To avoid readmission penalties, some hospitals delegate resources to programs designed to keep patients from re-entering their doors. But are  hospitals that lack such resources being unduly punished? The New York Times explored the issue.

Some service line champions are calling these structures into service to help them maximize their potential. 

In February 2012, the 117-bed TriStar Centennial Heart & Vascular Center in Nashville, Tenn., started considering ways to expand its success as a STEMI-referral site. The center turned to AirStrip Cardiology to put access to real-time EKG data in the palm of the physicians’ hands. Physicians can now view EKG data via iPad or iPhone before the patient even reaches the hospital. Sponsored by an educational grant from AirStrip.

Please watch this webcast and Q&A with clinical, administrative and IT leaders answering questions and addressing your concerns regarding the implementation of a cardiology PACS system.

Medical images viewed on smartphones can be effectively used to remotely evaluate stroke patients through telemedicine, according to a study published online ahead of print in Stroke.

Mobile phone-based software may allow physicians to manage and consult on stroke cases in real time from anywhere in the world, according to a study presented at the ninth annual meeting of the Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery in San Diego.

Two million neurons die per every minute that a stroke goes untreated, making rapid diagnosis and treatment crucial for the best outcomes. However, 45 percent of Americans live more than 60 minutes away from a primary stroke center. Enter telemedicine: telestroke networks have sprung up across the U.S., and are rapidly expanding, delivering revenue gains and improving patient outcomes.

While a cardiovascular information system (CVIS) can help practices achieve meaningful use and improve outcomes, due diligence is required to adopt one.