October 2001
INTRODUCTION
Interest in Telemedicine / eHealth continues to be high, with an article in the Sunday Business two weeks ago supporting ‘The Future is eHealth’ conference on the 29 October, being just one example. This type of publicity combined with the continued extra Government funding (£250m for intermediate care, announced 9th Oct) can only be a boost to the market.
The British Institute of Radiologists conference, next year (5/6/7 February 2002) has been developed along with the MDA to incorporate e-Health and demonstrate the convergence of medical disciplines as well as technologies. More details will follow when available.
All of this paints a very encouraging picture for the success of our own conference in June 2002. We are at present finalising the speaker programme, having been able to confirm some very high profile speakers from industry and ministerial level speakers from Government. A high level of interest continues from our membership for exhibition space and other forms of sponsorship. But in line with our timetable I am now opening up the opportunities for exhibition space to non-members. So, if you have not secured the space you require please contact me urgently. Also please encourage any of your business partners / associated companies to exhibit, they will not be disappointed.
I must take this opportunity to thank BT Health for hosting our members meeting at the end of September; A very well organised and most interesting day. The next members’ meeting is on the 7th November, hosted by Motion Media at their new location in Aust (by the old Severn Bridge). This is also our AGM for which you should have received the appropriate papers. On the 8th November there is a joint Motion Media / Avon Health Community day to which are members are also invited. I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible on the 7th and 8th November.
David Greenaway
Chief Executive
MEMBERS NEWS
The Royal Bolton Hospital holds regular workshops as part of doctors and nurses clinical training programme. In an effort to make the training more interesting and stimulating, and to ensure that attendees can actively participate, an interactive system is being used for the sessions. Question wizard software enables tutors to embed interactive questions and multiple choice responses into their power point presentations, whilst each member of the audience is given an infrared handset so that their answers can be logged and displayed. Results are shown on a central monitor in graphical format and can be stored for later analysis. Voting can be anonymous or attributable by PIN. Source: BJHC&IM October 2001
Tunstall spread the word about its TeleHealth products and services far and wide during October. The company exhibited at the NAHC Homecarexpo at the Las Vegas Hilton on the 15-17 October. Closer to home, they attended a study day for nurses, which was focussed on `Exacerbations of COPD - Hospital at Home' on 18 October at the Edinburgh Conference Centre. clare.lugar@tunstall.co.uk
Important guidance regarding video conferencing products has
been issued by the Medical Devices Agency. To view the guidance
www.medical-devices.gov.uk.
Once at the home page, type Video in the search bar and then click "go".
Nurses in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Guy’s & St Thomas NHS Trust are using a wireless telephone system (medical mobiles) which enables them to make and respond to internal and external calls anywhere in the ward, as well as transfer calls, just as you would do with a desktop phone. Nurses who provide one to one patient care in ICU are now able to keep a close eye on their patients, respond faster to enquiries about their patients condition, such as temperature readings and medication, and call for help more quickly in case of emergency. Source: BJHC&IM October 2001
TeleMedic Systems Limited, has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its remote medical emergency system, VitalLink 1200. This is the latest in a series of positive announcements concerning VitalLink and complements the earlier receipt of the European CE Marking in August 2001. www.telemedicsystems.com
Saving lives can be a race against time for the paramedics at Staffordshire Ambulance Trust. However, by using the latest information and communication technology, they are managing to buy back precious minutes. 'Card Guards' which are installed in all the trust's ambulances means that paramedics can monitor the patient's heart rate and send a reading to the hospital's accident and emergency department while they are driving back in the ambulance. The doctor can look at the results in the hospital and tell the paramedics straight away what action needs to be taken, meaning that life saving treatment can often start much sooner. www.doh.gov.uk
Motion Media has launched the first video phone specifically designed for the healthcare sector and remote delivery of patient care into the home that operates over a standard phone line. The new CareStation 125 video phone will help health organisations deliver the Government goal of redesigning health services around the patient and consumer demand for better and local care peter.range@motionmedia.co.uk
UK NEWS
On 15 October the Prime Minister launched the NHS University. It will be the largest university in the world for the training and education of NHS employees. It will use modern learning techniques such as electronic and distance learning as well as more traditional, face-to-face teaching methods. Everyone in the NHS will begin their career with the NHS University through induction courses and direct training. Joint training which will enable professionals to share their skills and experience will also be a fundamental part of the NHS University curriculum. www.doh.gov.uk
The National Electronic Library for Health (NeLH) has launched anatomy.tv a new online anatomy resource. The resource provides detailed and accurate 3D images of upper and lower limbs that can be rotated through 360 degrees. Views of the hip, knee, foot, elbow, hand and shoulder are currently available. There is also access to photographs, diagrams, MRI scans, radiographs and movies explaining the anatomy and pathology of the body. www.nelh.nhs.uk/anatomy
The NHS Information Authority (NHSIA) is to hold a series of road shows in October and November to publicise the launch of its one-stop IT procurement guidance website. The target audience for the road shows is senior NHS IT staff, local supplies management, regional office staff and NHS Information Authority regional liaison staff http://www.standards.nhsia.nhs.uk/spg/step/index.shtml
The NHS Purchasing and Supplies Agency has launched a new catalogue of IT and telecommunications products and services for the NHS. A total of 26 approved suppliers and contractors are included in this first release of NHScat-IT, covering hardware, telecom, software, maintenance, IT, managed services, and solutions providers. Big names covered include BT, Dell, IBM, Siemens and EDS. Source: Medoxonline October 2001
The Welsh Development Agency (WDA) and the National Health Service has launched a joint venture that aims to increase the number of Welsh companies supplying goods and services to the NHS. The first of a series of regional conferences was held at the WDA's offices in Denbighshire on 11 October. The conference allowed company representatives to discuss recent changes in NHS procurement, including moves to introduce e-commerce. Source: Hospital Equipment and Supplies, 8 October 2001
At a recent meeting in Manchester, the first surgical simulators were demonstrated. These will eventually be used to teach surgery procedures to young doctors. One simulator is of a Lumbar Punction and the other one copies a Ventricular Catheterisation procedure used by brain surgeons. The simulators are virtual reality environments which can be accessed on any standard PC. This opens the possibility to considerably shorten the time needed to train young doctors to perform new surgery procedures. Source: VMW October 2001
The Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) is a replacement for the simple pager. PDA’s can help healthcare professionals make better use of their time, enabling staff to access information on the trust intranet or check emails anywhere and at any time. In the not too distant future healthcare professionals will be able to update patient records on the spot, removing the need to fill in forms and type details when they return to the surgery. PDA’s incorporate a wide range of applications including a call up list of routine procedures highlighting the correct one to use to more sophisticated services, such as the ability to transfer details from heat monitors (mobile ECG) from an ambulance to an accident & emergency department. Source: BT Health 2001
An online portal that enables patients to process appointments and repeat prescriptions with their physicians has been launched. The portal allows patients to maintain their health profile within their doctor's website. It enables doctors to share test results, manage referrals and send reminders or important health information. Source: Pharmexonline, 3 October 2001
Clouds of trillions of atoms have for the first time been linked by quantum "entanglement" - that spooky, almost telepathic link between distant particles. The feat opens new possibilities for quantum communication systems and sci-fi-style teleporting of objects from one place to another http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99991346
OVERSEAS NEWS
The recent tragedies in New York and Washington D.C. emphasise the importance of global co-operation to develop technologies which facilitate the needs of emergency services. The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) and the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), two of the world's leading standards development organisations, are continuing to progress specifications for emergency service applications, addressing public safety needs of and the effectiveness of frontline medical assistance to not only the 800 million citizens in North America and in Europe, but also those in other parts of the world. One of the key aspects of crisis and disaster management constitutes remote patient monitoring. Source: VMW October 2001
The list of FY2001 grantees for the US Rural Network Development
Program and the Rural Health Outreach programs are now on the HRSA web site.
The Rural Network Development program awards grants to establish vertically
integrated systems
of care that provide comprehensive inpatient and out patient services. One
of the awards went to the Marion Council on Aging in Marion, South Carolina.
The County Council on Aging, the local public health agency, the County Department
of Social Services, and the Regional Transportation Authority will be network
members.
http://www.federaltelemedicine.com/n100801.htm
The Government of Pakistan has recently formed a National Telemedicine Forum which will lay the foundation for the introduction and development of telemedicine in Pakistan. For more information about the forum contact Dr Zakiudden Ahmed citycard@super.net.pk
Chandru and 3 colleagues at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore has teamed up with a local software company to develop an affordable computer for developing countries. The device which has been designed is slightly larger than a Palm, but has 10 times the processing speed, and works in 4 different languages. The computer sends and receives email and connects to the Internet. Non-literate people can use the computer with ease.http://www.federaltelemedicine.com/n100801.htm
A wireless medical call centre designed to offer security and support to mobile medical professionals will be set up in Härmä Hospital in Finland. The call centre will provide mobile professionals with advice in emergency situations as well as provide them with immediate help in case of an emergency or danger. The Centre will also function as the single information access point to medical databases, service providers, and facilities for the professionals in the field. The Call Centre is a joint project of TE-Centre, Medical District of Southern Ostrobothnia, Härmänmaa District and LifeIT plc. Source: VMW October 2001
NEW PUBLICATIONS
E-Watch on Innovation in Health Services is the newsletter of the CHSRF/CIHR's Chair on Dissemination and Uptake of Research in Health Services. This free newsletter is published on a weekly basis and reaches more than 1 500 decision-makers and health services professionals across North America and Europe. To view the last issue and subscribe: http://kuuc.chair.ulaval.ca/english/master.php?url=bulletin.php
Your guide to eHealth: Third Millennium Medicine on the Internet. Professor Peter Yellowlees Order Online www.uqp.com.au Also available as Electronic Book – www.ebooks.com
REPORTS
The Federal Telemedicine Overview: Agencies and Internet Resources. The report saves valuable time by covering telemedicine activities at dozens of cabinet-level and independent agencies. University and State report: Details activities at many US colleges and universities. Both reports can be ordered at http://www.federaltelemedicine.com
USEFUL WEBSITES
Health Internet Ethics (HI-Ethics) is an alliance of the nation’s major online health information providers formed to develop an ethical code of conduct for consumers. Principles are being designed to ensure that consumers are provided with health information that is reliable, safe and trustworthy. www.healthwise.org
www.cancerlineuk.net is an educational website aimed at assisting primary and secondary care teams to identify and manage three of the most common cancers-prostate, breast and colorectal. The site has over 600 pages of guidance which reflects current best practice and incorporates established management and referral guidelines from professional and public bodies. Patient support leaflets can also be printed out for handing to patients.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
*Denotes the first appearance of the date of conferences and meetings
2001 UK Conferences
2002 UK Conferences
2001 Overseas Conferences
2002 Overseas Conferences
CIRCULATIONS THIS MONTH
Request for help to develop telemedicine in Germany Michael Horn m_horn@t-online.de
Important guidance regarding video conferencing products has been issued by the Medical Devices Agency. To view the guidance www.medical-devices.gov.uk
4th Annual International Symposium on Telemedicine "Current
Issues of Telemedicine Implementation in the Far East, Khabarovsk, Russia
November 13 to 14,
2001. seminar@telemed.ru
Healthcare IT Effectiveness Awards. Closing date for applications 5 November 2001. http://www.healthcare-computing.co.uk/hitea/awards.htm
The programme and booking form for the Future is eHealth conference 29 October 2002
An appeal for assistance from Ben Stanberry, CLERT ben.stanberry@avienda.co.uk
AND FINALLY…….
Please forward this e-mail to other colleagues who may find it of interest.
Monica Dennis
Administrator
UK eHealth Association
Britannia House, 11 High Street, Cowbridge
Vale of Glamorgan CF71 7AD
Tel and fax: 01446 775189
Mobile: 07811 159800
Email: monica@denwales.freeserve.co.uk