August 27, 2012 — Varian Medical Systems, a manufacturer of technology for the treatment of cancer with radiotherapy and radiosurgery, has launched Portuguese versions of its software systems for planning and managing radiotherapy treatments. Varian personnel worked with Brazilian cancer treatment specialists to translate its software products into Portuguese and also to adapt them so that they facilitate Brazilian treatment practices, in order to support the safe and effective use of radiotherapy in the country.

August 27, 2012 — A recent multi-center study, led by researchers from Wake Forest School of Medicine and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) has indicated that computed tomography (CT) scanning of the heart and measuring the coronary artery calcium (CAC) score is the most accurate predictor of cardiovascular disease for individuals at intermediate risk for heart disease.

August 27, 2012 — Positron Corp., a molecular imaging healthcare company, announced the submission of a drug master file (DMF) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the production of active pharmaceutical ingredient- (API) grade strontium-82 through its wholly owned subsidiary, Manhattan Isotope Technology LLC (MIT).

August 22, 2012 — In a head-to-head contest between the New Orleans Criteria (NOC) and the Canadian Computed Tomography (CT) Head Rules (CCHR), the Canadian rules showed higher sensitivity and specificity in predicting neurosurgical intervention for mild head injury. The results of the study, conducted in Tunisia, were published online August 21, in Annals of Emergency Medicine ("Prediction Value of the Canadian CT Head Rule and the New Orleans Criteria for Positive Head CT Scan and Acute Neurosurgical Procedures in Minor Head Trauma: A Multicenter External Validation Study").

August 24, 2012 — The Stage 2 meaningful use requirements for electronic health records (EHRs) were released Aug. 23 by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS). The rule specifies criteria that eligible professionals (EPs), eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs) must meet in order to qualify for CMS EHR incentive payments. In addition, it specifies payment reductions for EPs and facilities failing to demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology.

August 23, 2012 — Varian Medical Systems is establishing an in-country subsidiary in South Korea. Varian Medical Systems Korea, based in Seoul, will support the launch and rollout of the company's TrueBeam treatment system while, over time, providing a local base for all the company's business units.