Swallow Syncope

How many people are looking for articles on swallow syncope these days? After the Lancet published a story about this condition, more and more people have been researching this interesting topic. There are many types of syncope, including vasovagal (neurocardiogenic), cardiac, neurologic, and various unexplained causes.

Epocrates now compatible with the BlackBerry STORM

Here's the inside scoop: Epocrates software is now compatible with the BlackBerry STORM. Do you have one? Are you on Verizon?

Have you heard of the leaked ROM OS 4.7.0.90 that now allows you to use the full keyboard in portrait mode? Well, I don't know how about the reliability of a "leaked" ROM, but if you're feeling adventurous, then you may want to give it a try.

Running OS X on the Sony Vaio Lifestyle P

Have the VGN-P530 and the VGN-P833 been hot sellers? How many people have tried installing Apple OS X Leopard on these tiny little devices? Since they aren't being grouped as "netbooks," these tiny little "Lifestyle" PCs are in a separate class. OS X is a very clean, simple OS that is gaining tremendous popularity. Who knew that Apple would be so successful with the Mac? I still remember my old PowerBook from the mid-90s. That was one robust little computer.

I love Sony products. I'm still waiting to get a Vaio P since I want the price to come down first. Once I get one, I plan to install OS X and make this a dual or even a triple boot machine running XP, Vista, Windows 7, Ubuntu, and OS X (I suppose it would be more than a triple boot machine).

Will Pfizer Buy Wyeth for $60 Billion?

Rumors are circulating... it's still way too early to say, but it sure is an interesting headline.

Visit Oncology Corner

Visit OncologyCorner.com for FREE certified CME/CE activities in oncology. Oncology Corner is a portal page on CMEcorner.com

HIMSS 09 EARLY BIRD registration closes in one week!

HIMSS 09 EARLY BIRD registration closes in one week!

Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society
Chicago, IL
April 4-8, 2009

Are you going? You can download the PDF brochure here:
http://www.himssconference.org/docs/HIMSS09MainBrochure.pdf

Find the best possible activities that match your profile from hundreds of educational and exhibit options.

* CIOs
* Clinical Engineers
* Emerging Technologies
* Interoperability
* Business Information Systems
* Management Engineers
* Military
* Nurses
* Payers

* Pharmacists
* Physicians
* Privacy & Security
* Project Managers
* Public Health
* Quality
* Ambulatory Information System
* Government Sector

VersaForm: another FREE solution EMR/EHR

Have you heard of VersaForm? This is another free EMR/EHR solution that is currently available. They also offer a practice management software (not free) along with a "Premier" version (also not free) of the EHR software. Everything in the world can't be free, can it?

I've never tried it, so I can't speak for or against it in any way. It may not hurt to give it a try since you have nothing to lose.

Typing on the BlackBerry STORM

Typing on the BlackBerry STORM can be quite difficult if you have long fingernails. I try to keep mine relatively short, so it's not a problem that I usually encounter. However, if you like to keep your nails on the long side, then you may want to go with a device that has a hardware keyboard.

Remember, the STORM doesn't have a passive touch screen like the Palm Treo. Instead, it relies on capacitive touch like the iPhone. You can't use a plastic pen or any other passive stylus on the STORM. This is important because many people think that a "touch screen" = "touch screen." However, there are several differences between passive touch screens and capacitive touch screens.

Well, enough about screens. The STORM is fast and has a great browser. I still have my XV6800 (HTC), but I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a business phone on Verizon Wireless.

Savella (milnacipran) approved by the FDA

Savella (milnacipran) has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of fibromyalgia (a challenging disorder to manage). Forest and Cypress will be working together to market this drug which will be the 3rd FDA-approved medication for fibromyalgia. FDA approved options for fibromyalgia are currently limited to Lyrica and Cymbalta , but I wonder how that will change as more drugs prove their efficacy for this disorder.

CCHIT call for comments

Have you visited www.cchit.org recently? There is a call for comments that is open until Jan 21 that revolves mainly around CCHIT Certified 2009 (and related topics). If you want to provide your input, then make sure to submit something ASAP.

Airport Technology

Airports are getting more and more sophisticated for mobile technology. I see more devices than ever before: smartphone, iPhone, BlackBerry, PDA, Treo, etc. Windows Mobile, Palm OS, RIM, and iPhone.

I expect to see lots of netbooks by the middle of this year. Right now, I just see tons of people using Macs. I'm the only one in my terminal sitting out here with a tablet PC. Everyone else has a mobile device or an Apple. I don't see a single netbook here.

Once more airlines offer Wi-Fi, I think we'll see more netbooks on the airplanes. It's so difficult to use a full-sized laptop on an airplane if the person in front of you reclines. Since I use a tablet, I can quickly take the PC and pull out my stylus to continue working if I run out of tray space.

Non-Clinical Careers: Traveling for Work

One of the major changes that may occur if you switch to a non-clinical career is that you may travel for work. It obviously depends on the type of position you have, but be prepared for that aspect of work. You may think that traveling is fun, but it can also get tiring very quickly. It can also make an impact on your family.

Off to Chicago

I'm off to Chicago today. I have a meeting at Takeda. I don't particularly enjoy traveling, mainly because I seem to get stuck at airports for long delays. Today looks promising so far, but I'm not on the plane yet. The weather in Chicago looks clear and sunny, so that's good. however, I won't hold my breath until I'm on the tarmac at ORD.

FDA Warning: Peanut Butter

According to the FDA, some peanut butter produced by the Peanut Corporation may be linked to salmonella infections. Bottom line: avoid peanut butter until this gets cleared up.