> GE Healthcare will integrate its wireless medical products into MobileAccess Networks' solutions, and sell and install the systems to its clients. This is a coup for the small company which provides multiple wireless services over its infrastructure to hospitals, and is in fierce competition with Innerwireless, Meru Networks, Airwave and others. Article [1]
> Infectious disease specialists meeting at the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy say that the problem of drug-resistant bacteria is reaching "pandemic" proportions. Article [2]
> A group founded by the evangelist Pat Robertson is suing Illinois in an attempt to block a law that requires pharmacists to prescribe the Plan B contraceptive. Article [3]
> After the experiences of the September hurricanes in Houston, support is growing for a plan that would provide centralized "air traffic control system" for ambulances and other emergency services. Article [4]
> In Japan, a successful pilot program is using the Real Time Location System (RTLS) developed by Ekahau to track all staff and patients at Nagoya Ekisaikai Hospital with WiFi tags. Release [5]
> First Consulting Group says it is laying off an undisclosed number of employees and shutting two offices in an effort to improve its competitiveness. Release [6]
> Indiana is the latest state with a law on the books requiring hospitals to report medical errors. Article [7]
> General Data is introducing a new FoamWrap patient identification bracelet designed for infants and the elderly. Release [8]
> Despite a botched implementation two years ago, Orange County is considering a $1 million deal for a new disease surveillance system from Cerner. Article [9]
And Finally... It was only a matter of time: on E-Bay, potential buyers have bid on a hospital building. Article [10]
Links:
[1] http://www.cioinsight.com/article2/0,1397,1904170,00.asp?kc=CTRSS02129TX1K0000534
[2] http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?nid=106&sid=652699
[3] http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-051220birthcontrol,1,6850413.story?coll=chi-news-hed
[4] http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/3518195.html
[5] http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=160881
[6] http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/051220/first_consulting_restructuring.html?.v=1
[7] http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051219/NEWS02/51219002
[8] http://www.general-data.com/news/pressreleases/PR012192005.htm
[9] http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/news/atoz/article_904817.php
[10] http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/state/13449243.htm