Ebola on the Internet: The Digital Health Warning from Boston to West Africa

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With a 60% spike in reported cases over the past two weeks, the Ebola outbreak in West Africa continues to spread at a frightening rate. Physicians, disaster relief responders and the World Health Organization (WHO) alike remain unsure of how to stop the deadliest outbreak to date—but one Boston-bred digital health company could have predicted it was coming. HealthMap, a team of researchers, epidemiologists, and software developers at Boston Children’s Hospital, has been conducting online outbreak monitoring and real-time surveillance of emerging public health threats since its founding in 2006. According to a recent article published in TIME Magazine, HealthMap had already alerted key U.S. government agencies about West Africa’s Ebola outbreak days before the WHO first announced it.

Using its online program, HealthMap is able to deliver aggregated intelligence on a range of emerging infectious diseases. In creating this app, HealthMap scours social media, online news sources and eyewitness reports for early signs of disease outbreaks. In bringing these data together, HealthMap achieves a unified view of current infectious diseases, their effects on human health, and can share these views with the public via a mobile app called “Outbreaks Near Me.”

Regarding the Ebola outbreak, HealthMap accessed a Kenyan news report on 23 deaths due to hemorrhagic fever in March, and promptly notified U.S. officials. Although action was not taken after this initial report, it appears that online technology has improved the ability to detect and track outbreaks. As of now, most major U.S. government agencies subscribe to Healthmap.org’s daily email alerts and online postings.

Sources: TIME Magazine and NPR

Check out HealthMap’s website here for more information.

About DoseSpot

DoseSpot is a Surescripts™ certified e-Prescribing platform specifically designed to integrate with electronic health record, electronic dental record, practice management and telehealth software. DoseSpot has provided simple, affordable and integratable e-Prescribing solutions to healthcare IT companies since 2009. For more information, please visit www.DoseSpot.com.

“Map My Body:” Google’s Newest Health Endeavor Spans the Genome

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SOURCE: Vanity Fair

We’re surrounded by hundreds of health terms on a daily basis, but what does it truly mean to be “healthy”? Google X, the research branch of Google, may soon have an answer for us. As first reported by the Wall Street Journal and later confirmed by Google, Google X has embarked on a bio-medical research project called ‘Baseline Study’ that will aggregate anonymous genetic and molecular information. The Study will initially test 175 people to solidify data collection methods—with thousands more to come— to create an accurate picture of the healthy human.

The 175-person pilot group will go through extensive medical testing, including blood and saliva analyses. Once completed, the Baseline Study team will review all samples with researchers at Duke University and Stanford University, the anticipated sites for the eventual, large-scale study.

In response to privacy concerns, Google told the Wall Street Journal that any data collected for Baseline will be anonymous, used only for medical purposes, and will not be shared with insurance companies. Baseline’s aim is to act as a reference database for the chemistry of a well-machined, healthy body—and, subsequently, identify abnormalities much earlier. With the birth of Baseline, the hope is that the medical community will move towards prevention rather than treatment in response to disease.

Sources: The Next Web and  Business Insider

For more information on Google’s groundbreaking health plans, check out this article by TIME Magazine: http://time.com/3045429/google-baseline-study-human-health/

About DoseSpot

DoseSpot is a Surescripts™ certified e-Prescribing platform specifically designed to integrate with electronic health record, electronic dental record, practice management and telehealth software. DoseSpot has provided simple, affordable and integratable e-Prescribing solutions to healthcare IT companies since 2009. For more information, please visit www.DoseSpot.com.

ONC Identifies (and Charts) Trends in e-Prescribing

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Earlier this month, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) released a Data Brief on trends in e-Prescribing as measured over the past few years. The Data Brief available here highlights compelling statistics surrounding e-Prescribing growth and adoption.  Here is what we found most riveting:

10 states with the highest e-prescribing rates as of April 2014:

1. Minnesota — 100 percent
2. Iowa — 95 percent
3. Indiana — 95 percent
4. Massachusetts — 94 percent
5. South Dakota — 90 percent
6. New Hampshire — 87 percent
7. North Dakota — 87 percent
8. Wisconsin — 87 percent
9. Kentucky — 85 percent
10. Oregon — 84 percent

10 states with the lowest e-prescribing rates as of April 2014:

1. Alaska — 48 percent
2. Nevada — 50 percent
3. California — 53 percent
4. New Jersey — 54 percent
5. New York — 59 percent
6. Colorado — 60 percent
7. Hawaii — 60 percent
8. Idaho — 62 percent
9. Utah — 62 percent
10. Tennessee — 63 percent

• December 2008: Every state with the exception of Massachusetts had physicians e-prescribing using an EHR at a rate  below 20% on the Surescripts Network
• April 2014: Every state had physicians e-prescribing using an EHR at a rate >40% and the majority of states had at least 70% of their physicians e-prescribing using an EHR

About DoseSpot
DoseSpot is a Surescripts™ certified e-Prescribing platform specifically designed to integrate with electronic health record, electronic dental record, practice management and telehealth software. DoseSpot has provided simple, affordable and integratable e-Prescribing solutions to healthcare IT companies since 2009. To request a demo of DoseSpot’s e-Prescribing integration platforms, please visit http://www.DoseSpot.com/.

Doctor On Demand, Inc. Integrates with DoseSpot e-Prescribing Platform

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NEEDHAM HEIGHTS, MA – DoseSpot, an industry leader in e-Prescribing integration platforms for medical and dental software, today announced that Doctor On Demand, a healthcare service that provides Video Visits with board-certified physicians on smartphones and tablets, has completed Surescripts certification through DoseSpot.

“We are thrilled to be working with Doctor On Demand to further enhance their healthcare service platform and offer a comprehensive yet simplified e-Prescribing solution,” said Greg Waldstreicher, President, DoseSpot. “Not only does this streamline operational efficiencies for Doctor on Demand, but e-Prescribing is convenient for patients in need of a prescription,” added Greg.

Doctor On Demand provides Video Visits with board-certified physicians immediately, via smartphones and tablets. Doctor On Demand physicians diagnose, treat, and write prescriptions where clinically appropriate. Visits are only $40. The most common conditions that Doctor On Demand physicians treat include colds, coughs, allergies, infections, fever, rashes, nausea, sports injuries and more.

Through this partnership with DoseSpot, Doctor On Demand physicians are equipped to:

• Safely and efficiently send prescriptions electronically to more than 65,000 pharmacies nationwide;
• Automatically check for dangerous drug-drug and drug-allergy interaction alerts;
• Aggregate prescription history data from community pharmacies in addition to patient medication claims history from payers and pharmacy benefit managers;
• Request information on patient insurance eligibility and formulary at the time of prescribing.

“Telehealth and e-Prescribing share the same objectives; expand access to care, save time, reduce costs and increase efficiency,” said Greg. “This integration proves to be a win for the patient, physician and pharmacist.”

“We’re focused on providing medical care to people whenever and wherever they need it,” said Adam Jackson, Co-founder and CEO of Doctor On Demand. “In partnership with DoseSpot, it’s even easier for our network of doctors to safely and efficiently prescribe the medications a patient needs to feel better.”

For more information on e-Prescribing integration platforms and DoseSpot, please visit www.DoseSpot.com.

About Doctor on Demand
Doctor On Demand is a healthcare service that provides Video Visits with board-certified physicians via smartphones or tablets. Patients simply download the Doctor On Demand app, tap a few screens, and are instantly connected to a doctor in their state for a Video Visit. Doctor On Demand delivers services through employers, health systems, health plans, and direct to consumers. Entrepreneurs Adam Jackson and Jay McGraw founded the company in 2013 to improve access to high quality, service-oriented and cost-effective medical care. Doctor On Demand is based in San Francisco. To learn more, please visit www.doctorondemand.com.

About DoseSpot
DoseSpot is a Surescripts™ certified e-Prescribing platform specifically designed to integrate with electronic health record, electronic dental record, practice management and telehealth software. DoseSpot has provided simple, affordable and integratable e-Prescribing solutions to healthcare IT companies since 2009. To request a demo of DoseSpot’s e-Prescribing integration platforms, please visit http://www.DoseSpot.com/.

Read full press release here: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/07/prweb12039240.htm

Healthcare Startup Spotlight: AdhereTech

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Startup: AdhereTech
Website: www.adheretech.com
Funding: $2.35 Million as of July 9, 2014
Overview: AdhereTech created patented smart pill bottles to improve medication adherence and patient engagement. These bottles automatically measure if patients are adherent, and all data is wirelessly transmitted and analyzed in real-time. If a dose is missed, AdhereTech reminds the patient via automated phone call or text message – and on-bottle lights and chimes. Additionally, the system can solicit feedback from patients via text or phone call, determining why the dose was missed.

Sources: angel.co/adheretech & adheretech.com

About DoseSpot

DoseSpot is a Surescripts™ certified e-Prescribing platform specifically designed to integrate with electronic health record, electronic dental record, practice management and telehealth software. DoseSpot has provided simple, affordable and integratable e-Prescribing solutions to healthcare IT companies since 2009. For more information, please visit www.DoseSpot.com.

“The Digital Doc” today’s mhealth, and what doctors are saying about it

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Mobile health (known as mhealth) is one of the fastest growing markets today, and has been referred to by techies and health professionals alike as the “invisible link” between patients and doctors. With mobile applications at their disposal, doctors can more easily provide care with services moved to the cloud, allowing data to be accessed anywhere, anytime. Exactly how prevalent are these apps in the doctor’s office? Take a look below to find out.

In a recent study conducted by MedData Group, a healthcare marketing firm in Massachusetts, 2/3 of American doctors surveyed use mhealth apps while on the job. Nearly 50% of these doctors say they use mobile apps to look at medication interactions.

These percentages are expected to change over the next 12 months, with an anticipated increase in the number of doctors using apps that allow for EHR access. Many of these EHR apps will reduce time-consuming administrative work that doctors are currently subjected to.

According to Juniper Research’s latest report on the mhealth market, mobile apps are enhancing overall consumer engagement in healthcare by increasing information flow. Costs are being lowered by better decision-making, fewer in-person visits, greater treatment adherence, and remote monitoring. As of now, the overarching conclusion in the mhealth sphere is this: doctors are open to adopting a wide variety of mhealth technologies, if they see a clear benefit.

THE FINANCIAL FACT$:

• According to the Global Mobile Health Market Report 2013-2017 by research2guidance, the mhealth market will reach $26 billion USD globally by 2017
• Juniper Research’s latest report on the mhealth market forecasts cumulative cost savings of up to $36 billion USD globally over the next 3 years
• Consumers are currently driving much of the demand for mhealth technologies and applications

SOURCES: Huffington Post and Xconomy

For more information on physician interactions with mobile and connected health platforms, check out MedData’s official report here.

About DoseSpot

DoseSpot is a Surescripts™ certified e-Prescribing platform specifically designed to integrate with electronic health record, electronic dental record, practice management and telehealth software. DoseSpot has provided simple, affordable and integratable e-Prescribing solutions to healthcare IT companies since 2009. For more information, please visit www.DoseSpot.com.

Apps Help Combat the Waiting Game

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Scheduling a doctor’s appointment is never fun.  As identified by the Merritt Hawkins’ 2014 Survey of Physician Appointment Wait Times, appointments can take months to schedule.  With the increasing number of apps available, waiting will soon be a thing of the past.  For starters, there are many self-scheduling apps where patients can schedule day of appointments online like ZocDoc, DocASAP and InQuicker.  Another healthIT trend steadily increasing is telehealth where a patient can video chat with a doctor in a matter of seconds. Companies such as Doctor On Demand, HealthSpot and American Well all offer innovative telehealth solutions.

Check out average wait times below and see how your city lines up.  For more information on telehealth and industry trends, check out our whitepaper today!

About DoseSpot

DoseSpot is a Surescripts™ certified e-Prescribing platform specifically designed to integrate with electronic health record, electronic dental record, practice management and telehealth software. DoseSpot has provided simple, affordable and integratable e-Prescribing solutions to healthcare IT companies since 2009. For more information, please visit www.DoseSpot.com.

Medication Adherence Apps Raise Healthcare Hopes

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Here at DoseSpot,

We’re all about changing the face of America’s prescription system. With our e-prescribing integration platforms, the goal is to make prescription writing and transmission more efficient and secure. Another technological tool making some innovative headway on the prescription front is the smartphone medication adherence app.

Medication non-adherence is a prevalent and costly problem that contributes to poor treatment outcomes and exhausts valuable healthcare resources. The 2013 National Report on Medication Adherence in America estimated that non-adherence is costing the U.S. health care system a whopping $290 billion annually! Interventions to mitigate non-adherence have been largely unsuccessful in the past, but a slew of easy-to-use apps are hoping to improve outcomes.

Using Apple, Android, or Blackberry smartphones, patients can download medication adherence apps such as (hyperlink) MyMedSchedule, MediSafe and RxmindMe, and set basic medication reminders, create schedules, track lab results and more. Former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop once said, “drugs don’t work in patients who don’t take them” and if medication adherence apps can reduce existing headache-inducing treatment blunders, U.S. healthcare providers may finally be able to breathe a much needed sigh of relief.

Sources: Medscape and National Community Pharmacists Association

For more information on medication adherence apps that are currently on the market, explore this helpful link from the American Pharmacists Association:

http://www.pharmacist.com/medication-adherence-there%E2%80%99s-app.

CHALLENGE: Calling all tech-powered women! Do you have what it takes to tackle the U.S. medication adherence issue? If so, check out the 2014 Surescripts Adherence Challenge. Applications are being accepted through July 22!

About DoseSpot

DoseSpot is a Surescripts™ certified e-Prescribing platform specifically designed to integrate with electronic health record, electronic dental record, practice management and telehealth software. DoseSpot has provided simple, affordable and integratable e-Prescribing solutions to healthcare IT companies since 2009. For more information, please visit www.DoseSpot.com.

What do e-Prescribing and the World Cup have in common?

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The World Cup has us all thinking from a more global perspective.  Whether you call it soccer or football, the sport continues to gain popularity worldwide.  Also increasing prevalence across nations is e-Prescribing.  According to a recent market report by Transparency Market Research, the global e-Prescribing market is expected to reach $887 million by 2019, up from $250.2 million in 2013.  It’s not yet in the billions like the World Cup but it’s an impressive figure and speaks to the momentum health IT is gaining.

The report highlights that while Europe is the largest market for e-Prescribing, North America is currently the fastest growing e-Prescribing market in the world.  The remarkable growth is in large part due to the various government programs requiring e-Prescribing integration to improve care quality and reduce errors.  Government initiatives are also contributing to increased usage across Asia.  We forecast that industry adoption in North America will continue to increase as physicians want the capability to send prescriptions for controlled substances electronically (EPCS).

About DoseSpot

DoseSpot is a Surescripts™ certified e-Prescribing platform specifically designed to integrate with electronic health record, electronic dental record, practice management and telehealth software. DoseSpot has provided simple, affordable and integratable e-Prescribing solutions to healthcare IT companies since 2009. For more information, please visit www.DoseSpot.com.

Digital Health Funding Soars

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RockHealth recently published their Digital Health Funding – Midyear Review and I’ve highlighted some key findings below:

In 2013 digital health companies raised $2 billion in venture funding…first six months of 2014 digital health companies have already raised $2.3 billion.

So where’s all the money going?

Here is the full report:

About DoseSpot

DoseSpot is a Surescripts™ certified e-Prescribing platform specifically designed to integrate with electronic health record, electronic dental record, practice management and telehealth software. DoseSpot has provided simple, affordable and integratable e-Prescribing solutions to healthcare IT companies since 2009. For more information, please visit www.DoseSpot.com.