The Transition to Digital Healthcare Is in Good Hands

While I’m not ready to call the much-heralded big tech “invasion” of the medtech industry a failure, it has not lived up to the hype. There are certainly opportunities for medical device makers to work alongside these organizations, but the “takeover” is not likely to occur anytime soon, if ever.

Fortunately, there are innovative firms happy to take on the mantle and help bring the medtech space into the future. That was the message I received while attending the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) meeting earlier this year. Well-established medtech veterans stood alongside tech firms and startups, enthusiastic over the prospect of making an impact on digital healthcare.

If you’re like me, you’re excited by telehealth, its rapid advancement and acceptance during the pandemic, and what it could mean for rural patients and those unable to travel. That said, also like me, you may be underwhelmed by how it currently works. My pandemic physical felt more like a Zoom call with my doctor than my annual check-up. Fortunately, I encountered several companies at HIMSS seeking to change that experience.

Anura (from NuraLogix) is a wellness and vital sign monitoring solution that provides blood pressure measurements and a host of other health metrics simply from a contactless, 30-second video selfie. I’d normally have my doubts about this technology’s accuracy, but as luck would have it, weeks earlier I had blood work done and reviewed the results with my doctor. The metrics provided through the Anura app were shockingly close and could certainly be used to call out specific measurements that could require in-person follow-up.

TytoCare provides an electronic “doctor’s bag” for locations outside the hospital or doctor’s office. The kit enables a self-guided or physician-led examination using the instrumentation provided. The tests performed are then sent to a doctor for review so recommendations can be made or even prescriptions issued. Exams can take place in the home, school, office, assisted living facility, pharmacy, or any other location where healthcare is required but does not have a doctor present.

Meanwhile, there are companies addressing the security needs in the medtech and healthcare segments. One such firm, Armis, provides connectivity security for a variety of industries. Within healthcare, it can be leveraged to keep tabs on connected medical devices in a healthcare environment. It can monitor for malware attacks, alert device makers of vulnerabilities, automate enforcement, and oversee network behavior. It’s exactly the type of smart “big brother” technology healthcare providers need to ensure their medical technology isn’t leaving it open to malicious attacks.

Answering the call for clinically oriented artificial intelligence (AI), Lucem Health is trying to help healthcare providers identify higher risk patients to get them the attention they may need earlier. The company came out of the Mayo Clinic and is currently focused on getting ahead of patients trending toward developing diabetes. It is also being used to alert elevated risks for lower gastrointestinal disorders, such as colorectal cancer.

Although Philips acquired BioTelemetry in 2021, the deal was part of the focus of my discussion with the firm. Recognizing the importance of monitoring patients on the go or in the home, the move aligned with the medtech veteran’s strategy. Further, the discussion also covered costs involved and the need to bring value to the payor when it comes to partnering with healthcare providers/hospitals or technology organizations. In addition, it was acknowledged that patients need to have access to affordable care; many times, those who need the care most cannot cover the cost. Finally, it was revealed to me Philips is employing clinicians to interact with patients as part of the company’s strategy. The firm has a number of exciting initiatives in the digital care space.

My discussion with Samsung was immediately interesting, as I was unaware of the long history the company had in healthcare, dating back to the Korean war. It still maintains one of the largest medical centers in that country—600 beds for cancer care. While its imaging solutions may be more well-known, another revelation was its pharmaceutical manufacturing facility. My conversation with representatives of the firm made me aware of their primary focus areas: digital care delivery models, optimizing efficiency at the point of care, and supporting decentralized clinical trials. All three initiatives are heavily supported with digital technology.

I encourage anyone who has a level of interest in the opportunities and technologies for digital healthcare to visit the HIMSS event. I have no doubt you’ll discover initiatives and companies you had no idea existed. 

Sean Fenske, Editor-in-Chief
[email protected]