Developed with the University of Calgary's Faculty of Medicine
Richmond, B.C. - MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (TSX: MDA), a provider of essential information solutions, announced today that neuroArm - a sophisticated medical robotic system developed by MDA, has successfully performed ground-breaking robotic neurosurgery at the Calgary Foothills Hospital. Renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Garnette Sutherland skillfully operated neuroArm during an intricate 8-hour procedure to remove a brain tumour from a 21 year old patient.
'neuroArm met all our expectations,' stated Dr. Garnette Sutherland, professor of neurosurgery at the University of Calgary's Faculty of Medicine and a Calgary Health Region neurosurgeon. 'The manipulators and controls performed flawlessly, providing extraordinary control and extreme accuracy.' He went on to add, 'The success of this procedure is expected to revolutionize neurosurgery.'
MDA has a disciplined program to nurture spin-off opportunities. Spin-offs are under development in diverse markets that include medical, mining, nuclear, etc. In the medical area, our neuroArm is a specific avenue under development for extremely precise surgery applications.
Developed in cooperation with the University of Calgary's Faculty of Medicine, neuroArm combines MDA's innovative robotic technology with the University of Calgary's vision for improving medical procedures and provides a major technological and medical advancement in patient care.
neuroArm incorporates the most advanced control systems and vision technology that will allow neurosurgeons to perform highly intricate surgical procedures. Initially designed for brain surgery applications, the technology can be applied to other surgical applications.
'The Canadian Space Agency's investment in space has provided the foundation to advance our robotic technology to benefit Canadians and patients around the world,' said Steve Oldham, a vice president within MDA's Information Systems group. 'Drawing upon three generations of robotic systems developed by MDA for the International Space Station, neuroArm is a natural extension of MDA's robotic technologies.'
neuroArm is the first of its kind image-guided robot providing unprecedented levels of dexterity and high positional accuracy. The system combines a highly accurate MRI compatible manipulator system, image guidance, end effectors that incorporate modified neurosurgical tools, touch sensors and force feedback hand controllers that provide remote presence and control to the surgeon. The system provides both diagnostic and surgical capability.
Related Websites:
www.mdacorporation.com
www.medicine.ucalgary.ca
For more information, please contact:
Wendy Keyzer
MDA External Relations
Telephone: 604-231-2743
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
New National Fund to Support Internationally Educated Nurses - Canadian Nurses Foundation Announces RBC Diversity in Nursing Fund
OTTAWA, May 16 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Nurses Foundation (CNF) and RBC together are celebrating National Nursing Week, May 12-16, 2008, by establishing the RBC Diversity in Nursing Fund. This new $25,000 fund enhances RBC's commitment to diversity by supporting the integration of internationally educated nurses into Canada's health-care system.
Administered by the Canadian Nurses Foundation, the RBC Diversity in Nursing Fund will provide bursaries to internationally educated nurses or IENs. These bursaries will subsidize the cost of bridging programs, including language training, enabling IENs to practise in Canada.
"Diversity is definitely a competitive advantage in Canada, and we believe that organizations, cities and businesses that leverage diversity will be more sustainable over the long haul," said Shari Austin, vice-president and head, Corporate Citizenship, RBC. "Nursing is critical to Canada's health-care system, which is why RBC is honoured to provide this $25,000 donation to the Canadian Nurses Foundation to establish the RBC Diversity in Nursing Fund."
In 2006, IENs represented 7.5% of Canada's registered nurses, or 19,836 nurses, with the number of IENs applying for licensure increasing three-fold in many jurisdictions in recent years. CNF and CNA recognize the right for individuals to migrate but do not support the unethical recruitment practices of nurses.
For further information: Jonelle Istead, Canadian Nurses Foundation,
1-800-361-8404 ext.204, jistead@cna-aiic.ca
Administered by the Canadian Nurses Foundation, the RBC Diversity in Nursing Fund will provide bursaries to internationally educated nurses or IENs. These bursaries will subsidize the cost of bridging programs, including language training, enabling IENs to practise in Canada.
"Diversity is definitely a competitive advantage in Canada, and we believe that organizations, cities and businesses that leverage diversity will be more sustainable over the long haul," said Shari Austin, vice-president and head, Corporate Citizenship, RBC. "Nursing is critical to Canada's health-care system, which is why RBC is honoured to provide this $25,000 donation to the Canadian Nurses Foundation to establish the RBC Diversity in Nursing Fund."
In 2006, IENs represented 7.5% of Canada's registered nurses, or 19,836 nurses, with the number of IENs applying for licensure increasing three-fold in many jurisdictions in recent years. CNF and CNA recognize the right for individuals to migrate but do not support the unethical recruitment practices of nurses.
For further information: Jonelle Istead, Canadian Nurses Foundation,
1-800-361-8404 ext.204, jistead@cna-aiic.ca
Monday, May 12, 2008
MediSolution Announces Launch of its Learning Center
Centralized initiative to provide comprehensive training and skills development
MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - May 12, 2008) - MediSolution Ltd. (TSX:MSH), today announced the launch of the new MediSolution Learning Center, a centralized organization designed to provide customers with convenient access to training for all MediSolution product families.
The MediSolution Learning Center will provide a full range of courses and workshops aimed at providing beginner and advanced end users with the necessary skills and techniques to optimize MediSolution's software products within their own organizations. The Learning Center facilities include fully equipped learning laboratories which have been designed to provide an optimal hands-on and classroom style training experience. MediSolution Learning Center courses and workshops are currently offered in Montreal, Quebec City and Laval. A wide range of online courses are also available to further facilitate access to skills improvement.
All Learning Center courses and workshops will be led by seasoned professionals with specialized domain knowledge and advanced product expertise. In addition to gaining an understanding of the various features available in the software, attendees will be provided with tips and techniques to save time and design more efficient workflows.
"We realize that the right training, provided at the right time allows our customers' new and existing employees to rapidly improve product proficiency, saving valuable time and money," explained Paul Lepage, President and CEO at MediSolution. "The Learning Center curriculum will ensure that our customers are offered the courses and workshops they need in a structured, scheduled, professional environment."
MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - May 12, 2008) - MediSolution Ltd. (TSX:MSH), today announced the launch of the new MediSolution Learning Center, a centralized organization designed to provide customers with convenient access to training for all MediSolution product families.
The MediSolution Learning Center will provide a full range of courses and workshops aimed at providing beginner and advanced end users with the necessary skills and techniques to optimize MediSolution's software products within their own organizations. The Learning Center facilities include fully equipped learning laboratories which have been designed to provide an optimal hands-on and classroom style training experience. MediSolution Learning Center courses and workshops are currently offered in Montreal, Quebec City and Laval. A wide range of online courses are also available to further facilitate access to skills improvement.
All Learning Center courses and workshops will be led by seasoned professionals with specialized domain knowledge and advanced product expertise. In addition to gaining an understanding of the various features available in the software, attendees will be provided with tips and techniques to save time and design more efficient workflows.
"We realize that the right training, provided at the right time allows our customers' new and existing employees to rapidly improve product proficiency, saving valuable time and money," explained Paul Lepage, President and CEO at MediSolution. "The Learning Center curriculum will ensure that our customers are offered the courses and workshops they need in a structured, scheduled, professional environment."
Credit Valley Hospital to bring preventive medicine information to the community
The Credit Valley Hospital has partnered with RxTV and SHARP Electronics of Canada Ltd to bring preventive medicine information to the community, its patients and their families in high-impact High Definition.
Monday,
MISSISSAUGA, ON:
Exposing patients and families to reliable health and wellness information is a focus of Credit Valley’s new and improved internal television station known as Credit Valley Current. A new partnership between SHARP and Credit Valley is showcasing digital signage in high definition (HD) format featured on SHARP’s 36 – 54” HDTV screens strategically located throughout the hospital.
The Credit Valley Hospital has launched a High Definition (HD)
Physicians and clinicians also provide preventive medical tips for patients, visitors and staff.
Credit Valley Current will be an integral part of the hospital’s new expansion project.
The programming will include regular construction site “walkabouts”, progress
Monday, March 31, 2008
Agfa HealthCare chosen to drive New Brunswick e-Health Program
Diagnostic imaging repository powered by Agfa HealthCare gives healthcare providers secure access to vital patient information, regardless of location
Toronto, Ontario – 25 March 2008 : Agfa HealthCare, a leading provider of IT-enabled clinical workflow and diagnostic imaging solutions, announces today it has been chosen as the vendor of choice by New Brunswick to deliver a Diagnostic Imaging Repository (DI-r). The agreement is a of major step forward for the province as it leaps forward with its e-Health strategy – One Patient One Record – which will provide the infrastructure and functionality required to capture, store, view and link relevant patient information for its 740,000 residents.
New Brunswick has partnered with Canada Health Infoway, which is contributing $18.2 million to the project, with the remaining $17.7 million coming from the province. The province expects to implement its One Patient One Record system during the next three years.
Working with IBM, who will provide consulting and implementation services for the project, Agfa HealthCare will create a Diagnostic Imaging Repository. This Diagnostic Imaging Repository is based on its IMPAX Data Center concept for consolidating a patient’s images and reports into a central system. The information can be retained for a patient’s lifetime, and is available in a standardized format, for the use of authorized clinicians. Doctors, nurses and technologists will have secure log-in access to relevant prior patient images, regardless of where they were acquired. Not only will the repository help clinicians make informed decisions about a patient’s care, healthcare facilities can also expect to significantly reduce costs and redundancies, such as the duplication of imaging exams due to lost paper files.
“The drive toward the implementation of the One Patient One Record system shows that New Brunswick is a true Canadian e-Health leader,” said Michael Green, President and CEO of Agfa HealthCare Canada. “Leveraging Agfa HealthCare’s interoperable technology, this province-wide repository addresses the need for integration across healthcare facilities. Not only will this provide more informed decision making, it will also enhance the delivery of patient care for the residents of New Brunswick.’’
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
New Centre to support Canadian Health Innovations
OTTAWA, March 17 /CNW Telbec/ - The Conference Board of Canada and the Canadian Health Industries Partnership (CHIP) have reached an agreement to jointly create the Centre for the Advancement of Health Innovations (CAHI).
The new centre will build on the resources, talent, and commitment of the Conference Board and CHIP to make Canada a world leader in the development and
commercialization of health innovations.CAHI will adopt a global perspective in identifying and exploring the applicability of best practices to Canada and Canadian industries. To this end, the centre will have an International Advisory Panel chaired by Henry Friesen, founding president of the Canadian Institute of Health Research and
founder of CHIP. This panel will be made up of world leaders in health innovation who bring with them a vast wealth of experience and knowledge. The inaugural meeting of this policy centre will take place on March 31-April 1, 2008 in Toronto.
The co-chairs are Dr. Calvin Stiller, Chair of Genome Canada and Mark Lievonen, President of Sanofi Pasteur Limited and Chair of CHIP.
The Conference Board of Canada (CBoC) is widely recognized as Canada's foremost independent, not-for-profit research organization specializing in economic trends, public policy, and organizational performance.
The Canadian Health Industries Partnership (CHIP) is a legally constituted not-for-profit organization that provides a forum to enable governments, academia, and leaders of Canada's industrial health innovation sector to collaborate in exchanging perspectives, discussing and developing recommended strategy directions and policy options on health innovation.
The new centre will build on the resources, talent, and commitment of the Conference Board and CHIP to make Canada a world leader in the development and
commercialization of health innovations.CAHI will adopt a global perspective in identifying and exploring the applicability of best practices to Canada and Canadian industries. To this end, the centre will have an International Advisory Panel chaired by Henry Friesen, founding president of the Canadian Institute of Health Research and
founder of CHIP. This panel will be made up of world leaders in health innovation who bring with them a vast wealth of experience and knowledge. The inaugural meeting of this policy centre will take place on March 31-April 1, 2008 in Toronto.
The co-chairs are Dr. Calvin Stiller, Chair of Genome Canada and Mark Lievonen, President of Sanofi Pasteur Limited and Chair of CHIP.
The Conference Board of Canada (CBoC) is widely recognized as Canada's foremost independent, not-for-profit research organization specializing in economic trends, public policy, and organizational performance.
The Canadian Health Industries Partnership (CHIP) is a legally constituted not-for-profit organization that provides a forum to enable governments, academia, and leaders of Canada's industrial health innovation sector to collaborate in exchanging perspectives, discussing and developing recommended strategy directions and policy options on health innovation.
For more information, visit www.conferenceboard.ca/CAHI
Monday, March 3, 2008
IBM Opens New 3D Virtual Healthcare Island on Second Life
Interactive environment displays IBM’s vision for consumer-driven healthcare
ORLANDO, FL. – February 25, 2008 – IBM debuted at HIMSS®08 its newest island in Second Life: IBM Virtual Healthcare Island. The island is a unique, three-dimensional representation of the challenges facing today’s healthcare industry and the role information technology will play in transforming global healthcare-delivery to meet patient needs.
The island supports the strategic healthcare vision that IBM released in October2006, entitled, Healthcare 2015: Win-Win or Lose-Lose, A Portrait and a Path to Successful Transformation. The paper paints a picture of a Healthcare Industry in crisis – of health systems in the United States and many other countries that will become unsustainable by the year 2015. To avoid “lose-lose” scenarios in which global healthcare systems “hit the wall” and require immediate and forced restructuring, IBM calls for what it defines as a “win-win” option: new levels of accountability, tough decisions, hard work and focus on the consumer.
The IBM Virtual Healthcare Island is designed with a futuristic atmosphere and provides visitors with an interactive demonstration of IBM’s open-standards-based Health Information Exchange (HIE) architecture. Working with project leads in the U.S., the island was designed and built by an all-IBM-India team.
Starting from the patient’s home, they create their own Personal Health Records (PHRs) in a secure and private environment and watch as it is incorporated into an array of Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems that can be used at various medical facilities. As they move from one island station to the next, they experience how the development of a totally integrated and interoperable longitudinal Electronic Health Record (EHR) is used within a highly secured network that allows access only by patient-authorized providers and family members.
Patient avatars arrive and are welcomed at the Central Park and then visit a Central Information Hub, where IBM’s view of the healthcare industry and the power of information technology to transform it are presented. An amphitheater on the Hub’s second floor provides an area that can support virtual meetings, complete with a large video screen and accompanying slide presentation on IBM’s HIE architecture and the positive impact that this technology can have in the transformation of the Healthcare Industry.
Visitors can then walk, fly or use transporters to visit the various island stations:
• The Patient’s Home: In the secure environment of a private home, patient avatars can initiate a PHR and populate it with their personal health characteristics and clinical history, accessed and downloaded from physician EMR data. They can also establish privacy and security preferences as well as health directives. The ground floor demonstrates secure messaging with providers and activates the initial PHR. Using a transporter to move upstairs, patients use home health devices to take weight, blood pressure and blood sugar readings in the privacy of a bedroom, further incorporating this information into the PHR, which is shown on presentation screens.
• The Laboratory: This stop offers laboratory and radiology suites to help avatars extend their understanding of the benefits of HIE. Here, patients can check in at a Patient Kiosk and have blood work and radiology tests performed. The use of EHRs – revealing only appropriate portions of the PHRs -- shows how consumers can also benefit through cost and time savings.
• The Clinic: Patient avatars transport or walk from the Lab to the Clinic, where a welcome from their primary-care physician awaits. A combination of scripting and information screens supports simulation of a patient exam, after which an electronic prescription is generated, and the continued development of the EHR is explained on nearby screens.
• The Pharmacy: Here, avatars can check in at a Patient Kiosk that simulates the verifying of drug information. They then receive their prescriptions and update their PHRs/EHRs with new medication data. The HIE architecture demonstrates how use of PHR/EHR technology can prevent consumers from purchasing medications that are contra-indicated given the medicines they presently require, as well as alerting them about potential drug-to-drug interactions. The PHR/EHR is again updated.
• The Hospital: In this futuristic, three story structure, avatars arrive for a scheduled visit with a specialist. Physicians’ offices, patient rooms and exam rooms are all simulated here.
• The Emergency Room: Avatars can chose to experience a virtual emergency by “touching” a specially scripted control. This engages a medical episode and a ride on a fast gurney directly into the private and secure emergency treatment area, where a special screen is programmed to reveal the full incorporation of the PHR to ensure proper treatment.
Acording to Dan Pelino, General Manager, IBM Global Healthcare & Life Sciences Industry, IBM offers the Virtual Health Island as a tool for its healthcare customers and itsworldwide sales force. The island allows each healthcare stakeholder to envision how the total system can be affected by intercession at each juncture of the healthcare delivery process. The use of our new virtual world provides an important, next-generation Internet-based resource to show how standards; business planning; the use of a secured, extensible and expandable architecture; HIE interoperability; and data use for healthcare analytics, quality, wellness and disease management are all helping to transform our industry.
IBM’s Healthcare & Life Sciences (HCLS) Industry will continue to develop the new island in months to come. The island can perform as a virtually “always on” demonstration tool for IBM’s sales personnel. A video version of the island is also under production.
IBM believes in the significant promise of virtual-worlds technologies far beyond today's usage: the next evolutionary phase of the Internet. IBM is helping clients and partners to conduct business inside virtual worlds and to connect the virtual world with the real world through a richer, more immersive Web environment.
Second Life is a 3D online world created by Linden Lab, a company founded in 1999 by Philip Rosedale, to create a revolutionary new form of shared 3D experience. Last October, IBM and Linden Lab announced their intent to jointly develop new technologies and methodologies based on open standards that will help advance the future of 3D virtual worlds.
For more information: Gina Jesberg, Mobile: (203) 545-3186 Email: ginajes@us.ibm.com
ORLANDO, FL. – February 25, 2008 – IBM debuted at HIMSS®08 its newest island in Second Life: IBM Virtual Healthcare Island. The island is a unique, three-dimensional representation of the challenges facing today’s healthcare industry and the role information technology will play in transforming global healthcare-delivery to meet patient needs.
The island supports the strategic healthcare vision that IBM released in October2006, entitled, Healthcare 2015: Win-Win or Lose-Lose, A Portrait and a Path to Successful Transformation. The paper paints a picture of a Healthcare Industry in crisis – of health systems in the United States and many other countries that will become unsustainable by the year 2015. To avoid “lose-lose” scenarios in which global healthcare systems “hit the wall” and require immediate and forced restructuring, IBM calls for what it defines as a “win-win” option: new levels of accountability, tough decisions, hard work and focus on the consumer.
The IBM Virtual Healthcare Island is designed with a futuristic atmosphere and provides visitors with an interactive demonstration of IBM’s open-standards-based Health Information Exchange (HIE) architecture. Working with project leads in the U.S., the island was designed and built by an all-IBM-India team.
Starting from the patient’s home, they create their own Personal Health Records (PHRs) in a secure and private environment and watch as it is incorporated into an array of Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems that can be used at various medical facilities. As they move from one island station to the next, they experience how the development of a totally integrated and interoperable longitudinal Electronic Health Record (EHR) is used within a highly secured network that allows access only by patient-authorized providers and family members.
Patient avatars arrive and are welcomed at the Central Park and then visit a Central Information Hub, where IBM’s view of the healthcare industry and the power of information technology to transform it are presented. An amphitheater on the Hub’s second floor provides an area that can support virtual meetings, complete with a large video screen and accompanying slide presentation on IBM’s HIE architecture and the positive impact that this technology can have in the transformation of the Healthcare Industry.
Visitors can then walk, fly or use transporters to visit the various island stations:
• The Patient’s Home: In the secure environment of a private home, patient avatars can initiate a PHR and populate it with their personal health characteristics and clinical history, accessed and downloaded from physician EMR data. They can also establish privacy and security preferences as well as health directives. The ground floor demonstrates secure messaging with providers and activates the initial PHR. Using a transporter to move upstairs, patients use home health devices to take weight, blood pressure and blood sugar readings in the privacy of a bedroom, further incorporating this information into the PHR, which is shown on presentation screens.
• The Laboratory: This stop offers laboratory and radiology suites to help avatars extend their understanding of the benefits of HIE. Here, patients can check in at a Patient Kiosk and have blood work and radiology tests performed. The use of EHRs – revealing only appropriate portions of the PHRs -- shows how consumers can also benefit through cost and time savings.
• The Clinic: Patient avatars transport or walk from the Lab to the Clinic, where a welcome from their primary-care physician awaits. A combination of scripting and information screens supports simulation of a patient exam, after which an electronic prescription is generated, and the continued development of the EHR is explained on nearby screens.
• The Pharmacy: Here, avatars can check in at a Patient Kiosk that simulates the verifying of drug information. They then receive their prescriptions and update their PHRs/EHRs with new medication data. The HIE architecture demonstrates how use of PHR/EHR technology can prevent consumers from purchasing medications that are contra-indicated given the medicines they presently require, as well as alerting them about potential drug-to-drug interactions. The PHR/EHR is again updated.
• The Hospital: In this futuristic, three story structure, avatars arrive for a scheduled visit with a specialist. Physicians’ offices, patient rooms and exam rooms are all simulated here.
• The Emergency Room: Avatars can chose to experience a virtual emergency by “touching” a specially scripted control. This engages a medical episode and a ride on a fast gurney directly into the private and secure emergency treatment area, where a special screen is programmed to reveal the full incorporation of the PHR to ensure proper treatment.
Acording to Dan Pelino, General Manager, IBM Global Healthcare & Life Sciences Industry, IBM offers the Virtual Health Island as a tool for its healthcare customers and itsworldwide sales force. The island allows each healthcare stakeholder to envision how the total system can be affected by intercession at each juncture of the healthcare delivery process. The use of our new virtual world provides an important, next-generation Internet-based resource to show how standards; business planning; the use of a secured, extensible and expandable architecture; HIE interoperability; and data use for healthcare analytics, quality, wellness and disease management are all helping to transform our industry.
IBM’s Healthcare & Life Sciences (HCLS) Industry will continue to develop the new island in months to come. The island can perform as a virtually “always on” demonstration tool for IBM’s sales personnel. A video version of the island is also under production.
IBM believes in the significant promise of virtual-worlds technologies far beyond today's usage: the next evolutionary phase of the Internet. IBM is helping clients and partners to conduct business inside virtual worlds and to connect the virtual world with the real world through a richer, more immersive Web environment.
Second Life is a 3D online world created by Linden Lab, a company founded in 1999 by Philip Rosedale, to create a revolutionary new form of shared 3D experience. Last October, IBM and Linden Lab announced their intent to jointly develop new technologies and methodologies based on open standards that will help advance the future of 3D virtual worlds.
For more information: Gina Jesberg, Mobile: (203) 545-3186 Email: ginajes@us.ibm.com
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