Category Archives: Implantable Defibrillators

#DigitalHealth: Remote Patient Monitoring, Part 2- Operational Models

Posted on March 25, 2013 by David Lee Scher, MD

In my previous post, I discussed some generalities of remote patient monitoring (RPM).  The current value of the RPM market is estimated at $10.6B. There are diverse clinical and non-clinical environments in which RPM might be utilized.  The healthcare ecosystem is … Continue reading →

Posted in digital health, FDA, Implantable Defibrillators, informatics, mobile health, remote patient monitoring, wireless health | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Cardiac Patients will Benefit from Digital Health Technologies

Posted on January 22, 2013 by David Lee Scher, MD

Cardiovascular disease, specifically sudden cardiac death is the number one killer in the USA and most westernized countries. Many of the technologies which have been developed to address the problems of cardiac diseases have centered on expensive devices such as … Continue reading →

Posted in digital health, Healthcare IT, healthcare reform, Implantable Defibrillators, mHealth, mobile health, smartphone apps, sudden cardiac arrest, wireless health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Recent Healthcare Regulations and Relationship to Digital Technologies

Posted on October 9, 2012 by David Lee Scher, MD

Recently there have been significant developments with regards to healthcare regulatory requirements. One might look at the impacts on digital technologies depending upon whether they are mandates directed specifically at technology or aimed at clinical issues. I will touch on … Continue reading →

Posted in digital health, FDA, Healthcare IT, healthcare reform, healthcare vendors, Implantable Defibrillators, informatics, mHealth, sudden cardiac arrest, technology, wireless health | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Can an EHR Save Your Life?

Posted on April 27, 2012 by David Lee Scher, MD

    Every year it is estimated that 400,000 people die of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), the number one cause of death, in the USA.   There are usually no warning signs or symptoms. This is different than a heart attack, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Implantable Defibrillators, medical devices, mHealth, sudden cardiac arrest, technology, telehealth, wireless health | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Medical Device Recalls: Implications for Digital Health Technologies

Posted on April 12, 2012 by David Lee Scher, MD

Everyone has heard of a recall of a consumer product such as a component of an automobile, child’s toy, or an over the counter medication. A recall of those types of products often implies taking them off the market as … Continue reading →

Posted in digital health, FDA, healthcare reform, Implantable Defibrillators, medical devices, mobile health, technology, wireless health | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Why Cardiac Rhythm Device Patient Portals Will Start the Digital Health Revolution

Posted on February 3, 2012 by David Lee Scher, MD

Heretofore this series has focused on issues specific to patients with implantable cardiac rhythm devices who deserve to access their device’s own data directly via patient portals or PHRs.  What I would like to suggest is that if this PHR … Continue reading →

Posted in digital health, healthcare reform, Implantable Defibrillators, medical devices, mobile health, smartphone apps, technology, telehealth, wireless health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Why Cardiac Device Companies Want Patients to See Their Own Data

Posted on February 2, 2012 by David Lee Scher, MD

In an ongoing series, I have been touching on multiple issues involved in cardiac patients and the data derived from their implantable defibrillators and pacemakers, which is heretofore unavailable directly to them.  I have not fully discussed the viewpoint of … Continue reading →

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Five Reasons Why Physicians Don’t Want Patients to Have Their Cardiac Device Data

Posted on February 1, 2012 by David Lee Scher, MD

There is a groundswell of discussion concerning patients demanding to have direct access to data derived from their implantable defibrillators and pacemakers. I have discussed in other articles why patients deserve their data and the benefits derived thereof.  There are … Continue reading →

Posted in Healthcare IT, Implantable Defibrillators, medical devices, mHealth, smartphone apps, technology, telehealth, wireless health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

There is a Patient Attached to that Implantable Defibrillator!

Posted on January 27, 2012 by David Lee Scher, MD

“There are two things we are sure of, death and taxes.  Now, if only we can get them in that order.”—Joey Adams “If Einstein couldn’t beat death, what chance have I got? Practically none.”—-Mel Brooks Q: “What’s the definition of … Continue reading →

Posted in digital health, Implantable Defibrillators, medical devices, mobile health, technology, telehealth, wireless health | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Five Reasons Why Patients with Implantable Defibrillators Deserve Their Data

Posted on January 26, 2012 by David Lee Scher, MD

The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, enacted as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, was signed into law on February 17, 2009.  The objective of Measure 12/15 of Meaningful Use regulations … Continue reading →

Posted in digital health, education, Healthcare IT, Implantable Defibrillators, informatics, medical devices, mobile health, psychology, wireless health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments