FDA www.fda.gov has approved the first focused ultrasound device to treat essential tremor in patients who have not responded to medications. ExAblate Neuro manufactured by InSightec www.insightec.com in Dallas uses an MRI taken during a procedure to deliver focused ultrasound to destroy brain tissue in a tiny area thought to be responsible for causing tremors. (more…)
Behavioral Health Workforce Issues
State of Washington Governor Jay Inslee www.governor.wa.gov reports that the State Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board www.wtb.wa.gov in partnership with the Health Workforce Council www.wtb.wa.gov/HCTFIntro.asp are going to evaluate current and projected workforce shortages in behavioral health. (more…)
Building PMI Cohort Program
NIH has awarded $55 million to build the infrastructure needed to launch the Cohort Program a research effort that is part of the Precision Medicine Initiative (PMI). www.nih.gov/precision-medicine-initiative-cohort-program. The PMI Cohort Program is making an effort to engage one million or more U.S participants so researchers will be able to study individual differences in lifestyle, environment, and genetics. (more…)
Michigan Care Team Launched
The Michigan Primary Care Association (MPCA) www.mpca.net news publication called eUpdate, reports that along with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services www.michigan.gov/mdhhs they have launched the “MI Care Team” sometimes referred to as health homes. The participating health centers are expected to serve a population of about 18,000. (more…)
Alere Partners with BioIQ
Alere www.alere.com a leader in rapid diagnostics headquartered in Massachusetts has partnered with the technology company BioIQ www.bioiq.com. This partnership will offer an interface between BioIQ’s software platform “SoftSuite ™ DX, and Alere’s Cholestech LDX® System to provide immediate access to point-of-care lipid profile and glucose results for employee biometric screening events. (more…)
Upgrading VA’s Health System
The Commission on Care https://commissioncare.sties.usa.gov established by Congress under the “Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014”, has studied the Veterans Administration’s healthcare system to learn how the veterans’ healthcare system is meeting current and future needs. (more…)
Company to Build PULSE
Audacious Inquiry LLC (Ai) http://ainq.com a health IT and policy firm, was awarded $518,000 to run through July 2017 by the California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) www.emsa.ca.gov. The funding will go to develop a system supporting real-time queries across HIEs and provider organizations during an emergency. (more…)