The multitude of approaches to improve the exchange of patient data is a big trend at HIMSS 2013. One facet of the government’s drive towards achieving that is through the SMARt project. Short for Substitutable Medical Apps and Reusable Technologies, it’s made up of a group of researchers from Harvard University Medical School working with Children’s Hospital of Boston and technology partners, among others to promote the development of apps to improve how patient data is submitted.
By providing an open source technology platform it has so far produced a group of apps for clinical settings. They vary from Cardiac Risk to measure the potential for heart disease, heart attacks and strokes to Pediatric Growth Chart that provides a deeper level of information than the typical pediatric growth chart.
In an interview with MedCity News, Dr. Doug Fridsma, chief science officer with the Office of National Coordinator for Health IT, he said: “It is clear that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. We’re seeing a lot of variability and not in a bad way as to how groups are using the portfolio of standards we have created.” On the subject of interoperability he added: “The industry is working hard to create interoperable ecosystems and share [best practice] so they can compete on usability and support.”
When Investment Rhymes with Canada
Canada has a proud history of achievement in the areas of science and technology, and the field of biomanufacturing and life sciences is no exception.
