New System Provides 'Anonymous' HIV Test Results
To encourage more people to get tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), a new high-tech data management system promises to keep sensitive test results from employers, co-workers, insurance agencies or family members.
The unique specimen identification system, developed by Anonymous Data Corp. (ADC), a Las Vegas-based internet data management company, will allow those tested to remain anonymous by using a feature called "biometrics," the science of electronically scanning a part of the human body for identification purposes.
In this case, the system will scan the iris of the person taking the test and tag it to the test sample instead of labeling specimens by patient name or identification number. ADC founder James E. Beecham will work in partnership with IriScan, Inc., which develops iris-recognition technology for healthcare organizations.
ADC plans to partner with HMOs, healthcare facilities and social organizations nationwide to install data-access terminals. These terminals will be located in private and public locations, where people can share and exchange test results with their potential partners, according to Beecham.
The system is being positioned as a patient-friendly resource for healthcare organizations to help prevent the spread of STDs.
(ADS, Ballard Communications, Tammy Funk, 702/836-3000)
HMO Launches National Disease Management Program
Using results of a pilot project, United Healthcare launched its first national cardiovascular risk reduction program to lessen the incidence of cardiac disease and resulting hospitalizations among its members.
Findings from the North Carolina pilot study of 143 people in a control group that received "traditional care" and 148 people enrolled in the risk reduction program indicate that 73 percent of the enrollee group had fewer emergency room admissions than those in the traditional group.
In addition, compliance with drug therapies was almost 100 percent and medical costs were 21 percent lower, according to Dr. Archelle Georgiou, United's senior national medical director.
United, collaborated with Cardiac Solutions, the country's largest cardiac disease management company, for the pilot to develop a customized program that involves:
- an appropriate treatment plan with United physicians;
- patient education materials on cardiac disease; and
- patient support literature on healthier lifestyle changes like smoking cessation, appropriate diet and increasing exercise.
The program, which identifies members with cardiac disease, is voluntary. It is projected to reach 3,500 members by the end of 1998 and 15,000 members by the end of 1999, according to Phil Soucheray, United's corporate spokesman.
(United, Phil Soucheray, 612/936-7301)
UCSF Acquires Top Medical Journal
The University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) teamed up with the British Medical Journal to gain entry into the upscale physician publishing industry with its recent acquisition of the Western Journal of Medicine.
The journal's content will be revamped to be more physician-friendly with articles on how to practice better medicine, particularly for primary care physicians, with a new focus on international medical news. The re-launch is targeted for next spring.
The journal will provide a peer-reviewed outlet for medical research advances, perspective on West Coast physician practices and will continue to be the official journal of the California Medical Association, according to Dr. Richard Smith, editor of the British Medical Journal.
In addition to the monthly print edition, an online version is being planned.
The British Medical Journal will remain a separate publication, occasionally publishing research papers with the Western Journal of Medicine.
(UCSF, Mike Lassiter, 415/353-4694)