News From Around the Web
> The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) new mobile app, CDC Blast Injury App, is aimed at helping medical responders get real-time information on a blast or other mass casualty explosive event. The software provides clinical guidance about specific blast injury patterns for assessment and treatment, and offers tools to help manage casualties and hospital surge capacity environments. Announcement
> A Reuters report says that Apple, Samsung and Google are hiring medical scientists and engineers, and requesting information from federal regulators on required oversight regarding development of glucose-measuring features in wearable devices. The vendors also are searching for applications that create more compelling consumer devices. Article
> Boston Medical Center is using new mobile facility and work order management apps to gain efficiency in repair and system maintenance, according to mHealthWatch. The iOS and Android applications help hospitals pinpoint critical fixes and redirect resources to solve facility issues. Article
Health IT News
> Computer scientists at the University of Illinois have developed software to help ensure sensitive data in patient medical records is not shared without a patient's authorization. The app uses a machine-learning analysis of medical records to help determine what data--such as prior drug abuse--a patient may want to keep confidential. Article
Health Insurance News
> Value-based purchasing contracts and reference pricing between employers and insurers are two recommendations by economists that lower healthcare spending while maintaining healthcare quality. Such contracts provided by Medicare and private insurers would let providers share in savings for delivering higher-quality, lower-cost care. Reference pricing would require patients to pay the difference if cost goes beyond the maximum amount an insurer will pay for a procedure. Article
And Finally... Who knew kangaroos really have five legs? Article