Research enhances RFID integration

Researchers at Rochester Institute of Technology will begin to work on enhancing the integration of radio frequency identification into cardiac sensor networks, as well as enhancing security within these systems, reports Healthcare IT News.

The National Science Foundation's Cyber Trust Program has given a $400 000 grant to support the research, which will be headed by Fei Hu, assistant professor of computer engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology.

The Institute believes that, due to the growth of the United States' nursing home and long-term care populations, there is a greater need for medical monitoring.

A new report by the Healthcare Financial Management Association and GE Healthcare Financial Services identifies strategies to help hospitals maximise technology investments in order to prevent financial risks, states Healthcare IT news.

The report Today's Technology Spending Trends: Strategies for the Healthcare Executive, is the second installment of the Financing the Future III series and focuses on the state of healthcare technology spending today, near and long-term trends, barriers to IT adoption, and views regarding funding for IT initiatives.

The report advises against looking to policymakers, capital leaders and payers for the money to invest in IT, but rather to optimise technology resources.

New technology developed by scientists at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and tested by Lothian NHS could greatly improve the accuracy of the calibration of physiotherapy ultrasound machines and therefore the quality of treatment, says News Medical.

NPL has developed an acoustic absorber that can be retro-fitted into current calibration equipment to increase its accuracy. The upgrade has been successfully trialled by medical physics staff in NHS Lothian.

Tests done on a recently-repaired machine showed ultrasound power levels measured were up to 100% higher than those indicated and would have delivered double the intended dose. NPL's acoustic absorber allowed a potentially harmful machine to be taken out of clinical service, avoiding future patient injury.