INTRODUCTION
If the members’ meeting at Hatfield is anything to go by, we are in for a very productive year. Our sincere thanks to Nestor HealthWatch for hosting the event and to all those who took part, including the delegates. The day was extremely interesting with a balanced input from clinical staff, industry providers and the NHS Information Authority. As a change to the usual format we encouraged open debate for one session around where eHealth will be in 2005. This proved popular and lively, identifying many areas that require further debate or research. This will, I believe, become a regular feature in future members’ meetings.
Even more for the members! The special interest groups are beginning to get established. The Technical Interest Group has just had its second meeting, which established its mission and scope of activities. A report on this will be circulated to all members within the next few days. Next month we are due to launch the Legal and Ethical Special Interest Group. More details about this will follow in the near future. It has been suggested that we start a Nursing Special Interest Group, which appears most appropriate especially after the input from the profession at our last members’ meeting. Although we need to be careful not to overstretch our resources, we are interested to hear ideas from our members of new topics for interest groups.
I can’t let the opportunity go by without mentioning the UKeHA Annual Conference and exhibition (11th, 12th & 13th June 2002) in Cardiff. The speaker programme is now complete and has been published in the delegate’s brochure. You should all have received a soft copy of this – please feel free to distribute this as widely as possible. Printed copies are being distributed in Health Service Journal and the HC2002 special edition of the BJHC. Exhibition space is still available, if any of our members or your non-member contacts have a requirement. We are also happy to discuss sponsorship opportunities.
I hope that you have all settled into the New Year well and I look forward to meeting and speaking to as many as possible of you over the next month.
David Greenaway
Chief Executive
NHS Information Authority
We are now taking bookings for the conference which is being held 11-13 June 2002 in Cardiff City Hall. If you would like a delegate brochure please email monica@denwales.freeserve.co.uk or alternatively, you can book online at www.ukeha.org.uk
Having proven itself during field-testing on Mount Everest, at sea and on board aeroplanes, VitalLink 1200 is now playing a vital role in the Frontline Medical Services (FMS) Ltd clinic in Tbilisi, Georgia. FMS are the only Western medical service provider in Georgia and support the ex-patriots and nationals of international and local companies working in the region. As well as a fully equipped emergency clinic, FMS have doctors in remote locations around Georgia supporting mining, drilling and construction operations. It is with these remote clinics in mind that they see a particular need for the VitalLink system. For more information contact Christopher Turner, Telemedic Systems: 07900 227 000
The Leicester Centre for Deaf People, has launched a groundbreaking videocommunications initiative to provide a round-the-clock remote sign language interpretation service which will drastically improve communication between healthcare providers and the deaf community. The new initiative has been developed by the Centre for Deaf People in Leicester, in conjunction with Motion Media and Sumlock 2000, a videoconferencing and teleHealth consultancy. For further information visit http://www.motion-media.com
NHS 24, the Scottish version of NHS Direct, has placed a £20.5m contract with BT to provide the telephone communications systems that will underpin the new service and integrate it with electronic patient records. Under the ten-year partnership deal BT will deliver the managed network and IT services that will allow everyone in Scotland to access the new confidential nurse-led telephone service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. http://www.e-health-media.com/news/item.cfm?ID=94
UK Health Minister Yvette Cooper has announced a new £2.3m package to invest in information systems to improve cancer monitoring and involve patients in developing cancer services in England. Some £2m will be invested in improving technology for collecting cancer data. The new money will be used to strengthen links with cancer networks and will improve the speed of data collection and the quality of data. www.e-health-media.com/news/item.cfm?ID=79
According to the Audit Commission a national approach to the implementation of computer technology in the prescription and administration of drugs is needed to reduce errors that cost the NHS 500,000 pounds a year http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/publications/spoonfulsugar.shtml
A key report published one year on from the NHS IT strategy update 'Building the Information Core' warns that almost all NHS health communities have serious doubts whether they can meet the targets on delivering Electronic Patient Records (EPR). In its first annual report on the service's progress in implementing the modernisation agenda of the NHS Plan, the NHS Modernisation Agency http://www.modernnhs.nhs.uk/ identifies the continued lack of progress on IT as a serious barrier to modernisation efforts. Source: http://www.e-health-media.com/news/item.cfm?ID=88
The NHS is to set up a national IT helpdesk for staff struggling with their PCs. The NHS Information Authority expects up to one million employees to call the line for guidance on IT issues. Provisionally named NHS Red, the helpdesk is expected to be in place by October at a cost of £450,000. Source: eHealth Insider January 2002
A Future Health Bulletin investigation has revealed that the number of UK-based web sites selling powerful and potentially dangerous prescription drugs such as Viagra is continuing to grow, in open defiance of attempts by medical regulators, trading standards officers and drugs companies to close them down file:///C:/WINDOWS/TEMP/January2002.html#story2
Engineers are developing a sensor that can capture clinical data from a distance, which may mean doctors can one day measure patients’ vital signs without invasive procedures. The initiative started at the University of Sussex, to improve the accuracy of electrocardiograms (ECGs).The ultra-accurate sensor has so far produced the most sensitive ECG’s ever and could be the basis of a major advance in remote medical sensing. for example, it would be useful for monitoring burns victims who cannot be touched. http://www.health-secure.net/front_story.asp?id=76933
The Priory Hospital North London is to trial a PC-based multi-media tool called ‘Beating the Blues’ to help patients overcome depression and anxiety. The PC tool will be used together with face-to-face counselling and psychotherapy and is claimed to be able to help patients with or without the useof anti-depressant drugs.http://www.e-health-media.com/news/item.cfm?ID=90
The Royal College of Nursing is setting up a new group to influence
the development of e-health services, amid concerns nurses’ interests
could be overlooked in the rush to develop electronic care. The group defines
e-health as everything from teleconferencing and telemedicine to using the
telephone to offer healthcare advice or finding work-related information on
the internet. It aims to keep nurses posted on the latest innovations; promote
education and training; issue legal briefings; and influence policy and systems
development. To join the e-health group, which is due to meet for the first
time in March http://www.rcn.org.uk/rcn_extranet/libraries_learning
/futuristic_development.php3
The first baby born in 2002 at each US hospital is being offered a free medical record smart card that can be used to store all his or her health records electronically. The smart card, which is about the size and shape of a credit card, can store medical records and prescription information. Source: e-Health Insider, January 2002
A "sonic flashlight" developed by a biomedical engineer at the University of Pittsburgh makes the human body seem translucent right in front of your eyes. The prototype device merges the visual outer surface of a patient's skin with a live ultrasound scan of what lies beneath. It creates the effect of a translucent ultrasound image floating in its actual 3D location within the patient, showing blood vessels, muscle tissue, and other internal anatomy. Source: VMW Dec 2001/Jan 2002
Vital sign monitoring software has been used in the first reported anaesthesiological monitoring of a surgical procedure over the Internet. An anaesthesiologist at Virginia University Hospital remotely monitored the breathing and heart rhythms of a young woman who underwent a successful gall bladder operation 3,000 miles away in Sucua, Ecuador. Source: eHealth Insider January 2002
The LifeShirt System, a suite of products and services for the collection, analysis and reporting of ambulatory, physiologic patient data has received CE mark Certification.. This clears the way for the marketing of the system in Europe, providing clinicians and researchers with a new way to obtain objective, comprehensive health data while their patients go about their everyday routines, ultimately improving research decisions and patient care. Source: VMW Dec 2001/Jan 2002
NASA is developing a vision test using a laptop computer with a touch sensitive screen that can be used on Earth and in space to help certain types of brain tumours http://www.federaltelemedicine.com/n012202.htm
Under a new program called "Digital Opportunity through Technology and Communication Partnership" (DOT-COM), the U.S Agency for International Development (USAID) has entered into co-operative agreements with various grantees and sub-grantees to take a leadership role in bridging the digital divide in USAID assisted countries. DOT-COM is a global alliance of partners with activities crossing all sectors, including education, trade, health, telemedicine and other areas. The program builds on the principals of USAID's Leland Initiative in Africa, and the U.S. Internet for Economic Development Initiative and the Digital Opportunity Task Force of the G8. For further information contact Edward Mallory emalloy@usaid.gov
Funding of the EU TOPCARE project provides home monitoring and treatment for patients needing infusion therapies, controlled ventilatory support and monitored medication adjustment. The EU is providing 2.11 million, Euro under the IST program for the project. The technology will foster communication between the patient, practitioners and clinics, and provide electronic assistance with documentation. This project is expected to lay the groundwork for a telemetric based European home care market. For more information visit http://www.federaltelemedicine.com/n010802.htm
The Autumn 2002 issue of the peer-reviewed journal Academic Exchange Quarterly will be devoted to education in the fields of Health Informatics, and Telemedicine. To submit a manuscript, visit the following web page http://rapidintellect.com/AEQweb/fall02.htm To view the journal Academic Exchange Quarterly http://rapidintellect.com/AEQweb/fall02.htm
The first health Web sites to attain independent quality accreditation have been announced by URAC, the Washington D.C. based health accreditation organisation. Thirteen e-health Web sites have been accredited by URAC under a programme, which measured them against rigorous standards for quality and accountability. Source: VMW December 2001/January 2002
Qualified support for electronic prescribing has come from the US Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy in a revision of its policy. The academy says electronic prescription information can be used provided there are "reasonable and reliable assurances of authenticity, accountability, accuracy and confidentiality". E-prescribing is currently allowed in 27 states. Source: eHealth Insider January 2002
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia has opened one of the most highly developed and technologically equipped operating rooms. The rooms allow surgeons to perform innovative and minimally invasive procedures and are equipped with voice activated equipment, robotics, and touch screens. The suite of 4 operating rooms are equipped with technology that allows physicians to operate equipment such as a robotic arm or overhead lights, just by speaking or by using a touch pad. The operating suites also have a video camera system in place to provide live video to other locations for teaching purposes. Jefferson University Hospital plans to produce live web casts of surgical procedure. Source: Federal Telemedicine News January 2002
IBM and the University of Pennsylvania has launched a powerful computing Grid which aims to bring advanced methods of breast cancer diagnosis and screening to patients across the United States, while reducing costs. Built with open standards, the University of Pennsylvania Grid is a massive distributed computer that delivers computing resources as a utility-like service over the Internet. Source: VMW Dec2001/Jan 2002
Apollo Group of Hospitals in India is launching the first phase of a network of in-hospital emergency services and pre hospital emergency services. The network includes the Apollo Group of Hospitals and other hospitals in the other areas in India. http://www.federaltelemedicine.com/n012202.htm
www.vitalseek.com enables Web searchers to interact with the search engine to find accurate health information. VitalSeek indexes sites and evaluates them on pre-established criteria to weed out inaccurate information.
*Denotes the first appearance of the date of conferences and meetings
2002 UK Conferences
TeleRadiology and Electronic Health 5-7 February 2002 Royal College of Physicians, Regent’s Park, London. Tel: 020 7307 1416 www.bir.org.uk
HC2002 18-20 March 2002, Harrogate. www.healthcare computing.co.uk/hc2002/conference/callparticipate.htm
*Southern Institute for Health Informatics 2002 Conference. Tuesday 26th March 2002, Portland Building, University of Portsmouth. SIHI@port.ac.uk
Partnerships in Healthcare:Telemedicine Forum Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre 30 May 2002.For further information visit: http://www.partnershipsinhealthcare.co.uk/telemedicine/
UKeHA Annual Conference: Delivering Care Earlier 11-13 June 2002, Cardiff City Hall, Wales, UK monica@denwales.freeserve.co.uk
e-Health 2002. The International e-Health Associations 2nd Annual Conference, 18-20 September 2002 London. Ehealth2002@cs.com www.eHealth2002.org
Healthcare Meets Medical Informatics and Innovation: The Future is Here 20-22 October 2002. Edinburgh International Conference www.hemmii.com
2002 Overseas Conferences
Telemedicine & Telecare International Trade Fair April 10-12, 2002. www.telemedicine.lu or email: info@telemedicine.lu
New Models of Patient Care and Information, 18th-20th April 2002 Barcelona ers.info@ersnet.org
TEPR 2002 Proving the Electronic Healthcare Advantage. 11-16 May 2002 Washington State Convention Center, Seattle WA www.medrecinst.com
ATA 7th Annual Meeting 2-5 June 2002 LA Convention Center, Los Angeles, California. www.atmeda.org/news/newres.htm
Telemedicine in Care Delivery: Technology and Application 13-15 June 2002 Pisa, Italy http://www.ticd.iss.it
EuroPACS2002. 5-7 September 2002 at the Medical Faculty, University of Oulu, Finland. www.mirg.oulu.fi/europacs/general.html
7th International Conference on Telemedicine 22-25 September 2002, Regensburg, Germany http://www.ict2002.org
*Nortelemed Conference 30 September – 2 October 2002. University Hospital of Tromso, Norway Torill Berg, Tel: +47 77 754160 or email: torill.berg@telemed.no
5-7 February 2002 - Three day conference is aimed at those who are planning to set up or replace an existing teleradiology system as well as those who are aiming to implement teleradiology as part of a PACS procurement. Venue: Royal College Physicians, 11 St Andrews Place, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4LE. Contact: rebecca.gladdish@bir.org.uk
Partnerships in Healthcare:Telemedicine Forum. Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre 30 May 2002.For further information visit: http://www.partnershipsinhealthcare.co.uk/telemedicine/
Southern Institute for Health Informatics 2002 Conference. Tuesday 26th March 2002, Portland Building, University of Portsmouth. For more information please contact SIHI@port.ac.uk directly
The Tunstall one day conference to launch new technological advances to support people in their own homes and community safety. Julie Ryan 01977 660360 (dir), mobile:07740 845230 (mob) j_ryan@tunstall.co.uk http://www.tunstall.co.uk
Request for information regarding telepathology. Ekaterine Kldiashvili, Tbilisi State Medical University,Tbilisi, Georgia.ekldia@hotmail.com
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: mdennis@ukeha.org.uk
www.ukeha.org.uk