Gleeman's Daily News-11/20

Gleeman's Daily News-11/20

London hospitals revert to Paper Records

A PC Virus, the Mytob worm, forced restrictions on ER services at St. Barts, Royal London and London Chest Hospitals with Doctors resorting to Pen and Paper.

Our reporter in the U.K. just visited a 73-year old chap at Leicester CCU awaiting a pacemaker; that is once he's been cleared of MRSA passed to him on first admission to Warwick Hospital. Now we see that even PCs are NOT immune from catching a superbug virus in a UK Hospital!

Windpipe created in lab from stem cells, successful transplant

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Doctors have given a woman a new windpipe with tissue engineered from her own stem cells in what experts have hailed as a "milestone in medicine."

This is a landmark triumph for all involved, very multi-national team.

Blogger argues for PHR, calls it the "tree trunk" of HIT

We're not there yet - reviewing current PHRs (including Google Health and Microsoft HealthVault) is a bit like looking at a narwhal and seeing a unicorn.

Both critical and supportive of the CONCEPT of personal health records, not impressed with the software currently available in PHR.

LifeCOMM: the new PHR, is it compatible with others?

LifeCOMM seeks to fill this gap in the continuum of care by providing mobile device delivered health services that will assist a person in complying with his health care professional's proscribed care regimen.

Keeping up with Google and MS products, look for the new PHR next year, filling the need for a more mobile product.

Techguy blogs about Electronic Health Record Association (EHRA) and the road to interoperability

I have much to say about what I've read, but one of their main initiatives seems to be the EHRVA Interoperability Roadmap.

The quest for EMRs that talk to each other goes on here in one of our favorites bogs, from one of our own Moderators.

How effective are users of EMR, are they using the full potential?

What does effective use mean to your organization, and how should it be measured? One criteria might be a complete and accurate medication list, determined by comparing the EHR list with medication claims from the patient's health plan.

Great article that will make you think about how effective you are in the use of your own software, very interesting to all users of EMR.

The greening of the medical world: EMR

The keys to a successful implementation are good planning and patience. The success of your EMR project is more dependent on successfully executing the implementation phase than all other aspects combined.

Some good general tips from a private consulting firm, good general EMR information.

Ear stapling not an effective weight loss technique

Ear stapling is based loosely on the principles of auricular acupuncture, which involves stimulating certain points on the ear with fine needles.

This is a waste of a good staple, could even lead to serious infection.

Beware of SAD, this is the season for it

Other factors contributing to seasonal affective disorder (SAD) may include genetics and age. We know that neurochemicals are involved in the regulation of our mood and functioning.

Just try to get some sun, should not be so hard for me here in CA.

Large study shows that ginkgo does not prevent Alzheimer's

The dietary supplement ginkgo, long promoted as an aid to memory, didn't help prevent dementia and Alzheimer's disease in the longest and largest test of the extract in older Americans.

Just as important as knowing what works is knowing what does not.

Recall of the day: Nestle's Lean Cuisine to the tune of 900,000 pounds

Reports of small chunks of blue plastic in Lean Cuisine brand frozen chicken dinners have led Nestle Prepared Foods Co. to recall 900,000 pounds worth of meals.

I wonder if those pieces of blue plastic contain the chemical melamine?

Stem Cells in space

"We are honored that America's space program has selected HepaLife's liver cells to be part of this important space mission. This event is testimony to the outstanding liver-like functionality of these cells and supports our long-held conviction that our patented PICM-19 cell line is a one-of-a-kind cellular model," stated Mr. Frank Menzler, President, CEO and Chairman of HepaLife Technologies, Inc.

A little plug for some commercial liver cells, only the finest chosen for space research. Congratulations are in order.