Guided medication dosing for inpatients with renal insufficiency
Usual drug-prescribing practices may not consider the effects of renal insufficiency on the disposition of certain drugs. A total of 7490 patients were found to have some degree of renal insufficiency. In this group, 97 151 orders were written on renally cleared or nephrotoxic medications, of which 14 440 (15%) had at least 1 dosing parameter modified by the computer based on renal function. The fraction of prescriptions deemed appropriate during the intervention vs control periods by dose was 67% vs 54% (P<.001) and by frequency was 59% vs 35% (P<.001). Mean (SD) length of stay was 4.3 (4.5) days vs 4.5 (4.8) days in the intervention vs control periods, respectively (P =.009 ).

How can information technology improve patient safety and reduce medication errors in children's health care?
Several types of information technology will likely reduce the frequency of medication errors, although insufficient data exists for many technologies, and most available data come from adult settings. Computerized physician order entry with decision support substantially decreases the frequency of serious inpatient medication errors in adults. Other inpatient information technologies may be beneficial even though less evidence is currently available. These include computerized medication administration records, robots, automated pharmacy systems, bar coding, "smart" intravenous devices, and computerized discharge prescriptions and instructions. In the outpatient setting, where adherence is especially important, personalized Web pages and World Wide Web-based information have substantial potential.

The diabetes network internet-based physical activity intervention: a randomized pilot study.
Internet-based self-management interventions for PA and other regimen areas have great potential to enhance the care of diabetes and other chronic conditions. We conclude that greater attention should be focused on methods to sustain involvement with Internet-based intervention health promotion programs over time.

Work starts on first evidence-based system to help doctors with treatment decisions
The unique system will use InferMed's revolutionary decision-support technology AREZZO along with the latest scientific information in Clinical Evidence to provide an instant list of potential treatment options. Each option will have evidence for and against the treatment and will be tailored specifically to each patient, taking into account what medicines the patient is already taking and any other conditions they may have.

Medtronic Moves Toward Remote Patient Management
With FDA approval of its new, Web-connected implantable cardiac device and a strategic acquisition of a database maker, Medtronic is trying to make remote, real-time patient care a reality.

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