Automated safety surveillance tools, such as one tested by researchers at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation, may be able to identify poor performing cardiac devices earlier than the existing postmarket surveillance methods used in clinical practice, according to a study published March 6 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes. This usage could help expose fewer patients to potentially hazardous devices.

If you missed the 2012 Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) conference held near the end of February in Las Vegas, or you could attend only some sessions, not to fret. We have you covered.

Novarad has secured four international contractsthree in the Philippines and another in Turkeyfor its NovaPACS.

The 2012 American College of Cardiology scientific sessions (ACC.12) will feature a new practice performance, improvement and administration pathway to help practice administrators and other cardiovascular professionals navigate the myriad changes in the practice landscape.

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) is hosting two separate webinars in March on the topics of how payment reform will impact practice, and also the new accreditation requirement for cardiovascular imaging labs.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) may have a lower public profile than coronary heart disease (CHD), but like CHD, PAD afflicts women at high rates. And like CHD, PAD left unmanaged contributes to morbidity, mortality and high healthcare costs, according to a scientific statement published online Feb. 15 in Circulation. There was a time when people thought PAD was a disease of men, Alan T. Hirsch, MD, chair of the writing committee that summarized current evidence and challenges of PAD in women, said iin an interview. That myth is busted.

LAS VEGASFor the first time in more than a decade, staffing shortages overtook concerns over lack of adequate financial support as the No. 1 barrier to implementing IT in this years 23rd annual Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) leadership survey. The results, released Feb. 21 at HIMSS12, include the input of 302 healthcare IT professionals who represent more than 600 U.S. hospitals.

LAS VEGASAs someone co-leading ICD-10 implementation for a huge company, last week was an interesting week, said Rob Alger, vice president, health plan business technology solutions and services, Kaiser Permanente. He was speaking of the announcement that the Department of Health and Human Services will delay the required ICD-10 implementation deadline during the Physician IT Symposium on Feb. 20 at the 2012 Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) conference.