As I was searching the web for new information regarding health informatics, I came across an article that showed a promising invention. Researchers in Switzerland created a new technology that combines the technology of smartphones with a device that will monitor the patient’s heart. Halter monitors will be a thing of the past. With the new technology the patient will wear on the belt a lightweight and small device that is connected to electrodes on the skin. The idea is to obtain around the clock monitoring of the patient’s heart. The information will be sent to the user’s smartphone and can be viewed in real time. Any abnormality will be sent to a doctor via email or text message.
We all know how complex it is to anticipate heart events. Probably, not every patient will want to wear this, but my guess is that high-risk patients have very little to think. It will be great for doctors to be able to check on their patients with real time readings and not just a test they will have when they no longer feel bad. Also, the fact that the information remains stored is excellent because, in case of an adverse event, it can be easily retrieved.
Even though the invention is focused more on the doctor-patient relationship, it can also be extrapolated to pharmacists. As part of MTM services, we request patients to bring their lab work. With this device we can view how the patient’s heart is working in real time, probably before the physician. Once again there has been proven that pharmacist have to assume an avant-garde position when it comes to technology, even if it was not initially intended for the use of pharmacy practitioners.
The word “smart” will fall short for applications like this. I think “genius” will be more appropriate, don’t you think?
Article can be found on: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/10/24/tech/mobile/heart-monitor-smartphone-app/index.html?iref=allsearch
I think this technology will help build new relationships between healthcare professionals and patients. But at the same time we have to think that many of our patients are old and don’t have smartphones. Probably it will work in full capacity when we get old!! I know this is the beginning of smartphones era but I think with today’s technologies they can do more than that! Thanks for sharing this information!
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