Telehealth

An enduring fallacy in consumer-centered mHealth is that a device's success in the market comes down to the whims of the wearer. But that's only half the battle. If a wearable device isn't collecting information that a healthcare provider wants or needs, it's just going to end up being a fancy -- and expensive -- watch or bracelet.

Just a few years ago, discussion of the use of radio-frequency identification in healthcare was usually limited to drug manufacturers and wholesalers. But more and more hospitals are using RFID technology to improve safety and efficiency.

The final Physician Fee Schedule rule for 2015, published by CMS on Oct. 31, brings with it a number of changes that physicians and practice managers need to understand about chronic care, telehealth and meaningful use.

Research by Accenture has found that nurses frequently use a wide range of communication technologies. Although these technologies can help collaboration and patient care, there are some downsides as well.

Patient engagement is one of the more popular topics in the mHealth landscape these days, and with the mHealth Summit right around the corner (really, December isn't that distant), it's sure to work its way into many a conversation.

Purchasing spree continues as Optum gains chronic condition management, smoking cessation and other services.

Among the 71 mobile and telemedicine projects underway at Intermountain Healthcare are a smartwatch clinicians use, the gyrometer given to patients post-operation and the popular social networking tools Facebook, Twitter and Yammer.

IBM will use its engagement and analytics technology to help curb the spread of Ebola in West Africa, company executives announced today. The computing giant will apply mobile technology, data analytics and cloud computing to help governments and relief agencies contain the deadly virus.

With more than 350 exhibitors on the show floor, including many for the first time, MGMA's exhibit hall is expected to be abuzz with activity and fresh ideas. There's also a "Tweet Street."

In what's being hailed as a "spectacular success story," the World Health Organization has declared Nigeria free of the Ebola virus transmission, with public health agencies and government officials citing a mobile health initiative as largely responsible for the triumph.