Polycom Releases HD Video Conferencing Media Server for Small and Medium Enterprises and Distributed Video Networks
Polycom, Inc., a company focused on telepresence, video and voice communications solutions, has introduced the RMX 1000, a high-performance multipoint visual communication conferencing platform for small and medium enterprises and branch offices of large enterprises. Complementing the existing RMX 2000 for medium and large enterprise networks, the RMX 1000 enables on-demand video collaboration supporting multiple sites in the same calls with UltimateHD, high definition video, voice and multimedia content sharing capabilities.

Both the RMX 1000 and RMX 2000 media servers are made for the unique requirements of high-performance visual communication. Based on open standards, the solutions enable multipoint video calls across different network environments and between different types of video devices, transcoding the various speeds and protocols to provide an optimal experience to each system based on the capabilities of the systems in a call. The RMX 1000 supports HD video, HD content sharing (H.239 using the highest quality H.264 compression) and HD audio quality with Siren 22 Stereo, which offers the benefits of both enhanced clarity (from 22 kHz audio), and StereoSurround, which separates voices when multiple parties speak simultaneously. Like the RMX 2000, the RMX 1000 supports secure conferencing through AES media encryption and provides an optimal experience even on sub-optimal networks with Polycom’s breakthrough Lost Packet Recovery (LPR) technology, which minimizes the damaging impact of network congestion and packet loss on the video call experience.

For small and medium-sized enterprises the RMX 1000 is a cost-effective solution for bringing high-performance multipoint video conferencing capabilities in house. The plug-and-play platform is easy to deploy and contains on-board capabilities for centralized scheduling and management. 

For larger organizations, the RMX 1000 allows IT leaders to cost-effectively extend visual communication resources to the network edge in a distributed network environment. Complementing the existing Polycom RMX 2000, which would typically be deployed in the central office, the RMX 1000 would be deployed at smaller, regional offices. This distributed network design provides redundancy for continuity of operations, greater scalability and efficiency as well as minimizes latency for video calls initiated from regional offices. The entire distributed network environment (endpoints, infrastructure and conferences) can be managed centrally through Polycom’s new Converged Management Application (CMA) or ReadiManager SE 200.

Philips Introduces HD15 Ultrasound System
Royal Philips Electronics has introduced its HD ultrasound family of products. The Philips HD15 ultrasound system provides physicians with imaging and workflow performance in a cost-effective system.

The HD15 is a new platform designed to deliver an advanced level of image clarity and broad application support for everyday use in small hospitals, clinics and private practices. The system may be used as a primary system for some users, particularly those in emerging markets who require a feature-rich system but may not need all of the features of a high-end ultrasound solution. The HD15 contains multiple usability features to improve workflow, as well as versatile capabilities for a wide range of exam types including general imaging, cardiac, vascular and OB/GYN applications. In addition, advanced features like contrast enhanced ultrasound and PureWave transducer technology allow users to perform real-time guidance and evaluation of minimally-invasive treatment procedures and provide more diagnostic confidence on technically challenging patients and pathologies.

Advanced Philips technologies such as QLAB quantification software, XRES image processing and PureWave transducer crystal technology have been integrated into the HD15 to provide clinicians a robust system that assures ease of use and productivity. New Microfine EX focusing provides sharper images and improved tissue uniformity throughout the depth of field through application of new dynamic receive lens tuning with five times more focal points than previous generation systems. Tissue Specific Imaging presets and iSCAN one button image optimization can quickly provide clear images with little to no adjustment. A broad suite of configurable patient reports and exam storage options, such as DVD-CD-R/RW, USB drive, and full DICOM capabilities, provide efficient patient data management and colleague or specialist consulting.

The HD15 may potentially change the way clinicians review ultrasound exams with active native data and live compare. Active native data allows clinicians to manipulate exam parameters and image settings even after the patient has left. Images and Cineloops can receive further investigation by manipulating the original image to see new detail.  Live compare allows the clinician to compare a previous exam side-by-side with an active exam in order to immediately see changes in structure or blood flow. This can be particularly helpful in comparing changes in cardiac and vascular anomalies, further documenting changes after interventional procedures or evaluating fetal development.

BMJ Group Launches BMJ Point of Care Online Clinical Resource
BMJ Group (BMJ), provider of evidence-based clinical resources, has partnered with Epocrates, Inc., a recognized US company focused on clinical information and mobile healthcare technology, to introduce an innovative online clinical resource called BMJ Point of Care. Designed from the ground up with point-of-care needs in mind, this product features original, peer-reviewed disease diagnosis and treatment content authored by physician experts in collaboration with the BMJ Group. In addition, the product’s new disease content seamlessly integrates with Epocrates’ extensive drug database.

BMJ’s new product is designed for institutions, including hospitals, hospital systems and medical and academic libraries in North America.

When faced with urgent patient care questions, healthcare professionals today are turning to a variety of online sources for answers, with varying degrees of success. Current point-of-care references are not designed to quickly and effectively deliver the specific types of information that busy clinicians are most often seeking, such as information on symptoms, differential diagnoses, diagnostic tests, treatment options and drug dosing plus side effects and interactions.

Hill Country Memorial Hospital Chooses NCP engineering as Sole Provider of VPN Client Software
NCP engineering GmbH, provider of endpoint security and VPN solutions, has become the sole provider of VPN client software for Texas-based Hill Country Memorial Hospital. The organization chose to adopt the NCP Secure Entry Client for its powerful encryption and stable IPSec tunnel to comply with HIPPA regulations regarding off-network handling of patient names, conditions and other personal data.

The bundled NCP Secure Entry Client provides Hill Country Memorial Hospital a single software solution for their Windows mobile devices that integrates data encryption, a dynamic personal firewall, Friendly Net Detection and one-time password token and certificate support through a public key infrastructure (PKI). The dynamic firewall allows Hill Country Memorial Hospital to set policies for ports, IP addresses and segments and applications. The Friendly Net Detection, created by NCP engineering, forces the network to identify itself to the device, preventing any data packet transfer until a safe network has been detected. Configuration and policy logic are easily set and managed centrally or through the NCP Secure Entry Client itself.

Microsoft HealthVault and RelayHealth to Connect Doctors and Patients
Microsoft Corp. has entered a collaboration with RelayHealth, McKesson Corp.'s connectivity business, to accelerate and improve the relationship between doctors and patients. Together, Microsoft HealthVault and RelayHealth will enable affordable patient connectivity with doctors' offices and hospitals so patients can have security-enhanced, easy online access to medical care, information and records.

HealthVault will provide physicians using RelayHealth's Software as a Service (SaaS) platform with the technology to facilitate enhanced online patient service and communications. Physicians can easily employ the RelayHealth service, which includes electronic prescribing, through a Web browser as the initial step toward clinical automation of their practice. The service is also designed to integrate with electronic medical record systems already in use. For patients, the combined solution allows access to their personal health information and an online interaction with their personal physician.

"Until now, the ability for consumers to access and share appropriate health information online has not been possible, and as a result, personal health records (PHRs) have not been broadly adopted or consistently used," said Pamela Pure, president of McKesson Technology Solutions. "Our relationship with Microsoft can change that. HealthVault offers consumers a convenient and accessible way to store and manage their healthcare and wellness data in one central place. The RelayHealth network then connects the consumer's portfolio of information with the care provider and unifies the management of the personal health record."

Pure added that RelayHealth's security-enhanced network makes it easy for physicians to review clinical data and share appropriate information with their patients or other clinicians efficiently.

RelayHealth's core services enable patients to schedule healthcare appointments online, request prescription refills, pay bills, obtain results and even visit their doctor online using security-enhanced webVisit consultations for non-urgent care. HealthVault is a consumer health platform that allows people to collect, store and share health information with family members and participating healthcare providers.

REACH Call, Inc. Expands Coverage to Seven States
REACH Call, Inc., provider of 100 percent Web-based solutions for remote treatment of medical conditions such as stroke, has announced that more than 60 hospitals in seven states are using its turn-key telestroke and telehealth service. The company continues to grow at a fast pace, adding 14 customers in the past three months.

“Rural hospitals in Tennessee and Wyoming now can connect with specialists located anywhere in the world, enabling them to provide quality care to more patients without purchasing expensive proprietary hardware or software,”
said Sandeep Agate, REACH president and CEO.

REACH was conceived several years ago as a way to quickly and remotely treat stroke patients, who often must be treated within three hours to minimize long-term effects. Rural hospitals in California, Florida, Georgia, New York and South Carolina have installed REACH in a hub-and-spoke model, where neurologists at the larger “hub” hospital provide consulting services to smaller “spoke” hospitals for remote stroke evaluation. Along the way, the hospitals noticed that the REACH Web-based telestroke and telehealth services also would be ideal for connecting with other types of specialists.
So, earlier this year, REACH began developing other modules, and it released the General Telemedicine module last April.

REACH does not require any proprietary or expensive hardware; it only needs a standard PC with a webcam and broadband Internet connection. Spoke hospital ER staff use a Web browser running on a laptop embedded in a REACH mobile workstation to initiate a consult with a specialist who is affiliated with the hub hospital. The consulting physician can use any laptop or PC, a standard off-the-shelf webcam, and a broadband Internet connection to communicate with the spoke hospital. The specialist has complete control over the two-way audio and video communication and can view all patient data and DICOM images, then use the integrated decision support tools to efficiently and effectively evaluate the patient and recommend treatment. All data and medical images collected during the consult are securely stored in REACH databases and can be used for immediate billing, quality of care measurement and generation of on-demand reports and statistics.

Philips Electronics Announces Relocation of North American Headquarters to Massachusetts
Senior Management from Philips Electronics North America, a unit of Royal Philips Electronics, together with Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, have announced that Andover, Mass., will serve as the company’s new North American Headquarters.

ATA 2008 Mid-Year Meeting
Sept. 15-16
Tampa, Fla.

The American Telemedicine Association’s 2008 Mid-Year Meeting will be held September 15 & 16, 2008 at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina in Florida. The meeting features the latest in telemedicine technology and has two great tracks that run concurrently.