- GE-
The pocket-size Vscan ultrasound device lets primary-care doctors make diagnoses that once required a specialist. "Often, people get referred to a specialist because a doctor doesn't have the visuals to make the decision. This tool can lower the cost to the overall system," says Barber.
Developed for use in emerging countries and remote rural areas, the Mac 400 and 800 ultra-mobile ECG machines make sophisticated heart assessments available anywhere. "An ECG used to mean going to a hospital," Barber says, "and for large parts of India, China, and Africa, that doesn't work."
The Centricity Electronic Medical Record system puts a patient's complete medical history into a clear, secure, and easily accessible digital format proven to reduce errors. To tap stimulus money coming to doctors in 2011, GE Capital created a no-interest loan program called Stimulus Simplicity so that doctors can acquire the technology now.
Together with Intermountain Healthcare, the Mayo Clinic, and other institutions, GE created a digital database giving doctors anywhere access to the most up-to-date treatment options. Tied to electronic medical records, the system can compare histories of a vast number of patients for more consistent diagnoses and treatment.
GE and Intel announced a $250 million alliance in which GE will market and sell home-monitoring technologies, including the Intel Health Guide.
- PatientsLikeMe
Cofounders Ben and Jamie Heywood started the site after their brother Stephen was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (or ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease). Since 2008, they have set up data-rich communities for several other chronic ailments, including fibromyalgia and Parkinson's disease, and they plan to add more in the coming year. That should benefit many more people like Knowles, who lauds PatientsLikeMe for its "wealth of information about treatments from people who are actually using them. And you can follow patient responses over time -- after three months, six months, a year." Sounds like the future of medical care for chronic diseases.
- Sermo -
Physicans use this free Web service to discuss treatments and other medical issues anonymously. In September, the "Facebook for doctors" became a political force when members amassed 10,000 signatures for a petition opposing the American Medical Association's acceptance of the House health-care reform bill.
Athenahealth, Kaiser Permanente, Walgreens, Intuitive Surgical, Cisco Systems, Second Sight and American Well are the other Companies mentioned in this list.
http://www.fastcompany.com/mic/2010/industry/most-innovative-healthcare-companies
http://www.fastcompany.com/mic/2010/industry/most-innovative-healthcare-companies
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