HIMSS20 canceled over coronavirus concerns

"Cancellation is unavoidable in order to meet HIMSS' obligation to protect the health and safety of the global HIMSS community," conference organizers told vendors Thursday.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • March 5, 2020

Uber Health targets provider pain points with revamped platform

The ride-hailing giant is attempting to address gripes with its non-emergency medical transportation service through a handful of new features that began rolling out late last year.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • March 4, 2020

Element Science raises $146M to fund rival to Zoll's wearable LifeVest

Deerfield Healthcare and Qiming Venture Partners USA led the round, joining investors Third Rock Ventures and Google Ventures​ to bring to market Element's wearable defibrillator.

By Nick Paul Taylor • March 4, 2020

Livongo tops Q4 estimates with contributions outside of diabetes

In its third quarterly earnings report since going public in 2019, the digital health company said its total diabetes members doubled from a year ago and its hypertension and pre-diabetes platforms are gaining traction.

By Susan Kelly • March 3, 2020

California's new cybersecurity law sidesteps most medical devices, lawyers say

How the state enforces its "internet of things" or connected devices law "may end up becoming a source of persuasive authority for the FDA in its decision making" on cybersecurity guidance, said White and Williams' Joshua Mooney.

By Fred Donovan • Feb. 28, 2020

Joint FDA, industry real-world evidence center issues research frameworks

As real-world evidence gains momentum as a tool for assessing medical device safety and effectiveness, NESTcc is laying out guiding principles on research methods and ensuring data quality.

By Amritpal Sandhu-Longoria • Feb. 27, 2020

AI clinical documentation player Nuance preps for nationwide expansion

The technology, built in partnership with Microsoft, includes a wall-mounted device with microphones and other multi-sensory capabilities to record patient interactions and upload them into the EHR.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Feb. 25, 2020

Most large hospitals embrace patient-facing digital tools despite cost concerns

A new survey from the Center for Connected Medicine found digital tools helped healthcare professionals manage simple tasks like accessing health records, making appointments and paying bills.

By Hailey Mensik • Feb. 19, 2020

Hospitals, clinics most likely to be hit with ransomware attack

But medical testing and supplies companies weren't spared among the 172 individual attacks from 2016 to 2019 that affected 6.6 million patients. 

By Shannon Muchmore • Feb. 11, 2020

VA facility claimed as 'world's 1st' 5G-enabled hospital

The Palo Alto Health Care System's 5G infrastructure — the fifth generation of cellular mobile communications — will be operational this week, VA Secretary Robert Wilkie said Wednesday.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Feb. 6, 2020

Epic takes top award in KLAS survey for 10th year

In imaging, Philips led in the cardiology category, followed by Siemens, Fujifilm and IBM Watson Health.

By Ron Shinkman • Feb. 4, 2020

Major conglomerates 3M, GE, Philips bet on healthcare

The corporate giants' earnings reports this week indicate medical segments are increasingly important to strategy as other businesses decline.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Jan. 30, 2020

FDA clears Eko's stethoscope algorithms for AFib, heart murmur screening

The authorization gives primary care physicians an enhanced tool to screen for serious heart conditions, with the aim of speeding diagnosis and treatment.

By Susan Kelly • Jan. 29, 2020

Patient advocates urge quick release of final interoperability rules

The push comes on the heels of a campaign against the rules from Epic CEO Judy Faulkner, who has argued they threaten patients' privacy and would allow third-parties access to their data without consent.

By Samantha Liss • Jan. 27, 2020

Health AI startups netted a record $4B in funding last year

That's a nearly 50% jump in cash from 2018, which saw almost $2.7 billion across 264 deals, according to CB Insights.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Jan. 23, 2020

Medical device sales flat, J&J CEO promises big year for robots

A Medical Device Business Review Day scheduled for this spring in New York City will feature "tangible evidence of not only the machines, but also the digital platform component," Alex Gorsky said of J&J's robotic surgery ventures.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Updated Jan. 23, 2020

Health IT to lead 2020 deals, KPMG predicts

The repeal of the medical device tax could boost investor interest in hot areas like non-invasive diagnostics, robotic surgery and AI-enabled devices, although health IT, pharma and biotech appear to be drawing more excitement.

By Linda Wilson • Jan. 15, 2020

Alphabet snaps up 2nd ex-ONC head for life sciences team

Vindell Washington is the latest in Alphabet's ongoing campaign to hire top healthcare talent as the Google parent company doubles down on the industry.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Jan. 10, 2020

Digital health M&A flatlines in 2019, but IPO activity promising

Rock Health sees creation of remote patient monitoring reimbursement codes, progress on data blocking rules and FDA's Pre-Cert program as potential growth catalysts for the sector.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Jan. 8, 2020

Latest FDA clinical decision support software draft a step forward, industry says

The American Medical Association wrote the guide could "lead to the proliferation of CDS tools for 'non-serious conditions' that are faulty, inaccurate, and without validation, potentially leading to patient harm."

By David Lim • Jan. 7, 2020

AI-based heart failure screening from Eko, Mayo Clinic earns FDA breakthrough nod

Digital health company Eko is working with the Mayo Clinic on an algorithm to detect reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, an indicator for heart failure, using a stethoscope during a routine physical exam.

By Susan Kelly • Dec. 19, 2019

Medtronic acquires meal detection tech to bolster personalized closed loop system

Klue's fine motor artificial intelligence software that can sense eating will help future diabetes management systems become hands free, the company said.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 18, 2019

Livongo, Propeller, Omada tapped for Express Scripts digital health formulary

The PBM presented the formulary as a way for health plans and employers to access digital health products that have been vetted for effectiveness, security and value.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Dec. 13, 2019

Digital assistant Notable nets large system deal with CommonSpirit

Notable's voice-enabled assistant allows physicians to automatically document conversations with patients via their Apple Watch. Voice-to-text and AI products are fueling growth in the lucrative medical documentation space.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Dec. 12, 2019

Sanofi pulls back from 'over-invested' virtual diabetes care venture with Verily

"We recently restructured its ownership with Sanofi to enable Onduo and Verily to move faster, invest more and serve a much broader population of patients managing multiple chronic conditions," Verily said.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Updated Dec. 12, 2019