September 11, 2014 — Patients who rely on pacemakers and defibrillators to maintain a normal heart rhythm run the risk of serious health complications if they don’t fully understand how the devices work and what to do when they experience an irregular heartbeat. But a study from Columbia University School of Nursing, published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, found that 40 percent of patients with these devices had little to no ability to understand information about their cardiac health.

Growing awareness of the harmful effects of radiation exposure is driving the uptake of ultrasound systems, which are radiation free, less expensive, and more versatile than bigger modalities such as magnetic resonance (MR).

U.S.-based Medtronic said it would purchase Ireland-based Covidien for $42.9 billion, combining two of the world's biggest medical device makers and helping Medtronic savings with a headquarters change.

Only 25 percent of interviewed ambulatory providers report that meaningful use is having a positive impact on patient care.