Wondering which apps and mobile software your medical staff might be using soon, or that might provide fodder for your own app/mobile development efforts? MedCity News recently highlighted several mobile health IT efforts that could become front-runners in terms of investment and development in the months ahead.
Among the profiled included are:
Axial Exchange: An interface engine, Axial is packaging itself as a gateway for alerts, messaging and reporting. The software sits on top of existing electronic health records and departmental systems, trolling for emergent parameters, such as important lab results, test findings, or a patient's arrival at the ER. The information then automatically is pushed out to the PCs and smartphones of any providers who should be involved in the case, or event, according to Axial officials. One of its most interesting attributes for hospital IT managers: It's open-source.
Qualtrx: This platform works like a social network for hospitals and doctors, but for their pharmaceutical and other needs. Docs can announce a new trial they're running, or a patient care need, and get responses from sales reps at supply, pharma, and other vendors. The sales reps are the revenue stream here, paying to belong to the system as a way to communicate directly with docs and hospital administrators. It'll be interesting to see how open providers will be to broadcasting their organizational needs. The company just announced its first pilot with Hennepin County (Minn.) Medical Center.
CoverMyMeds: This service allows physicians to use the Web or cell-/smartphones to quickly obtain prior authorization for their patients' medications, according to MedCity. CoverMyMeds co-founder Sam Rajan hopes to replace the call centers most insurance companies use for authorizations with his automated process. Pharmacies and physicians can use the service for free because drug companies are footing the bill. The company is growing quickly, having nailed a $1 million cash infusion this spring, and adding about 150 doctors per week, company officials tell MedCity.
Huneo: At-home sleep testing, with small sensors and cloud-based transmission of data, is Huneo's claim to fame, thus far. The company is pushing to get FDA clearance for its at-home sleep apnea diagnostic system by year's end. What makes that a bit more likely is the expertise of its CEO, Jed Black, former director of the Stanford Sleep Disorders Clinic. What MedCity likes even more is that Black already has other plans for his sensor technology, targeting other health specialties where real-time data capture and transmission is critical, such as cardiac testing and athletic performance analysis.
To read about more highlighted companies:
- check out MedCity's analysis