News From Around the Web
> TracFone Wireless, America's largest no-contract wireless provider, and Voxiva, a mobile health services provider, have joined forces to launch SafeLink Health Solutions, a new program that helps Medicaid health plans engage and support members in taking an active role in their health, increase member satisfaction and re-enrollment rates, and improve key quality measures. SafeLink Health Solutions services are being rolled out to Medicaid health plans in more than 20 states. Provided under the federal Lifeline program at no cost to health plans, qualifying plan members receive a free SafeLink cell phone and free monthly service with 250 minutes and unlimited calls to designated member services phone lines. In addition, members receive free enrollment in Voxiva's evidence-based mobile health programs along with unlimited text messaging. Article
> CVS/pharmacy has announced the launch of its new Drug Interaction Checker as part of its CVS Mobile app. An industry first, this unique feature allows customers to quickly and easily check for potential drug interactions by comparing over-the-counter (OTC) products with their prescriptions and other OTCs on their smartphones. Users simply enter the name of the product or active ingredients, or scan the UPC barcode on thousands of products with their smartphone camera. The Drug Interaction Checker will then compare available product details against the OTCs or prescription medications that are entered or imported through the patient's secure pharmacy history. Article
> Australia-based Evado Pty. Ltd.has launched UniFORM, a cloud app designed to streamline clinical trials by allowing the management of information and complex data from a single page user-interface, regardless of software, format or user device.The app was launched at the Annual Meeting of the Drug Industry Association in Boston. By standardizing user access across a wide variety of computer environments, UniFORM allows users to access the same information, in the same format, regardless of whether they are using a smart phone, iPad, android, desktop or laptop. According to the announcement, the new technology will first be available in the clinical trials and patient registry arena. Article
EMR News
> The nation has enjoyed "steady increases" in the adoption of electronic health record systems and key functionalities related to the Meaningful Use criteria, but some barriers to adoption remain, according to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT's annual report to Congress. The 82-page report outlines the changes made in EHR adoption and Meaningful Use attainment since last year's report. ONC also lists the activities and support that it and others, such as the regional extension centers, are engaged in to facilitate EHR adoption. The report also acknowledges barriers to EHR adoption, such as the cost, as well as problems with interoperability and the efforts that ONC is making to overcome these challenges. The report includes related issues, such as progress in electronic prescribing and EHR adoption among providers ineligible for the Meaningful Use program. Article
Healthcare IT News
> Investment in digital health startups is growing, but not at the same torrid pace as a year ago, according to a mid-year report from startup accelerator Rock Health. Digital health startups attracted $849 million in the first half of the year, up 12 percent over the same period a year ago. However, the growth rate during the first six months of last year was 73 percent. Nearly half the funding focused on remote patient monitoring, analytics and big data, hospital administration and electronic health records. Article
And Finally… A fully armed race to the finish? Article