12 October 2010 The Government should do more to help people find trustworthy health websites and use online health services safely and effectively, says a new report on the ethics of ‘personalised healthcare’. The Nuffield Council on Bioethics warns that whilst online health information and services are convenient to use and extend choice, they could mislead, [...]
Filed under Patient Safety, Pharmacy, Technology by on Oct 12th, 2010. Comment. 
Device from MIT’s Spectroscopy Lab could help diabetic patients monitor their blood glucose levels without finger pricks. Anne Trafton, MIT News Office People with type 1 diabetes must keep a careful eye on their blood glucose levels: Too much sugar can damage organs, while too little deprives the body of necessary fuel. Most patients must [...]
Filed under Long Term Conditions, Patient Safety, Technology by on Aug 10th, 2010. Comment.
The Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) will install new lifesaving defibrillators on all of its ambulances this year. The state of the art technology will replace existing defibrillators in a £7.5 million initiative funded by the Scottish Government Health Department. The new Laerdal HeartStart MRX machines were chosen after an extensive procurement process, which included weeks [...]
Filed under Patient Safety, Scottish Ambulance Service by on Jun 29th, 2010. Comment.
Open for Registrations 22nd and 23rd September 2010 Register now for the most exciting eHealth conference in Scotland this year! Held at the prestigious Glasgow Science Centre you not only have a great programme, wide range of exhibitors, great views over the Clyde and City but complementary entrance to the fun science exhibits as well! [...]
Redefining the doctor-patient relationship – John Moore MD The doctor-patient relationship is deteriorating. And today’s information technology solutions are exacerbating the problem. They perpetuate paternalistic decision-making and episodic care, and they fail to assist doctors in making persuasive arguments to their patients. CollaboRhythm is a technological framework that encourages new paradigms in doctor-patient interaction to [...]
Filed under Long Term Conditions, Patient management, Patient point of view, Patient Safety, Telehealth, Web 2.0 by on Jun 10th, 2010. Comment.
A major new report published today by Healthcare at Home Ltd explores which technologies and models used in the US for chronic disease management could successfully be adopted here in the UK. The report – Lessons from the US: using technology and homecare to improve chronic disease management – is based on the observations of [...]
Filed under Mobile Health, Patient management, Patient Safety, Staffing levels, Technology, Telecare, Telehealth by on May 17th, 2010. Comment.
The BMA in Scotland today [Thursday 13 May 2010] called on the Government to ensure that doctors who raise concerns about patient safety are not victimised by their NHS employers. The calls came as the BMA published findings of a survey of members Standing up for Doctors; Speaking out for Patients. The survey found that [...]
Filed under Patient Safety by on May 13th, 2010. Comment.
April 21, 2010 by Jennifer Trueland Computers are better than doctors at diagnosing serious bacterial infection – such as meningitis – in young children, according to a study published today. Children, especially those under five years old, commonly have fever or febrile illness, but it can be difficult to ascertain the cause. This can be [...]
Filed under Hospital Healthcare, Patient Safety by on Apr 22nd, 2010. Comment.
Shift handover risk to patient Published Date: 10 April 2010 POOR handover procedures in hospitals pose a “significant risk” to patients, doctors’ representatives have claimed. The Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland said there were now an increasing number of shift changes, following the launch of the European Working Time Directive, limiting the hours [...]
Filed under Hospital Healthcare, Nursing, Patient management, Patient Safety by on Apr 12th, 2010. Comment.
Patient health records go online The portal will allow patients access to records via the internet A scheme which gives patients access to their own health records over the internet is being piloted at two GP practices in Ayrshire. The Patient Portal allows doctors appointments and repeat prescriptions to be booked through a secure website. [...]
Filed under General Practice, Patient management, Patient point of view, Patient Safety by on Apr 7th, 2010. Comment.
