Platforms for the Underserved – Health Tech Forum Innovation Conference, April 19, 2013 at UCSF, CA (Preview)

In the upcoming conference on April 19, 2013 and Code-A-Thon preceding the conference, Health Technology Forum, www.HealthTechForum.com is trying to push the envelope on creating new applications and technologies for hospitals and for getting information on tiny devices.  The aim of such applications and devices is to make healthcare information and treatments available to people with the greatest need.  Health Technology Forum Innovation Conference on April 19th, 2013 at UCSF, Mission Bay Conference Center, has a theme of “Platforms for the Underserved”.  Here is a preview of some of some of the panels and speakers.

Dennis Boyle, a partner and one of the founding members of IDEO will share examples and case studies about IDEO’s work around the world.  Armed with a mission to “make high-tech simple”, Boyle tackles design challenges to find ways to get information into and out of tiny devices.  IDEO’s current project, a QWERTY keyboard made with foldable fabric, in collaboration with a British company, Elekson is an example of how technology is transforming our ability to send and receive information.

How can better communication through connected healthcare model help improve patient care in the hospitals?  This will be discussed in a panel comprising of Five Bay Area Hospital CMIOs.  I would also like to see this panel discuss how the IT infrastructure will enable the hospitals to provide value based care with fee-for-performance mindset.  Additionally, I am looking for this panel to explore how technology may enable hospitals to lower readmission rates and control infections.  Studies indicate that community based care transitions programs can help lower hospital readmission rates, particularly for patients afflicted with chronic diseases.  I would welcome an opportunity to hear what plans hospitals have to leverage current strides in remote patient monitoring apps and devices so that patient’s vital signs including blood pressure and weight, biometric data including pulse oximetry and blood glucose levels as well as disease signs and medication and diet adherence can be monitored to couple it with reform driven community care to help lower hospital readmission rates.

Other interesting panels will address issues regarding patient engagement, challenges of harnessing big data and analytics, use of robotics in life sciences, and an opportunity to hear from Bay Area VCs on the funding scenario for Medical Device and Biotechnology companies.

See my earlier blog at http://bit.ly/ZsUggs for information on some of the other panels and register for the conference at www.healthtechnologyforum.com .