Amsterdam-based Royal Philips introduced a new health app that enables diabetes patients and their healthcare providers to connect patients’ self-monitored data with electronic medical records (EMRs).
The connected digital health prototype was developed with Radboud University Medical Center, also based in Amsterdam, and in partnership with San Francisco-based cloud computing company Salesforce. The digital health system is built on the Philips HealthSuite, a cloud-based clinical data and analytics platform, and Salesforce’s App Cloud.
The digital health system enables patients, via mobile app, to track blood glucose levels, insulin use, nutrition, physical activity and even mood and stress. In addition to the mobile patient app, the system also consists of an online community to collect and connect data from electronic medical records, multiple personal health devices, including wireless glucose meters and activity monitors, and patient self-reported data.
Diabetes patients and their clinicians are then able to share personal health data and clinical data in a secure online environment and patients can receive feedback from their care team using the combined data.
“I am excited that we are providing people with diabetes the tools to connect all of their relevant health data and devices. Our system allows sharing of data and experiences in one community, where they can collaborate with fellow patients and their care teams in a secure environment,” Jeroen Tas, CEO Healthcare Informatics Solutions and Services, Philips, said in a statement. “There is a growing need for solutions that enhance self-management and continuity of care for those with chronic conditions such as diabetes to reduce health deterioration, readmissions and mortality rates. This system has been designed by patients for patients and is enabling fully integrated health management and care delivery in a new, connected, efficient and highly patient-centric way.”
According to the International Diabetes Federation, there are nearly 400 million people worldwide living with diabetes.
The collaborative prototype development will be available in pilot release by the end of the year, according to Royal Philips, and the company plans to introduce similar connected care solutions addressing other chronic conditions.
