Briefs

FDA Updates UNII Data Standards

The FDA Data Standards Council’s structured product labeling (SPL) web page just added a list of substance unique ingredient identifiers (UNIIs). It was last updated in January.

The hyperlink to the file is under the SPL Data Standards heading on the SPL web page at www.fda.gov/oc/datacouncil/spl.html.

Medical Center Taps RFID

Wilford Hall Medical Center (WHMC) of Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, successfully installed a computerized inventory system to support cardiology services provided by the U.S. Air Force’s 759th Surgical Operations Squadron.

The system is deployed in the hospital’s cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology laboratories. Developed by Mobile Aspects of Pittsburgh, the iRISupply system uses a radio frequency identification (RFID) tracking architecture to automatically track medical devices and supplies.

The system provides automated storage, tracking and inventory management capabilities to support clinical operational processes. Products stored and tracked within the system include stents, balloons and implantable devices such as pacemakers that are used for interventional cardiology procedures.

WHMC joins a growing list of hospitals, providers and manufacturers that are leveraging RFID technology to achieve positive financial outcomes and better patient care.

For more information, go to www.whmc.af.mil.

Rating Chronic Disease IT Tools

Chronic disease management systems (CDMS) focus specifically on managing chronic disease and preventive care, while more comprehensive electronic medical records (EMRs) are used to document the entire patient encounter and provide real-time patient information. A new white paper from the California HealthCare Foundation rates each and reveals strengths and weaknesses of both systems.

Example: CDMSs rate highly for functionality, are significantly less expensive than EMRs and are typically easier to implement. EMRs rate highly in offering more robust technology systems and vendor capabilities.

In conducting research for the white paper, a range of CDMS and EMR vendors were asked to provide product demonstrations, specifications and price quotes. Various criteria were used to score the products and vendors according to product function, corporate qualifications, services and technology. Participants at a CHCF-sponsored conference on chronic disease care viewed demonstrations of the products and then rated them.

Download the full report at: www.chcf.org/documents/chronicdisease/ITToolsForChronicDiseaseManagement.pdf.