New Partnership with HealthStream Extends Hospital-Based Training Environment to Centricity Users
BARRINGTON, Ill. – December 21, 2011 – GE Healthcare, a division of General Electric (NYSE: GE), has today partnered with HealthStream (NASDAQ: HSTM) to offer Centricity* University, a new blended learning experience, for its Centricity software users in the United States. The new program is an innovative training solution that includes unlimited access to online and classroom-based courses through one easy subscription service provided through HealthStream. GE Healthcare will make new Centricity University training courses available in January to Centricity PACS customers, with plans to expand to other Centricity products thereafter.
GE Healthcare
China’s med-tech market to grow 17% in 2012 | MassDevice.com On Call
MASSDEVICE ON CALL —China’s medical device market is set to grow 17% in 2012, according to a Citigroup hospital survey.
Major medical equipment in the Chinese market include medical monitors and life support, diagnostic imaging, in vitro diagnostics and therapeutic systems.
GE to add 200 new engineers to Chinese operations
GE Healthcare (NYSE: GE) plans to add 200 engineers to its Chinese operations over the next year to support new product launches and research & development efforts.
The health products giant also plans to bolster its R&D budget, which may account for as much as 8% of the year’s Chinese sales revenue, GE Healthcare China president & CEO Rachel Duan told ChinaDaily.com.
Brown ranks high with med-tech makers
Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.), a vocal advocate for the medical device industry, has collected thousands in individual donations from med-tech executives and industry political action committees during the 2011-2012 campaign, federal documents show.
Between January and October, Brown received more than $42,000 in PAC donations and individual contributions from medical device groups and executives as he campaigned for re-election.
Supreme Court considers medical patents | Legal News
The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments this week in a case that could have wide-reaching implications for health care: Whether medical patents should be allowed.
At issue is the specter of doctors being sued for patent infringement based on treatment decisions derived from the scientific research underpinning the patent.
GE, Microsoft team up on health care software
Stent with biodegradable coating cuts risk in 4-year trial | MassDevice.com On Call
MASSDEVICE ON CALL —Biosensors’ BioMatrix Flex drug-eluting stent with a biodegradable coating proved to reduce the risk of cardiac events compared with stents with durable coating, according to the company.
The study demonstrated for the first time the "proof of concept" that drug-eluting stents with resorbable polymer were better for patients.
Diabetes: GE invests in non-invasive continuous glucose monitors | Funding Roundup
GE Healthcare (NYSE: GE) invested an undisclosed amount into C8 Medisensors, a developer of non-invasive continuous glucose monitors for diabetic patients.
C8 aims to provide glucose monitoring that is "painless, accurate, continuous, noninvasive, and nonintrusive to your life," according to its website.
The San Jose, Calif.-based company’s glucose monitors use light spectroscopy to measure blood glucose levels without the need for frequent finger pricks.
BSX offers 10 year warranties on newly cleared defibrillators | Regulatory Roundup
Boston Scientific Corp. (NYSE:BSX) landed FDA clearance for its Incepta, Energen and Punctua cardiac implants to treat heart failure and sudden cardiac death.
To go along with the new defibrillator systems, the Natick, Mass.-based med-tech titan is providing an extended warranty for the Incepta and Energen family of defibrillators.
Acquisition chatter surfaces again for Smith & Nephew
Shares of Smith & Nephew (NYSE:SNN) slipped initially but have regained some of their value since more talk of a possible buyout surfaced in the U.K. last week.
The British orthopedics giant is up 2.7 percent on The Street today to $43.94 after flirting with a 52-week low Friday, Nov. 25. The stock has fared even worse in its home country following an "uninspiring" meeting with analysts last week.
Budget talk failures may mean big cuts in doc payments | MassDevice.com On Call
MASSDEVICE ON CALL — Physicians may face cuts in Medicare reimbursements by nearly one-third of current levels if Congress can’t come to terms on a deficit cutting plan.
Physician stand to lose 27.4 percent of their reimbursement payments at the end of the year, an accumulation of gradual cuts that have been delayed by Congress in a series of efforts colloquially called the "doc fix."