News From Around the Web
> San Diego-based Palomar Health announced that it has started a pilot to test Direct messaging technology across its 2,200 square mile trauma center. All three Palomar hospitals--Palomar Medical Center, Palomar Health Downtown Campus in Escondido and Pomerado Hospital in Poway--will participate in the pilot, as will Arch Health Partners, the Arthritis Care and Research Center, Escondido Pulmonology Medical Group, Graybill Medical Group, North County Internists, and Palomar Medical Group. Announcement
> A report published earlier this year and recently touted by MarketsandMarkets predicts that the global e-prescribing market will reach $794 million by 2017. According to the analysis, the market currently is driven by "a few established companies and many small companies operating … striving to gain maximum market share." Announcement
Mobile Health News
> Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Los Angeles has put in place a program that allows mothers to visit with their infants and the medical team over a secured Internet connection using iPads, according to an announcement from the hospital. Called BabyTime, the program is designed to reduce fear and stress in an estimated 20 to 30 percent of mothers who undergo cesarean sections who are not well enough to travel from their bed in the labor and delivery unit to the NICU for the first 24 to 48 hours. Article
Provider News
> An average of 11.6 percent of nonprofit hospital expenses go toward community benefits, a look at Schedule H tax forms by Ernst & Young shows, up from 11.3 percent in the previous year's tax returns. The Schedule H Benchmark Report was prepared for the American Hospital Association based on tax forms filed for tax year 2010. Benefits include free care, Medicaid underpayments, community health improvement programs, health research and education, subsidized services, Medicare shortfalls and other community-building activities. Article
And Finally… Good to see someone leading by example. Article