Our July profile on the innovative ‘Green Houses’ model for older adults as a designed-from-ground-up alternative to nursing homes mentioned the considerable support that the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) has given to the Green House Project with an initial 10-year, $10 million low-interest credit facility in 2011. RWJF has added a $2.77 million grant for a three-year acceleration of the model to include an updated financial model and a stronger marketing plan to create demand. All good things for this care model for high acuity residents. Grant on the RWJF website. MedCityNews.
Much ado about Airo: the denouement
Like the Maltese Falcon, ‘the stuff that dreams are made of’?
The madly touted Airo fitness band, with its claimed mini-spectrometer built into the band to detect nutritional blood metabolites for passive sensing of food consumption [TTA 30 Oct], has, after a firestorm in the industry press, conceded it lacked proof that it would ‘work as advertised’ and refunded money to its early backers. Very rarely have we seen mass disparagement in health tech, but the fact that the developers ginned up a lot of breathless publicity over a device without a working prototype and no studies to back a future design made it all too easy. (more…)
Another House bill supporting telehealth and telemedicine (US)
One of the two US House representatives behind the expansion of telehealth services for active duty and veteran military members [TTA 19 Nov], California Rep. Scott Peters (San Diego area), has just introduced a bill, HR 3577, the ‘Health Savings Through Technology Act,’ to “create a commission to inventory existing data, examine the cost-savings that can be achieved by increasing the use of wireless health technologies, and develop a comprehensive strategy for integrating these technologies into federal health care programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, which often serve the mobility-impaired and elderly.” What is notable is the backing that the bill has from health tech ‘heavy hitters’ such as Qualcomm, American Telemedicine Association (ATA), CONNECT (a San Diego-based innovation catalyst and accelerator) and CHI-California Healthcare Institute, as well as life sciences industry groups BIOCOM (San Diego area) and BayBio (its Northern California counterpart). However, this commission will be studying a rapidly moving target and best get its skates on, fast. Not helping matters is that there is a long, long road between the introduction of a House bill and its joint passage by both House and Senate–if it ever passes. Release (Rep. Peters’ website) Hat tip to ATA (@AmericanTelemed) via Twitter.
Voice-enabled devices–pointer to the future?
LA billionaire and healthcare investor par excellence Patrick Soon-Shiong (his NantHealth raised $31 million earlier this year and owns Vitality, eviti, iSirona, iCOS) has just made a sizable $8 million investment in Fluential, which is developing a voice interface and speech-optimized recognition software for digital health, wellness, and weight management, to run on anything mobile including wearables, and to be released in the spring of 2014. If this works (and better than Siri), it has major implications across the board in the future shape of both consumer and clinical health tech, especially for older adults and those with mobility concerns. Mobihealthnews.
Sensors>>data>>what next?
[grow_thumb image=”https://telecareaware.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/17L_2.jpg” thumb_width=”150″ /]Three of our FBQs concern data–who’s looking at it, who’s taking action with it and how it’s integrated into records. MedCityNews examines two sensor-based monitors in considering how to extract meaning from the data. In the hospital, bed pressure sensor plate EarlySense already has a pressure sensor algorithm that reminds a nurse or aid to turn the patient, but their main emphasis is highlighting vital signs trending in heart and respiratory rate, which can be predictive of a deteriorating condition based on a set range. For the mid-range of the healthy fit who want to be fitter, MIO (left) is the first and at present, only device in a watch form which tracks heart rate monitoring at performance levels without a chest strap and downloads data to an iPhone–which doesn’t quite support the premise of the article, but then there’s that hint (MIO is sold in Apple Stores for $199) that the technology will wind up in smartwatches….but still, Magic 8 Ball says ‘concentrate and ask again’.
CATCH Launch Event 19 November: report
Drs. Kenneth Law and Mutaz Aldawoud, GPs at the Hillside Bridge Health Centre in Bradford, attended the 19 November launch of the Centre for Assistive Technology and Connected Healthcare (CATCH). Here is their report, with your Editors’ appreciation and thanks!
The Centre for Assistive Technology and Connected Healthcare (CATCH) was officially launched on 19th November in Millennium Galleries in Sheffield. The launch offered an opportunity to explore the exciting research being undertaken at CATCH, based at the University of Sheffield, to help people live independently. (more…)
Marcus Agius, ex-Barclays chair, joins government consultant PA Consulting
Our UK readers have undoubtedly noted the announcement yesterday that former Barclays chairman Marcus Agius has joined employee-owned management consultancy PA Consulting Group as Non-Executive Chairman starting 1 January, after the retirement of long-time Executive Chairman Jon Moynihan. This is one of several changes at the top including the retirement of board members Victor Halberstad (who according to The Times recruited Mr. Agius), Lady Judge and Martin Stapleton. Of the three additions, the most interesting is Esther Dyson, well known for her role in the early days of the internet and now best known as a space, healthcare and IT start-up investor and board member. Her position as founder of the Health Initiative Coordinating Council (HICCup) may signal further reach of PA Consulting’s healthcare sector. According to the FT, one of their largest clients is the British Government–they are finalists in a purchasing bid for the Ministry of Defence–and has extensive experience with the NHS and what’s termed ‘service change’ as made clear on their website. Also Telegraph, PA press release.
Exoskeleton to aid paraplegic in charity walk (US)
This past Sunday, architect Robert Woo walked a mile in NYC’s Riverside Park for Generosity NYC 5K. Now that would not be remarkable at all except that Mr. Woo is a paraplegic, and he is walking that mile with the aid of an Argo ReWalk exoskeleton. He and his ReWalk-equipped teammates are raising funds as Team ReWalk to aid the Bronx Medical Veterans Research Foundation/James J. Peters VA Medical Center’s Exoskeletal-Assisted Walking Program. Mr. Woo’s story is a memorable and courageous one from the time of his injury in a horrific construction-related accident six years ago; more in Paralyzed By Seven Tons Of Steel, Man Now Walks With A Bionic Suit (Gothamist). Video in this local CBS News clip. This is certainly the most developed version of an exoskeleton and robotics to enable paraplegics to walk, yet it is still not easy and requires specialized training; most exoskeletons to date have concentrated on assisting lower body movement. Hat tip to Donald Andrews of New York-Presbyterian/Lev El Medical via LinkedIn Groups.
HSJ Awards–the winners are…
The Health Service Journal (HSJ) Awards in 22 categories were presented Tuesday night (19 Nov) and their article has a comprehensive list of all the winners and respective categories, with a link to the Twitter discussion, a souvenir supplement (!) and a free best practice report incorporating all the shortlisted organizations.
Opportunities in the mHealth Landscape: Encouraging Integration
27 November 2013, Pinsent Masons LLP, 30 Crown Place, London, EC2A 4ES
A one-hour breakfast seminar focusing on opportunities and challenges being presented by mHealth developments. Presenting: Tim Davies, CEO of mHealth supplier Exco InTouch, Dr Andy Richards, recipient of BIA’s 2013 lifetime achievement award, Collette Johnson of Plextek Consulting, who has had a central role in advancing the adoption of mHealth technologies in the NHS, and Matthew Godfrey-Faussett, a partner at Pinsent Masons specializing in ICT and Healthcare. The seminar will be chaired by David Isaac, Head of Advanced Manufacturing & Technology Services at Pinsent Masons. Breakfast is 8am with presentations 8:30-9:30am. Free. Email megan.hanney@pinsentmasons.com for registration. Additional information here.
Bill to expand military telehealth services introduced (US)
Two House representatives from California, Mike Thompson (Congressional District 5) and Scott Peters (District 52) have introduced HR 3507, the 21st Century Care for Military & Veterans Act. This expands coverage of telehealth services (including remote monitoring and virtual consults/telemedicine) for active-duty service members, their dependents, retirees and veterans, including physician reimbursement for telehealth services under TRICARE (the health plan for active duty and military retirees) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). (more…)
Apple purchasing 3D gesture control developer PrimeSense
Breaking News
Based on the report you read, the deal is done or nearly done, but it is highly likely that Apple will be acquiring Tel Aviv-based PrimeSense for an amount in or around $345 million. PrimeSense developed the original 3D gesture control behind Microsoft Kinect (replaced by their in-house version); the company currently works with Asus and probably Apple. The purchase will enable Apple to add controls with body movements and hand gestures to its smartphone, tablet and TV products, as well as more closely defend its own patents in 3D gesture control lined out in Apple-ology blog 9to5Mac. Nothing in this or other reports about the Apple foray into smartwatches or wearables, but the capability fits. Watch 9to5Mac, TheNextWeb and TechCrunch for updates.
TSA Crystal Awards winners
The Telecare Services Association (TSA) announced its Crystal Awards winners [TTA 7 Nov on shortlist] at their gala dinner last week, and they are:
Most creative application of technology including telecare, telehealth, telecoaching: STAY (Sandwell Telecare Assisting You) and Red Embedded Systems Ltd. for their use of innovative video supporting those with learning disabilities. Receiving the award were our Contributing Editor Alasdair Morrison of STAY and Adam Hoare of Red Embedded.
Enhancing lives through technology enabled services: Peninsula Community Health for their home-based telehealth solution addressing a spike in UTIs in their locality.
Professional of the Year: Sarah Wyke of Stafford and Rural Homes
An additional award for 2013 Overall Winner, signifying the highest level of excellence across all three categories, was awarded to Peninsula Community Health.
More information on the awards and judging panel in their release (PDF)–and click the headline to view comments. Hat tip to the TSA’s Mark Leivesley for the updates.
The Internet School of Medicine
Who needs medical school, the NHS or Obamacare? BYOD and DIY! Hat tip to reader John Nosta
The Internet School of Medicine #meded Enroll now and get a free internet doctor coat @NewYorker pic.twitter.com/4zb2XAwSOp
— Eric Topol (@EricTopol) November 18, 2013
eHealth not rocket science: former rocket scientist (Australia)
Prof. Michael Georgeff is the aforementioned rocket scientist (actually the Program Director for the Space Shuttle’s control software) who is now CEO of Precedence Health Care. The company has developed what they claim is the first-ever chronic disease management network, cdmNet, accessible via broadband and mobile. Instead of controlling the shuttle, cdmNet controls the workflow end-to-end from care plans to follow up including all documentation. It is part of the Collaborative Care Cluster Australia initiative and is also the core technology infrastructure for Australia’s Diabetes Care Project. Post-discharge and chronic disease management integration into hospital/practice workflows is of course a huge issue elsewhere in the world, and perhaps the solution is found Down Under. eHealthSpace.org
Disrupting the hospital room
The new frontier of disruption is design. Long-term housing for the cognitively impaired is being rethought [TTA 4 Oct]–why not the hospital room, when the last big change in the US was going from wards to semi-private and private rooms? The typical hospital room now houses tons of technology, but resembles a spaghetti bowl of wires and also is a nexus of nosocomial infections. Rethinking it is NXT Health’s Patient Room 2020 designed with a team from Clemson University’s Healthcare + Architecture Graduate Program and with support from the US Department of Defense. The many interesting features include mood adjustment, noise blocking, hand sanitization stations before room entry, nonporous flat surfaces on equipment and seamless flooring for efficient sanitization, UV light for same and multiple built-ins. Wall Street Journal article, full size illustration with callouts.
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