05/23/2012
A Brookings Institution report finds that the use of mobile devices could improve health care quality and reduce costs. The report cites research finding that mobile health monitoring devices could reduce U.S. health care costs by about $197 billion over 25 years. Washington Post.
05/22/2012
The National Cancer Institute is working with Mobile Commons on a new text messaging campaign aimed at helping teenagers and young adults quit smoking. The program sends texts based on the user's mood, smoking status and planned quit date. Healthcare IT News, Mobile Commons release.
05/18/2012
A report from the Department of Homeland Security's National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center finds that the health care industry's adoption of mobile technology poses certain security risks to patient data. The report offers recommendations to bolster organizations' data security, such as operating well-maintained firewalls. Government Computer News et al.
05/15/2012
A study finds that a mobile application helped boost the frequency of glucose monitoring among teenagers with diabetes. The teens earned points each time they measured their glucose levels, and the points could be redeemed for iTunes rewards. FierceMobileHealthcare, CMIO.
05/15/2012
A new report by Manhattan Research finds that the percentage of surveyed physicians using tablet computers has nearly doubled from about 35% in 2011 to about 62% in 2012. Of the surveyed doctors who are using tablets, 81% said they use Apple's iPad and about 50% said they have used their tablet device at the point of care, according to the report. Becker's Hospital Review et al.
05/14/2012
According to researchers, mobile technology could help improve access to health care for people living in remote regions of developing countries. However, they note that certain barriers are hindering the widespread implementation of mobile health initiatives. New York Times.
05/09/2012
Some of HHS' newly announced innovation awards will go to projects that have a health IT component. Emory University, University Hospitals of Cleveland and George Washington University received awards for projects involving telehealth. Modern Healthcare et al.
05/09/2012
The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced a pilot program to give veterans' family caregivers iPads that feature health care applications and tools to aid treatment. The devices will allow data sharing between VA, caregivers and veterans. Modern Healthcare, NextGov.
05/07/2012
Many health programs in low- and middle-income countries are using health IT to improve communications and access to care, according to a Results for Development Institute report published in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization. FierceHealthIT, R4D release.
05/04/2012
Researchers are evaluating whether patients could interact directly with their implanted medical devices through implanted user interfaces. Findings indicate that users can communicate successfully with an interface implanted under the skin of the arm. InformationWeek.
05/02/2012
A review published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association finds that sending text messages and other electronic reminders could improve medication adherence in the short term, but the long-term effectiveness of the strategy is unclear. CMIO, FierceHealthIT.
05/01/2012
Employers and health insurers increasingly are using online games to encourage healthier behavior among workers. However, researchers note that there is a lack of data showing that such games are an effective strategy to improve employee wellness. Wall Street Journal.
04/30/2012
A survey finds that 85% of nurses and nursing students say they would like to access prescription drug guides through their mobile phones. Seventy-one percent of nursing professionals said they use a smartphone for work. FierceMobileHealthcare, Wolters Kluwer Health release.
04/25/2012
A new study finds that text message reminders sent to parents could help boost influenza immunization rates among children and teenagers. According to the study, personalized text message reminders increased flu vaccination rates by about 4%. Reuters, MedPage Today.
04/23/2012
A survey by two firms that provide webcasting and interactive content services finds that 84% of surveyed doctors would rather attend continuing medical education events virtually than in person. The survey also looks at types of digital devices that doctors use. InformationWeek.