The Long Island Patient Information eXchange (LIPIX) went live with Anakam’s Identity Suite(R) to enable trusted access for providers accessing LIPIX online systems.

LIPIX realizes the value of integrating clinical information from various community health organizations through its HIE, but also understands that it is essential to provide its community members the proper assurance that the information will be protected. “As more and more sensitive healthcare information is connected electronically through regional health information organizations (RHIOs), the protection and the privacy of patient health information is paramount,” said Mark E. Greaker, LIPIX’s Chief Technology Officer.

“Anakam helps healthcare institutions and health information networks build trust and prevent medical identity theft and fraud by enabling secure remote access to confidential health information in a cost-effective and scalable manner, without disrupting provider workflow.” – William R. “Bill” Braithwaite, MD, PhD, Anakam’s Chief Medical Officer.

The Anakam Identity Suite(R) provides LIPIX the assurance of trusted access through a next-generation authentication platform that performs identity “proofing” upon initial clinician or patient registration into the portal and token-less, multi-channel delivery of two-factor authentication every time they access the portal. This also provides LIPIX’s clinicians and patients an enhanced level of trust that personal health records and related information will not be compromised due to unauthorized online access.

“With Anakam helping LIPIX ensure that the right individual is accessing the right information, LIPIX has taken important steps to protect patient data. We have created a secure environment so that our participants, both doctors and patients, trust the system. Through its innovative and scalable identity platform, Anakam provides a secure, cost-effective, and flexible solution,” according to Benjamin Stein, MD, Executive Director of LIPIX.

In addition, through the partnership and collaboration between LIPIX and Anakam, LIPIX can now use its identity management infrastructure to provide Anakam functionality to other RHIOs across the State of New York. The Anakam Identity Suite(R) was designed for flexible and large-scale deployments across global enterprises, federal agencies and regional implementations. The Anakam Identity Suite(R) is an open and fully web-service enabled authentication platform that allows organizations to design how individuals access their system.

“We have built the Anakam platform specifically for healthcare and government situations where there are often large and complex deployments with many different types of users accessing multiple organizations’ heterogeneous systems. The Anakam platform is configurable to meet the needs of an organization. It seamlessly integrates with different online systems, and scales to provide trusted access to millions of users. Anakam is delighted to partner with LIPIX, not only to provide services for its community but potentially to provide services for the entire state of New York,” stated Allan Camaisa, CEO of Anakam.

Source: Anakam


Quicker detection of potential medical problems

A new study published in The Journal of Nursing Administration shows there are significant benefits for patients and nurses when continuous vigilance monitoring is used in medical settings. “The outcomes were definitive,” stated Dr. Patrick Sullivan, President and CEO of Hoana Medical, Inc. “Using such monitoring provides an early alert to RNs about potential medical problems, so they can intervene in a more timely way and, as a result, improve patient safety.”

The 12 month study was conducted at three U.S. Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospitals, utilizing the LifeBed Patient Vigilance System(TM). The system is comprised of a mattress coverlet which is embedded with sensors that measure heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and provides a bed exit alert for fall prevention. The patient simply lies down and the sensors immediately monitor HR and RR. No electrodes, cuffs or other connections are required, which improves patient comfort. Patient data is continuously relayed to a bedside computer display unit. If the patient’s HR or RR fluctuates outside normal limits or if a fall-risk patient leaves the bed the system alerts nursing staff both audibly and visually.

The study found that the timeliness of the early warning system improved early recognition of patient distress, resulting in RNs spending more time with patients. Previous studies have found that the more time a RN spends with patients the better the outcome.

“The reality of the nationwide nursing shortage is that, at most hospitals, RNs do not have the time to constantly monitor all of their patients,” said Dr. Heather Herdman, Chief Strategic Officer of Hoana Medical, Inc. “Monitoring generally takes place about every four hours and it’s not always done by an RN. By then, if a patient is in distress, it can be a life threatening situation.” In fact, respiratory rate change is the number one predictor of a patient being at risk for medical complications that are cardio-respiratory in nature.

In addition to providing early recognition of patient distress, earlier independent research studies showed that fall rates drop between 40 and 90 percent through continuous vigilance monitoring.

“Clearly the results show that technology can benefit both the medical community and the patient,” said Sullivan. “The patients get the help they need in a very timely manner and RNs know the technology will help them provide the quality care that’s needed.”

Study note: The study was conducted at James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital – Tampa, FL; VA Palo Alto Health Care System – Palo Alto, CA; and Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center – Indianapolis, IN.

LifeBed is a product of Hoana Medical, Inc. Hoana Medical, founded in 2001, is a privately held medical device company based in Honolulu, HI. To learn more about Hoana, go to: www.hoana.com

Source: Hoana Medical, Inc.


Instantaneous full-volume imaging and knowledge-based workflow applications streamline exam processes

During the 58th Annual Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) from March 29-31 in Orlando, Fla., Siemens Healthcare (www.usa.siemens.com/healthcare) demonstrates the ACUSON SC2000(TM) volume imaging ultrasound system that delivers workflow speed and improved diagnostic confidence with non-stitched, instantaneous full-volume imaging of the heart in one single heart cycle (booth #1842). The company will also show how knowledge-based applications and automation of procedures across their platforms enhance clinical workflows.

With Echo in a Heartbeat(TM), the ACUSON SC2000 system delivers non-stitched, real-time full-volume imaging of the heart in one single heart cycle at the highest volume acquisition rate in the industry of up to 40 volumes per second. Unlike conventional 3D ultrasound systems which require four to seven heart cycles to stitch together a volume, this one-beat technology changes the way echocardiography workflow is practiced today by making imaging the shortest part of the exam. Automatic extraction of reference planes from the cardiac volume for measurement, analysis, and interpretation as well as protocol-driven exam procedures enhance workflow efficiency and increase diagnostic confidence. Migrated over from existing premium ACUSON Sequoia(TM) technology, the 4V1c 2D echocardiography transducer will offer additional application versatility.

“The ACUSON SC2000 volume imaging system delivers genuine instantaneous full-volume imaging at an unparalleled information rate,” said Klaus Hambuechen, chief executive officer, Ultrasound, Siemens Healthcare. “Its streamlined and accelerated knowledge-based applications bring a new paradigm to echo imaging and workflow that transforms the practice of echocardiography – now and in the future.”

The system allows for a full-volume acquisition of the entire heart with 90 degree pyramids with a high-volume acquisition rate of up to 40 volumes per second, every second, which dramatically reduces acquisition time. Designed to support advanced cardiovascular applications, the knowledge-based workflow software uses learned pattern recognition technology and an expert database of real clinical cases. This enables the system to recognize anatomical patterns and landmarks, as well as to perform automatic measurements further streamlining clinical workflow. Automated full-volume contouring for fast qualitative and quantitative analysis, and customizable, programmable, and protocol-driven workflow sequences deliver repeatability for better outcomes: greater efficiency, accuracy, consistency, and care – from data acquisition to diagnosis. To further enhance efficiency, the syngo(R) SC2000 Workplace enables offline reporting, as well as complete review, processing and storage of the acquired volumes.

A Complete Cardiology Toolset

Siemens will also be featuring the 5.0 release for its ACUSON X300(TM) ultrasound system, premium edition (PE), featuring advanced technologies and applications to offer a complete cardiology toolset in one compact, easy-to-use package. Dynamic TCE(TM) tissue contrast enhancement technology increases diagnostic confidence by smoothing the overall image, reducing speckle and enhancing borders and contrast. For increased penetration and higher frequency imaging of pediatric patients, the new P9-4 pediatric probe enables high-resolution, multi-frequency phased array imaging.

The ACUSON X300 PE also offers advanced capabilities for comprehensive cardiac assessment, such as syngo(R) Auto Left Heart with expert-like measurements of ejection fraction and volumes of the left ventricle and atrium. Improved Stress Echo capabilities as well as compatibility with ACUSON AcuNav(TM) intracardiac ultrasound catheters and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for the evaluation of heart valves and chambers complement the solution.

Cardiovascular Assessment

For use on the ACUSON X300 PE and ACUSON S2000(TM) ultrasound systems, Siemens will also highlight its recently FDA-cleared syngo Arterial Health Package (AHP) application. syngo AHP offers a new tool to help physicians measure carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and to communicate results regarding subclinical vascular disease and cardiovascular disease risk to their patients. syngo AHP combines the semi-automated ultrasound measurement of CIMT and the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) database to estimate vascular age. It also includes a Framingham Risk Calculator to help physicians evaluate their patients’ risk of cardiovascular disease. Without the use of radiation or medicines to slow the heart, syngo AHP provides an inexpensive and immediate means of assessing subclinical atherosclerosis. It computes the CIMT, replacing tedious, manual measurements, allowing the entire exam to be performed in 15 to 20 minutes. In addition, syngo AHP is an excellent tool for patient information and education to help them understand their vascular health and the importance of preventative care.

Power and Performance in a Personalized System

Another highlight of the Siemens Ultrasound exhibition is the 2.0 release* of the ACUSON P50(TM) ultrasound system. The system offers exceptional image quality in a platform that moves with the daily workflow of busy healthcare providers: running as a Microsoft(R) Windows(R) application with an intuitive user interface, it enables care givers to focus on the patient. The platform offers immediate access to analysis, reporting, archive, email, the Internet, and other productivity applications. In its new release, the ACUSON P50 system offers intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) imaging for the 8F or 10F ACUSON AcuNav(TM) ultrasound catheter provides electrophysiologists and interventional cardiologists with high-quality, real-time diagnostic ultrasound images and Doppler blood flow information from within the heart. In addition, the system now drives 256 beam forming channels, providing superior imaging quality that is also complemented by SieClear(TM) multi-view spatial compounding and SieVision speckle reduction technology.

The Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the world’s largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. The company is a renowned medical solutions provider with core competence and innovative strength in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as well as in knowledge engineering, including information technology and system integration. With its laboratory diagnostics acquisitions, Siemens Healthcare is the first integrated healthcare company, bringing together imaging and lab diagnostics, therapy, and healthcare information technology solutions, supplemented by consulting and support services. Siemens Healthcare delivers solutions across the entire continuum of care – from prevention and early detection, to diagnosis, therapy and care. Additionally, Siemens Healthcare is the global market leader in innovative hearing instruments. The company employs around 49,000 people worldwide and operates in 130 countries. In the fiscal year 2008 (Sept. 30), Siemens Healthcare reported sales of euro 11.2 billion, orders of euro 11.8 billion, and Sector profit of euro 1.2 billion. Further information can be found by visiting http://www.siemens.com/healthcare.

*510(k) pending. Not commercially available in the United States.

Source: Siemens Healthcare


A University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) research team has unlocked the mechanism that turns on a weight-loss gene in muscle. A new UOHI study shows that the mechanism – a DNA sequence variant identified as rs2419621 – increases the activity levels of ACSL5, among the first genes associated with weight loss, and enables rapid weight loss in people who are dieting.

Heart Institute scientists working with The Ottawa Hospital Weight Management Clinic had previously identified the ACSL5 gene, which influences how quickly overweight people lose weight in response to diet. Unlocking the mechanism to activate this gene represents a major step forward in developing new treatments for chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, which are increased as a consequence of obesity. Diet and exercise are both important in weight loss. But individual response to diet and exercise vary dramatically – something that has long perplexed medical professionals.

“Weight loss, especially among people who are dieting, is affected by several factors and we’ve long suspected that personal genetic makeup is a real influence. We are learning that genes which make you fat are not the same as the genes that help you lose weight. And now we can put our finger on just how the weight-loss gene is activated,” said Alexandre Stewart, PhD, principal investigator of the Ruddy Canadian Cardiovascular Genetics Research Centre, UOHI.

The UOHI research is expected to lead to the development of therapies to fuel ACLS5 activity in people. Further, medical professionals will be able to identify people who won’t respond to diet and target drug treatment to help them lose weight more quickly.

Details of the latest UOHI discovery were published online in the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (http://www.fasebj.org/cgi/content/abstract/fj.08-120998v) The research was undertaken by molecular biologists at UOHI’s Ruddy Canadian Cardiovascular Genetics Centre, led by Alexandre Stewart, PhD, and Frederique Tesson, PhD.

UOHI scientists found that the people who carry the ACSL5 DNA variant are able to lose weight faster when following a low calorie diet than those who do not. About 33% Caucasians carry this genetic variant, as do 50% of Blacks, and 29% of Orientals.

Obesity and weight-related illness have been the focus of major scientific projects at UOHI and is part of a global drive to fight obesity. One UOHI research team led by Dr. Ruth McPherson has been investigating the genetics behind obesity – considered a serious risk factor for coronary artery disease. They are searching for patterns among obese people to help explain why one obese person suffers from heart disease or diabetes when an equally heavy person does not.

“We know that controlling obesity is hugely important in managing serious chronic disease such as heart disease and diabetes. But clearly we also know the problem is much more complex than just teaching people how to eat better and get more exercise. We need to understand the genetics and biology of obesity in order to individualize treatment,” said Dr. McPherson, Director of the Lipid Clinic, UOHI.

Source: Ottawa Heart Institute, University of Ottawa


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