By: Janice McCallum, HealthContentAdvisors.com
Massachusetts is known for pioneering healthcare reform programs
that led national efforts and we continue to demonstrate leadership in advancing
quality improvements in healthcare delivery.
At the recent annual HIMSS16
conference, where approximately 42,000 health IT vendors and customers convened
to exchange the latest information on health IT and analytics innovations, it
was clear that Massachusetts is in the pole position to lead the development of
the next generation of health IT and analytics solutions.
that led national efforts and we continue to demonstrate leadership in advancing
quality improvements in healthcare delivery.
At the recent annual HIMSS16
conference, where approximately 42,000 health IT vendors and customers convened
to exchange the latest information on health IT and analytics innovations, it
was clear that Massachusetts is in the pole position to lead the development of
the next generation of health IT and analytics solutions.
Healthcare analytics depend on a reliable foundation fordata collection and data management. With database infrastructure that serves
2/3 of the US population via its healthcare provider clients, InterSystems has played a
key role in establishing the health IT foundation. Although they have generally
operated behind-the-scenes, InterSystems is moving into a more visible role as
they offer solutions for care coordination and advanced data analytics. I expect
more people in healthcare will know their name in the future.
GE, IBM and Xerox are extremely well-known corporate names
that are recognized in the healthcare
sector. These storied corporate brands have demonstrated a history of
innovation and reinvention that they are applying to an array of data
management, analytics, and connected health initiatives. With decades of
experience in enterprise computing and cultures that are skilled at integrating
acquisitions to build best-of-breed solutions, these corporate giants will
likely remain leading names in healthcare for the foreseeable future.
that are recognized in the healthcare
sector. These storied corporate brands have demonstrated a history of
innovation and reinvention that they are applying to an array of data
management, analytics, and connected health initiatives. With decades of
experience in enterprise computing and cultures that are skilled at integrating
acquisitions to build best-of-breed solutions, these corporate giants will
likely remain leading names in healthcare for the foreseeable future.
There are far too many product and corporate development
announcements made at HIMSS to attempt a recap, even if it were limited to
companies with strong ties to Massachusetts. However, the announcement of the $2.6 billion
acquisition of Truven Health Analytics by IBM Watson is one that captured a
lot of attention. Furthermore, I heard from more than a few experienced health
IT professionals who would jump at the opportunity to join IBM’s expanding team
at its new Watson Health headquarters near Kendall Square.
announcements made at HIMSS to attempt a recap, even if it were limited to
companies with strong ties to Massachusetts. However, the announcement of the $2.6 billion
acquisition of Truven Health Analytics by IBM Watson is one that captured a
lot of attention. Furthermore, I heard from more than a few experienced health
IT professionals who would jump at the opportunity to join IBM’s expanding team
at its new Watson Health headquarters near Kendall Square.
In healthcare, financial incentives and regulatory
requirements factor into most major business and clinical decisions. Telehealth is a great example. The technology
has been available for some time, but regulations held back the supply of
doctors available to practice across state lines. More important, the lack of a
clear path for reimbursement constrained interest from clinicians. With the
advent of recognition of the value of telehealth by payers, Boston-based American Well has
been able to expand its portfolio of services to include multiway video, a
mobile SDK, and the Telemed Tablet that facilitates specialist consultations
via mobile teleconferencing.
requirements factor into most major business and clinical decisions. Telehealth is a great example. The technology
has been available for some time, but regulations held back the supply of
doctors available to practice across state lines. More important, the lack of a
clear path for reimbursement constrained interest from clinicians. With the
advent of recognition of the value of telehealth by payers, Boston-based American Well has
been able to expand its portfolio of services to include multiway video, a
mobile SDK, and the Telemed Tablet that facilitates specialist consultations
via mobile teleconferencing.
Securing access to protected health information is another
area where the right technology can overcome barriers to efficient workflow.
Lexington-based Imprivata, a leading provider of health IT solutions for single
sign-on and secure communications, is known for its clever and informative presentations
at HIMSS which attract a large audience to its booth every year and didn’t
disappoint this year.
area where the right technology can overcome barriers to efficient workflow.
Lexington-based Imprivata, a leading provider of health IT solutions for single
sign-on and secure communications, is known for its clever and informative presentations
at HIMSS which attract a large audience to its booth every year and didn’t
disappoint this year.
The overarching theme of my coverage of HIMSS16 has been how
health IT has entered a more mature phase, where basic IT capabilities are a
required part of doing business and more advanced solutions are in the
spotlight. New value-based models depend on a higher degree of care
coordination and need to involve patients in care decisions. Massachusetts has
many early-stage and more “mature” health IT companies that offer solutions for
secure communications, data exchange, populations health analytics, and patient
decision tools that all contribute to a more efficient connected care continuum.
Other notable MassTLC member companies that are playing a role in transforming
healthcare & were represented at HIMSS16 run the gamut from start-up PatientPing, not-for-profit government systems
engineering and analysis company Mitre, and big data analytics company, Optum
Labs.
health IT has entered a more mature phase, where basic IT capabilities are a
required part of doing business and more advanced solutions are in the
spotlight. New value-based models depend on a higher degree of care
coordination and need to involve patients in care decisions. Massachusetts has
many early-stage and more “mature” health IT companies that offer solutions for
secure communications, data exchange, populations health analytics, and patient
decision tools that all contribute to a more efficient connected care continuum.
Other notable MassTLC member companies that are playing a role in transforming
healthcare & were represented at HIMSS16 run the gamut from start-up PatientPing, not-for-profit government systems
engineering and analysis company Mitre, and big data analytics company, Optum
Labs.
