Write2Health Blog

Brilliant innovations revealed at SEMDA conference

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Atlanta is emerging as a healthcare Silicon Valley – with more evidence at the Southeast Medical Device Association (SEMDA) conference in May.

Imagine it – 20 companies, all with their own intriguing medical device, delivering their pitch to angel investors in the audience. These were the “best of the best” selected from a long list of entrants. Brilliant minds behind every single invention.

Among my favorites: Admetsys, a device for hospitals to use in monitoring glucose control in patients. Here’s a video link to learn more: http://admetsys.com/about/intro/

Jeff Valk who led the device’s development, says: “SEMDA opened doors to financing, and also some potential ones for scaling up our clinical research. Our SEMDA conference experience was extremely positive. The sense of community, purpose, and building momentum is a powerful combination.”

Equally intriguing:

Arkis Biosciences – exciting new medical tools and implants to bring treatment of hydrocephalus into the 21st century. Very promising developments for a serious condition that has been overlooked by medical research.

Clean Hands Safe Hands – a cost-effective, non-intrusive, wireless technology designed to help hospitals remind providers to use the hand sanitizer and monitor compliance. The device can sense a human presence in the room, and has a “voice” that actually reprimands the human who has not used the hand sanitizer.

Better Walk Inc. – a new type of crutch that improves the experience of a crutch user, virtually eliminating under-arm pain.

Sensiotec, Inc. – the “Virtual Assistant,” the world’s first non-contact patient monitor. It uses a FDA-cleared radar sensor panel to provide cardiorespiratory, patient motion, and bed presence monitoring without the use of electrodes or wires. The sensor panel is simply placed under a patient’s bed to start continuously measuring and displaying critical vital signs.

Vigilant Biosciences – a low-cost, non-invasive screening test for oral cancer – so that the cancer is detectable at a much earlier stage, to avoid disfiguring treatments.

If you can imagine a medical version of “Shark Tank,” you’ve got a clear idea of the annual SEMDA conference.

At Write2Health, we help healthcare tech companies  set their brands apart in the crowded marketplace. We help you tell your story–in case studies, blogs, web content and more. To contact us, simply email jeaniedavis1@gmail.com.

Write2Health Blog

The Power of the Text Message

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I’ve been writing case studies for an Atlanta software company — MyCareText — that specializes in creating text message systems for the healthcare industry. The case studies are revealing just how powerful this medium is.

One hospital system (in New Jersey) increased their revenue by $5 million in one year — simply by setting up a system of appointment reminder text messages that were strategically sent the week prior.  That’s huge! Too many people were forgetting their appointments, and all the “no-shows” resulted in significant lost revenue and wasted hours for professional staff. When the text message system was launched, the simple reminders took care of the problem.

Recently, MobiHealthNews focused on the humble text message in a monthly webinar. Texting is a powerful medium that is getting increased attention. I’ve provided some of the stats below–and they are impressive.

Texting May Be the Most Engaging Channel Today

If texting isn’t part of your marketing campaign – or a communications plan — you’re missing out.

“American Idol taught the U.S. how to text,” said Brian Dolan, editor of MobiHealthNews. “Europe was far ahead of US in texting until American Idol encouraged viewers to text ‘vote.’”  Today, close to 100% in US have cell phones; 81% write or receive text messages. “It’s the most popular activity on cell phones,” he added.

“Texting might be the most engaging channel,” Dolan said. “But it’s not being leveraged quite as much as should or could be.”

Major Health Institutions are Adding Text to Campaigns

Companies, nonprofits and federal agencies have all integrated texting into campaigns. Planned Parenthood, National Cancer Institute, American Diabetes Association are all using texting – as are Acuvue (contact lenses), Baylor Healthcare System and the National Alliance for Hispanic Health.

“This medium works when the organization is talking with many or one-on-one,” said Michael Sabat, with Mobile Commons, a software company specializing in text messaging.  “There’s a higher response in terms of prescription adherence, enrollment, behavior change and appointment reminders. We can reach part of the population can’t reach thru internet – people who check email at library once a week. Text reaches into these populations.”

Pew research data shows that the volume of text messaging increases in low income households in communities, he added.

Texting Cuts Through the Clutter — and Replies are HIGH

“Texting gets through the clutter – it works effectively at driving actions and driving outcomes we’re looking for – because people pay attention to this –more than brochures etc… drives higher action rates and outcomes.”

  • When a text call-to-action is included in media – print, radio, TV, live events, press, social media – the acquisition rate is 3-10x higher.
  • When sending appointment reminders people are 57% more likely to respond via text, versus answering the phone.
  • 66% of blood donors responded to text message appointment reminders; 42% responded to phone calls.

Because text is an opt-in format, it leads to higher conversion rates, Sabat said. “The text starts a conversation. Response rates to conversations are extremely high—80 to 85%. Texts are sticky. When you ask people something, they are extremely likely to reply.”

Live Chat Texting is the Next Big Thing

“Live chat via text has really caught on in the past couple of years,” said Sabat. “Planned Parenthood had hundreds of thousands of conversations – all one-on-one chats – which are proven to reduce anxiety, and increased appointments.” The chats are very simply triggered by message posted on a TV program crawler.

“If you offer people an instant way to make a connection, they will engage,” said Sabat. “If it’s too many, they’ll let you know. We’ll see it pretty instantly.”

Jeanie’s NOTE:  If it’s time to get help with your current blog, jump-start a new blog – or create case studies — contact me at jeaniedavis1@gmail.com.  Or call 404-457-3963.

Write2Health Blog

2014 Digital Health Trends teleconference – my recap

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Mobile health devices and wearables dominated the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) last month. From all reports, the devices had reached a greater level of sophistication beyond last year’s FitBit.

You can expect that trend to gain even greater traction in 2014. That was the message from “2014 Digital Health Trends,” a Jan. 30 teleconference hosted by Brian Dolan, editor of MobiHealthNews and Ryan Bechland, CEO of Validic.

In retrospect, 2012 was a time of transition, says Dolan. “During 2012, we saw significant investment money — $939M – going into patient-facing digital startups. 2013 was a year when things became real – when the time for talk was over, when products began rolling out.”

Over 97,000 mobile health apps and devices are on the market today, from startups and established companies.  And, 25 health-focused technology accelerators are set up in the US.

Patients are taking more responsibility than ever before with wearables and apps. Telehealth and in-home care are expanding like never before. Data and data analytics will be important components going forward.

“We see a trend in which new technologies are converging – and legislative imperatives are driving that trend, with the focus on preventive care,” he says.

 Four Key Health Trends in 2014

First Trend: Established companies creating mobile medical devices that connect with the doctor’s office, and allow patients to manage their own health. Home-use blood pressure monitors and pedometers–like those created by Omron and A&D Medical—are the current benchmark.

Second Trend: An explosion of basic fitness and tracking devices that are highly valuable for the general population. “We’re already seeing the integration of activity trackers into current technologies, like the Apple M7 chip which constantly monitors your basic activity level and movement – will be integrated into the phone itself,” says Bechland. “We’re going to see more of that integration.”

Third Trend – Increased sophistication of activity tracking, with multiple sensors to track distance, heart rate, etc. Because they track so many metrics, the devices can detect stress levels and other thresholds. Amigo is a device you put on your shoe to track biometrics types of activities, as well as heart rate, oxygen, etc., when you’re biking, walking, or running.

Fourth Trend– Healthcare organizations will be increasingly challenged to keep pace with mHealth innovation. They must make sure IT systems are meeting Meaningful Use standards. Yet these organizations have limited bandwidth to connect patient data from these devices across the continuum of care.

“If [device companies] don’t have a plan to integrate with healthcare — to bring care coordination/ MDs/ patients into the loop – then you’re simply a fitness device company,” says Dolan. “The key to success will be that integration.”

 Are you a healthcare geek? Do you dig all things health/medical/bio? I would love to hear from you. Please send an email to me at jeaniedavis1@gmail.com. Follow me on Twitter at write2health. More to come!

Jeanie Davis Copywriter LLC

Cell: 404-457-3963

 

Write2Health Blog

Write2Health attends a healthcare trifecta

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Over the past few months, I have been lucky to hear Atlanta’s top researchers and industry leaders discuss breakthroughs they’re making in bioscience, medicine, and healthcare IT. These three conferences illustrate just how vital the healthcare industry is in this city:

• Georgia Life Sciences Summit: “Innovation for Global Health”

• Healthcare IT Leadership Conference: “Technology’s Role in Revolutionizing Healthcare”

• Clinical Research in Georgia Conference: “From Cradle to Rocker, Clinical Research in Georgia That Will Change Lives”

Healthcare reform has been the centerpiece of many discussions. The best and brightest innovators in Atlanta’s healthcare IT industry are focused on the pressing issues of healthcare reform—patient engagement, institution accountability, electronic medical records, and revenue management. Georgia’s world-class research universities are making advances in medical devices.

Alzheimer’s disease is front-and-center in the research community, with a Global Brain Health Initiative under development—and Emory and the CDC deeply involved.

Smartphones are being transformed into patient monitoring devices, as apps and Fitbits monitor your progress and deliver the data straight to your medical health record. It’s an exciting time, as creative minds develop new solutions to curb healthcare expenses—and improve patient outcomes.

Are you a health or healthcare geek? I’d love to hear from you. Please send an email to me at jeaniedavis1@gmail.com. Follow me on Twitter at write2health. More to come!

Jeanie Davis Copywriter LLC

Cell: 404-457-3963