With a recent study revealing a substantial rise in heart attacks among younger women, developers of cardiac medical technology are seeking to help reverse this trend. The study, published in the journal Circulation, examined the incidence of heart attacks in women ages 35 to 55, finding: From 1995 through 1999, this population accounted for 21 percent of reported heart attacks among all women; and from 2010 through 2014, that number increased to 31 percent of reported heart attacks among women.
That’s an increase of nearly a third in just 10 to 15 years – a huge jump in epidemiology terms for a cardiovascular condition that is not known to be communicable. It’s especially disconcerting because the incidence of heart attacks among men in the same age group barely budged during that time.
Heart disease in women often goes undetected or un-diagnosed. Then, when a cardiac event finally strikes, it is much more lethal:
Younger women have worse heart attack outcomes than men of a similar age.
Ages younger than 45 is a known predictor of 30-day survival for men, but not for women.
Gender differences in cardiac events
There are a number of reasons for these poor outcomes. Because the symptoms of a heart attack are different for women than men, women often attribute their symptoms something far less serious. But even when younger women experiencing heart attack symptoms do seek medical treatment, doctors themselves have struggled to get to an accurate and timely diagnosis.
Women are less likely to experience dramatic chest pains. Instead, they are more likely to experience fatigue, nausea, dizziness/lightheadedness and vomiting – symptoms that can cause doctors to mistakenly diagnose women with other conditions, thus delaying treatment.
The difficulty is compounded by the fact that spontaneous coronary arterial dissection (SCAD) – a form of heart attack that overwhelmingly affects women – is not as highly correlated with known heart attack precursors such as diabetes and hypertension. Unlike myocardial infarction, SCAD often strikes healthy women, with an average onset age of about 42 – with reported cases as young as 14.
These relatively healthy and active women are not thought of as high risk for a heart attack when they present, and so are even less likely to receive important diagnostic procedures like CT angiograms, coronary calcium scans and remote cardiac monitoring.
According to a study from the University of Leeds, women who had a final diagnosis of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) were initially misdiagnosed 59 percent more often than men, while women who had a final diagnosis of non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) were initially misdiagnosed 41 percent than men.
Early misdiagnosis predictably led to substantially higher mortality among young women experiencing their first heart attack. Even when women do seek treatment, and get a cardiac event diagnosis, they are less likely to receive the same treatments that men do:
A study published in the International Journal of Cardiology showed that both younger and older women with acute coronary syndrome are less likely to receive reperfusion.
Women with blocked coronary arteries were 34 percent less likely than men to receive stents or bypass surgery.
Women were 24 percent less likely to be prescribed statins.
Women with known heart issues were also 16 percent less likely to be put on an aspirin regimen.
Medical technology advancements
Fortunately, new technology can play an important role in the fight to track and diagnose cardiac events earlier and faster. Advances in data storage and management, deep learning, artificial intelligence and secure telecommunications are helping to make cardiac monitoring and diagnosis easier, faster, less invasive, more convenient and more economical for patients and doctors alike.
Healthcare technology is advancing quickly and this is precisely why executives need to be aware of all new technologies that can make their healthcare organisation more efficient and more impactful. This may seem difficult – staying on top of things and implementing new technologies always is, but it brings immense benefits and great results. While many technology advancements come with all that fame that is often not necessary, it can make patient satisfaction better. It can also improve cost savings and this is really important for the future of your organisation.
So, in this spirit, here are some of the most amazing tech advancements that can help your healthcare organisation become better and take another step towards the future.
Blockchain
Blockchain can make interoperability ai reality. You can solve many problems between healthcare organisations and it’s a solution that healthcare industry has been looking for for many years. It can decentralize the record systems and have multiple locations that can be shared with more stakeholders. This will help the healthcare system immensely and it can operate within different stakeholders in the healthcare systems. Instead of having a single client database, you can include both clinical and financial data on one server and in an independent, transparent database.
“Blockchain technology can share data in a safe system and put the clients and their needs at the center of the attention. Still, healthcare industry is a decade away from implementing blockchain in a meaningful way,”says Ingrid Fulton, a tech editor at Draft beyond and ResearchPapersUK.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can help with better oncology. Veterans Affairs is helping with this as a part of their precision oncology program which supports patients that have stage 4 cancer and that have tried all other methods of getting better. They are using AI to help use cancer data in the treatment of these patients. They are also veteran.
They treat more than 3.5 percent of patients in the US and this is the largest group of patients with cancer within any healthcare groups. This includes veterans from rural areas where it has been hard for them to implement better technology, especially something of this value.
Patient is not a word typically used to describe the current generation of tech savvy, time saving, health conscious millennials – and it shows in their healthcare decisions, too. Fewer individuals choose to see their primary care physician, and more are turning to quick clinics or urgent care offices for care. According to a survey by NPR, one in five respondents reported going to an urgent care facility at least once in the last two years for common ailments because of the lack of available appointments at their primary care provider. And typically, urgent care offices can guarantee same day appointments, with short wait times of 30 minutes or less.
Although patients are commonly turning to these solutions to meet their needs, most still prefer being treated by their own doctor who knows them and their medical history. Ask patients why they opted to go to the urgent care center, or even more cumbersome, the emergency room for a non-emergent issue and the answer generally boils down to convenience. Primary care physicians are finding a solution through telemedicine that not only provides their patients with additional options for care but can increase practice revenue.
Telemedicine provides patients with the opportunity to meet with their doctor regarding common yet non-life-threatening conditions. Some of the conditions that are most commonly treated through telemedicine in a primary care setting are a cough, runny nose, sore throat, musculoskeletal pain, pink eye or urinary symptoms that do not warrant a physical exam to diagnose. Additionally, lab reviews, medication refills, and managing widespread chronic conditions including diabetes and hypertension can be effectively handled through virtual visits.
By seeing these patients virtually in addition to in-office visits, these physicians can maximize their time by increasing the number of patients they see in a day while still maintaining a quality level of care. Happier patients, and increased revenue? Who could ask for better.
Here are some of the most common conditions that Dr. Kaufmann of the Kaufmann Clinic, one of the primary care practices that uses ExamMed’s technology, treats virtually through telemedicine:
Cough/Sore Throat: Many patients see the provider for a sore throat unknowing if it’s strep throat, allergies or a cold. A virtual appointment can determine if in-person testing and/or antibiotic treatment is needed.
Urinary Symptoms: Urinary infections are extremely common. Although a less common condition for men, according to the National Institute of Health, 50 percent to 60 percent of women will experience a UTI in their lifetime. Urinary infections can easily be managed virtually, including diagnoses and treatment.
Follow-up Appointments: Many follow-up appointments do not require a physical examination. Rather than taking the time to travel to a doctor’s appointment to discuss a new medication, patients can talk with their doctor virtually.
Pink Eye: A highly contagious infection, pink eye is diagnosed in more than three million people each year. Rather than potentially exposing others to the germs, pink eye can be easily diagnosed, treated and reevaluated through virtual appointments.
While telemedicine is not the solution for all appointments, it is a great addition to couple traditional, in-person visits. Virtual care enhances a practice’s capabilities, improves patient outcomes and offers a convenient option. Blending telemedicine services into a medical practice is a strategic move that will benefit both patients and providers long-term.
DirectTrust announces that it has received accreditation by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to develop DirectTrust Standards to enhance healthcare interoperability and identity using Direct exchange and trust frameworks. DirectTrust also issued a call for industry stakeholders to participate in the development of DirectTrust Standards.
DirectTrust is a non-profit health care industry alliance created to advance the electronic sharing of protected health information (PHI) between provider organizations, and between providers and patients, for the purpose of improved transitions of care, care efficiency and coordination, patient satisfaction and reducing healthcare cost. ANSI coordinates, facilitates and promotes the development of voluntary consensus standards that are relied upon by the industry, government agencies and consumers across the United States and around the world. DirectTrust began the ANSI application process in 2018 and received notice of accreditation on March 26, 2019.
Scott Stuewe, DirectTrust president and CEO said, “DirectTrust and the Direct Project have always had a consensus approach to standards development. We’re thrilled to achieve this milestone of ANSI accreditation to ensure standards we establish to foster interoperability are consistent with the ANSI goals of transparency and balance.”
National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Don Rucker, M.D., added, “In 2010 the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT initiated the Direct Project as a new option for the secure exchange of electronic health information. DirectTrust’s accreditation by ANSI is an important step forward for this decade-long public-private effort to advance interoperability nationwide.”
The DirectTrust Standards mission – to develop standards and specifications that enable and promote healthcare interoperability using Direct exchange and trust frameworks – grew from voluntary discussions and workgroup meetings that began in 2011 among stakeholders eager to develop standards suitable for the growth such an exchange approach. From its inception, the Direct Project was structured as a consensus-based standards development organization with participation from and the sanction of the Health and Human Service Office of the National Coordinator but with no affiliation with an accrediting authority. More information about DirectTrust Standards can be found at www.DirectTrust.org through selection of the Standards menu.
Call for Participation
DirectTrust also issued a “call for participation” for the Direct Standard Consensus Body, a group of industry stakeholders that will be created to develop standards while conducting discussions in according with ANSI requirements. Participation in DirectTrust Standards is open to any person or company that has a direct and material interest within the respective scope of the work of Standards development. DirectTrust membership includes eligibility for participation in Standards activities. Non-members interested in participation can visit bit.ly/DTParticipateStandards to complete an application.
Diameter Health has developed a leading-edge technology that cleanses multi-source clinical data with the focus toward actionable insight for health care organizations. The technology is certified by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and the Office of the National Coordinator for Healthcare IT (ONC). The new funding will support Diameter Health’s continued growth with additional development, cloud delivery and commercial resources.
“The volume of clinical data being exchanged has grown exponentially over the last decade, and players across the health care ecosystem are grappling with how to make this influx a useful and valuable asset,” said Eric Rosow, CEO of Diameter Health. “Our partnership with Optum Ventures will accelerate our ability to meet the industry demand for technology that makes clinical data actionable at scale.”
Tripp Peake, General Partner at LRV Health, an original venture investor in Diameter Health, said: “We are excited to have Optum Ventures as part of the Diameter Health team. We all know that access to clinical data has limited value if the data isn’t reliable. Diameter Health is capitalizing on the market need for clean, normalized, actionable data from disparate systems and sources. We believe that need will continue to grow as clinical data is increasingly leveraged throughout the health care system.”
Spry Health announces that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared to market the company’s Loop System. Loop is a clinical-grade wearable that measures pulse oximetry, respiration rate and heart rate. With this FDA clearance, clinicians will now have a tool to remotely monitor their patients with chronic diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), allowing them to detect early signs of deterioration before symptoms are noticeable.
Elad Ferber
“The Loop System uses optical sensors located on a wristband to measure pulse oximetry, respiration rate and heart rate. This simple-to-use wearable doesn’t require any input or data from patients and does not require a smartphone or app,” said Elad Ferber, co-founder and CTO of Spry Health. “The vital signs we measure are especially relevant for patients with COPD, because changes in respiration rate and blood oxygen are indicative of a deterioration.”
Designed for use by healthcare systems, the Loop System can effectively monitor patients with COPD, a serious lung disease that over time makes it hard to breathe. COPD is the third leading cause of death in the United States, claiming more than 120,000 American lives each year. More than 12 million have been diagnosed, but another 12 million are likely to have COPD and don’t know it.
“This FDA clearance is an exciting milestone for Spry Health. We are thrilled to bring our technology to healthcare providers and patients to make a positive impact on managing COPD, one of the most challenging problems in healthcare today,” said Pierre-Jean “PJ” Cobut, co-founder and CEO of Spry Health. “We believe this technology holds the potential to not only improve health and reduce costs but also to provide reassurance and peace of mind for patients and caregivers.”
Spry Health has demonstrated the efficacy of the Loop System through extensive clinical validation studies with University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). During a pilot study with a major health system to remotely monitor COPD patients with the Loop, interim results demonstrate that 92 percent of patients wearing the Loop followed their doctor’s monitoring recommendations, comparing favorably to the 20 percent rate deemed an industry success using other monitoring tools.
Peer-reviewed studies have demonstrated that capturing data among COPD patients can identify and predict exacerbations. Now, this capability is available commercially for the first time via the Loop System.
The Loop is commercially available in the U.S and is offered by physicians and health systems to their patients.
Hoy Health LLC has completed a multi-million dollar first round of its Series Seed Preferred investment, led by 3 Ríos Ltd., RAAD Broadcasting Corp. and Ríos Commercial Corp. The new funds will be allocated to help build Hoy’s unique platform, leverage consumer data and insights into providing incremental products, value and price transparency, and build on the Hispanic focus to capture broader opportunity in providing access to affordable quality primary care for all insured and non-insured consumers.
“Hoy product offerings are highly meaningful and well-timed, built on a commitment to answering the unmet healthcare needs of underserved populations, particularly for Hispanics, and in a way that overcomes both cultural and language barriers to accessing affordable healthcare,” said Roberto Dávila Ríos, president, 3Rios. “We are impressed by Hoy’s innovative approach to offering affordable care, Rx drugs, chronic condition management programs and telehealth/virtual care that will result in improved access to care, coupled with real savings for those who need it most. We are confident that Hoy will continue to expand its customer base, given its track record for engaging consumers from 14 states and four countries, as well as hospital/clinic and retail clients, in a relatively short time frame.”
Following financing, Hoy will increase marketing support for HoyRxwhere, for the first time, consumers can purchase medications either online, or at any of Hoy’s growing list of physical retail points, and have them delivered to their family in Latin America within 24 hours.
Mario Anglada
“Following an extensive due diligence process, 3Ríos Group has shown to be an ideal partner to lead the round as both a financial and strategic investor,” says Mario Anglada, CEO, Hoy Health. “Asan active investor and manager of a number of media properties in Puerto Rico, Roberto Dávila Ríos has deep knowledge and interest in both the Hispanic community in the United States and in Latin America. As a strategic partner, RAAD Broadcasting Corp. will also provide access to its media platform to reach and educate the market about Hoy Health.”
With this funding, Hoy announces new strategic hires, including Martin Greger, chief product officer, Jose Aguilar, chief strategy officer, Patrick Todd, chief marketing officer, Jose Febus, chief technology officer, Hilton Perez, M.D., chief clinical officer, and Lenis Guzman, director of marketing.
The AHIMA Foundation is expanding its registered apprenticeship program to include an inpatient coding auditor role based on recent employer feedback. Registered apprenticeship, a proven strategy, ensures quality workforce readiness training by combining on-the-job learning with hands-on instruction to prepare exceptional workers for American industry.
The process of apprenticeship program registration is designed to ensure that working apprentices, program employers and the public can gain a clear understanding of the training content and that measures that are in place to ensure ongoing quality.
The increase in regulatory audits, downgrading MS-DRGs under ICD-10 and an increase in denials are drivers of impacting the growing need for this role. In-patient coding auditors bring knowledge of code validation and accurate MS-DRG assignment, classification of coding and denial issues and the ability to analyze audit results in order to track and trend overall improvement and resolution. Employers can now choose inpatient coding auditor from the six available roles helping to build a stronger and more experienced health information workforce.
“Our new Inpatient Coding Auditor role will help our apprentice increase the revenue and improved data quality of their employers because nothing will be misplaced or delayed,” said Keith D. Terry, interim executive director of the AHIMA Foundation.
Now is the time for organizations to join the AHIMA Foundation program to expand apprenticeships in healthcare and meet their talent needs and to stay competitive. The registered apprenticeship program can be an effective component of an employer’s staffing strategy and a talent development pathway for workers to gain additional skills and credentials. The AHIMA Foundation offers a free webinar for those wanting to learn more.
The AHIMA Foundation is completing year four of the five-year American Apprenticeship Initiative grant from the US Department of Labor (DOL) to support the expansion of registered apprenticeship programs into career pathways to meet employer needs, particularly into new fields like health information management. The AHIMA Foundation has been working with the DOL Office of Apprenticeship in addition to state apprenticeship agencies to help employers work through the process of creating and sustaining their registered apprenticeship programs.
DirectTrust announces that it has received accreditation by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to develop DirectTrust Standards to enhance healthcare interoperability and identity using Direct exchange and trust frameworks. DirectTrust also issued a call for industry stakeholders to participate in the development of DirectTrust Standards.
Hoy Health LLC
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