News From Around the Web
> The HealthKeep anonymous social health network has released a new mobile app that gives people an opportunity to get confidential, real-world health feedback and support from other patients and doctors, instantly, anytime, anywhere. The new HealthKeep app for iPhone and iPad gives users instant access to a network of patients and doctors with experiences that range over 1,000 different health variables. The mHealth platform provides peer-to-peer support and patient wisdom on diagnoses, medications, procedures, symptoms, and health goals. HealthKeep is a HIPAA-compliant social health network so it conforms to government privacy requirements, according to the company. Article
> Israel's LabStyle Innovations Corp., developer of the Dario cloud-based mHealth platform for diabetes and related blood glucose monitoring, has announced the official launch date for the Dario iOS mobile app. The complimentary app will be available for download from the Apple App Store on December 12 in the U.K., Australia and New Zealand. The launch of the Dario iOS app in Europe marks the first step of LabStyle's worldwide roll-out of the full Dario platform. Using the mobile app, customers will be able to easily, instantly and in real-time, check blood sugar levels using their smartphone and gain useful insights and views regarding what to do next. The software is currently compatible with iOS and ultimately will be with Android devices as well. Article
> Florida-based Intelligent Living, a health and wellness company, has entered into a multi-year deal with Los Angeles-based Monster Arts, a mobile marketing and app technology developer, for the development of mobile and web accessible games, mHealth and wellness and learning apps. Both companies expect products to start to become available mid-to-late December in time for the holiday season. Intelligent Living's markets include exercise, nutrition, supplements, mental acuity testing and training, through their newly acquired subsidiary MIND360, and hormone replacement therapy. Monster Arts provides a variety of mobile apps for purchase and download by the retail consumer, and assists business clients with online marketing through its Travel America Visitor Guide, mobile app design services, crowd funding consulting services, and Daily Deal information management and analytics. Article
Healthcare News
> Simulation-based team training can improve medical and nursing students' team behavior, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. The researchers conducted 10 high-fidelity simulation operating room sessions using 18 nursing students, 20 nurse anesthetist students and 28 medical students. Trained observers assessed their team-based behavior during the simulations, which covered two standardized scenarios. Mean observer scores improved from the first scenario to the second, indicating the students' behaviors and attitudes were improved by the training. Article
Healthcare IT News
> A computer-controlled system developed by Massachusetts General Hospital holds the promise to be more precise than humans at keeping a patient in a medically induced coma, sometimes is used to reduce brain swelling after a traumatic injury or to treat uncontrolled seizures. It requires a nurse or doctor to monitor the patient's brain activity and adjust the rate of anesthetic delivery around the clock, sometimes for several days. An article in PLOS Computational Biology, including researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, reports successfully using an automated system on mice. Although anesthesiologists have used computer-assisted technologies for years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved any completely automated system. Article
And Finally… Pricy porcelain throne. Article