Recent HealthTech updates in the news have spotlighted some interesting developments, including:
In The News
Wearables
A new kind of wearable technology has received FDA funding: an earpiece, The Sparrow Ascent, that helps reduce withdrawal symptoms in chronic opioid users. The earpiece sends electrical signals that lead to the downstream release of endorphins, ultimately reducing the pain from withdrawal. For now, the technology has been distributed to treatment centers across the U.S., with plans for further expansion to reach more patients in need.
Updates in Cybersecurity
Passwords and two-factor authentication in healthcare may soon become a thing of the past. With the recent woes in cybersecurity, there is a push to remove the vulnerable “password” to gain entry into applications and programs. Instead, passwordless logins will come into play. Some examples include biometrics, push notifications (e.g., Microsoft authenticator), or public key cryptography.
HealthTech Growth
Approximately 2 million women of childbearing age do not have access to standard perinatal care. Femtech, along with existing healthtech, is poised to help with this vulnerable population:
- TeleScan is a remote diagnostic tool that connects remote perinatal sonographers with local healthcare professionals. It can readily identify high-risk pregnancies or issues that may require further evaluation.
- Telemedicine services can enhance comprehensive perinatal care for patients who live too far away for regular exams and check-ups.
- AI tools that currently exist for staffing and scheduling can be adapted to help patients coordinate relevant appointments, reduce travel times, and provide care more efficiently.
On a different note, researchers piloted a study that utilized virtual reality programs to train physicians to avoid implicit bias toward the African-American perinatal population.
Vori Health, an orthopedic virtual care company, is expanding its services. Examples of services to be provided include physical medicine and rehabilitation, physical therapy, health coaching, nutritional guidance, community support, and more. For patients with physical limitations (e.g., a broken leg or joint replacement), coming into an office for therapy, treatments, or follow-up appointments can be difficult. Being able to receive the same from the comfort of home can be a huge help!
23andMe is adding telehealth membership and access to GLP1 medications to its roster. The company hopes to conduct studies on patients’ genetic makeup and susceptibility and effectiveness to GLP1 drugs.
AI
AI tools are making the news with some winning stories:
- Calling pharmacies to confirm patient medications and dosages may become a thing of the past (hallelujah). An AI-powered system for gathering patient health information directly links up with pharmacies, readily providing the information for healthcare professionals. The hospital that tested this system reported saving a significant amount of time compared to manual entry.
- AmeriPro Health’s AI platform created and developed predictive models to pre-identify bottlenecks and help with ER decision-making. Previously, hospital bottlenecks resulted in long wait times for ambulances and patients requiring admission. This AI platform, after only two months of use, helped hospitals shave off a full day of in-patient stays, reducing wait times and opening up beds for new patients.
- RPM, or remote patient monitoring, is helping patients with pre-diabetes and diabetes with treatment and lifestyle management. The AI-supported tool not only monitors blood glucose levels but also serves as a resource to help patients make appropriate food choices to manage their condition.
- Mental health provider Cerebral has successfully integrated Brellium, an AI-based chart audit tool. The audit process identifies errors and inconsistencies in documentation, improving clinic note structure, billing requirements, and the like. Since integration, Cerebral has reduced time spent on these tasks by over 70%, saving the company money and precious time for the clinicians.
Women’s health will soon get a boost with AI. A team from the UK has developed an at-home test, with results scanned into an AI-powered app on the phone, that allows women to track their hormone levels. With this, women could not only get a better sense of their own normal hormone levels but also detect changes that could be a sign of something that needs further evaluation. The information could be a game-changer for improving our understanding of women’s health and educating women on their health needs.
GE + AWS = AI partnership. GE Healthcare is partnering with Amazon Web Services to utilize its cloud server to develop generative AI applications. The overarching goal is to deliver more personalized care, improve clinical workflows, and ease physicians’ burdens.
The use of AI in health systems first requires that employees are trained properly. One health system in Peoria, IL, has already trained 79% of its workforce. Some key takeaways for their workers that may be universally applicable:
- Keep in mind these tools are not perfect – it’s important to validate the results you receive back.
- These tools can provide false and misleading information, and it is up to the user to discern the value of the information they receive.
- Never copy and paste patient-protected information into a generative AI tool that is not approved for that use.
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Sanjana Vig MD, MBA
Dr. Vig is a co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Langar Holdings. She is a board-certified anesthesiologist specializing in Perioperative Management. She is also the founder The Female Professional, a website geared toward empowering professional women in life and their careers.
