Other Headlines

The medical community pays tribute to a dedicated crew.
Advocacy groups applaud passage of bill that would permanently repeal and replace SGR.
A novel microfluidic drug delivery system makes it possible to reach parts of the body poorly served by oral and injectable medications.
GI monitoring device promises to speed the evaluation and treatment of GI motility disorders.
DOTmed discusses the American Society for Therapeutic Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) program for public awareness with ASTRO's assistant director of communications, Beth Bukata.

Have News for Us?

Submit your news on the industry, people, or companies.

Forward to a Friend

More Industry Headlines

House Passes Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act Advocacy groups applaud passage of bill that would permanently repeal and replace SGR.

Aural Trumps Oral for Ear Treatment A novel microfluidic drug delivery system makes it possible to reach parts of the body poorly served by oral and injectable medications.

Scientists Find Unusual Immune System Activity in Brains of Schizophrenics The "germ theory" of schizophrenia got a mild boost this week as scientists discover that recently afflicted schizophrenics show higher levels of inflammatory proteins in the brain.

Clinical PET-MRI Moves Closer to Reality Thanks to a European grant for the HyperIMAGE project, a consortium of scientists across Europe have worked with Philips to develop a proof-of-concept, pre-clinical combined MR-PET scanner that could one day lead to improved radiation therapy and cardiology treatments.

Senate Health Care Reform Bill Unveiled Legislation may go to cloture vote this weekend. Read the details.

RSNA 2009 Preview This year's RSNA should provide a very interesting look at the effects of the economy on the major OEMs. As always, vendors are whipping up the hoopla, and inside this story are great previews of what's being debuted. But DOTmed reporters will also be there to get the real buzz. Look for video interviews in our Online News direct from the show.

Interview With Fred Robertson, President & CEO of TomoTherapy TomoTherapy president and CEO Fred Robertson talks with DOTmed about his perspective on ASTRO's 2009 annual meeting, changes in the radiation oncology industry and two important TomoTherapy product launches that occurred at the show. Watch the HD video.

Health Care Reform Round-Up: CBO Pegs Senate Bill at $849 Billion The numbers are in on the Senate's version of reform. Also read about the wide-ranging impact that the legislation would have.

Pen-Sized Microscope Aims for Precise Brain Surgeries A confocal microscope picking up brain-safe fluorescent dyes could result in more accurate and streamlined surgeries to remove tumors from the brain.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Has Stunning New Guidelines on Mammography Agency recommends no routine screening for women 40-49, no self-examination. Read the details.

Telemedicine allows
for faster treatment

Telemedicine Beats Doctors Visits for Diagnosing Type of Childhood Blindness

July 01, 2009
by Lynn Shapiro, Writer
To be properly diagnosed, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), the leading cause of childhood blindness in the United States and worldwide, requires a time intensive process and significant coordination between ophthalmologist and staff. A recent study examining ROP diagnosis using indirect ophthalmoscopy versus telemedicine found that cases can be diagnosed and treated more quickly and just as accurately when visits take place remotely.

The findings reveal that: 1) ROP diagnosis by the ophthalmologist is significantly faster via telemedicine, and 2) there are significant time requirements by ophthalmologists making an ROP diagnosis during an office visit. In particular, additional time is taken for travel and communication with families and hospital staff. And in remote consultations, the entire staff may be more likely to meet at a specified time than during an office visit.

What's more, previous studies have shown that telemedical ROP diagnosis is highly accurate and reliable compared with ophthalmoscopy. According to senior author Michael F. Chiang, M.D., "Telemedicine has potential to improve the delivery and accessibility of care for infants with ROP by reducing geographical and logistical barriers. This study shows that it may also improve the efficiency of care for ophthalmologists."

Given the increased number of at-risk infants in the United States and worldwide for this disease--many who don't have access to good physicians and hospitals--it's important that telemedicine be used to help prevent cases of avoidable childhood blindness, Dr. Chiang said.

Source: July 2009 American Journal of Ophthalmology

Interested in Medical Industry News? Subscribe to DOTmed's weekly news email and always be informed. Click here, it takes just 30 seconds.

Please Send us your Comments.

Printable Story
Access and use of this site is subject to the terms and conditions of our LEGAL NOTICE & PRIVACY NOTICE
Property of and Proprietary to DOTmed.com, Inc. Copyright ©2001-2009 DOTmed.com, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED