Health Imaging & IT - June 2008 - (Page 7)

NEWS UPDATE Clinical Studies BUSINESS BUZZ  Imaging is helping identify kidney cancer earlier Smaller tumors in U.S. patients are now much more likely to be diagnosed in the earliest, most treatable stage of kidney cancer compared to a decade ago, leading to a slightly higher survival rate, according to the results of a national study published in Cancer. The low-stage presentation of tumors appears to be due to the more widespread use of medical imaging such as ultrasound, CT scans and MRIs to evaluate other medical conditions, the researchers said. HP to acquire Electronic Data Systems for $13.9B Hewlett-Packard (HP) has signed a definitive agreement to purchase Electronic Data Systems (EDS) for approximately $13.9 billion. HP said it intends to establish a new business group, to be branded EDS—an HP company, which will be headquartered at EDS’ existing executive offices in Plano, Texas. Image: Siemens  Google launches free PHR site Google has entered the U.S. personal health record (PHR) market with the launch of its Google Health. The company said it built a secure computer platform separate from its search system to host medical records as part of an emphasis on keeping the health information protected. California sees growth in imaging spurred by self-referrals Increased referrals for CT, MRI and PET scans for privately insured patients in California is directly related to the number of physicians who refer patients to their own facilities, according to a study published in Medical Care. For example, in the southern California, self-referrals accounted for 7.9 percent of PET scans in 2000 among older men and 30.3 percent in 2004. ACRIN trial recommends ultrasound plus mammogram for better breast cancer detection A single screening ultrasound exam, added to a screening mammogram, increased detection of breast cancer compared with mammography alone, among women at increased risk of breast cancer, who also had dense breast tissue, based on results from the American College of Radiology Imaging Network National Breast Ultrasound Trial (ACRIN 6666). However, “the medical community may well decide that the screening benefit is offset by the increase in risk to women from a false positive finding,” said author Jeffrey Blume, PhD, from Brown University.  AECL scraps isotope reactor development Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL) stopped the development of two isotope-producing reactors in Chalk River, Ontario, due to expenses, but will continue to provide an ongoing supply of medical isotopes. The AuditorGeneral has estimated it would cost $600 million to refurbish the Chalk River site and bring it to modern standards, including an undisclosed investment in the research reactor itself. ASSOCIATION NEWS NEMA publishes signal-to-noise ratio determination in MRI The MR section of the Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance (MITA), a division of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), published its MS 1-2008 determination of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in diagnostic MRI. MRI standards pertaining to SNR and uniformity measurements were restructured to consider the coil geometry. In addition, new measurement methods were added to the standard.  Quinn takes reins of Siemens Healthcare diagnostics division Donal Quinn has been appointed as the new CEO of the diagnostics division of Siemens Healthcare. Quinn served as executive vice president and chief customer officer of the diagnostics division since November 2007. STAY CONNECTED: For daily news, log onto HealthImaging.com MITA advocates for FDA Globalization bill to U.S. House committee MITA testified before the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, offering the industry’s perspective on the proposed FDA Globalization bill. Elisabeth George, MITA board member, encouraged Congress to facilitate global harmonization of safety standards by mandating International Standards Organization 13485 certification, rather than instituting new inspections. HealthImaging.com June 2008 | Health Imaging & IT 7 http://HealthImaging.com http://HealthImaging.com

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Health Imaging & IT - June 2008 Contents On The Web The Enterprise News Update Cover Story: Pushing Productivity: How Imaging is Building Efficiency and Cutting Costs Technology Outlook: Imaging Procedures Poised for Growth Great Expectations: PET/CT Delivers SPECT/CT Proving it's Potential MR/PET Holds Promise Good Image Management: Infiltrating Molecular Imaging SNM Preview Modality Review: Mammography’s Next Step: The Dawning of Breast Tomosynthesis Managing Technology: Radiation Oncology: Opening the Doors to IT Reader's Resource Stat Sheet

Health Imaging & IT - June 2008

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