Olympus Corporation announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Arc Medical Design Limited (Arc Medical Design), a subsidiary of Norgine B.V. The acquisition underscores Olympus’ commitment to expanding its offering in gastrointestinal therapeutic devices and the development of advanced colonoscopy tools through M&A (mergers and acquisitions) opportunities as well as through R&D (research and development) with the overarching goal of improving early detection and treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC).

Under the agreement Olympus will acquire Arc Medical Design and obtain full rights to its suite of innovative medical products. Olympus will convert its current exclusive distribution rights of ENDOCUFF VISION™ to a full acquisition of the ENDOCUFF family of products, which also includes ENDOCUFF™, ENDOCUFF GLIDE™ and ENTEROCUFF™, as well as WIDE-EYE™ POLYTRAP and several products currently in development.

By acquiring Arc Medical Design, Olympus is assuming worldwide responsibility for design, manufacturing, distribution and business strategy for the product portfolio with an immediate effect. It will further enable the company to improve clinical outcomes, reduce overall costs and enhance quality of life for patients.

“It is a great pleasure to announce our acquisition of Arc Medical Design”, said Mike Callaghan, Vice President/General Manager of Global GI EndoTherapy Business Unit at Olympus. “ENDOCUFF VISION has been a pivotal tool in our EndoTherapy portfolio, and we are delighted to expand our product portfolio to include the entire ENDOCUFF family.”

The flagship product ENDOCUFF VISION is a device attached to the distal end of a colonoscope, designed to maintain and maximize visibility during colonoscopy. Through its unique design, ENDOCUFF VISION can manipulate large folds, anchor the scope tip during loop reduction and stabilize during complex procedures, such as a polypectomy.

Data has shown a colonoscopy with ENDOCUFF technology can increase the adenoma detection rate (ADR) by up to 11% compared to a standard colonoscopy*1. Research shows that, for every 1% increase in ADR, there is a 3% decrease in CRC risk*2. Higher detection rates and more accurate diagnosis could, therefore, help reduce the number of deaths from preventable digestive cancers, such as CRC. CRC is a leading cause of cancer death for both men and women and screening is one of the powerful weapons against the disease. Colonoscopy is considered the beneficial method for detection and removal of hard-to-find adenomatous polyps.

Callaghan sums up: “We are excited about the acquisition of Arc Medical Design as it expands our expertise in innovative medical technology, strengthens our global leadership in endoscopy and reinforces the commitment to our purpose of making people’s lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling.

About Olympus’ Therapeutic Solutions business

In its Therapeutic Solutions business, Olympus uses innovative capabilities in medical technology, therapeutic intervention, and precision manufacturing to help healthcare professionals deliver diagnostic, therapeutic, and minimally invasive procedures to improve clinical outcomes, reduce overall costs, and enhance the quality of life for patients. Starting with its early contributions to the development of the polypectomy snare, Olympus’ Therapeutic Solutions portfolio has grown to include an array of surgical energy devices and a wide range of instruments to help prevent, detect, and treat disease.

Carestream Health has launched its DRX-Compass X-ray System for mid-tier hospitals and medical imaging centers worldwide. The system offers a flexible and scalable approach to digital imaging with an eye to the future, while increasing workflow efficiency and reducing costs.

“The DRX-Compass is a fully digital unit for customers. No matter where they are today, we can build on their system, helping them navigate for where they’ll be tomorrow,” said Steve Romocki, Worldwide Product Line Manager for Radiology Systems at Carestream. “A customer can choose the X-ray components that are ideal for their facility now knowing the system can be easily enhanced to meet their future needs, all while protecting their current investment.”

The CARESTREAM DRX-Compass X-ray System is an upgrade-friendly unit that mitigates technology obsolescence with a set of advanced features and options. It has vertical auto-tracking and auto-centering, as well as an optional tilting wall stand to support a wide range of exams. Developed for easy positioning, this system was designed to decrease set-up time and increase throughput for every facility. Its intuitive, graphical user interface reduces training time for technicians and allows for a secure, swipe-and-go login. The auto long-length imaging option is especially useful for patients who have trouble standing or young children who are unable to hold still for long periods.

The system includes the current version of Carestream’s ImageView clinical acquisition software, powered by Eclipse Imaging processing, to securely enhance productivity and patient care in a single platform. Through this software platform, facilities will have the option to purchase additional capabilities to their DRX-Compass systems as needed over time.

By providing the full benefits of a digital X-ray room, the DRX-Compass is ideal for community, rural and private hospitals. It is also well suited for urgent care centers, orthopaedic and large radiology practices. With the ability to select components for specific locations, the system can easily adapt to space requirements. Developed with customer feedback in mind, the DRX-Compass offers a bridge for healthcare facilities looking to move from an analog or retrofitted X-ray room to a digital system.

“The DRX-Compass is a system that can be configured to fit most facilities’ budgets and can grow with customers as their needs change, with minimal downtime,” Mr. Romocki said. “This will offer our customers who are still using analog the opportunity to move to a new digital platform and it provides flexibility for what the future will bring.”

Hospitals and healthcare facilities regularly require rapid imaging exams performed in a variety of complex situations, often at the patient’s bedside. With the launch of Canon Medical Systems USA Inc.’s all-new SOLTUS® 500 Mobile Digital X-ray, facilities now have access to a system that is equipped with enhancements that can streamline bedside exams to help improve workflow and productivity.

The FDA 510(k)-cleared SOLTUS 500 has a compact design with advanced features that promote efficiency and patient safety, without compromising image quality.

The FDA 510(k)-cleared SOLTUS 500 has a compact design with advanced features that promote efficiency and patient safety, without compromising image quality. Features include:

Enhanced ease-of-use with intuitive tubehead controls, including an 8.4-inch touchscreen display and dual collimator controls for increased access and accuracy.

Increased detector wireless range and productivity with Canon Medical patented technologies. The Distributed Antenna System optimizes detector wireless range, and the Enhanced Workflow Package supports the exam from start to finish at point of care.
Exceptional safety and security features for patient, clinician and facility, including anti-collision technologies, pressure sensitive steering, improved maneuverability and smart ID card log-in for secure accessibility.

Simplified detector charging and storage capacity allows space and functionality for detector charging, storage and accommodating accessories such as disinfecting wipes and protective bags.

“Today’s hospitals are challenged with productivity demands and it’s imperative that their x-ray systems are able to perform seamlessly where and when they need them,” said Jay Aboujaoude, managing director, X-Ray Business Unit, Canon Medical Systems USA, Inc. “The SOLTUS 500 meets that need without compromising on image quality, which is made possible with the unparalleled Canon detector technology that is at the heart of the system.”

About Canon Medical Systems USA, Inc.

Canon Medical Systems USA, Inc., headquartered in Tustin, Calif., markets, sells, distributes and services radiology and cardiovascular systems, including CT, MR, ultrasound, X-ray and interventional X-ray equipment.

About Canon Medical Systems Corporation

Canon Medical offers a full range of diagnostic medical imaging solutions including CT, X-Ray, Ultrasound, Vascular and MR, as well as a full suite of Healthcare IT solutions, across the globe. In line with our continued Made for Life philosophy, patients are at the heart of everything we do. Our mission is to provide medical professionals with solutions that support their efforts in contributing to the health and wellbeing of patients worldwide. Our goal is to deliver optimum health opportunities for patients through uncompromised performance, comfort and safety features.

At Canon Medical, we work hand in hand with our partners – our medical, academic and research community. We build relationships based on transparency, trust and respect. Together as one, we strive to create industry-leading solutions that deliver an enriched quality of life.

If the defendant in a wrongful death lawsuit is found to be negligent by the court, they will be responsible for paying the settlement or award. In most cases, this money will not come out of their own pocket. The defendant’s insurance providers often pay. When there is no insurance or there isn’t enough coverage, they will be personally responsible for paying.

Deaths that were caused by another person’s negligence never should have happened. These deaths are mistakes that were preventable, and they often leave the deceased’s loved ones struggling emotionally and financially. If someone was taken from you due to negligence, you have every right to take them to court.

Nothing will bring your loved one back, but financial compensation may make coping with the aftermath of their death less of a financial struggle. Some of the damages you may be able to claim include:

• Medical bills: The deceased may have been hospitalized for days, weeks, or even months before they passed.
• Emergency transportation: The deceased may have been transported by ambulance, and this can cost upward of $2,000.
• Funeral and burial expenses: The average cost of a funeral and burial in the United States is approximately $23,000.
• Lost income: This includes the salary your deceased loved one would have earned from the time of their injury through retirement.
• Loss of consortium: This can include the loss of companionship, a sexual relationship, guidance, and even the moral support of the deceased.
• Pain and suffering: Knowing your loved one didn’t have to die can leave you with intense emotional anguish, and you deserve to be compensated for it.
• Punitive damages: If the negligent act that caused your loved one’s death was criminal, the court may also award punitive damages.

Any party that you believe is responsible for your loved one’s death can be sued. This could be anyone from a drunk driver to the manufacturers of a defective product to an employer who failed to provide safety gear. Doctors and surgeons can also be sued for wrongful death if it can be proven that they are negligent.

Who Can Be Awarded Damages?

The laws regarding who can file a case and be compensated are different in every state. Depending on where you live, the following parties may be able to receive compensation.

Spouses

In every state the spouse of the deceased has a right to make a claim. In some states, if you were in a civil union or domestic partnership with the deceased, you will also have the right to file a lawsuit.

Children

When a child loses a parent to an act of negligence, they have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Children can be awarded damages for the loss of their parent’s support, both emotional and financial. Adult children also may be awarded damages.

Parents

Parents of minor children who were killed by the negligent act of another may collect damages in a wrongful death lawsuit. In most cases, parents of a deceased adult child will not be able to file a wrongful death claim.

Other Family Members

When a single adult who does not have parents, children, or a spouse passes away due to someone else’s negligence, some states allow other family members to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This can include siblings, aunts or uncles, or grandparents. Other family members who were receiving financial support from the deceased may also be able to file a lawsuit.

You may want to consider seeking representation for wrongful death case if you believe your loved one’s death was caused by another party’s mistake, recklessness, or criminal act. An attorney can tell you who can file a case in your state, what the statute of limitations are, and whether or not your case is likely to be successful.

One’s academic journey doesn’t end after the completion of a degree. To guarantee the reliability and quality of service, many disciplines impose further requirements and procedures. For instance, in the medical and healthcare industry, you can only begin your practice after obtaining a license.

What Is A License?

Doctors, nurses, lawyers, and teachers have one thing in common. Before stepping into their career fields, they must have the right credentials in carrying out their roles, which are in the form of licenses and certifications.

These titles are granted to individuals once they complete practical experiences, such as on-the-job training, residency, and internship. A license is important to your career since this will prove your knowledge and skills required for the job.

Also, issuing licenses to recognized professionals will protect the public from inexperienced workers that are claiming to be professional ones.

Essentially, these are some occupations and fields that require a license:

• Healthcare
• Education, training, and library
• Legal and protective service
• Architecture and engineering
• Community and social services
• Personal care and service
• Transportation services
• Real estate and planning
• Business and finance

However, people often interpret licensure and board certifications synonymously. While they both enable professionals to practice in their discipline, it’s still essential to differentiate these two to help them select and receive services from qualified professionals.

Licensure Vs. Board Certification: A Look At The Medical Industry

To practice medicine, obtaining a license is the minimum requirement for all health professionals. Basically, an individual claiming to be a health professional who doesn’t have a license is a fake physician. Before the licensure process, eligibility requirements will be discussed later on.

On another end, board certifications are more specific. While a license doesn’t identify a specific area of practice, a board certification only caters to an individual’s specialty. As the medical industry continues to flourish today, differentiating a licensed health professional from a board-certified one is a beneficial tool to see who acquired more advanced training.

Before achieving board certification, having your license is the most fundamental piece of your career. Knowing the steps for your licensure is paramount to kickstart your career while you’re still a student.

In this article, you’ll explore a comprehensive guide on preparing for a licensure exam. Keep in mind that requirements and processes might be different in every state and country.

For instance, the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is a national examination for nurse licensure exclusive in Canada and the United States. Check out this NCLEX Eligibility to acquire your licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN).

Here are the elaborated steps on how to be eligible for licensure examinations in the healthcare and medical industry:

Licensure Examinations In Different Regions

Professional licensure for medical careers is required in every country, but they can have variations. Political, demographic, economic, and geographic factors drive the standards and regulations in these particular regions. Some licenses may only be available in the country of origin, while some are approved for use in other states or countries.

Generally, medical licenses have three main categories for diagnosis and treatment of patients, while certain individual state boards may add other categories:

• D. (medical doctor)
• A. (physician assistant)
• O. (doctor of osteopathy)

An example of separate medical licenses in other states is: the Kentucky state has a different license for medical fellowship training and faculty; also, Oregon acknowledges podiatric doctors and acupuncturists with a separate license.

Furthermore, U.S. and Canadian physicians and surgeons have various licensing types and descriptions, which depend on which licensure examination they took:

• Type A: Licensure from a) LMCC, USMLE, or FLEX examination, or b) international graduate whose pathway to licensure encompasses mentioned exams or authorized combinations of FLEX, NBME, and USMLE.
• Type C: Medical school graduate whose licensure pathway originated from another state, which can also be subject to the C-SPEX examination.
• Type G: Medical school graduate whose licensure pathway depends on the NBME examination.
• Type PTL: A unique license type that identifies an LMCC or USMLE passer and is a resident of a board-approved postgraduate training program.

Basic Education Requirements

Now that you’ve had a glimpse of licensure examinations and the types of licenses usually issued in medical professionals, you can proceed with your requirements.

Fundamentally, the initial requirement to be eligible for a licensure examination is to complete your academic degree in the medical field. It can either be a doctorate degree from the United States or an internationally accredited medical school.

Other basic requirements that your licensure provider might ask are:

• Age requirement of 18 or 21 years old
• Proof of medical residency from an accredited program
• Accomplished one year of postgraduate training from a hospital-affiliated program (two years for an international medical school)

If you don’t hold a medical degree from a board-approved institution, you must have at least the following:

• Passed a multi-part licensure examination, such as FLEX, USMLE, NBME, and NBOME
• Accomplished a basic science examination issued by a medical licensing authority
• Fulfilled three years of postgraduate training in a board-approved program

Take note that these requirements may or may not be asked from your country, and they might have additional requirements not mentioned here. To have further information about the requirements, contact the right institution or organization involved in medical licensures.

For the NCLEX, requirements will be identified by the nursing regulatory body (NRB). Should you need more information about licensure examination eligibility, you can contact the NRB.

Choosing The Right State Board

Your current location and living conditions can affect your future licensure application. So, it’s better to think ahead of this before taking your college path

Keep in mind that you won’t necessarily end up working in the state where you took your licensure examination, but it’ll more likely depend on which facility chooses you. Therefore, you’ll still have to apply for license endorsement in which state you’re assigned, regardless of your U.S. license.

When choosing which state to apply for the NCLEX, it’s wiser not to choose based on factors such as the state’s popularity. Look into and evaluate the requirements, as there might be some that could delay your application.

For example, avoid states which require the following:

• Clinical experience
• TOEFL or IELTS results
• Social Security Number (SSN)

License Application Fees

Indeed, medical school is expensive. Before applying for your licensure, you should prepare your pocket for licensure fees and payments and other costs you’ll encounter along the way.

Medical licensing fees vary according to each country or state, so it’s important to coordinate with your license provider. Below is a rough estimate of state medical license costs that you should expect:

• Application and initial state licensing fee: Several states usually combine the initial licensing fee with the initial application fee. The average cost is USD$500.
• Multi-state licensing service costs: Fortunately, some state boards are acknowledging multi-state licensing, but this will cost more.

Case in point, the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) charges a USD$60 one-time fee, verifying and sending out your profile for a base fee of USD$375, then USD$95 for every additional state licensing board.

• Miscellaneous fees: These involve transcripts, criminal background checks, notary fees, postage, fingerprinting, and more–starting from USD$10 to USD$60.

To be eligible in taking your licensure examination, you need to comply with these fees. Thankfully, some state boards offer a reimbursement program that can be of great financial help. The NCLEX has the Qualified Veterans Reimbursement Program for nurse licensure candidates.

Authorization To Test

Once you’ve complied with the requirements and payments, you might undergo a Credential Evaluation Service (CES) Registration. Upon being declared as eligible by your state board, you should receive an email confirming your Authorization to Test (ATT).

Then, you’ll have to use this email address to settle an appointment to take your licensure examination. Don’t hurry too much in choosing your date and time of examination; think about it carefully.

According to the NRB, here are some rules attached to the ATT regarding the validity dates:

• Your ATT is only valid according to their specified period. The average length of the ATT is 90 days.
• Your ATT must contain your unique authorization number, candidate identification number, and the ATT expiration date.
• Your ATT validity date can’t be canceled or extended.

Increasing Your Eligibility Odds

Did you know that you can further increase your odds of licensure examination eligibility? Most license takers are starters who have recently completed their coursework and graduated from their training program. Although you don’ t have a headstart compared to more experienced takers, you can still be at your edge.

Here are some tips and reminders on enhancing your NCLEX eligibility, helping you achieve your dream career:

• Your moral character is extremely important for evaluating your eligibility. If you have offenses, prepare to open your application.
• Before submitting your application, make sure you’re an eligible citizen of the country you’re applying in. Supplying in other essential documents such as proof of citizenship, Social Security Number, and photographic identification is helpful.
• On another end, if you’re a foreign candidate, make sure to browse and follow guidelines posted on their websites to guarantee a smooth process.

Bottom Line

As an addition to increasing your eligibility odds, your topmost priority should be to study well for the licensure examination. State boards have varying rules, requirements, and fees, but they all meet at the same pedestal. They aim in selecting individuals fit for medical practice and provide quality services to the public.

If you’re ready to take on another career challenge, your license will be your stepping stone towards advancement. Thus, make the most out of it by ensuring your spot on the exams.

Car accidents are among the leading causes of fatalities in the country. Data from the National Safety Council shows that an estimated 38,800 people died in car crashes in 2019. Often, these accidents will affect motorists and pedestrians. Car manufacturers are continually upgrading driver assistance systems such as lane departure warning systems and blind-spot monitoring to help drivers mitigate the risk of accidents while driving.

1. More Accidents Closer Home

Studies show that most accidents occur close to people’s homes. Some studies suggest this can be as close as within 5 minutes of your home. Many neighborhoods invest in amenities such as pedestrian walks and green spaces to attract more people. Car crashes put joggers, kids playing, people talking on a walk, and other people in the neighborhoods at risk. Frequent car crashes also drive down real estate prices in these areas.

Motorists driving close to their neighborhoods might get into a comfort zone and sometimes become lazy in practicing safe driving procedures such as indicating before turning or wearing a safety belt. Motorists driving close to their homes might be less attentive due to fatigue, overconfidence, speeding to beat the traffic, or driving under the influence of alcohol.

2. Insurance Is Important

Driving a car without any type of insurance is reckless and dangerous. It is mandatory to carry an active car insurance policy in 49 of the 50 states in the US. Accidents can affect the occupants of vehicles involved in the accident, as well as pedestrians. Here are some common types of motor vehicle insurance covers:

• Collision coverage
• Personal injury protection
• Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage
• Auto liability coverage
• Comprehensive coverage

Having an active car insurance policy will enable you to enjoy benefits such as:

     ●     Personal accident cover

Covers injury, disabilities, or deaths happening to the driver or passengers of the vehicle.

     ●     Third-Party Claims

If you are involved in an accident resulting in damage to property or loss of life to third parties, the car insurance coverage will pay the damages ensuing and protect you from any legal liabilities arising from the accident.

     ●     Car Damage/Loss

If the event that the insured car is lost or damaged during an accident, car insurance can replace it or pay for repairs. It is important however to be fully cognizant of the types of incidents that can be covered under your insurance policy.

3. Alcohol Is the Main Cause

Alcohol ranks as one of the highest causes of car crashes across the world. According to the NHTSA, out of 36,560 motor vehicle deaths in 2018, 10,511 people died as a result of alcohol impairment in the USA.

4. It Can Happen to Anyone

Car accidents can happen to anyone. This is perhaps why drivers need to be vigilant and fully aware while driving. Car crashes caused by driver negligence can lead to the loss of innocent lives. In such events, the affected persons should hire an attorney to help them pursue compensation for damages. The experts from LevinInjuryFirm.com state that drivers can also get involved in car crashes that they have not caused. For instance, drivers getting hit from behind by other vehicles, or speeding vehicles hitting pedestrians crossing the road at designated crossings. Overall, drivers and pedestrians need to be vigilant while on the road.

5. Always Go to the Hospital

Even if you feel fine after an accident, go to the hospital for a medical checkup as soon as you can. It is not wise to play the tough guy and brush the incident aside. Most victims of car crashes will not even know that they are injured due to shock. In a car crash, the shock might lead people to behave differently.

Internal injuries resulting from the car accident might sometimes go unnoticed. Also, secondary infection from open injuries might lead to health complications. Besides, some insurance companies might only pay after you have been assessed by a medic following a car accident.

6. Distracted Driving Kills

If you text, check your email, take photos, or get preoccupied with the car music system while driving, you might need to rethink all this. Distractions are common in everyday life, and driving is no exception. The difference is that a split-second distraction can mean the difference between life and death. Just keep all distractions at bay and focus on driving.

7. More Men Involved in Accidents than Women

Statistics show that more men are likely to be involved in car accidents than women. In accidents that cause fatalities, more men are likely to be intoxicated than women. Car crashes can lead to damage or property and loss of lives. The effects of these accidents might be felt for a long time. All road users need to remain vigilant at all times.