News From Around the Web
> ThyroMetrix USA, Inc., a clinical thyroid testing company, has partnered with Holomic, LLC, specialists in photonics-based technologies for mobile health applications, to create the Holomic Rapid Diagnostic Reader (HRDR-200) for smartphones. The HRDR-200 works in sync with ThyroTest, a Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) blood test available in the U.S. and Canada by ThyroMetrix. When coupled with the new HRDR-200, it provides fast test results with the same accuracy as popular lab testing systems, allowing medical professionals to immediately diagnose and start treatment of thyroid disorders. Article
> GenieMD, a Silicon Valley-based provider of mobile healthcare solutions, has announced the company's first place finish in the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT's Blue Button Co-Design Challenge. The purpose of the challenge was to engage developers and patients to increase the number of priority patient-facing applications able to receive clinical data via Blue Button Direct. GenieMD developed an app that helps users diagnose symptoms, find nearby providers, or learn more about medical conditions and living healthy. The secure GenieMD Health Profile includes features to create a comprehensive health summary, help manage treatment, and monitor the health of a loved one. Article
> Better, an app being tested at the Mayo Clinic and slated to launch in October, aims to let people use a smartphone to reach a doctor, find a diagnosis, or keep track of their medical records. The app will be available first on the iPhone and will include a version of Mayo's online symptom checker, as well as access to location-based data like local pollen counts and lists of healthy restaurants in a person's area. Better will also give Mayo Clinic patients direct access to their health records. Article
EMR News
> More than two-thirds of U.S. hospitals have bought technology from a vendor certified to the 2014 Edition certification criteria, according to a newly published report from HIMSS Analytics, meaning that many hospitals already have the tools they need to meet Meaningful Use Stage 2 at their disposal. The report, which used data from 418 hospitals collected through the first six months of 2013, also found that 70 percent of respondents are "actively moving toward meeting Meaningful Use Stage 2" mandates, while 60 percent have met the requirements for at least nine core metrics in Stage 2. Article
Healthcare IT News
> Google recently announced plans to launch Calico, a new firm that will try to solve healthcare's problems and extend human life, according to Google co-founder and CEO, Larry Page, who made an official announcement about the initiative on his Google+ page on Sept. 18. "In some industries, it takes 10 or 20 years to go from an idea to something being real. Healthcare is certainly one of those areas," Page told Time. "Maybe we should shoot for the things that are really, really important so 10 or 20 years from now we have those things done." Google is keeping most of Calico's major details a secret for now, such as its funding and employee headcount, according to Time. However, the company does predict that it likely will use its own data-processing capabilities to shed new light on "age-related maladies." Calico likely will start small and research new technologies. Article
And Finally… Squeezing the Charmin. Article