing of infrequently isolated or fastidious bacteria that are not presently included in CLSI documents “Performance Standards for Antimicrobial Disk Susceptibility Tests” (M02) or “Methods for Dilution Antimicrobial Susceptibility Tests for Bacteria That Grow Aerobically“ (M07).

Franklin R. Cockerill, III, MD, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, and chairholder of the Subcommittee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing, says, “This important document compiles a number of guidelines for antimicrobial testing of fastidious or rarely encountered bacteria that cause human disease. Because no other document like this has existed, it fills a significant void in laboratory practice that has existed for many years.”

James H. Jorgensen, PhD, The University of Texas Health Science Center, and chairholder of the working group that developed the guideline, explains, “This second edition of the guideline includes several organisms and groups previously included in the main CLSI M100 supplement tables published each year. In the future, those less common or fastidious organisms will be found only in M45. This document provides the microbiologist with expert advice regarding when and how to test organisms that may only be recovered from certain patients or on an infrequent basis. This update allows us to include the revised cephalosporin interpretive breakpoints from the Enterobacteriaceae from M100 for testing and reporting with Aeromonas and Vibrio species.”

The tabular information in the document presents the most current information for drug selection, interpretation, and quality control for the infrequently isolated or fastidious bacterial pathogens included in the guideline.

CLSI is a volunteer-driven, membership-supported, nonprofit organization dedicated to developing standards and guidelines for the health care and medical testing community through a consensus process that balances the perspectives of industry, government, and the health care professions. For additional information, visit the CLSI website at www.clsi.org or call 610.688.0100.

Contact:
Amanda C. Holm
Senior Marketing Manager
610.688.0100 ext. 129
Email Contact

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Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Medizone International Files Sports Facility and Equipment Patent Application

Posted on September 16, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Medizone International, Inc.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA–(Marketwire – September 16, 2010) – Medizone International, Inc. (OTCBB: MZEI) (OTCQB: MZEI) announced today it has filed a US Provisional patent application covering the use of AsepticSure™ for disinfecting sports equipment and training facilities.

Dr. Michael Shannon, Medizone’s Director of Medical Affairs, commented, “The CDC estimates that 100,000 people a year die from MRSA (staph infections). The CDC estimates 20% of hospital acquired MRSA infections cause death. Unfortunately, a new variant of MRSA is emerging within the broader community which has a much higher fatality rate, by some estimates reaching 50%. This newer variant is now being discovered in sports training facilities including those associated with professional, college and high school level teams. Recent investigations have revealed a broad range of bacteria at high concentration actually residing within unclean sports equipment which tend to be covered in mucus, sweat, dead skin and occasionally blood; ideal culture media for bacteria, fungi and mold. There have been a number of recent cases in which the use of contaminated sports equipment has lead to infections so severe that players, children in particular, have become critically ill from the resulting sepsis. So we believe that there is an obvious public health need to be addressed with AsepticSure™. Our technology is safe and we now have hard data to substantiate our claim of high efficacy in dealing with this growing community problem.”

Medizone’s CEO, Edwin Marshall, stated, “Our researchers have identified nuances in addressing the disinfection of sports equipment that again allows us to increase the patent protection wall being built around our AsepticSure™ sterilization system. We believe all of our recently filed additional patent applications, both US applications and international applications, will prove to greatly enhance the commercial value of our technology.”

Medizone International, Inc., is a research and development company engaged in developing its AsepticSure™ System to decontaminate and sterilize hospital surgical suites, emergency rooms, intensive care units, schools and other critical infrastructure. A government variant is being developed for bio-terrorism counter measures with additional variants for sports facilities and food processing applications.

This Press Release contains certain forward looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the results of ongoing clinical studies, economic conditions, product and technology development, production efficiencies, product demand, competitive products, competitive environment, successful testing and government regulatory issues. Additional risks are identified in the company’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

CONMED Corporation to Present at the UBS Global Life Sciences Conference

Posted on September 15, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: CONMED Corporation

UTICA, NY–(Marketwire – September 15, 2010) –  CONMED Corporation (NASDAQ: CNMD), a medical technology company specializing in medical devices for surgical and patient monitoring markets, announced today that the Company will participate in the UBS Global Life Sciences Conference, on Monday, September 20, 2010 at 2:00 PM Eastern time. The event will be held in New York at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.

Mr. Joseph J. Corasanti, President and Chief Executive Officer of CONMED, will discuss the Company’s business. The live webcast of CONMED’s presentation will be available at www.conmed.com in the Investor Relations – Events Calendar section of the website and will be available for replay through September 30, 2010.

CONMED Profile

CONMED is a medical technology company with an emphasis on surgical devices and equipment for minimally invasive procedures and patient monitoring. The Company’s products serve the clinical areas of sports medicine-arthroscopy, powered surgical instruments, electrosurgery, cardiac monitoring disposables, endosurgery and endoscopic technologies. Surgeons and physicians in a variety of specialties including orthopedics, general surgery, gynecology, neurosurgery, and gastroenterology use the Company’s medical devices. Headquartered in Utica, New York, the Company’s 3,300 employees distribute its products worldwide from several manufacturing locations.

Forward Looking Information

Certain statements made in the presentation may constitute forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and relate to the Company’s performance on a going-forward basis. They will be based upon management’s expectations and involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results, performance or trends, to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements therein or in previous disclosures. The Company believes that all forward-looking statements made by it have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that management’s expectations, beliefs or projections as expressed in the forward-looking statements will actually occur or prove to be correct. In addition to general industry and economic conditions, factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) the failure of any one or more of management’s assumptions to prove to be correct; (ii) the risks relating to forward-looking statements discussed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q; (iii) cyclical purchasing patterns from customers, end-users and dealers; (iv) timely release of new products, and acceptance of such new products by the market; (v) the introduction of new products by competitors and other competitive responses; (vi) the possibility that any new acquisition (and its integration) or other transaction may require the Company to reconsider its financial assumptions and goals/targets; (vii) increasing costs for raw material, transportation, or litigation; and/or (viii) the Company’s ability to devise and execute strategies to respond to market conditions.

CONTACT:
CONMED Corporation
Robert Shallish
Chief Financial Officer
315-624-3206

FD
Investors
Brian Ritchie
212-850-5600

Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

BestNursingDegree.com Announces Recipients of 2010 "Back to School" Nursing Scholarships

Posted on September 15, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Degree Prospects

BestNursingDegree.com Awards $5,000 in Nursing Scholarships

CAMBRIDGE, MA–(Marketwire – September 15, 2010) –  BestNursingDegree.com, a comprehensive online resource for nursing education, today announced the recipients of the 2010 “Back to School” Nursing Scholarships.

Scholarships of $2,500 each were awarded to one current registered nurse enrolling in an RN to BSN program, and one aspiring registered nurse enrolling in a second degree nursing program. The winners, chosen from a pool of over 600 applicants, are Adelpha Abrahamson Larkin of San Carlos, California, and Sheryll Brown of Tallahassee, Florida. Recipients were selected on the basis of a number of factors, including academic achievements and extracurricular activities. “We are pleased to congratulate Adelpha and Sheryll on winning the scholarships,” said Joseph Deal, the founder of BestNursingDegree.com. “We had a large pool of well-qualified applicants, and we wish all of them the best of luck in their studies.”

The scholarship was created in response to the ongoing nursing shortage and is an effort to enable more students to pursue nursing education. The program was administered by Scholarship America, the nation’s premier administrator of private scholarships. The application process for the next round of the “Back to School” Nursing Scholarships will begin in March 2011.

About BestNursingDegree.com:

BestNursingDegree.com strives to be the most comprehensive nursing education resource on the Web. Its directory includes more than 7,700 on-campus and online nursing degree programs from more than 2,300 schools across the United States. The website also features expert articles, interviews and career information. For more information, please visit www.bestnursingdegree.com.

Press Contact:
Jane Dashevsky
617.401.2393
Email Contact

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Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

Media Advisory: Dr. David Blumenthal, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse Join Surescripts to Headline 5th Annual Safe-Rx Awards Luncheon Sept. 21

Posted on September 15, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Surescripts

Annual Release of 1-50 State Rankings Based on E-prescribing Use

WASHINGTON, DC–(Marketwire – September 15, 2010) –

About Surescripts
Surescripts operates the nation’s largest e-prescription network and supports the most comprehensive ecosystem of health care organizations nationwide. Surescripts was founded on the principles of neutrality, transparency, interoperability, efficiency, collaboration and quality. Surescripts connects prescribers in all 50 states through their choice of e-prescribing software to the nation’s leading payers, chain pharmacies and independent pharmacies. The Nation’s E-Prescription Network is available every day to healthcare providers in need of low-cost, electronic access to prescription and health information. By securely and reliably providing that information during emergencies and routine care, Surescripts is committed to saving lives, improving efficiency and reducing the cost of health care for all. For more information, go to www.surescripts.com and follow us at twitter.com/surescripts.

Press Contact:
Rob Cronin
917-414-5289
[email protected]

Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

New Physical Therapy Continuing Education Program Goes Online With McKenzie Institute-EDUCATA Partnership

Posted on September 15, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: EDUCATA

The Agreement Between the Companies Widens the Scope of Their Offerings and Provides PTs With Rich Media Courses at the Click of a Mouse

CALABASAS, CA–(Marketwire – September 15, 2010) – The McKenzie Institute has long been recognized as a leader in the professional development of physical therapists, especially in what has become known as the “McKenzie Method.” A recent partnership agreement with continuing education provider EDUCATA widens the scope of courses offered by the Institute to include EDUCATA’s interactive content, and exposes its own classes to the large number of EDUCATA members.

“Post-grad education for clinicians has been the cornerstone of our Institute since the mid 1950’s, when our highly-effective and evidence-based method of assessment, diagnosis and treatment for the spine and extremities was developed,” said Stacey Lyon, Executive Director of The McKenzie Institute USA. “Partnering with EDUCATA allows us to build on this foundation with additional courses that meet our standards of quality and boost our Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) Certification curriculum.”

“We are extremely proud of counting McKenzie among our partners,” said Dr. Marilyn Pink, EDUCATA President and CEO. “The Institute represents all that we value in the education of the therapist: a truly professional approach that delivers evidence-based content to PTs around the world.”

Under the terms of the agreement, EDUCATA courses will be accessed from the education channel at mckenziemdt.org and McKenzie courses will form part of EDUCATA’s catalog of offered classes.

About The McKenzie Institute: The McKenzie Institute USA, founded in 1982 as the first official branch and recognized as 501(c)3 not-for-profit, is one of 26 branches worldwide that train and certify physical therapists and other healthcare professionals through its multi-level educational curriculum. The Institute was proud to add an APTA and AAOMPT approved Fellowship Program in MDT in 2008.

About EDUCATA:  EDUCATA.COM is a unique, interactive, Web 2.0 education platform that delivers online learning. It offers a broad spectrum of courses from orthopaedics and pulmonology to geriatrics and oncology that are taught by top-ranked educators and experienced clinicians. EDUCATA’s partners include the World Confederation for Physical Therapy and many APTA chapters and sections. The company is a leader in providing continuing education for physical therapists and other medical professionals. 

Contact:
Marilyn Pink
Email Contact

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Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

ALR Technologies CEO Provides Update to Shareholders

Posted on September 15, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: ALR Technologies Inc.

ATLANTA, GA–(Marketwire – September 15, 2010) –  The following is a letter to shareholders from the CEO of ALR Technologies.

Dear Shareholders:

As ALR Technologies (OTCBB: ALRT) is entering a new phase of business development, I am writing to report on our progress. The Company is preparing to launch the ALRT Health-e-Connect (HeC) System, a system that tracks adherence to care plans of patients with chronic conditions. The Company has extensive experience in developing medication reminders and ALRT has added the ability to remotely collect data from medical devices in the new HeC System.

A 510(k) was filed for the HeC System with the FDA on July 23, 2010. We expect clearance before the end of 2010. The HeC may be offered for sale in the U.S. when it receives 510(k) clearance.

Initially, our efforts will be focused on treatment of diabetes. This is because the disease has reached pandemic proportions globally. There are many complications related to the disease and it is the most expensive chronic condition to treat. 

The effectiveness of diabetes treatment can be measured by improvements in A1C (a long-term measure of control over blood glucose). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “in general, every percentage point drop in A1C blood test results (e.g., from 8.0% to 7.0%) can reduce the risk of microvascular complications (eye, kidney, and nerve diseases) by 40%.”1 The ALRT HeC System has shown in a clinical trial to reduce A1C by 1.2%2.

Using the HeC with current medical protocols could mean billions of dollars in savings for just the treatment of diabetes. 

Two landmark diabetes studies3 concluded that intensive glucose control could delay or possibly even prevent diabetes-related complications. The HeC System has shown to be a platform that can be successfully used for intensive glucose control.

Importantly, the HeC can be deployed for intensive glucose control for diabetes treatment without involving frequent time consuming and expensive visits with the patients. Therefore, the HeC would offer healthcare providers with an efficient way of treating patients and would also be affordable to payers. The HeC can easily be implemented for all who care for diabetes patients4.

Intensive glucose control puts a diabetes patient in charge of his condition. According to an estimate by Health Partners, a diabetes patient who is in control of his condition might incur $5,000 in costs per year, but a patient who is not could incur costs up to $45,000 annually5 due to emergency room visits and hospital stays — not to mention lost productivity.

The Company is currently pursuing reimbursement opportunities, which will allow healthcare providers to receive appropriate compensation for providing affordable intensive glucose control to their patients. This in turn will also benefit public and private healthcare insurers by helping them to realize substantial cost savings. The prospective reimbursement for intensive glucose control using the HeC could stimulate and accelerate early adoption of the HeC System by providing healthcare providers who treat diabetes patients with a new source of revenue.

ALRT is continuing to support clinical trials and research. In addition to the clinical trial mentioned above, a different pilot sponsored by the Company6 showed that average A1C scores dropped from 7.6 to 6.7 over a 3 month period. At the same time, average frequency of self-testing for blood sugar increased from 1.4 times per day to 3.1 per day. HeC is also designed to accurately measure the frequency of self-testing, and ALRT is supporting a new clinical trial to measure frequency of self-testing and its impact on A1C.

At ALRT, we are excited and encouraged by the prospects for the Company and look forward to being an important partner in containing treatment costs of chronic diseases, especially diabetes in the U.S. and other countries. Thank you all for your continued support. As we move ever closer to bringing our vision to reality, we anticipate realizing the rewards from the great potential of the ALRT Health-e-Connect (HeC) System. A visit to our website, www.alrt.com, will give you a good representation of the capabilities and impact of our exciting product.

Yours truly,
ALR TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Sidney S Chan
Chairman & CEO 

About ALR Technologies Inc.
ALRT Health-e-Connect (HeC) System is the principal product of the Company. HeC is a web based application for medical professionals to improve compliance and adherence of care plans of patients in their homes. HeC is programmed to assist healthcare providers caring for diabetes patients. The platform will be expanded to cover patients with other chronic diseases. More information on ALR Technologies and its products can be found at http://www.alrt.com. 

This release contains certain “forward-looking statements” relating to ALR Technologies’ business, and these statements reflect the current views of ALR Technologies with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. When used, the words “estimate”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “believe” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. There are many factors that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of ALR Technologies and its products to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Further management discussions of risks and uncertainties can be found in the company’s quarterly filings with the Securities Exchange Commission.

1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National diabetes fact sheet: general information and national estimates on diabetes in the United States, 2007. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008. (Page 11-12)
2 Tildesley HD, Mazanderani AB, Ross SA; Effect of Internet therapeutic intervention on A1C levels in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with insulin; Diabetes Care. 2010 Aug;33(8):1738-40
3 DCCT and EDIC: The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial and Follow-up Study; National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC) A service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (NIDDK), NIH; http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/control/
4 ALR Technologies Inc. Press Release; http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Features-of-the-ALRT-Health-e-Connect-HeC-System-for-Intensive-Diabetes-Treatment-1306468.htm
5 Health Partners. Beyond Benefits. January 2006. http://www.healthpartners.com:747/media/beyondbenefits/BB0106_br.htm Last accessed 8/13/10
6 ALR Technologies Inc. Press Release; http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Average-A1c-Reduced-From-76-67-After-Three-Months-Initial-Report-ECHO-Employers-Coalition-927781.htm

Public Relations:
678-881-0002 Ext. 704
e-mail: Email Contact

Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

Leisureworld Announces September Dividend

Posted on September 15, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

MARKHAM, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – Sept. 15, 2010) – Leisureworld Senior Care Corporation (TSX:LW) today announced that the Company’s dividend for September, 2010 will be $0.0708 per share, representing $0.85 per share on an annualized basis. Payment will be made on October 15, 2010 to shareholders of record September 30, 2010.

About Leisureworld

Leisureworld is the third largest licensed long-term care (LTC) provider in Ontario. The Company owns and operates 26 LTC homes, representing approximately 4,314 beds across Ontario, Canada. Leisureworld also owns and operates one retirement home with 29 beds and one independent living home with 53 apartments. Leisureworld subsidiaries include: Preferred Health Care Services, an accredited provider of professional nursing and personal support services, Ontario Long Term Care, a provider of purchasing services, dietary, social work, and other regulated health professional services, and Tealwood Developments, a provider of laundry services to the Leisureworld Homes.

Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

DT Interpreting Completes Reverse Merger With Morgan Equities

Posted on September 15, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Deaf-Talk, Inc. dba DT Interpreting

PITTSBURGH, PA–(Marketwire – September 15, 2010) –  Privately owned Deaf-Talk LLC dba DT Interpreting, the industry leader in on-demand video sign language interpreting, announced today that, pursuant to a stock exchange agreement, it has completed a reverse merger with Morgan Equities Group, Inc., a public company. Over ten-years old, DT Interpreting provides around the clock nationwide in-hospital interpreting services for the deaf. The newly merged company is named Deaf-Talk, Inc. and trades under the symbol (PINKSHEETS: MGQG). Deaf-Talk markets its services as DT Interpreting.

“DT Interpreting is the largest, fastest-growing company in its field with almost 400 hospital installations concentrated in the eastern and southern United States,” stated David Stauffer, executive vice president. “The company, which derives a large portion of its revenue from three-year contracts, now plans to market its services throughout the US southwest and entire western seaboard, with emphasis on California and Texas.”

DT Interpreting President, Robert Fisher, added: “The company attributes its leading market position to the integration of solid technology with certified sign language interpreters, which makes the communication between health care professionals and the deaf easy and timely. This is particularly important in emergencies when a few short minutes could be the difference between life and death.”

In addition to its video sign language interpreting, DT Interpreting also offers on-demand over-the-phone interpreting in more than 150 languages, full-scale document translation services and transcription into Braille.

More information about DT Interpreting can be found on the Company’s website: www.dtinterpreting.com.

About DT Interpreting
Founded in 1999 and now the industry leader, publicly-traded DT Interpreting is headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA with sales and customer service offices in Connecticut, Ohio and North Carolina. The Company provides on-demand video sign language and over the phone language interpretation, as well as full-scale document translation and translations into Braille.

Safe Harbor Statement: This release contains forward-looking statements with respect to the results of operations and business of Deaf Talk, Inc. dba DT Interpreting, which involves risks and uncertainties. The Company’s actual future results could materially differ from those discussed. The Company intends that such statements about the Company’s future expectations, including future revenues and earnings, and all other forward-looking statements be subject to the “Safe Harbors” provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Press Contact
David Stauffer
DT Interpreting
412.563.3177
www.dtinterpreting.com

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Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

New ExtendCredit.com Program Delivers Affordable Payment Plans for Pet Owners With Unexpected and Expensive Veterinary Bills for Their Animals

Posted on September 15, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: ExtendCredit.com

ExtendCredit.com Helps Veterinarians and Animal Hospitals Deliver Care for Ailing Pets by Offering Easier Financing for Pet Owners

ALISO VIEJO, CA–(Marketwire – September 15, 2010) –  ExtendCredit.com, an online provider of customer financing plans for small and mid-sized businesses, today announced a new program designed to help Veterinarians and Animal Hospitals looking for an alternative to conventional third-party financing offer their own extended payment terms to pet owners. ExtendCredit.com is seeking to enroll veterinarians and animal hospitals in ExtendCredit.com’s Pet Healthcare Payment Plan program while also educating pet owners to ask their pet’s doctor or local animal hospital to offer affordable payment plans for pet healthcare.

Veterinarians and animal hospital administrators can sign up for the new program at www.extendcredit.com/petcare-credit.html or by calling (888) 364-2808.

“We recognize that pets are part of the family, and like any family member, pets sometimes need an emergency medical procedure to relieve suffering from a very treatable illness or injury,” said Joe Simrell, Co-President, ExtendCredit.com. “But unlike other family members, pets aren’t covered by the family’s medical insurance and pet insurance typically does not cover enough of the bill. In today’s tough economy, pet owners face hard choices about how they intend to pay for an emergency surgical procedure for their pet. Using a veterinarian or animal hospital that offers our payment plan program, they can get authorized for the procedure and pay for it without breaking their budget.”

According to Simrell, most pet owners have no plan for dealing with a serious health issue for their pet or pets. Those that do, and use conventional third party financing or have a pet insurance plan, find that those options are often inadequate for their needs. He notes conventional third party financing approval rates have dropped off as the credit markets have tightened. Only a small number of those who apply for these programs today are eligible and most have to have a high credit score to qualify. And even then, only certain procedures are covered. With ExtendCredit.com’s Pet Healthcare Payment Plan program, extended payment terms are mutually agreed upon between the veterinarian/animal hospital and the pet owner and ExtendCredit.com handles everything from there.

When there’s a pet health emergency, usually from a pet that’s been struck by a car, most animal hospitals charge $100 to $300 for an examination fee. A surgical procedure can range $500 to $5,000 depending on the ailment. There’s an old expression: “can’t afford the Vet, can’t afford the pet.” For pet owners suddenly faced with an unexpected veterinarian bill, ExtendCredit.com’s advice is to ask about financing plans up front. And to encourage their Veterinarian and Animal Hospital to use ExtendCredit.com’s automated payment plan service.

While pet owners consider their pets part of the family, in the eyes of the law, a pet is property. But unlike having a watch or TV set repaired, Veterinarians and Animal Hospitals release pets to their owners when they are well enough to go home. It’s then very difficult to make sure a pet owner pays the cost of the pet’s care. With ExtendCredit.com payment plans, the pet owner gets a payment they can afford, while veterinarians and animal hospitals can earn additional revenue through modest finance charges.

Click here to watch a short video about the program, or to sign up for the program, Veterinarians and Animal Hospital administrators can go to www.extendcredit.com/petcare-credit.html or call (888) 364-2808.

About ExtendCredit.com
Based in Southern California, ExtendCredit.com is a fully automated, online service that makes it easy for small and mid-sized businesses to create and manage their own payment plans for professional services and products.

ExtendCredit.com puts the business in control of their customer financing making it an effective, affordable, easy-to-use alternative to the high cost and complexity of bank and credit card lending in today’s tightened credit market. Businesses control the terms offered and who gets approved, while ExtendCredit.com provides all the tools needed to be successful, stay in control, and fully comply with lending laws.

ExtendCredit.com is used by businesses throughout the United States, most notably in the healthcare, animal care, services, and retail industries. ExtendCredit.com is a division of BillWise, Inc., and is headquartered in Aliso Viejo, California. More information is available at www.extendcredit.com.

Media Contact:

Dan Chmielewski
Madison Alexander PR
714-832-8716
Email Contact

Tila Pacheco
Madison Alexander PR
714-256-8452
Email Contact

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Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

Precision Dynamics Corporation Awarded 3-Year Contract Extension for Patient Wristbands From Amerinet

Posted on September 15, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Precision Dynamics Corporation

SAN FERNANDO, CA–(Marketwire – September 15, 2010) –  Precision Dynamics Corporation, the global leader in healthcare identification solutions, has been awarded a 3-year contract extension from Amerinet for patient wristbands, allowing Amerinet customers to lock in significant potential savings. Amerinet is a leading national healthcare group purchasing organization with more than 2,500 acute care hospitals and 25,000 alternate care members in its network of healthcare providers.

The Contract VH2100 for wristbands is active through October 31, 2013. It provides Amerinet clients with access to Precision Dynamics’ leading line of ID solutions for accurate, reliable and easy-to-use positive patient identification throughout the continuum of care, helping to prevent errors and improve clinical outcomes.

The agreement will help Amerinet clients continue to enhance their operating margins and cash flow. New cost savings include a committed Tier that will pass on a minimum savings of 10% off the standard Amerinet contract for those members who meet the requirements of Precision Dynamics’ PowerPlus™ Purchasing Program.

“As a partner with Amerinet for over 10 years, Precision Dynamics shares Amerinet’s goal of providing high quality care through positive ID solutions, while reducing costs and streamlining operations in healthcare,” said Gary Hutchinson, President and CEO of Precision Dynamics. “We look forward to our continued collaboration to provide positive ID and positive outcomes.”

Precision Dynamics was awarded the wristband contract as part of Amerinet’s intensive contract selection process, which focuses on delivering high quality, cost-effective solutions to the healthcare industry. Precision Dynamics is also under contract with Amerinet for its labeling solutions (contract VH05600).

About Precision Dynamics Corporation (PDC):
The Leading Provider of Positive ID and Positive Outcomes™
With more than 50 years of experience, Precision Dynamics provides accurate, reliable, and easy-to-use healthcare ID solutions that empower the flawless delivery of care and enhance outcomes across all major hospital functions. PDC products are used in all of the leading hospitals worldwide and comprise a comprehensive range of wristband and labeling systems that provide positive ID and positive clinical outcomes.

Precision Dynamics products meet important guidelines of the Joint Commission, World Healthcare Organization, FDA, AHA, and HIPAA. As the developer of the first single-piece patient wristband, the first bar code wristband system, and the first Smart Band® RFID wristband system, Precision Dynamics solutions are an integral part of some of the most successful patient safety initiatives. As an ISO 9001 certified company, Precision Dynamics follows a systematic, world-standard approach to ensure superior product design, manufacturing, and customer supper services. Precision Dynamics constantly thrives to better understand customer needs and measures performance through vehicles such as its Customer Council and Customer Survey Program. For more information, call 800.772.1122 or visit www.pdcorp.com/healthcare.

About Amerinet
As a leading national healthcare group purchasing organization, Amerinet strategically partners with acute and alternate care providers to reduce costs and improve quality through its performance solutions. Built on a foundation of data, savings and trust, and supported by a team of clinical and supply chain experts, Amerinet enriches healthcare delivery for its members and the communities they serve. To learn more about the Amerinet difference, visit www.amerinet-gpo.com.

Precision Dynamics Corporation, product names, company names, marks, logos and symbols mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Precision Dynamics Corporation. All other product names, company names, marks, logos and symbols mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective owners.

Media Contact:
Daniel Hobin
Precision Dynamics Corporation
818.897.1111 x1340
Email Contact

Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

What Will Happen to Patients Who Drive After Taking Legalised Cannabinoid Sprays?

Posted on September 15, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

LONDON, ENGLAND–(Marketwire – Sept. 15, 2010) – George Michael’s accident highlights the possible dangers of driving with cannabinoids in the blood. Under UK law this in itself is not an offence, however, if the driver is impaired due to the cannabinoids, then this creates an offence.

The UK has recently approved the use of a cannabinoid spray for the treatment of spasticity in patients with Multiple Sclerosis. 

The Summary of Product Characteristics of this compound, which is the information that the regulatory authority approves to give to doctors, states in relation to Sativex and driving that ‘Sativex may produce undesirable effects such as dizziness and somnolence which may impair judgement and performance of skilled tasks. Patients should not drive, operate machinery or engage in any hazardous activity if they are experiencing any significant CNS effects such as dizziness or somnolence. Patients should be aware that Sativex has been known to cause a few cases of loss of consciousness’.

The Patient Information Leaflet which patients are given says that ‘You must not drive or use machinery when you first start to take Sativex and until you are established on a stable daily dose. Sativex may cause you to feel sleepy or dizzy, which may impair your judgment and performance of skilled tasks. It has also rarely been reported to cause a brief loss of consciousness. Once you are more used to taking Sativex and your dose is stable, you should still not drive or use machinery if Sativex causes effects such as sleepiness or dizziness that could impair your ability to perform these tasks. If you are not sure, do not drive or operate machines’.

Dr Malcolm VandenBurg who has given many medico legal opinions involving patients who have been prosecuted for driving with active and inactive cannabinoids in the system has given many opinions for the defence where patients have been prosecuted when their blood only contains inactive cannabinoids and there has been no evidence of impairment states that “thus patients are not told not to drive and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) seem content with this warning. That is like telling people who have drank alcohol that they are safe to drive unless they themselves feel impaired. How can that be right? 

The argument put forward is that the spray produces such a low concentration and clinical evidence suggests patients are unlikely to be effected, however, plasma levels in some patients reach concentrations which may impair driving skills and it is possible that they will not be aware of this.

The manufactures and MHRA also took into account the research evidence which did not show in many patients substantial impairment. However, some will be impaired. To leave it up to the patient is absurd.” 

Dr Malcolm VandenBurg wonders about the difference between legal Sativex and illegal smoking because as in the UK it is illegal to drive under the influence of substances such as illegal cannabis, it is interesting to know what position the courts will take if patients have accidents while their blood or urine shows they have cannabis in the body related to the prescription medicine.

If they are impaired, it is likely they could be prosecuted. It is interesting to postulate, but not useful as to what view the court will take.

“How can it be legal to drive when impaired after smoking cannabis and not be illegal to drive after using prescription cannabis? The manufacturers and MHRA have created this paradox. They should have warned patients not to drive.” 

Dr Malcolm VandenBurg points out that the product licence holders and the MHRA obviously accept that Sativex may be psychoactive but wonders why these same warnings are not given in the Summary of Product Characteristics and the Patient Information Leaflet, they are clearly different. How can doctors be told something different from patients.

“Despite the obvious psychoactivity of Sativex, the manufacturers and MHRA argue that they have taken the warning from other psychoactive medications such as the benzodiazepines where it is left up to the patient. However, although the warning to doctors is similar, the warning to patients is far more complicated. They thus acknowledge there is some danger. However, this could also be argued to be inadequate and our roads would certainly be safer if there was zero tolerance to both cannabis and benzodiazepines.”

Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

NicOx and Merck to broaden scope of license agreement

Posted on September 15, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: NICOX

SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS, FRANCE–(Marketwire – September 15, 2010) – Partners to exploit new approach
to the delivery of nitric oxide

www.nicox.com

NicOx S.A. (NYSE Euronext Paris: COX) today announced that it has agreed
with its partner Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada,
to expand the scope of their worldwide license agreement, originally
executed in 2006. This decision follows the discovery of a new approach to
nitric oxide (NO) donation during the course of the joint research program.

This approach may be used to develop new classes of NO-donating new
molecular entities (NMEs), designed to offer a different mechanism for
controlling the delivery of NO while retaining the potential therapeutic
benefits. Additional information will not be disclosed for reasons of
commercial confidentiality.

The clinical program evaluating several NO-donating antihypertensive
candidates from the original agreement in healthy volunteers and mild to
moderate hypertensive patients has now been completed and none of the
compounds tested will be further advanced in development.

NicOx has developed a world-leading position in the therapeutic application
of NO-donating compounds. NO is an endogenous cell-signaling molecule of
basic importance in physiology and there is significant evidence that
certain diseases are related to a deficiency in the production of nitric
oxide. This new approach with Merck continues to build on the concept of a
slow release of NO with a sustained pharmacological effect at tissue level.

Under the revised agreement, Merck has the right to develop NMEs using this
new approach in certain cardiovascular indications. NicOx will have the
right to develop product candidates in other indications. NicOx and Merck
will pay development milestones and royalties to the other partner on
products emerging from their respective research programs. NicOx and Merck
have agreed that no further announcements on the compounds developed by
Merck under the collaboration are anticipated unless and until a drug-
candidate advances into phase 2 clinical studies.

Ennio Ongini, Vice President Research at NicOx, commented: “The research
collaboration with Merck has been very fruitful, and it is as a result of
the excellent scientific interaction that this new approach to NO donation
was discovered. Novel molecules using this approach offer an exciting new
alternative route to exploit the biological properties of NO which can
potentially be used in a wide range of therapeutic areas.”

Under the revised agreement, each company will be responsible for funding
their own research and development costs. NicOx and Merck do not have the
option to co-promote any NMEs from the other partner resulting from this
expanded license.

Risks factors which are likely to have a material effect on NicOx’s
business are presented in the 4th chapter of the ” Document de
référence, rapport financier annuel et rapport de gestion 2009 ”
filed with the French Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) on
March 5, 2010 and available on NicOx’s website (www.nicox.com) and on the
AMF’s website (www.amf-france.org).

The Company notably draws the investors’ attention to the following risk
factors:

– Risques liés à la dépendance de la Société
à l’égard du naproxcinod (Risks related to the Company’s
dependence on the success of its lead product naproxcinod)

– Risques commerciaux et développements cliniques (Clinical
developments and commercial risk)

– Risques liés aux contraintes réglementaires et à la
lenteur des procédures d’approbation (Risks linked to regulatory
constraints and slow approval procedures)

– Manque de capacités dans les domaines de la vente et du marketing
(Lack of sales and marketing capabilities)

– Incertitude relative aux prix des médicaments et aux régimes de
remboursement, ainsi qu’en matière de réforme des régimes
d’assurance maladie (Uncertainty on drug pricing and reimbursement policies
and on the reforms of the health insurance systems)

NicOx (Bloomberg: COX:FP, Reuters: NCOX.PA) is a pharmaceutical company
focused on the research, development and future commercialization of drug
candidates. NicOx is applying its proprietary nitric oxide-donating R&D
platform to develop an internal portfolio of New Molecular Entities (NME)
for the potential treatment of inflammatory, cardio-metabolic and
ophthalmological diseases.

NicOx’s lead investigational compound is naproxcinod, an NME and a first-
in-class CINOD (Cyclooxygenase-Inhibiting Nitric Oxide-Donating) anti-
inflammatory drug candidate developed for the relief of the signs and
symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA). In July 2010, the FDA provided a Complete
Response Letter to the New Drug Application (NDA) for naproxcinod stating
that it does not approve the naproxcinod application. The naproxcinod
Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) submitted by NicOx in December
2009 is currently under review by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

In addition to naproxcinod, NicOx’s pipeline includes several nitric oxide-
donating NMEs, which are in development internally and with partners,
including Merck & Co., Inc. and Bausch + Lomb, for the treatment of select
cardiovascular indications, eye diseases and dermatological diseases.

NicOx S.A. is headquartered in France and is listed on Euronext Paris
(Compartment B: Mid Caps).

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Although
the Company believes its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions,
these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and
uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from
those anticipated in the forward-looking statements.

For a discussion of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual
results, financial condition, performance or achievements of NicOx S.A. to
differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, please refer
to the Risk Factors (“Facteurs de Risque”) section of the Document de
Reference filed with the AMF, which is available on the AMF website
(http://www.amf-france.org) or on NicOx S.A.’s website
(http://www.nicox.com).

CONTACTS

www.nicox.com

NicOx

Gavin Spencer – Vice President Business Development Tel +33 (0)4 97 24 53
00 – [email protected]

Media Relations

Financial Dynamics

Europe

Guillaume Granier (France) – Tel: +33 (0)1 47 03 68 10 –
[email protected]

Stéphanie Bia (France) – Tel: +33 (0)1 47 03 68 10 –
[email protected]

Jonathan Birt (UK) – Tel +44 (0)20 7269 7205 – [email protected]

United States

Robert Stanislaro – Tel +1 212 850 5657 – [email protected]

Irma Gomez-Dib – Tel +1 212 850 5761 – [email protected]

NicOx S.A.,

Les Taissounières – Bât HB4 – 1681 route des Dolines – BP313,
06906 Sophia Antipolis cedex, France. Tel. +33 (0)4 97 24 53 00 – Fax +33
(0)4 97 24 53 99

This information is provided by HUGIN

Filed Under: Medical And Healthcare

Adelson Medical Research Foundation-Sponsored Research Identifies Two Genes Newly Implicated in Aggressive Form of Ovarian Cancer

Posted on September 14, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Adelson Medical Research Foundation

Foundation’s Open and Highly Integrated Collaborative Model Brings Together Multi-Disciplinary, Multi-Institutional Scientific Teams to Address Major Unmet Medical Needs

NEEDHAM, MA–(Marketwire – September 14, 2010) –  The Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Medical Research Foundation (AMRF), a private foundation funding collaborative translational science programs, announced today an important new publication in the September 8, 2010 online issue of the journal Science Express. The paper, co-authored by AMRF-funded scientists Victor Velculescu of Johns Hopkins University and Dennis Slamon of the University of California, Los Angeles, identifies two genes not previously implicated in ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC). This finding provides two novel targets for the development of new drugs to treat this aggressive form of ovarian cancer that is generally resistant to current therapies.

“The collaboration among Drs. Velculescu, Slamon and their other Adelson Medical Research Foundation-funded colleagues brings together distinguished laboratories with capabilities in cancer genomics, genetics, and the treatment of cancer in women to uniquely analyze ovarian tumors,” said Dr. Miriam Adelson, Trustee and Executive Director of the Foundation. “This is an example of our Foundation’s unique collaborative model in action,” noted Sheldon G. Adelson, Trustee of the Foundation and Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp. “By funding collaborative teams from a number of major biomedical research institutions and a variety of scientific disciplines, we are bringing new insights to some of the most challenging areas of cancer research,” Dr. Adelson elaborated.

“This study implicates PPP2R1A as a novel oncogene and ARID1A as a novel tumor suppressor gene in OCCC, neither of which had previously been implicated in ovarian cancer,” noted Dr. Kenneth H. Fasman, Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer of AMRF. “This opens the door for two new directions in cancer drug discovery,” Fasman said.

Victor E. Velculescu, M.D., Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Oncology and Director of Cancer Genetics at the Ludwig Center for Cancer Genetics and Therapeutics of the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. He has co-authored many seminal papers on cancer genomics with his Hopkins co-authors Bert Vogelstein and Kenneth W. Kinzler. Dennis J. Slamon, M.D., Ph.D., is director of Clinical/Translational Research, and director of the Revlon/UCLA Women’s Cancer Research Program at the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. He is Professor of Medicine, chief of the Division of Hematology/Oncology and Executive Vice Chair for Research for UCLA’s Department of Medicine. For 12 years, Slamon and his colleagues conducted the laboratory and clinical research that led to the development of the new breast cancer drug Herceptin, which targets a specific genetic alteration found in about 25 percent of breast cancer patients. Drs. Velculescu and Slamon are members of the Adelson Medical Research Foundation’s ovarian cancer research collaboration.

The Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Medical Research Foundation, established in 2006, is a private foundation committed to a model of open and highly integrated collaboration among outstanding investigators who participate in goal-directed basic and clinical research to prevent, reduce or eliminate disabling and life-threatening illness. The Foundation creates a culture of scientific discovery, evaluation, and clinical application directed by the experiences of scientists who are not bound by searching for the cure of any single disease. Programs within the Foundation are defined in broad terms. The Adelson Program in Cancer Research pursues therapies targeted to the mechanisms that make cells malignant, and the Adelson Program in Neural Repair and Rehabilitation seeks to manipulate the regeneration of axons in the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves.

For additional information on the Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Medical Research Foundation, please visit www.adelsonfoundation.org/AMRF.

Media Contact:
Dr. Kenneth Fasman
Vice President and Chief Science Officer
Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Medical Research Foundation
(781) 972-5900
Email Contact

Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

Medline Awarded Premier Contract for Surgical Mesh Biomaterials

Posted on September 14, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Medline Industries, Inc.

Contract Includes MotifMESH® and VitaMESH® Products for the Repair and Reinforcement of Hernia and Other Fascial Defects

MUNDELEIN, IL–(Marketwire – September 14, 2010) – Medline Industries, Inc., the nation’s largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of healthcare supplies, announced today the signing of a three-year national agreement with Premier Purchasing Partners, the group purchasing unit of Premier, Inc., to provide surgical mesh biomaterials used in soft tissue reinforcement to the more than 2,200 U.S. hospitals and 58,000 healthcare sites that are members of the Premier healthcare alliance. The agreement, which takes effect October 1, 2010, includes MotifMESH® and VitaMESH® products for the repair and reinforcement of hernia and other fascial defects.

“We’re very pleased to have been chosen for this contract award based on our shared values of providing great patient care while reducing overall healthcare costs,” said Marc Lessem, Medline’s Vice President of Advanced Wound Care. “Our innovative surgical mesh solutions give Premier members an efficient and effective way to improve patient outcomes in this growing arena.”

Ventral hernia repairs account for approximately 420,000 hernia repair operations annually in the U.S.1 When a ventral hernia occurs, it usually arises in the abdominal wall where the muscle has weakened or where a previous surgical incision was made.2 

MotifMESH® is an ideal mesh for ventral hernia repair because it is made from a unique “condensed” polytetrafluoroethylene (cPTFE) polymer. It has a macroporous structure which allows rapid incorporation into the abdominal wall while offering a reduction in adhesion formation to the cPTFE surface. It is the thinnest mesh available for ventral hernia repair at nearly 10X thinner than the two most commonly promoted intra-abdominal meshes.

More common than ventral hernias are inguinal (or groin) hernias, which account for approximately 700,000 hernia operations annually in the U.S.3 Statistically, the lifetime chance of having an inguinal hernia is 27 percent for men and 3 percent for women.4 The surgical operation is intended to repair a protrusion of abdominal-cavity contents occurring through the inguinal canal. VitaMESH is a strong, lower weight, transparent and easy to manipulate condensed polypropylene material making it a perfect choice for both laparoscopic and open hernia repairs. It is comprised of large interstices providing excellent visibility through the mesh forming a strong, fibrous wall.

About Premier, Inc.
The Premier healthcare alliance includes more than 2,200 U.S. hospitals and 58,000-plus other healthcare sites working together to improve healthcare quality and affordability. Premier maintains the nation’s most comprehensive repository of clinical, financial and outcomes information and operates a leading healthcare purchasing network. A world leader in helping deliver measurable improvements in care, Premier works with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the United Kingdom’s National Health Service Northwest to improve hospital performance.

About Medline Industries, Inc. 
Medline, the nation’s largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of healthcare products, manufactures and distributes more than 100,000 products to hospitals, extended care facilities, surgery centers, home care dealers and agencies. Headquartered in Mundelein, IL, Medline has more than 900 dedicated sales representatives nationwide to support its broad product line and cost management services.

Over the past five years, Medline has been the fastest growing distributor of medical and surgical supplies in the U.S., serving as the primary distributor to over 450 major hospitals and healthcare systems. As a leading distributor, Medline offers a comprehensive array of consulting and management services encompassing the supply chain and logistics, utilization and standardization, business tools and enhanced reporting capabilities, and on-staff clinicians.

Media Contact:
Jerreau Beaudoin
(847) 643-3011

John Marks
(847) 643-3309

Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

New Host Sites for Health Fair 11’s Flu Shot Clinics

Posted on September 14, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: Minnesota Health Fairs Inc

Flu Fighter Clinics Scheduled for September and October

MINNEAPOLIS, MN–(Marketwire – September 14, 2010) –  Flu shot season is here and Health Fair 11 is ready to hold its annual Flu Fighter clinics. But before you head out to get your annual vaccination, there are some important changes to know about.

  1. Flu Fighter clinics have new host sites. In September, MVNA nurses will be giving flu shots at all Minnesota Life Time Fitness locations. In October, vaccinations will be available at all YMCA centers in the Twin Cities and western Wisconsin. Club memberships are NOT required to attend Flu Fighter clinics.

  2. Everyone is currently eligible to get a flu shot.  The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has changed its vaccination directives for this year. Priority groups have been eliminated. The CDC encourages everyone to be vaccinated as soon as flu shot clinics begin.

  3. Most will only need one shot this year. The H1N1 influenza vaccine is contained in this year’s seasonal flu vaccine. Parents should consult with medical professionals to determine if their children will need more than one dose of seasonal flu vaccine. 

Vaccinations are given by registered nurses working for the Minnesota Visiting Nurse Agency. The MVNA is a nonprofit organization that uses all proceeds from the Flu Fighter clinics to fund its nursing care programs for thousands of Minnesotans who are ill, disabled, living in poverty, or in need of home care services. Learn more about MVNA and its services at www.mvna.org

Flu Fighter clinic dates & hours
Minnesota Life Time Fitness clubs — September 16 – 18 & September 23 – 26, 2010

Thursdays & Fridays: 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Saturdays: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

 Metro area YMCA centers — October 14 – 16 & October 21 – 23, 2010

Thursdays & Fridays: 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Saturdays: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Flu Fighter clinics are open to anyone age 3 and older. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

COST
Most health insurance plans will cover the cost of a seasonal flu shot. Bring your insurance card if you have one of these plans: Medicare, UCare, Advantra Freedom, Aetna, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, Health Partners, Humana, Labor Care, Medica, MCHA-Medica, MHP, MN Health Care, Preferred One, Select Care, Unicare, and United Health Care.

People paying cash will be charged $26. FluMist ® nasal vaccine will be available for $32.

The Flu Fighter clinics are made possible by Health Fair 11, a nonprofit organization that operates with the support of KARE 11 TV, North Memorial, and UCare. Since 1998, more than 850,000 flu shots have been administered at Health Fair 11’s Flu Fighter clinics.

Contact:
Craig Hotvedt
763-797-7299

Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

pihms Signs New Leave Management Solutions Client and Renews and Expands Two Existing Contracts

Posted on September 14, 2010 Written by Annalyn Frame

SOURCE: pihms, Inc.

PITTSBURGH, PA–(Marketwire – September 14, 2010) –  pihms, Inc. (www.pihms.com), a leading provider of integrated software solutions for tracking, measuring and managing human capital through pihms Leave Management, pihms Safety Solutions, and pihms Care Solutions, announced today that it has signed another new client contract and two relationship renewal and service expansions.

New Client
pihms’ new client contract is to provide Leave and Case Management support tools for the more than 15,000 U.S. based employees of the $10+ billion U.S. affiliate of a global company.

The Company reported that its newest client began its vendor selection with the goal of providing better internal customer service to its employees as they navigate through the process of requesting and securing approval for leaves. Patrick J. Kalnas, President and CEO of pihms, said, “Of great importance to this client, was the fact that our Leave and Case Management solution is not only customer friendly for both employee and management, but will help their organization reduce costs related to inappropriate and excessive leaves.”

Client Renewals and Expansions
The first current client, an integrated energy utility company, is renewing the pihms services provided to their onsite employee health clinic, and expanding the relationship by adding pihms’ integrated comprehensive Leave and Case Management Solutions for their entire base of U.S. employees. 

The other client, the North American entity of a global automotive corporation, is continuing its five plus year utilization of pihmsSafety Solutions™ for its multiple U.S. manufacturing facilities. The enhanced relationship will also now include the client’s 30+ Non-Manufacturing facilities across the U.S.

“The objective of each of these long time clients is to continue to leverage pihms’ proven track record and expertise, and allow its management to have more time to focus their energy on customers and business growth. The pihms relationship with these clients is a great example of how the pihms suite of solutions can be configured and expanded to meet the growing needs of the client,” Kalnas said.

About pihms:
pihms, Inc. is a Software as a Service (SaaS) provider focusing on best practices for tracking, measuring and managing human capital. pihms’ unique (and patented) process takes employee health, safety, leave management, and case management information from disparate sources and delivers it to the right decision makers at the right time. The workflow ensures that best practices are used to remain compliant with all FML and OSHA regulations. pihms, Inc. is headquartered in Pittsburgh with offices in Atlanta and Glasgow, Scotland. For more information visit the pihms website at www.pihms.com.

Media Contact:
Patrick Cua
Executive Vice President
678-294-4141 (cell)
[email protected]

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Filed Under: Facilities And Providers

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