Orlando, Fla.--There are many different approaches to negotiating, such as gentle, competitive, or a bid for a project. While some negotiation might lead to a win-win or lose-lose outcome, the best negotiation skill is compromise, according to attorney Peggy McElgunn who spoke last week at the Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals (ACVP) meeting.

ORLANDO, Fla.There is no single national standard for vascular quality management programs that encompasses interventional cardiologists, vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists. Nevertheless, it's important that practices develop programs and work toward consensus from all players, according to Tina Brinton, who spoke last week at the American College of Cardiovascular Administrators (ACCA) meeting.

Hospitals with stronger IT infrastructures enjoy significantly better performance and results from their clinical applications than providers who deploy applications without concurrent investments in infrastructure, according to new survey results from CDW Healthcare.

The Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology (CCHIT) will accelerate the development of advanced technology certification programs that encompass clinical decision, interoperability, quality and security, to complete them all by 2010--one year prior to the availability of EHR incentives availability under the stimulus.

The Joint Commission, in collaboration with the American Heart Association (AHA), has launched a new Disease-Specific Care Advanced Certification Program in Heart Failure torecognize "hospitals that are making exceptional efforts to foster better quality of care and outcomes for heart failure patients."

Zoll Medical (Booth 307) is unveiling its new R seriescode-ready defibrillator for hospitals-R Series BLS and R Series Plus. The R Series Plus, which has both automated external defibrillator and ALS capabilities at the touch of a button, also has networking capabilities and See-Thru CPR.

Physio-Control (Booth 3851) is highlighting its Lifepak 20e defibrillator/monitor, Lifenet STEMI management solution and LUCAS chest compression system.

Mortara Instruments (Booth 2370) is showcasing its digital Holter recorder devices. Its H3+ Holter digital recorder provides two- and three-channel recordings, an integrated waveform display, pacemaker detection and up to 48 hours of recording with one AAA battery.