From the new meaningful use guidelines for electronic health records, to smartphone health apps, to e-prescribing, it seems like everyone’s buzzing about healthcare information technology these days. Healthcare IT has the potential to improve operational efficiency and lower medical costs—huge potential benefits in the era of healthcare reform. Most importantly, healthcare IT may improve patient outcomes through the use of improved technology to diagnose and manage disease.
Below are a few of the healthcare IT companies that presented at the OneMedForum, held June 29-30. Presenting companies were handpicked for their innovative technology, experienced management, and strong IP portfolios:
Australia-based Brain Resource has developed the world’s first international human brain database to make sense of the brain’s complexities and provide a coherent model for measuring brain health. Brain Resource has a battery of assessments to evaluate various aspects of brain function. The database provides an objective standard that physicians can use to create a personalized treatment plan for patients with mental health disorders.
EyeIC of Narberth, Penn., is a medical device company commercializing imaging-based medical software products. The company’s first product, MatchedFlicker, allows for the rapid detection of changes in optic nerve photographs from glaucoma patients. Eye care providers are able to compare two retinal images from the same patient—even if the images are taken at different visits, or were obtained from different sources–and mark the changes on both the software and the images. The software is designed to enable collaboration between eye care providers.
Reading an MRI or PET-CT scan is a time-consuming process in which radiologists must look at hundreds or even thousands of image slices and mentally construct a 3-D image of the patient’s system. CaseReader, developed by DataPhysics Research (DPR) of Danville, Calif., is a software solution with the ability to construct a 3-D image so the radiologist doesn’t have to. According to DPR management, CaseReader can reduce the time it takes to complete an exam by 40 percent.
DATATRAK International, based in Mayfield Heights, Ohio, provides global eClinical solutions for the clinical trials industry. The company’s DATATRAK ONE platform is a single, integrated software solution that allows life science companies and research organizations to manage all stages of a clinical trial.
PearlDiver Technologies seeks to build the world’s largest database for the orthopedic industry. The database includes information on medical conditions, patient outcomes per treatment option, clinical trials, insurance claims, and adverse events. The Fort Wayne, Indiana-based company estimates that the worldwide orthopedic market was $30.9 billion in 2008.
TC Software offers ConnectMate Engine 2010, a data translation and routing engine for the healthcare industry. ConnectMate Engine 2010 can be used for message brokering, document management, decision support, and analytical data processing.
TriGeminal Solutions is developing a software-based service to help patients manage chronic diseases, with an initial focus on migraines and digestive disorders. The system collects data from the patient and uses an algorithm to help the patient identify his or her personal migraine triggers.
Virtual Medical Centre is a leading Australian medical information website. Authored by over 1,100 medical professionals, the site includes audio and video presentations, discussion forums, and online learning modules.
Unity Medical offers patient engagement and education services. The company relies on a combination of HD video production, Web. 2.0 technology, and strategic consulting to provide information to the patient.
Vitals.com, operated by MDx Medical, helps patients to find a doctor and prepare for a visit. Currently, 4 million people visit the site per month.
These companies represent only a small selection of the healthcare IT providers out there. In your opinion, who are the most intriguing innovators poised to revolutionize the healthcare industry?