Author: MobiHealthNews

ORLANDO – At HIMSS24, Georgia Health Information Network discussed its Georgia Unity platform, a health information exchange network developed with local community partners, created due to the need to understand total health in Georgia’s rural communities.  Dr. Denise Hines, executive director at Georgia Health Information Network, and Shirelle King,  program manager at Georgia Health Information Network, said the goal of the project was to use social determinants of health to close gaps in health equity and build structures for better health outcomes.  Utilizing Aetna’s health platform, the technology provides closed loop referrals between healthcare organizations and community-based partners targeting high-need…

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ORLANDO – With a predicted shortage of nine million nurses worldwide by 2030, healthcare providers are looking to pivot to virtual care and virtual nurses to address staffing shortages and improve patient care, said experts at HIMSS24 preconference Virtual Care Forum on Monday.  Dr. Murielle Beene, senior vice president and chief health informatics officer at Trinity Health, and Dr. Gay Landstrom, Trinity’s senior vice president and chief nursing officer, outlined the benefits of the health system’s TogetherTeam Virtual Connected Care approach, which leverages virtual nursing and team-based care. Beene said that with the knowledge of an impending shortage of nurses,…

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HIMSS24 preconference Virtual Care Forum, hosted by MobiHealthNews Executive Editor Jessica Hagen, brought together thought leaders, innovators and clinicians to discuss the latest trends in remote care delivery.  Highlights included Penni Kyte, digital care strategy officer at Ballad Health, discussing how the Tennessee-based organization used the example set by air traffic controllers to break down silos and close care gaps through a centralized command health center.  Stanford Health’s Sam Shen, clinical professor and vice chair of clinical operations and quality in the department of emergency medicine, and Patrice Callagy, executive director of emergency services, shared their thoughts on emerging roles…

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Melbourne-based startup Kismet has received $8.2 million in seed funding from a round led by tech investors Prosus Ventures and Airtree Ventures.  WHAT IT DOES Founded in 2023, Kismet has built a community engagement ecosystem that digitally connects care receivers, caregivers, health insurance, and healthcare providers in the in-home, disabled and aged segments worldwide.  Its web and mobile-based platform, Kismet Participant, organises healthcare providers – sorted by distance, rating, or price – into more than 30 categories that can match an individual’s insurance benefits or NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) plan. It allows users to find the city, date, and…

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ORLANDO — According to experts, financial return on investment is not the only aspect that should be considered when examining the implementation of virtual care technologies. “Sometimes there is no pathway to return on investment, the pathway is blurry or assumptions are made,” Chad Ellimoottil, professor and medical director of virtual care at the University of Michigan told an audience at HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition preconference Virtual Care Forum on Monday.  “It’s very dependent-centric,” said Matt Pruente, senior director at Alvarez & Marsal. “Ultimately, though, we need to make it work and it’s very dependent on the system.”…

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Today, Wolters Kluwer Health announced a new suite of next generation clinical support tools pairing point-of-care decision support, workflow optimization and patient-centered care resources.  The new suite includes UpToDate, UpToDate Lexidrug (formerly Lexicomp), UpToDate patient engagement (formerly Emmi) and UpToDate digital architect.  Wolters Kluwer released two new products: the UpToDate Enterprise Suite and the UpToDate Pro Suite.  The enterprise suite is structured to support health systems and plans through tools, technology and evidence-based information.  The suite allows providers with tools not only related to decision making but also how to navigate fast changing and update medical guidelines. While the enterprise…

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ORLANDO — After implementing a virtual video telemedicine model in Stanford Healthcare’s emergency department, patients have provided more positive feedback regarding their experience than the standard emergency room department, said speakers at the 2024 HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition preconference Virtual Care Forum on Monday. “Our journey began with COVID,” said Patrice Callagy, executive director of emergency services at Stanford Healthcare. “Even though our emergency department had the ability to telehealth into our system, the nurse had to be in the room to operate that.”   Callagy and her colleague Sam Shen, clinical professor and vice chair of clinical…

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Health is standing on the cusp of a revolution and augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies are at the forefront, transforming everything from surgical training to patient mental health care.  The technologies are not just changing the game; it is redefining the playing field, offering unparalleled precision, immersion and connectivity. This article explores the multifaceted impact of AR and VR in healthcare, shedding light on its potential to enhance patient care and provider capabilities. A new dimension in surgical training and execution Integrating AR and VR into surgical training represents a seismic shift in medical education. Surgeons can…

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An over-the-counter continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) solution developed by Dexcom called Stelo has received clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Available without the need for a prescription, the wearable biosensor boasts a battery life of up to two weeks and adheres to the back of the upper arm.  The patch aids in the detection of normal (euglycemic) as well as low or high (dysglycemic) glucose levels. It provides round-the-clock glucose readings directly to a smartphone and delivers personalized insights into glucose health, offering users actionable information to make informed decisions. Tailored for individuals 18 and up who do…

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Digital mental health company Headspace announced its new virtual reality app Headspace XR, which utilizes mixed reality and virtual reality to help users strengthen their mind-body connection through movement and breathwork.  The app, available on Meta Quest, includes mood-boosting games, one-on-one guided meditations and other techniques.  Headspace said in a statement it aims to reach a younger audience with the VR app, especially Gen Z. Later this year, Headspace plans to conduct a randomized control trial to evaluate how Headspace XR can assist people with social health and connection. The study aims to explore the direct mental health benefits of…

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