News From Around the Web
> Mobile media publisher Regulus Communications has announced the launch of the first phase of the Health Apps Network, a mobile health information system for patients and healthcare consumers. It is touted as the first mobile app network for connecting patients and consumers to mobile health information on care providers, health care facilities, and health care product and service suppliers exclusively on mobile devices. Care App is designed to meet the specific--non-electronic health records requirements--of the HITECH Act. Article
> AliveCor, developer of an iPhone ECG, has announced the launch of a universal heart monitor that can be attached to any smartphone or smartphone case. The FDA-cleared universal Heart Monitor is both iOS and Android compatible and features AliveCor's proprietary ultrasound technology that provides a clinical-quality one-lead ECG of the heart. Article
> The Henry Ford Innovation Institute (HFII) is partnering with Health 2.0 to launch The HFII HealthTech Challenge in order to attract and commercialize early-stage mobile health and digital solutions that "address the root causes of the avoidable hospital readmissions." Article
EMR News
> The government shutdown has stalled many healthcare programs, but providers still can attest to Meaningful Use and earn their inactive payments, according to an article in MedPage Today. "HealthIT incentive payments do not come from annual appropriations; our @CMSGov colleagues continue to receive attestations," former National Coordinator for Health IT Farzad Mostashari told Medpage Today via Twitter. Mostashari also clarified that not only can providers still attest, but that ONC will continue to process the payments. Article
Healthcare IT News
> Amid the government shutdown and partisan games plaguing Washington, D.C., and the rest of the country, something is actually happening--online signups for the Affordable Care Act. HealthCare.gov is finally open for business, but how well is it designed? The site has more than a few technical issues and was down for maintenance over the weekend. Glitches and technical issues in the health insurance exchange ran rampant on the opening day of the health insurance marketplaces with delays and server crashes as consumers overwhelmed computer systems. Article
And Finally… Playground rules run amok. Article