Christopher Herzog, MD, PhD, can pinpoint the precise moment he got it about cloud computing vis a vis advanced visualization for cardiovascular imaging. The Munich-based radiologist was preparing for an advanced visualization workstation face-off when his IT preparation partner suggested they try something a little different. The IT partner would log him into a thin-client workstation and, looking at the same images, guide him through the steps hed need to perform at the face-off. Nothing unusual thereexcept that Herzog was at his companys satellite facility in Garmisch, Germany, while the IT partner was somewhere in Portugal.

Healthcare organizations of all sizes are enlisting clinical decision support (CDS) systems to assist providers with decision making. However, to ensure proper utilization and improve the practice of evidence-based medicine, workflow integration at the point of care needs to improve.

Swedens second largest region, Vstra Gtaland region (VGR), has selected GE Healthcares eHealth Image Exchange platform and Centricity Enterprise Archive to facilitate the exchange of images and reports between physicians and specialists at 17 hospitals.

In 1625, an Italian physician measured body temperature by applying a numerical scale to his thermoscope. From that primitive thermometer to todays highly sophisticated surgical, portable and wireless telemetry monitors, patient surveillance has grown into a multi-billion-dollar industry. But the technology is only as good as the professionals who respond to them.

As specialty practices and physician groups grapple with Stage 1 requirements, Stage 2 might be on their distant horizon, priority-wise. But it shouldnt be. It is closer than you think.

A review of this month's Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association indicates the pervasive use of informatics systems in healthcare, as well as the niche challenges. As cardiology departments refine their cardiology PACS and cardiovascular information systems (CVIS), and integrate them into the larger hospital-wide EMR/EHR, they would be wise to note potential problem areas with informatics implementation and their solutions.

Birmingham Childrens Hospital has signed a seven-year, $5.6 million contract with Agfa HealthCare, which will upgrade the hospitals existing Agfa PACS and CR while adding RIS and cardiology systems.

Practices are finding innovative approaches to boost their referral base, including the use of sophisticated modules within their EMR, while others are using conventional approaches like consultants and event hosting. But there are many other untapped ways that practices can employ to generate new revenue.