Augmented Reality (AR) Becoming an Aspect of Surgery

 

ClariffEye, an industry-first solution that combines 2D and 3D visualizations, uses a 3D Augmented Reality (AR) system to enable surgeons to define and navigate through real-time. Royal Phillips announced the first patients had been successfully treated using ClariffEye at Sant Joan de Deu Barcelona Children's Hospital in Spain along with the Armed Forces Hospital, Oman.

Philips integrated Spine Suite was used by both surgeons, which showcases the Azurion Hybrid Operating Room (OR) in conjunction with ClariffEye. Both surgeries performed with ClariffEye were spinal.

"The level of success of this surgery would not have been possible to reach without ClarifEye," said Dr. Alejandro Peiró, Orthopedic surgeon and pediatric traumatologist at Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona Children's Hospital.

Dr. Ahmed Al Jahwari, Head of Department Orthopedics and Spine Surgery at Hospital MoD, Oman, said, "Philips' new technology enables us to perform less invasive procedures and produce better outcomes for patients with spine conditions. Thanks to the high quality of the intraoperative cone beam CT imaging and the positioning flexibility of the ClarifEye system, we can ensure that implants are in place which lowers post-operative CT scans to check implant placements."

Spinal procedures can be challenging and fragile to maneuver for surgeons. Delicate neurological and vascular structures near the spine are susceptible to damage. Minimally-invasive techniques have become more prevalent thanks to recent technology, which reduces blood loss, soft tissue damage, and post-operative discomfort.

With ClariffEye, surgeons can utilize real-time imaging in addition to 3D navigation to increase accuracy and improve outcomes.

According to Science Reports, ClariffEye performed accurately better compared to open surgery without 3D navigation. Additionally, ClariffEye has a 98 percent accurate ability to place a pedicle screw during minimally invasive procedures.

"We're excited that international access to ClarifEye is expanding, and more hospitals and patients will get to experience its benefits firsthand," said Karim Boussebaa, General Manager Image Guided Therapy Systems at Philips. "As the latest addition to Spine Suite, ClarifEye adds a new dimension in surgical precision for patients. It is a great example of how we're innovating procedures and helping clinicians to deliver on the Quadruple Aim of better health outcomes, improve patient experience and staff satisfaction, and lower cost of care."

Acceletronics is an industry leader in delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from CT Scanners and Linear Accelerators across all major brands and models. Call 610-524-3300 or visit our website: https://www.acceletronics.com.

 

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

 

Fewer Imaging Exams Scheduled During Virtual Visits

 

New research published in the JAMA Network Open suggests primary care visits that take place via video or phone result in fewer imaging scan orders.

The COVID-19 pandemic has fueled telehealth as a primary way for physicians to offer patient care. As patients stay home to limit exposure to the virus, physician follow-up care can look different.

Using pre-pandemic data from more than 1.1 million patients, Kaiser Permanente researchers found that primary care doctors ordered imaging in roughly 59 percent of office visits versus 29 percent of virtual and 27 percent over the phone.

The study did not specify the reason behind the variance; however, the authors suggested patients who were more ill might have sought out in-person primary care.

Mary Reed, DrPH, a Kaiser Permanente research scientist, said, “It is possible that these differences in treatment might be driven by the types or seriousness of concerns that patients chose for each visit type, or by the degree to which physicians could assess the patient in each visit type. We need to explore these details further in future research.”

The study analyzed primary care appointments at Kaiser Permanente in Northern California between 2016 and midway through 2018; almost 2.2 million were evaluated. Video and telephone visits resulted in a lower number of medications prescribed (39 percent and 35 percent, respectively) compared to office-based visits, which were at 52 percent.

Overall, 25 percent of video visits required a follow-up appointment within a week. Telephone and in-person visits required follow-ups at 26 percent and 24.5 percent, respectively.

Emergency department visits or hospitalizations did not see a difference.

The study wrote, “In contrast to prior studies of direct-to-consumer telemedicine, we did not find evidence of over-ordering or over-prescribing among patients using telemedicine to visit their own primary care doctors. Video or telephone visits may be a convenient and safe way for patients to address some primary care needs without generating a substantial number of follow-up office visits or experiencing health events.”

Acceletronics is an industry leader in delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from CT Scanners and Linear Accelerators across all major brands and models. Call 610-524-3300 or visit our website: https://www.acceletronics.com.

 

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

GE Plans to Form Three Public Companies

 

GE will form three industry-leading public companies concentrated on three sectors: aviation, energy, and healthcare. GE will retain 19.9 percent of shares in the new healthcare company, a spin-off of GE Healthcare, which will be fully functional by early 2023. As for renewable energy, GE plans to merge GE Renewable Energy, GE Power, and GE Digital by early 2024. Later on down the line, GE will be a company focused on aviation and the future of flight.

The goals are to create long-term growth and better value for customers, investors, and employees. GE plans to deepen operational focus and accountability to rise to customer needs. Distinct strategies and industry-tailored features will be fulfilled through capital allocations. Growth opportunities will be achieved through tactical strategies and financial flexibility. Incentives and career opportunities will be available to employees. Investment profiles will be presented in a compelling and more distinct manner to broaden investment areas. Finally, the boards of directors will have a thorough understanding of each domain.

H. Lawrence Culp, Jr., GE Chairman and CEO, said, “At GE we have always taken immense pride in our purpose of building a world that works. The world demands—and deserves—we bring our best to solve the biggest challenges in flight, healthcare, and energy. By creating three industry-leading, global public companies, each can benefit from greater focus, tailored capital allocation, and strategic flexibility to drive long-term growth and value for customers, investors, and employees. We are putting our technology expertise, leadership, and global reach to work to better serve our customers. Today is a defining moment for GE, and we are ready. Our teams have done exceptional work strengthening our financial position and operating performance, all while deepening our culture of continuous improvement and lean. And we’re not finished—we remain focused on continuing to reduce debt, improve our operational performance, and strategically deploy capital to drive sustainable, profitable growth. We have a responsibility to move with speed to shape the future of flight, deliver precision health, and lead the energy transition. The momentum we have built puts us in a position of strength to take this exciting next step in GE’s transformation and realize the full potential of each of our businesses.”

GE plans on reducing debt by over $75 billion at the end of 2021. By 2023, the company will be a well-capitalized, three-part company.

Acceletronics is an industry leader in delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from CT Scanners and Linear Accelerators across all major brands and models. Call 610-524-3300 or visit our website: https://www.acceletronics.com.

 

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Owners Can Now Repair Imaging Devices

 

A final rule was recently granted by the federal government that allows medical imaging equipment owners to repair their machines without intervention from the maker. This new rule shatters a copyright barrier that was previously in place.

An exemption to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) allows servicers to work around medical device security controls to access software required to maintain or restore the system. The Copyright Office Registrar recommended the Library of Congress moves forward with the change.

The Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance represents the original imaging equipment manufacturers and released a statement saying the recommendation to move forward will lead to “unnecessary safety and security risks” for patients.

In a statement, the President and CEO of Avante Health Solutions said, “This is significant to healthcare systems looking for affordable options to maintain and repair expensive medical equipment and associated devices. Avante is thrilled, as this ruling builds on the FDA’s recognition of the merits and safety of the services provided by independent service organizations.”

The Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA) outlined that manufacturers are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, and independent technicians are not held to the same standards as they have a lower amount of scrutiny associated with their position.

Moreover, the alliance also voiced concern over whether manufacturers’ intellectual property would be exposed to the public, which would be detrimental to the industry.

“MITA Executive Director Patrick Hope said, “If this recommendation is ultimately accepted and implemented, it would amount to a license for unregulated third-party servicers to hack sensitive technology, creating grievous cybersecurity and patient safety risks. We intend to continue to advocate against this misguided approach.”

Acceletronics is an industry leader in delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from CT Scanners and Linear Accelerators across all major brands and models. Call 610-524-3300 or visit our website: https://www.acceletronics.com.

 

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

 

Samsung Introduces Novel V8: High-End Ultrasound System

 

Samsung, specifically NeuroLogica Corp., its United States healthcare subsidiary, recently introduced the V8: a high-end ultrasound system with Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. The machine boasts improved image quality, usability, and enhanced accessibility for ultrasound technicians. 

The United States Food and Drug Administration recently cleared the V8 for commercial use. Two new AI functions include “NerveTrack,” which identifies the specific location of nerves during live scanning, and “UterineAssist,” which locates tissue changes and helps the user measure the uterus.

David Legg, NeuroLogica Vice President of Ultrasound and Digital Radiography, said, “We are pleased to launch the V8. We designed it with the user in mind, from its premium imaging engine to its ergonomic design. The ‘V’ in ‘V8’ stands for ‘versatile’ because a wide range of departments from obstetrics to radiology and orthopedics to cardiology can make use of its complex functions. We anticipate the V8 to become a flagship product within the high-end ultrasound category.”

Crystal Architecture is the foundation that runs the V8’s image clarity system. It is built with a combination of novel beamforming (CrystalBeam), advanced image handling (CrystalLive), and advanced S-Vue Single Crystal Transducers. Each one of these aspects blends to generate precise, consistent, high-resolution figures.

The V8 is stocked with exceptional technologies such as ShadowHDR, which suppresses shadows and enhances the clarity of grayscale images; S-Shearwave Imaging, which uses ultrasonic transverse elasticity to give information related to tissue stiffness when related to disease; S-Fusion technology, which grants total alignment of medical images with one or more cross-sectional studies (MRI, for example) which are instantly reconstructed; and MV-Flow, which enhances the visualization of low-flow blood flow conditions.

Various 3D, 4D, and 5D technologies are also supported by the V8, allowing the operator to see a structure with remarkable detail. The V8 can deliver a higher level of usefulness and value to many diagnostic medical ultrasound departments. 

For more information about the V8 system, visit the NeuroLogica website.

Acceletronics is an industry leader in delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from CT Scanners and Linear Accelerators across all major brands and models. Call 610-524-3300 or visit our website: https://www.acceletronics.com.

 

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

FDA Clears First Photon-Counting CT System

 

On September 30, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the world’s first photon-counting Computed Tomography (CT) scanner. Dubbed the Siemens Naeotom Alpha, the machine is a revolution in technology and represents the biggest shift in radiology in years.

Laurel Burk, Ph. D., assistant director of the Diagnostic X-ray Systems Team in the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, said, “Computed tomography is an important medical imaging tool that can aid in diagnosing disease, trauma, or abnormality; planning and guiding interventional or therapeutic procedures and monitoring the effectiveness of certain therapies. Today’s action represents the first major new technology for computed tomography imaging in nearly a decade and underscores the FDA’s efforts to encourage innovation in areas of scientific and diagnostic progress.”

Photon-counting detectors have the ability to measure each individual X-ray photon that passes through a patient’s body. Current CT systems use detectors that measure the total energy radiated from multiple X-rays simultaneously. This creates image noise, which is not as valuable when reading images. The new photon-counting system allows each individual X-ray to be read, which gives more specific details about the patient. The Siemens Naeotom Alpha creates a three-dimensional (3D) image.

Cynthia McCollough, Ph. D., scientific director of the Mayo Clinic CT Clinical Innovation Center, said, “The use of photon-counting detectors in CT scanners is really a reinvention of CT imaging because the X-ray detector is the secret sauce that determines the quality of an image, somewhat like how the number of megapixels in your phone camera determines the quality of your photo.” McCollough worked with Siemens to develop the new system, testing prototypes along the way.

McCollough added, “The images that we are seeing are incredible. We can appreciate structures that were simply too small to be resolved with previous detector technologies. The resolution is exquisite, there are noise benefits, and it is dual-energy plus, because you can get multiple energies from one scan.”

Acceletronics is an industry leader in delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from CT Scanners and Linear Accelerators across all major brands and models. Call 610-524-3300 or visit our website: https://www.acceletronics.com.

 

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

 

MRI Machine Falls, Kills Worker

 

At the University of Utah Health, a contracted worker was moving an MRI when the machine fell and killed him. The accident occurred at a loading dock as the machine was being moved outside of the building from the fourth floor to the first floor.

The injured man was sent to the Emergency Department at the Salt Lake City hospital where he later died. A second worker who was also moving the machine suffered a minor injury.

Alison Flynn Gaffney, Executive Director of University Hospital service lines and system planning, said, “This was meant to be a milestone occasion for our team, and something that has been in the works for several years. We are incredibly saddened to learn that someone tragically died in this incident and our hearts go out to the family.”

Local authorities are working with hospital employees to determine the cause of the industrial accident. The Salt Lake City Fire Department hazmat crew were originally dispatched to the scene; occupational safety experts are investigating the incident.

Gaffney said there were multiple emergency and safety plans in place at the time. The machine weighs 20,000 pounds, so moving it is a challenge. Gaffney dubbed it an “outside event” with “infrastructure and scaffolding” along with “multiple safety components” involved. She said the hospital has moved machines like this “many, many times.”

 

Acceletronics is an industry leader in delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from CT Scanners and Linear Accelerators across all major brands and models. Call 610-524-3300 or visit our website: https://www.acceletronics.com.

 

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Study Finds Over 99% Of Knee X-Rays Following Replacement Surgery to Be Unnecessary

 According to a new analysis, the healthcare system is losing millions of dollars due to unnecessary x-rays following total knee replacement surgery.

Experts from The Knee wrote that performing radiographs after surgery is common; however, there is not a lot of data supporting their usefulness.

To better understand, Brigham and Women’s scientists examined specific data for two level one trauma centers. The results showed that nearly 100 percent of scans that took place after total knee arthroplasty had zero impact on medical intervention following the procedure.

Despite not having any effect on clinical management, these routine x-rays cost roughly $1 million and exposed patients to 22.92 mSV of radiation for apparently no reason.

Aseal Birir, an MD candidate at Harvard Medical School, one of the co-authors, wrote, “Since the majority of postoperative radiographs didn’t change clinical management and constituted a significant portion of follow-up care costs, methods to circumscribe unnecessary postoperative radiographs may be an effective cost-saving alternative, while simultaneously increasing the quality of TKA follow-up care by limiting radiographs to nonroutine follow-up visits.”

Adult patients who underwent knee replacement surgery within two different hospitals in 2014 were analyzed. With an average age of 72, a total of 1,258 patients met the study’s criteria. The cost of the average Medicare reimbursement averaged roughly $282 each.

The authors stated, “Further work developing evidence-based guidelines using nonroutine visits for determining the appropriateness of radiographs after primary TKA may be helpful to limit healthcare spending and support virtual postoperative visits after TKA.”

Acceletronics is an industry leader in delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from CT Scanners and Linear Accelerators across all major brands and models. Call 610-524-3300 or visit our website: https://www.acceletronics.com.

 

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Ultrasound Gel Recalled by FDA

 

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has recalled eight lots of Eco-Med Pharmaceuticals ultrasound gel, with contamination being the culprit. Confirmed bacterial infections affected 15 patients who were in contact with the Eco-Gel 200 ultrasound gel. Unconfirmed cases are also suspected.

Eco-Gel instructed customers to immediately halt the use of the gel and return it to the manufacturer if possible.

FDA officials said, “Eco-Med has initiated this recall and quarantine due to bacterial contamination in the affected loss of ultrasound gel with Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bxx). The source(s) of the bacterial contamination is currently unknown. Eco-med is conducting a comprehensive investigation to determine the root cause of this contamination and take all necessary corrective action.”

Patients who encountered the gel can be asymptomatic or develop severe toxicity, such as bloodstream infection, which can result in sepsis or death.

Eco-Med lot numbers included in the recall:

-          Lot number B029 – distribution: March 26, 2021

-          Lot number B030 – distribution: March 30, 2021

-          Lot number B031 – distribution: April 5, 2021

-          Lot number B032 – distribution: April 7, 2021

-          Lot number B040 – distribution: April 26, 2021

-          Lot number B041 – distribution April 26, 2021

-          Lot number B048 – distribution: May 7, 2021

-          Lot number B055 – distribution: May 26, 2021

These brand names were also tainted and are recalled:

-          Chattanooga Conductor USA – DJO Global

-          DJO Conductor – DJO Global

-          Liquasonic – Athena Medical Products

-          MediChoice Ultrasound Gel – Owens & Minor

-          MediChoice Ultrasound Gel – Mac Medical Supply Co.

-          Medline – Medline Industries

-          NDC Eco-Gel 200 Ultrasound Gel – NDC

-          Omni – Accelerated Care Plus Leasing

 

Acceletronics is an industry leader in delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from CT Scanners and Linear Accelerators across all major brands and models. Call 610-524-3300 or visit our website: https://www.acceletronics.com.

 

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

 

Radiology Practice Data Breach Sparks Cybersecurity Implementation

 

A recently issued press release from Express MRI informed patients of a data breach, in which personal information was in jeopardy. The hackers infiltrated the Express MRI security system through e-mail addresses, exposing clients’ name, home address, e-mail, date of birth, referring physician, body part scanned, and information regarding workers’ compensation or accident investigations. Express MRI stressed that no Social Security numbers, financial or insurance information, or patient images were accessed.

The data breach highlights the importance of implementing cybersecurity in information technology systems. Data breaches are only one aspect of hackers’ skillsets. Ransomware attacks have been exponentially rising worldwide. A type of malware, hackers use ransomware to hold the victim’s information “hostage” until they fork over monetary funds, usually in the form of cryptocurrency.

According to the FBI, losses resulting from ransomware are estimated to total $18 million, and could be higher. Between 2019 and 2020, ransomware attacks soared by 62 percent worldwide – 158 percent in North America alone. The FBI’s annual Internet Crime Report showed their ransomware complaints increased by 20 percent from 2019 to 2021. In 2020, the combined total ransomware attacks equaled roughly $29.1 million, rising more than 200 percent from 2019.

Nearly every industry is affected by hackers, who are targeting municipalities, businesses, medical industries, financial businesses, and educational institutions worldwide. Medical industries, specifically, are an ideal target for hackers, as they store sensitive health and financial data – precisely what hackers are looking for.

Protecting your patients and company is imperative. Being proactive rather than reactive is the best tactic, enabling proper cybersecurity and thwarting threats before they occur.   

Want to protect your healthcare company from cyberattacks and ensure hackers cannot access your patient data? Contact the experts at Creative Programs & Systems today. We can help prevent and manage cyberattacks, giving you peace of mind for your business.

 

Acceletronics is an industry leader in delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from CT Scanners and Linear Accelerators across all major brands and models. Call 610-524-3300 or visit our website: https://www.acceletronics.com.

 

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

 

Side Gigs Common Among Radiologists and Other Doctors During Pandemic

 

According to a recently published survey by Medscape, roughly 40 percent of radiologists and other physicians have side jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. These second gigs allow physicians to create an additional income stream or pursue a creative passion project. More than 2,500 United States physicians were surveyed about their jobs, how much they are currently earning, and what they hope to achieve in the future.

Partly due to the COVID-19 income-related loss, more doctors and medical professionals began looking for side gigs. Roughly one in four doctors have a side job in 2021, though the interest in a second job began rising throughout 2020. Nearly 45 percent of those surveyed who picked up a side job during the past year cited pandemic-related hardships.

David I. Beran, DO, emergency physician and writer, said, “I have seen physicians pursue side gigs more and more in recent years. Sometimes they are clinical jobs (moonlighting), sometimes they are not clinical but medical (file review or expert witnessing), and sometimes they are neither (business, investing, real estate, etc.).”

About twice as many men in the medical field have a second job (65 percent) than women (33 percent). Nisha Mehta, MD, a radiologist, founded Physician Side Gigs, a Facebook group with over 80,000 verified physicians interested in pursuing creative ventures or different revenue sources. The group regularly discusses jobs, business skills, financial topics, life in medicine, and physician burnout.

Mehta said, “The data are actually very encouraging when you consider antiquated stereotypes of male and female physicians. To me, it states that despite the challenges that female physicians traditionally face in finding the bandwidth to balance work, family and a side gig … women physicians are finding innovative ways to create fulfillment and flexibility in their careers.”

Between March and May, when the survey was conducted, approximately 75 radiologists were included. Of those, roughly 37 percent said they are working a side job compared to 63 percent who are not. Medical activities such as consulting, expert testimony, chart reviews, and moonlighting are popular alternatives.

Mehta said, “In a healthcare landscape that’s increasingly challenging, the side gig offers physicians an opportunity to do something on their own terms as well as use a different part of their brains. This leads to new skill sets, networks and mental breaks from the stress of their day jobs, all of which can be tremendously fulfilling and ultimately counter burnout.”

Acceletronics is an industry leader in delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from CT Scanners and Linear Accelerators across all major brands and models. Call 610-524-3300 or visit our website: https://www.acceletronics.com.

 

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.