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HP to acquire Electronic Data Systems for $13.9B Hewlett-Packard (HP) has signed a definitive agreement to purchase Electronic Data Systems for approximately $13.9 billion. Philips delves further into patient monitoring, critical care with Brazil acquisition Royal Philips Electronics has reached an agreement to acquire Dixtal Biomédica e Tecnologia, a Brazilian manufacturer of in-hospital patient monitoring, anesthesia, ventilation equipment and electrocardiogram (ECG for vital sign measurements.  Siemens unveils dual-energy applications software Siemens Healthcare has developed Optimum Contrast software, a dual-energy application, to be unveiled this week at the annual international symposium on Multidetector-Row CT in Las Vegas. Canada nuclear safety watchdog names Binder as president Michael Binder has been named as the permanent head of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, according to the National Post. N.Y. imaging center files suit against CareCore National Jericho Specialty Imaging (JSI), an imaging facility in New Hyde Park, N.Y., Monday filed an antitrust suit against CareCore National (CCN), in which JSI alleges CCN, an outpatient diagnostic imaging utilization management services provider, attempted to deny the center network participation. FDA modifies black-box label on Lantheus Definity contrast agent Lantheus Medical Imaging, a provider of diagnostic imaging, has revised the U.S. the boxed warning, warnings and contraindications sections of the prescribing information on the product label for Definity vial for (Perflutren Lipid Microsphere) injectable suspension. AMA encourages widespread e-prescribing adoption with uniform standards The American Medical Association (AMA) outlined key steps to move forward with broader adoption of e-prescribing at a meeting with stakeholders held May 9 at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. Made-to-order isotopes hold promise for healthcare, science frontier The future of nuclear physics is in designer isotopes—specific rare isotopes designed to solve scientific problems and open doors to new technologies, according to Bradley Sherrill, associate director for research at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory at Michigan State University in East Lansing. New MRI technique detects subtle but serious brain injury A new technique for analyzing MRI data, developed by researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, can reveal serious brain injury missed by current tests and help predict a patient’s degree of recovery. Cordis launches two balloon catheters in the United States Cordis, a Johnson & Johnson company, has begun the U.S. launch of its Sleek and Savvy Long PTA balloon dilatation catheters for percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). Vascular Insights infusion catheter nets FDA clearance The FDA has granted Vascular Insights 510(k) clearance to market its ClariVein infusion catheter for infusion of physician-specified agents in the peripheral vasculature. Cisco assists mobility at the Mayo Clinic The Mayo Clinic has deployed Cisco’s Unified Wireless Network and other mobility applications to improve its patient care. OSF Home Care Services to deploy McKesson Horizon Homecare OSF Home Care Services, a provider of homecare and hospice services across Illinois and Michigan, has selected McKesson’s Horizon Homecare solution to improve process efficiencies. RadNet narrows loss in Q1 RadNet, which operates medical diagnostic imaging centers, has reported a decrease in net losses and an increase in revenue for its financial results for the first quarter of 2008, which ended March 31. DRAXIS Health misses mark in Q1 revenues DRAXIS Health has reported a lower net loss despite decreased revenues and earnings for its financial results for the 2008 first quarter, which ended March 31. Pulmo BioTech increases stake in PulmoScience Pulmo BioTech has increased its stake in PulmoScience by 10 percent, taking its total holdings to 61 percent in the company, which owns a molecular imaging diagnostic technique for pulmonary-related medical conditions. GE Healthcare nets FDA clearance for high-definition LightSpeed CT scanner The FDA has granted GE Healthcare 510(k) clearance for its LightSpeed CT750 HD, a high-definition CT scanner. The system debuted at RSNA 2007 in November 2007. FDA, HHS collaborate to regulate clinical trials The FDA will soon issue a final guidance distinguishing between adverse events and unanticipated problems in clinical trials, clarifying when the former have to be reported to an institutional review board (IRB). The agency also is working with the Health and Human Services' (HHS) Office for Human Research Protections on a final rule for registering IRBs. Leavitt: U.S. is on track for EMR goals, incentives needed for wider adoption Mike Leavitt, secretary for the department of Health and Human Services, believes that President George W. Bush’s 10-year plan for electronic medical records (EMRs) will be accomplished, if not exceeded, by 2014. CMS launches South Carolina Medicare PHR pilot The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has launched a Medicare online personal health records (PHRs) pilot program in South Carolina. 11 Oklahoma hospitals to share EHRs Eleven Oklahoma City-area hospitals will use a common network to share EHRs of patients who seek care in their emergency departments. Wireless technologies might save U.S. hospitals The number of U.S. hospitals has decreased by 20 percent in the last 30 years, from more than 7,000 in 1975 to 5,747 in 2007. To counter the decrease, streamline processes and reduce costs, hospitals are increasingly turning to the use of wireless technologies, according to a report by Kalorama Information. ARRT proposes changes to education requirements The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) has proposed changes to two of its governing documents that would extend the time allowed for earning a baccalaureate degree and postpone a reinstatement procedure requiring re-examination or re-qualification in each discipline an individual wants to reinstate. Philips ships new version of cardiac image management tool Royal Philips Electronics has begun shipping the new version of its Xcelera multimodality cardiology image management, analysis and reporting solution. CDW nets Beth Israel EHR, PM deployment Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center of Boston is collaborating with CDW Healthcare to deploy a technology solution that will enable affiliated physician practices to access Beth Israel’s EHR and practice management (PM) software.

Merge sees sliding revenues, widening net losses for Q1 Acusphere posts losses in Q1, needs more funds to move past Q3 QuadraMed endures declining net income in Q1 CardioDynamics splits stock to maintain Nasdaq listing SonoSite hires Pitz as senior VP, CFO

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