Health Tech News: Patient Portals Present Opportunities, Challenges

Patient portals present opportunities, challenges. Patient portals are a powerful way for patients to quickly access their health information online. Portals also present privacy and security challenges for the healthcare industry that health information management (HIM) professionals can mitigate.  Recent AHIMA presentation focuses on finding the right balance of proper security measures vs. usability. Full press release below. SOURCE: AHIMA [American Health Information Management Association], www.ahima.org Patient Portals Present Opportunities, Challenges. HIM Professionals Play Key Role in Helping to Ensure Privacy and Security ATLANTA, Oct. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The increasing use of patient portals has the potential to provide consumers with a faster and more convenient way to access their personal health information. Portals also present privacy and security challenges for the healthcare industry that health information management (HIM) professionals can help solve. Finding the right balance of "proper security measures vs. usability" was a key focus of "Managing the Privacy and Security of Patient Portals," presented by Adam Greene, JD, MPH, a partner at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP. He spoke Monday at the American Health Information Management Association's (AHIMA) 85th Annual Convention and Exhibit. "Patient portals are a powerful way for patients to quickly access their health information online," said AHIMA CEO Lynne Thomas Gordon, RHIA, MBA, CAE, FACHE, FAHIMA. "For portals to realize their potential, it is incumbent on HIM professionals to proactively make sure that patients benefit from the same privacy and security standards they are accustomed to. To facilitate this, HIM professionals should be involved in all aspects of their organizations' portal strategy as they are the experts who will deal with it daily." Added Greene, who formerly worked as a regulator at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: "You want each patient to have a strong password but not so strong that they can't remember it and access their records." When an organization installs a patient portal, Greene said that one facility's experience was that medical record requests increased as patients received greater access to their health information. Areas that pose the greatest privacy challenges include family medicine, women's health, psychiatry and transplant. Greene highlighted a number of questions HIM professionals are grappling with, including: •   What is the appropriate level of authentication for an electronic health record (EHR) portal? •   Do patients have the option of asking for higher security through a multifactor authentication? •   How are password resets handled? Greene urged HIM professionals to make sure their organizations' EHR portal vendor's software has been independently tested. About AHIMA Celebrating its 85th anniversary this year, the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) represents more than 71,000 educated health information management professionals in the United States and around the world. AHIMA is committed to promoting and advocating for high quality research, best practices and effective standards in health information and to actively contributing to the development and advancement of health information professionals worldwide. AHIMA's enduring goal is quality healthcare through quality information. www.ahima.org SOURCE American Health Information Management Association  CONTACT: Bridget Stratton, Public Relations, 312-233-1097, bridget.stratton@ahima.org Web Site: http://www.ahima.org

Health Tech News: Researchers propose social network modeling to fight hospital infections

Researchers propose social network modeling to fight hospital infections. The study's authors have introduced a conceptual framework for hospitals to model their social networks to predict and minimize the spread of bacterial infections that often are resistant to antibiotic treatments. Full Press Release Below. SOURCE: UMD's Robert H. Smith School of Business COLLEGE PARK, Md. (Oct. 22,2013)– Two researchers at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business have teamed up with a researcher at American University to develop a framework to help prevent costly and deadly infections acquired by hospitalized patients. According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), these transmissions strike one out of every 20 inpatients, drain billions of dollars from the national health care system and cause tens of thousands of deaths annually. The research of Sean Barnes, Smith School assistant professor of operations management; Bruce Golden, the Smith School's France-Merrick Chair in Management Science; and Edward Wasil of American's Kogod School of Business, utilized computer models that simulate the interactions between patients and health care workers to determine if these interactions are a source for spreading multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs). Their study shows a correlation of a "sparse, social network structure" with low infection transmission rates. This study comes in advance of HHS' 2015 launch and enforcement of a new initiative that penalizes hospitals at an estimated average rate of $208,642 for violating specific requirements for infection control. In response, the study's authors have introduced a conceptual framework for hospitals to model their social networks to predict and minimize the spread of bacterial infections that often are resistant to antibiotic treatments. The authors manipulated and tracked the dynamics of the social network in a mid-Atlantic hospital's intensive care unit. They focused on interactions between patients and health care workers – primarily nurses – and the multiple competing factors that can affect transmission. "The basic reality is that healthcare workers frequently cover for one another due to meetings, breaks and sick leave," said Barnes. "These factors, along with the operating health care-worker-to-patient ratios and patient lengths of stay, can significantly affect transmission in an ICU ... But they also can be better controlled." The next step is to enable hospitals to adapt this framework, which is based on maximizing staff-to-patient ratio to ensure fewer nurses and physicians come in contact with each patient, especially high-risk patients. "The health care industry's electronic records movement could soon generate data that captures the structure of patient-healthcare worker interaction in addition to multiple competing, related factors that can affect MDRO transmission," said Barnes. The study, "Exploring the Effects of Network Structure and Healthcare Worker Behavior on the Transmission of Hospital-Acquired Infections," appears in a recent issue of the peer-reviewed IIE Transactions on Healthcare Systems Engineering. The study was partially funded by the Robert H. Smith School of Business Center for Health Information and Decision Systems. A full copy of the study is available at: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19488300.2012.736120?journalCode=uhse20#.UmV9WPmsjlN Contact: Sean Barnes Co-author/Researcher UMD's Robert H. Smith School of Business sbarnes@rhsmith.umd.edu Greg Muraski 301-892-0973 gmuraski@rhsmith.umd.edu /PRNewswire-USNewswire -- Oct. 22, 2013/ SOURCE Robert H. Smith School of Business Web Site: http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu

Vascular 2013 Research Highlights

Breaking research from Vascular 2013: study highlights for Oct. 19 2013 Full press release appears below. SOURCE: Heart and Stroke Foundation www.hsf.ca MONTREAL, Oct. 19, 2013 /CNW/ - Here are summaries of today's press releases featuring research presented today at Vascular 2013 in Montreal. Cutting-edge genetic testing identifies inherited risk for enlarged heart Genetic blueprinting isolates the key mutations responsible for hereditary dilated cardiomyopathy A study presented today at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress has identified the genetic mutations that account for a significant proportion of cases of familial dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a disease affecting thousands of Canadians. Presented at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress. For the full press release, go to http://vascular2013.ca/en/news.asp  COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY: Paramedics' weekly drop-in sessions at seniors complex result in fewer EMS calls and saves on costly emergency room visits Community health awareness delivered by paramedics leads to 32% reduction in EMS calls Emergency Medical Service (EMS) staff are accustomed to responding to emergencies. A study presented today at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress finds they may be able to prevent many emergencies as well, judging by the preliminary success of a pilot project at a Hamilton building for seniors. Presented at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress. For the full press release, go to http://vascular2013.ca/en/news.asp  Ontario Stroke System saves hundreds of lives, thousands of hospitalizations, hundreds of millions of dollars Collaboration of regional stroke networks delivers huge gains in lives saved, reduced hospitalizations, reduced costs and improved outcomes The collaboration of regional stroke networks across Ontario has led to 16,000 fewer hospitalizations, 1,500 fewer in-hospital deaths, and cost-savings of almost $600 million in an eight-year period, according to a study presented today at the Canadian Stroke Congress. Presented at the Canadian Stroke Congress. For the full press release, go to http://vascular2013.ca/en/news.asp  2013 Clinical Practice Guidelines: Tips and Tools to Help You Help Your Patients with Diabetes The internationally acclaimed 2013 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada (Guidelines) sets the gold standard in diabetes care and management.  However, this 212-page, 38 chapter, evidence-based resource has little value to people living with diabetes if health care teams aren't translating the findings into improved care. Attendees will learn about the five majorGuidelines themes and what tools are available to support health care providers in their own clinics and patient treatment plans. Presented at the 16th Annual Canadian Diabetes Association/Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism Professional Conference and Annual Meetings For the full press release, go to http://vascular2013.ca/en/news.asp  My Big, Fat Diet: Carbohydrate Restriction in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes and Related Conditions The obesity and type 2 diabetes epidemics have been health topics of interest worldwide over the last few years. Prevention measures based on the conventional theory that these epidemics are related to excess calories have failed. Vancouver's Dr. Jay Wortman and Alberta's Dr. David Lau will debate the effectiveness of carbohydrate restriction for the management of conditions related to insulin resistance. This session explores carbohydrate restriction as a viable therapy for conditions such as type 2 diabetes and how it should be a first-line therapy. Presented at the 16th Annual Canadian Diabetes Association/Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism Professional Conference and Annual Meetings For the full press release, go to http://vascular2013.ca/en/news.asp  The P.O.W.E.R. Trial: Physical Activity for Overweight Youth at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes Little data exists to describe the role of physical activity in the prevention of type 2 diabetes in children. Completed January 2013, this community-based exercise trial examined the effects of high versus low intensity exercise training on several risk factors for type 2 diabetes, including liver fat, insulin sensitivity and metabolic syndrome. Winnipeg-based clinicians will review outcomes from this important trial study. Presented at the 16th Annual Canadian Diabetes Association/Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism Professional Conference and Annual Meetings For the full press release, go to http://vascular2013.ca/en/news.asp  Vascular 2013 is a unique, one-time Canadian event bringing four separate scientific meetings together under one roof: the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress, the Canadian Diabetes Association/Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism Professional Conference, the Canadian Stroke Congress and the Canadian Hypertension Congress.  www.vascular2013.ca It is a joint initiative of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society, Canadian Diabetes Association/Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the Canadian Stroke Network, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, and Hypertension Canada. SOURCE Heart and Stroke Foundation CONTACT: VASCULAR 2013 MEDIA OFFICE AT 514-789-3402 (Oct 17-20) OR Massy Forget Langlois Public Relations Christian Ahuet, Consultant 514-842-2455, ext. 29 / Cell. 514-994-7496 Congress information and media registration is at www.vascular2013.ca After October 20, 2013 contact: Jane-Diane Fraser Heart and Stroke Foundation (613) 569-4361 ext 273 jfraser@hsf.ca

Financing News, G1 Therapeutics raises $12.5M Series A

G1 Therapeutics raises $12.5M Series A financing led by MedImmune Ventures.        ·      Co-investors include Hatteras Venture Partners and Mountain Group Capital.      ·      Financing will accelerate lead clinical candidate to IND and initial clinic­al testing.      ·      The lead clinical candidate is a proprietary, potent and selective cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitor that has been evaluated in a number of pre-clinical studies for the potential treatment of chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression.      ·      Based on a recent pre-IND meeting with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, the company expects to file its IND by summer 2014 and initiate clinical testing before the end of 2014 Full Press Release Follows. SOURCE: G1 Therapeutics, Inc. CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Oct. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- G1 Therapeutics, Inc. today announced that it has raised a Series A financing of $12.5M that will enable the advancement of its lead clinical candidate through the filing of an Investigational New Drug application (IND) and initial clinical testing. The financing was led by MedImmune Ventures. Co-investors include Hatteras Venture Partners and Mountain Group Capital.  Michael Gutch, Ph.D., Managing Director, MedImmune Ventures, and Ron Laufer, M.D., M.P.H., Senior Managing Director, MedImmune Ventures, have joined G1's board of directors. G1's lead clinical candidate is a proprietary, potent and selective cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitor that has been evaluated in a number of pre-clinical studies for the potential treatment of chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression. Based on a recent pre-IND meeting with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, the company expects to file its IND by summer 2014 and initiate clinical testing before the end of 2014.  "G1 Therapeutics has made significant progress since Hatteras provided seed financing in September 2012 that enabled the company to select a lead molecule and complete the majority of pre-IND-required studies," said Christy Shaffer, Ph.D., Executive Chair of G1 Therapeutics' Board of Directors. "We are excited to have MedImmune Ventures partner with Hatteras and G1 in order to accelerate the lead candidate toward clinical testing." In addition to venture funding, G1 received several government grants to fund its drug discovery pipeline, including a National Cancer Institute Fast Track Grant in 2012 for its lead potential indication. In addition, the company received early funding from the North Carolina Biotechnology Center and the University of North Carolina's Kickstart Program. The company was founded on intellectual property from the Sharpless lab, which was in part funded by the University Cancer Research Fund. "Ron and I are delighted to be joining the board," said Michael Gutch, Ph.D., Managing Director at MedImmune Ventures. "We look forward to working alongside Hatteras and Mountain Group to support the innovative and elegant science from G1's founders, Dr. Ned Sharpless of the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and Dr. Kwok Wong of the Belfer Institute of Applied Cancer Science at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, to address the serious complications of myelosuppression in patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment."   About G1 Therapeutics, Inc. G1 Therapeutics, Inc. is a privately held pharmaceutical company based in Chapel Hill, NC that focuses on the discovery and development of novel small molecules for use in cancer therapy and biodefense applications. These molecules are being developed for targeting specific proteins associated with cell proliferation and growth. Such therapies may be useful to protect the bone marrow and other organs, including the kidney and lung, from toxic insult. In October 2013, the company raised $12.5 million in a Series A financing led by MedImmune Ventures that will enable it to advance its lead clinical candidate into clinical trials for the potential treatment of chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression. Visit www.g1therapeutics.com for more information. About Hatteras Venture Partners Hatteras Venture Partners (HVP) is a venture capital firm based in Durham, NC with a focus on seed and early stage opportunities in biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics, and related opportunities in human medicine. The firm consists of an experienced team with a broad and complementary skill set that is particularly relevant to building successful new biomedical companies. Hatteras Discovery provides seed funding to facilitate company launches, particularly out of academia. Visit www.hatterasvp.com for more information. About MedImmune Ventures MedImmune Ventures, a wholly-owned global venture capital fund within the AstraZeneca Group, invests in private companies developing small and large molecule therapeutics, pharmaceutical technologies and platforms, medical devices and diagnostics, and imaging and healthcare information technology. MedImmune Ventures invests across all therapeutic areas, in companies with early to late-stage technologies, from seed through mezzanine rounds of financing. MedImmune Ventures manages $400 million in an evergreen fund and has invested in more than 30 companies since 2002. For more information, visit www.medimmuneventures.com. SOURCE G1 Therapeutics, Inc. CONTACT: Christy Shaffer, G1 Therapeutics, 919-484-0730, ext. 204, christy@hatterasvp.com; Media: Tony Plohoros, 6 Degrees Communications, 908-940-0125, tplohoros@6degreespr.com Web Site: http://www.g1therapeutics.com