Closing out our rapidly evaporating 2009 is a year-end article in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) questioning the value of telemedicine usage in the ICU. Their ‘glass half empty’ is a 2003-6 study finding that telemedicine usage by ‘intensivists’ (ICU specialists–another… Read moreTelemedicine in the ICU: glass half full or empty?
This end of year (end of decade!) hasn’t been quiet on the company announcement front. We round up the US/Canada/Australia news.
Halo Monitoring announced on Christmas (!) that it is partnering with A&D Medical. This will combine their remote monitoring of fall detection via belt clip or chest strap with A&D’s wireless weight scale and blood pressure monitors. Connectivity is to the myHalo system via Bluetooth. Release.
Entra Health Systems is partnering with Telstra, Australia’s largest mobile phone company, to integrate their MyGlucoHealth system into a mobile phone application. The Telstra Diabetes Management Online Service is Australia’s first mobile phone application for diabetes monitoring. It tracks and uploads to a secure web portal, but also sends real-time alerts and messages using SMS or emails to the user and care team. Release on Entra website.
MedApps, which markets the HealthPAL wireless vital signs monitoring system, announced yesterday that they’ve received ISO 13485:2003 and ISO 9001:2008 certification from Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and subsequently the CE Mark certification and CMDCAS approval, allowing its products to be marketed throughout Europe and Canada. Health Canada clearance is expected in the first quarter of 2010. Announcement (read more). Regulatory information.
Two recent studies indicate, but are not conclusive, on the value of PDAs in two settings: A pandemic simulation set up by researchers at the University of Hawaii, Honolulu, indicates that prescribed medications could be easily and rapidly dispensed by clerks… Read morePDAs best in rapid response situations
US government officials will publish an interim rule on the ‘meaningful use’ of EHRs, with a final rule to be issued early next year, developed from work by the Health IT Standards Committee. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health… Read moreUS stimulus funding and IT standards
Last month, the FDA held hearings on the application of social media platforms to drug and medical device advertising. While drugs aren’t our ‘beat’, many telecare (alarms) and telehealth devices do (or will) become FDA registered. Regulation of this area could affect the informational/interactive areas… Read moreSocial media and FDA hearings on regulation
Medical alert bracelets are commonplace, but what if you are not wearing one? The iBracelet intends to fill that gap and a bit more. Currently available in Oklahoma only, the invisibleBracelet.org registry has gained the support of the American Ambulance… Read moreNow 'virtual emergency bracelets'
French product newly being sold in the UK by NRS (assistive technology supplier) described as “The brain-child of a French surgeon whose mother had dementia, the MEM-X is now used as a second memory tool, or as part of a… Read moreMEM-X Memory Aid Pendant (UK)
MobiHealthNews discusses two recent Canadian studies reaching the conclusion that Type 2 diabetics not taking insulin receive only modest benefit from daily monitoring, and could reduce testing to once or twice a week. The major conclusions are focused on cost savings, with daily testing… Read moreCost-effectiveness of diabetes self-monitoring?
Article in process for the Journal of Medical Ethics by M Schermer “Technological developments and normative policy considerations may enforce this trend to implement an interpretation of self-management in which compliance to a strict medical regime is prominent. Against this,… Read moreTelecare and self-management: opportunity to change the paradigm?
The Wall Street Journal’s Personal Health section yesterday had an overview of some of the companies developing iPhone and other smartphone applications for health data and reminders. Covered were Polka, The Carrot.com (fitness oriented, although you can design your own reports… Read moreMhealth overview by The Wall Street Journal
