Lookout Internet
Five Giants in the Healthcare Industry Form New Company
CHICAGO, IL-Johnson & Johnson, GE Medical Systems, Baxter International Inc., Abbott Laboratories, and Medtronic, Inc., are creating a global healthcare exchange on the Internet. All five companies will be equal shareholders in this privately held, yet unnamed company to be based in Chicago. When launched in the third quarter of 2000, the exchange will offer on-line ordering, confirmation, order status inquiries, product catalogues, and contract terms. Later on, clinical content will be added, as will more manufacturers and suppliers. The initial focus will be on the US market with plans to expand globally in 2001. The exchange hopes to be a time and cost efficient one-stop-shopping point for every product needed by healthcare facilities. As emphasized by James T. Leneham, worldwide chairman of Johnson & Johnson's Medical Devices, Diagnostic and Health Systems Group, "Every healthcare system around the world is under enormous pressure to create efficiency and take out costs. This exchange is a big part of the solution-access to state-of-the-art supply chain management and clinical content without the capital expense." No transaction fees will be charged to customers since the suppliers will fund all operations.
CDC Urges Vigilance: New Recommendations for Monitoring and Testing H5N1 Exposures
July 11th 2025With avian influenza A(H5N1) infections surfacing in both animals and humans, the CDC has issued updated guidance calling for aggressive monitoring and targeted testing to contain the virus and protect public health.
A Helping Hand: Innovative Approaches to Expanding Hand Hygiene Programs in Acute Care Settings
July 9th 2025Who knew candy, UV lights, and a college kid in scrubs could double hand hygiene adherence? A Pennsylvania hospital’s creative shake-up of its infection prevention program shows that sometimes it takes more than soap to get hands clean—and keep them that way.
Broadening the Path: Diverse Educational Routes Into Infection Prevention Careers
July 4th 2025Once dominated by nurses, infection prevention now welcomes professionals from public health, lab science, and respiratory therapy—each bringing unique expertise that strengthens patient safety and IPC programs.
How Contaminated Is Your Stretcher? The Hidden Risks on Hospital Wheels
July 3rd 2025Despite routine disinfection, hospital surfaces, such as stretchers, remain reservoirs for harmful microbes, according to several recent studies. From high-touch areas to damaged mattresses and the effectiveness of antimicrobial coatings, researchers continue to uncover persistent risks in environmental hygiene, highlighting the critical need for innovative, continuous disinfection strategies in health care settings.
