It’s the age of the connected baby. But do we need monitors on babies that tell us when they turn over? Of course not. But we have the technology that allows us to know that. So, Silicon Valley and its army of venture capitalists have decided that we all need to know when babies move at 3am. This is the push of senseless technology rather than the pull ... Continue Reading about The Connected Baby and the Internet of Onesies
Data Confrontation – Who is Responsible for a Patient’s Data?
This week marks the release of the Apple Watch Series 4 with the capability of EKG. From their wrist, users can record a rhythm that they can send to their doctor. Through most of history, data like EKGs were collected by hospitals and health professionals. This changes things. As watches move from fitness trackers to medical devices, questions emerge such as, what ... Continue Reading about Data Confrontation – Who is Responsible for a Patient’s Data?
Quantified Self: Dead or Just Part of the Background?
I hear less about quantified self these days. 6-8 years ago at tech/digital meetings it was the stuff of panels. Not so much any more. Talking about quantified self as a thing is odd because many of us are measuring things about ourselves. Enough to make it less of a novelty than it once was. When cell phones were new we measured how many people had them. When ... Continue Reading about Quantified Self: Dead or Just Part of the Background?
Fitbit – Can it Save Your Life?
Apparently. A Connecticut woman wasn't feeling well and noticed on her Fitbit that her heart rate was climbing. She sought medical help and it was determined that she had a blood clot in her lungs. Kind of remarkable. But let’s face it, we’re desperate for stories about digital gimmicks that save lives. It’s these stories that fuel saucy digital health keynote ... Continue Reading about Fitbit – Can it Save Your Life?
Continuous Glucose Monitors in the Healthy
This report on healthy people using diabetes monitors is worth a peek. It seems there's a growing number of people without diabetes using continuous glucose monitors to understand how their lifestyle impact blood sugar. CGMs are federally approved medical devices designed to help individuals with diabetes understand and control blood glucose. I think it’s ... Continue Reading about Continuous Glucose Monitors in the Healthy
Kardia Band as a New Class of Wearable
AliveCor today introduced the Kardia Band wearable, an Apple Watch band capable of a medical-grade EKG. This is the first FDA-approved technology for instant EKG analysis. Driven by a nickel-sized sensor that snaps into the watch band, patients can speak their symptoms into the app. This ultimately becomes part of a report transmitted to the cardiologist. While ... Continue Reading about Kardia Band as a New Class of Wearable