Patients Withhold Medical Information over Privacy Concerns, Study Finds
Nearly one in eight Americans have withheld information about themselves from a healthcare provider due to concerns about security and privacy, according to a study published online by the
Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association.
The findings are based on data from the “fourth wave” of the Health Information National Trends Survey, also known as HINTS4, sponsored by the National Cancer Institute.
Slightly more than 12% of survey respondents indicated they had withheld information from a healthcare provider due to security concerns, the report said. The likelihood of respondents saying that they had withheld information increased among those who expressed perceptions that they “had very little to say about how their medical records were used.”
http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20130906/blog/309069998
http://jamia.bmj.com/content/early/2013/08/23/amiajnl-2013-002079.abstract
MEDICAL GADGETS
OMsignal’s Biosensing Clothing That Monitors Heart Rate and Activity
OMSignal, a Montreal based start-up, is developing ground breaking clothing technology, specifically a shirt worn under regular clothing, that allows for monitoring of heart rate, breathing, calories, activity and emotional state. The data obtained from sensors in the shirt that are pressed against the skin are sent to a computer or a mobile app where the user can view heart rate, calories burnt, exertion, stress and even mood. This novel technology can even alert a loved one about a potentially dangerous situation such as a heart attack.
http://www.medgadget.com/2013/09/omsignals-biosensing-clothing-that-monitors-heart-rate-and-activity.html
A Personalized Robot Companion for Older People
A highly customizable robot companion designed by EU-funded researchers to offer support to older people is currently being presented across Europe and could find its way into people's homes within two or three years, potentially greatly enhancing quality of life for older citizens and people with memory or mobility problems.
The robot, a mobile wheeled semi-humanoid figure equipped with cameras, sensors, audio and a touch screen interface, can remind users to take their medicine, suggest they have their favourite drink or prompt them to go for a walk or visit friends if they haven't been out for a while. As part of a larger smart-home environment that can include smart clothing to monitor vital signs, the system can monitor user's health and safety, and alert emergency services if something is amiss.
http://www.ehealthnews.eu/development/3617-a-personalised-robot-companion-for-older-people
GLOBAL WATERCOOLER
Norway Introduces National EMR
The Norwegian Medicines Agency has recently contributed to the National Action Plan for eHealth 2014 – 2016 by launching the national electronic medication record and new electronic adverse event reporting system. The national EMR and the new electronic adverse event reporting system will build on the infrastructure and standards established through the ePrescription and Patient Summary systems and is a first step towards the citizen’s complete personal patient summary.
http://www.epractice.eu/en/news/5419218
Denmark: Launch of Two Free Healthcare Information Apps
Danish Regions and the Danish eHealth portal 'Sundhed.dk' recently launched an emergency care and a healthcare information app respectively, offering Danes the opportunity to freely download information on healthcare easily and quickly.
The app allows users to: find opening hours and telephone numbers of emergency rooms, emergency clinics, pharmacies, dental clinics, chiropractors, psychiatric emergency rooms, etc.; follow online the actual waiting time for emergency rooms and/or clinics; enter personal information such as blood type, allergies and emergency contacts under the ‘My data’ option and find directions to various establishments and use the call-up function.
http://www.epractice.eu/en/news/5419243
GS1 Australia, NEHTA introduce GS1 Recallnet Healthcare to Improve Patient Safety
GS1 Australia with the support of the National e-Health Transition Authority is pleased to announce the official launch of GS1 Recallnet Healthcare – an electronic product recall notification management system for therapeutic goods. GS1 Recallnet Healthcare is an online portal designed to improve patient safety by streamlining the management of product recall and non-recall notifications. GS1 Recallnet Healthcare is designed to provide an electronic product recall notification management system in the Australian healthcare sector to improve patient safety by enhancing the speed, efficiency and accuracy of the recall process for therapeutic goods.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130910/GS1-Australia-NEHTA-introduce-GS1-Recallnet-Healthcare-to-improve-patient-safety.aspx
BENCH TO BEDSIDE
Researchers Claim to Successfully 3D-Print Living Kidneys
3D printing is a promising technology that, aside from its obvious manufacturing advantages, has been steadily showing promise in the field of medical research. Researchers at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China claim to have successfully created living human kidneys through the use of 3D Printing. The artificially created organs have apparently been found to effectively perform the functions of a human kidney, including the breakdown of toxins, metabolic functions, and the secretion of fluids.
http://www.medgadget.com/2013/09/researchers-claim-to-successfully-3d-print-living-kidneys-video.html
INFOWAY UPDATE
Find Out What's New and Happening at Canada Health Infoway
