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Microsoft announced its plan to jump into the medical record business - what will they think of next?
Read Microsoft Plans Medical record Service
The article goes on to state… "On Thursday the company is outlining its vision, dubbed HealthVault, in which a person can view, from one place, their complete health records. Consumers will be able to view information from medical devices, myriad health care providers and insurance companies as well as share that information with health care providers of their choosing or search for information related to their health issues."
If your reaction is the same as mine (shocked, amused and left with a feeling that there is no way can they pull this off) - then you will enjoy Chris Pirillo’s blog and video - check it out here…
Chris goes on to say…
"On Thursday the company outlined its vision, dubbed HealthVault, in which a person can view, from one place, their complete health records. Consumers will be able to view information from medical devices, myriad health care providers and insurance companies as well as share that information with health care providers of their choosing or search for information related to their health issues."
Another good article can be found on ZDNet at http://blogs.zdnet.com/micro-markets/?p=891
Who do you think will win the race for medical record dominance?
- Google
- Microsoft
- Other
Leave your comments and feedback.
Consumer Health - Diabetes
Studies that were announced this week have proven that a steady and consistent routine of exercise is good for the blood sugar levels in diabetics. Diabetics are represented in this country by an alarming 2.8 million men and women. Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease, is what is affected most by these recent studies. With a combination of strength training and exercise, diabetics that were in the study had an almost 10% drop in their blood sugar levels overall, a rate that they are sure to be proud of.
This is indeed positive news for diabetics. This means that those that have diabetes and who begin to do both the weight loss and training can reduce the amount of insulin that is needed in their bodies every day. Above all, they are well on their way to a happier and healthier style of living!
Public Health - Disease - Consumer Health
This week, it was announced that a 32 year old Californian man was diagnosed with the first case of the West Nile Virus. It is not entirely known where or how he contracted the virus, but he is out of the hospital and recovering now. While in the hospital, he suffered from a high fever and persistent headaches. The gentleman went an entire month with these symptoms prior to finally going to the doctor to have them examine him.
It is advised that anyone that has these symptoms for the same amount of time as he had, that they need to go to the doctor as soon as possible. Thanks to the proper treatments and rehabilitation, the man was released from the hospital on Monday, September 17. He seems to be in good spirits, and is looking forward to his full recovery.
Healthcare Industry Today
Hospital - Cosumer Health
When we see a doctor walking down a hall, be it in their offices or at a hospital, their white lab jackets are carrying tons of germs and diseases. This statement was made by administrators in Britain. Other clothing fashions that were affected in the hospital were neckties and jewelry. It was stated that neckties where not in the least bit clean, as they are often worn time and again before finally cleaning them. The health officials in Britain fear that the doctors will carry contagious and possibly deadly diseases while traveling from room to room seeing patients. Effective Monday, the doctors must be in full complaisance with the dress code. However, although this is a new regulation that has been passed, others were already in effect regarding neckties. British health officials had asked their doctors last year to please disregard their neckties at home, as they were not deemed as necessary anyhow.
Healthcare Plans - Health Insurance
Reports maid available today stated that the great Northeastern United States spends the most money in healthcare. This is not a surprise to many, and the economical status of those that live in the Northeast are often higher and better paying than those jobs that are in other parts of the US. On average the normal amount that was used on healthcare in the Northeast was a little over $6,400 a year per person. Insurance, healthcare, prescriptions, and Medicaid and Medicare were all factors of the figures that were provided.
Oddly enough the states that had the highest amounts of money funded for the Medicaid funds, such as Massachusetts, was also one of the states that had some of the highest spending in healthcare. The collaboration of the such said states were new to the results of healthcare spending, and the trend is only expected to climb.
Health Regulation - Public Health
The government and citizens of New York State and New York City have had enough. On Monday, the state government filed a lawsuit with the State Supreme Court in regards to Vioxx, a drug that was pulled off of the shelves in 2004 due to the dangers that patients had in side effects. Those that have filed a lawsuit are stating that Mereck, the distributor of Vioxx, knew that their product, an arthritis reliever, caused heart attacks and strokes in many instances.
Other states have lined up as well for the restitution that they feel is owed back to those that were patients on Vioxx. There is a multi-million dollar lawsuit under litigation in all of these states, and the hope that the tax payers will be reimbursed is what those that have been effected as well as the state lawyers are hoping for.
Medical Devices
The inventors of the artificial heart valve, scientist Albert Starr and scientist Alain Carpentier received an American Nobel prize this past weekend. The two scientists, whose heart valve invention has saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of patients all around the world, where honored to receive such accolades.
The invention of the heart valve had its humble beginnings from a pigs heart that was tested time and again. It was realized that the pigs heart could not operate properly due to blocked arteries, as well as valve failure, and so Carpentier replicated the human heart, testing the valves for any abnormalities. Due to the extreme similarities that are between the two the two doctors could successfully create artificial valves for the human heart. What is phenomenal is that these hearts were created in the late 1960s and soon brought into the healthcare fields.
Consumer Health - Vitamins
It has been said time and again how important it is to make sure that you eat your daily does of vitamins, or that there is a supplement that you take in its place. Studies have proven this to be true. In a recent revelation, Vitamin D seems to increase the vitality of life, and decrease the time of one’s inevitable death. Published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, and released on September 10, it has been proven that Vitamin D is indeed beneficial for living a longer and healthier life. It has also been augmented that Vitamin D is perhaps the only vitamin that is truly beneficial for daily vitamin intake, which has totally debunked many of the statements that vitamins are needed on a daily basis. As with any vitamin that is consumed, it is best to do so in moderation. Having too many vitamins in one’s system is quite potent to the body, and it has a difficult time regulating all of the vitamins.
Health Regulation
There is a new ADHD drug that is being reviewed by the FDA. The FDA is giving the drug a thorough investigation to make sure that there will not be any heart problems in both children and adults. Although this is a serous investigation, the end result of a positive ADHD drug that can be made available for consumption is always on the lookout from those who suffer with the disease. According to various reports, the FDA had begun its preliminary research, but had to halt the process due to financial set backs.
The FDA does, however, have every plan to reinstate the investigation process of the drug once there are additional funds that can be use for the medication. The FDA plans to research 500,000 patients who were diagnosed to take the medication. This should prove to be beneficial for study and trends.
Pharma Industry News
Public Health - Disease
As if last year’s spinach scare of E. Coli was not enough, Dole has recalled their mixed salad bags due to a possible E. Coli outbreak. To date, there are nine states that have been notified of the possible outbreak. The origins of the E. Coli outbreak was said to have started in Canada. As of Monday, September 17, there was a voluntary recall for the Dole Hearts Delight salad mix.
Dole, who was under much scrutiny for its spinach recall last year, is taking all of the precautionary steps as needed for this sudden outbreak. The Hearts Delight salad mix has an expatriation date of September 19, 2007. Anyone who has this salad bag mix in their refrigerators are encouraged to throw out the salad, and contact a medical physician immediately should any symptoms of the E. Coli bacteria should be prevalent.
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