Economics & Efficiency

Energy contracting for a greener hospital

article image

Modernisation and a financing model facilitate savings of up to 50% in primary energy consumption. Every year, European hospitals face energy costs in the €billions. In Germany, for instance, the sum is €1.7 billion.

Surgery/Orthopaedics

Oral vaccination against pancreatic tumours

article image

The world’s first gene cancer therapy study of an innovative oral vaccine is underway at the Surgical Clinic of Heidelberg University Hospital.

Industry News

Philips and MAQUET alliance sets trend for cost-effective versatile Hybrid OR solutions

article image

Philips and MAQUET mark milestone with 50th shipment of Philips’ hybrid operating room (OR) with MAQUET’s surgical table to Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

Organisation & Surgery/Orthopaedics

Seeing eye to eye

article image

Heidelberg’s doctor/nurse equal partnership concept raises staff/patient satisfaction. For the past decade the surgery and anaesthesiology departments at Heidelberg’s 340-bed University Hospital have encouraged cooperation between doctors and nurses that has set the standard for other hospitals within its remit.

IT & Networking

IHE-Europe Connectathon Reaches a Peak in Bern

article image

The IHE European Connectathon to be held in Bern, Switzerland, from 21-25 May 2012 will expand this year to include European nations connecting health records in the large-scale European Patient Smart Open Service (epSOS) project and will host satellite meetings for key e-health organisations.

Organisation

ICN stresses critical need for evidence-based approach to nursing services

article image

On the occasion of International Nurses Day 2012, the International Council of Nurses calls for an increase in evidence-informed decision making and practice. Nurses are often best placed to supply important information not only about care but also about context, population health and the role of key policy and social factors.

Industry News & Surgery/Orthopaedics

A cool way to illuminate procedures

article image

The ACEM Medical Company’s OT - System, which includes the OT-STARLED 7 and STARLED 5, is based on advanced LED (light emitting diode) technology which, the Italian manufacturer reports, ‘…guarantees the best work conditions for surgeons and medical teams in the operating rooms.’

Diabetes & Surgery/Orthopaedics

Surgery proves successful for Type 2 diabetes remission

article image

Obesity is physically debilitating – and costly for healthcare. Losing excess weight has positive effects on the entire metabolism and improves life expectancy. However, for patients who cannot lose their morbid, excess weight through diet, today’s surgical interventions can help towards permanent weight loss – and reduction in insulin dependency for diabetics.

Cardiology

Feuding cardiologists

article image

A €35,000 DRG reimbursement for TAVI has put Germany in the lead for this procedure – and prompted sharp competition and disputes between cardiologists and cardio-surgeons, Holger Zorn reports.

Staff

Patient safety expert Peter Pronovost earns dual national honors

article image

Recognized with Inaugural American Board of Medical Specialties Award, and Ranking on List of Modern Healthcare and Modern Physician’s “50 Most Influential Physician Executives in Healthcare”.

Product of the month

Radbook