08/26/2010
The Western New York health data exchange HealtheLink plans to use its $16.1 million Beacon Community grant from HHS to improve disease management for residents with diabetes. The project aims to improve care coordination and eliminate inefficiencies. Health Data Management et al.
08/24/2010
Several companies are offering “telecaregiver” services in an effort to help older adults remain independent longer. The services rely on video cameras and motion sensors to remotely monitor and assist elderly individuals in their homes. NPR's "Morning Edition."
08/11/2010
A study from an Ohio hospital has found that sending personalized text messages to teenage diabetes patients about their condition improved adherence to their medication regimen. Teens who received text reminders were three times less likely to skip a dose. Healthcare IT News.
08/11/2010
The Department of Veterans Affairs recently announced that it will launch a pilot project to test a new paperless claims processing system at its regional benefits office in Providence, R.I. The project's goal is to reduce a backlog of disability claims. Federal Computer Week.
08/09/2010
A new study concludes that heart failure patients who used telemonitoring systems had better outcomes and lower mortality and hospitalization rates. However, it is unclear whether such systems are cost-effective or ensure the security of patient data. MedPage Today, DOTmed News.
08/03/2010
FDA recently granted 510(k) approval to WellDoc's mobile phone-based software system, which provides diabetes management guidelines based on real-time patient data. WellDoc said it eventually might apply the tool to other chronic conditions. The Gazette, Mobihealthnews.
08/03/2010
Intel and General Electric have announced plans to form a jointly owned health care technologies firm to advance the use of telemedicine. The new company intends to offer programs to assist in chronic disease management and independent living. The joint venture is expected to build on an alliance the two companies created last year. Wall Street Journal et al.
07/30/2010
California researchers have developed an implantable wireless sensor capable of measuring blood glucose levels and transmitting data to a portable receiver. The researchers hope the tool receives approval for use by diabetes patients. San Diego Union-Tribune, Reuters.
07/29/2010
Oregon hospitals are expanding their telemedicine networks to help patients living in rural areas gain access to specialists. Health care providers hope the networks will help to reduce costs and alleviate an expected physician shortage. Oregonian.
07/27/2010
Several insurers plan to adopt wireless reporting technology to help heart patients and their health care providers monitor patients' conditions to prevent problems that could require costly hospitalizations. Wall Street Journal.
07/21/2010
Five $100,000 grants from the Center for Technology and Aging will be given to several groups to work on remote home monitoring systems. The center estimates that such systems could reduce chronic disease care costs by nearly $200 billion over the next 25 years. CMIO.
07/21/2010
Intuitive Automata, a Hong Kong-based technology company, has developed a robot designed to help individuals lose weight and prevent chronic conditions. The product interacts with individuals to help them track nutritional goals and is set for launch in the U.S. next year. Wall Street Journal.
07/16/2010
A new CDC system will track the progress each state is making in preventing and controlling chronic diseases by standardizing reporting methods and integrating data for federal scrutiny. The program will produce customizable reports for each state. Government Health IT.
07/15/2010
The Alzheimer's Association is funding an online service called TrialMatch that matches Alzheimer's patients with clinical trials designed to study the disease. The study aims to address a shortage of study participants that is negatively affecting research. Reuters et al.
07/15/2010
Cancer patients' pain and depression symptoms had larger improvements after using telehealth services compared with a program of usual care. The telehealth services included centralized telecare management by nurses and doctors. HealthDay, Medscape.