Healthcare technology represents one of the world’s fastest growing markets. As a result, we saw a flurry of new happenings in the Health TechZone this week.
Just 10 years ago, a holographic doctor was the stuff of science fiction. Now, Sense.ly has created a virtual online nurse named Molly. Molly utilizes Nuance speech recognition technology, medical device readings and augmented reality to assess patients, provide insights to caregivers and construct meaningful follow-up criteria. Molly is being test-driven by San Mateo Medical Center, where she monitors physical therapy patients as they perform exercises from a video.
You just lost your excuse for not exercising thanks to the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT). The Smart Gym prototype is a muscle diagnostics and exercise machine that delivers training in a variety of modes and records muscle data with no sensors. The machine can tell when a muscle is tired and automatically adjust the level of resistance. It can also utilize a smartphone platform and provide performance feedback in real time.
If your electronic medical records (EMR) solution isn’t HIPAA-compliant, prepare to pay the price. A data breach at Idaho State University, for instance, netted a fine of $400,000 from the Department of Health and Human Services. To avoid taking the hit, hospitals and medical providers have to take important safety precautions.
First and foremost, all data needs to be encrypted. Second, train employees to never do things like click a link in an e-mail or use outside USBs, CDs or DVDs. Also, employees should receive regular updates from IT about the latest security information. Mobile device policies should be strictly enforced. Finally, all providers need to undertake a thorough security risk assessment. Organizations are expected to be up to date by September 23.
