GoPuff, a snack-delivery service operating in more than 1,000 cities, has reportedly begun to pilot a prescription-delivery option in Philadelphia. According to Insider‘s Nancy Luna, the company – which generally delivers convenience-store grocery items and alcohol – is testing out expanding into the pharmacy space. Gopuff did not respond…
FDA warns of pacemaker-iPhone interference
A study published this week in Heart Rhythm supported recommendations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that patients keep consumer electronic devices that may create magnetic interference, including cell phones and smart watches, at least six inches away from implanted medical devices. The study, which was co-authored by…
HIMSS announces launch of digital platform Accelerate
HIMSS, parent company of Healthcare IT News, announced on Tuesday the launch of its new purpose-built digital platform – aimed at connecting health industry professionals with each other and with thought leaders, professional development tools, networking opportunities and curated content. The platform, Accelerate, is intended to support HIMSS members, partners…
Healthcare workers accuse Alexa of possibly recording protected info
In a class action filed this week, healthcare workers alleged that their Alexa-enabled devices may have recorded their conversations – including potentially protected information. Some of the plaintiffs, who include a substance abuse counselor and a healthcare customer service representative, say they work with HIPAA-protected information. Others say they have private…
New app aims to address disparities in care for Black and brown mothers
A New York City-based tech nonprofit has released a new digital platform aimed at addressing racism and bias in care. The app, Irth, is aimed at allowing Black and brown obstetrics patients to search for and leave reviews of their OB/GYN, birthing hospitals, postpartum care and pediatricians up to an…
Hands-free voice tech helps Saratoga Hospital save PPE and ensure staff safety
In 2015, Saratoga Hospital in Saratoga Springs, New York, unveiled a new, state-of-the-art intensive care unit that, at 20,000 square feet, is more than triple the size of the previous ICU. THE PROBLEM All rooms are private, enhancing the patient experience and reducing the risk of spreading infection. At the…
Using mental health software, practice reduces depression for 59% of patients
For quite some time, Commonwealth Pain & Spine, with 12 locations in Indiana and Kentucky, struggled with how to most efficiently and effectively address the mental health needs of its patients suffering from debilitating chronic pain. THE PROBLEM Staff witnessed the effects on their patients daily and have a commitment…
Could a mobile app control the COVID-19 pandemic and help reopen society?
Right now, the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic is out of control. In the U.S. we don’t know who has it, hospitals are increasingly overwhelmed with patients, and the only method we currently have to control the spread is to keep everyone home as much as possible for an indefinite period of…
Epic continues campaign for changes to forthcoming ONC info blocking rules
The proposed 21st Century Cures rules around information blocking, interoperability and patient access were released nearly a year ago – and the final rules are expected soon. But recently, a major healthcare player has been getting more vocal about how it thinks the forthcoming regulations need to be changed. On…
To encourage healthy eating, focus on mobile produce and farmers markets
Smaller purveyors of produce such as mobile and farmers markets are the cream of the crop when it comes to increasing fruit and vegetable consumption in low-income communities. Opening new supermarkets, however, has not been shown to have much of an impact in that regard, according to new research from…
Researcher develops mobile rehab tool to help patients manage their concussion recovery
Individuals suffering from a concussion who lack the resources, time or knowledge to handle their condition expertly will soon have access to a low-cost path to recovery. Michael Hutchison, an assistant professor at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education, has developed a mobile rehabilitation tool called…