Intel and General Electric working together with Medical Devices

Intel and General Electric working together with Medical Devices – Home Monitors

I have covered both products in the past, links below for additional information. I appears the future lies in having a device literally “in house” to keep the communication lines open on what’s going on. Both companies are working on standards in this effort. Hopefully we won’t forget the human side here in the effort to cut down cost. A busy executive type with a demanding schedule might be one who would be one who would recommend a product, let’s say to aging parents so they can keep in touch and are in the know in real time as to what is happening. Care givers can also utilize electronic tools but again, the secret to success lies in the implementation of such products, so as not to lose the human side, as there’s no device that can replace that.

If not implemented properly and a good handle is not established on what data we want to collect along with the when, where and who, it could have a negative effect with being viewed as “intrusive”, thus privacy and the interpretation of combining technology with the way we live our lives is important and if that can be accomplished, then the savings on healthcare can be realized. BD

Intel and General Electric announced today that they have teamed up to deliver personal healthcare products and services to patients in homes. Both companies will invest $250 million in the products and research over the next five years.

Intel chief executive Paul Otellini and GE CEO Jeff Immelt announced the alliance in a press conference this morning, where they said the goal is to use technology to attack the rising costs of health care. They hope to do so by applying remote monitoring technologies that allow patients to stay in their homes (instead of hospitals) for longer periods of time.

“To address chronic care costs, you have to address it in the home,” Immelt said.

GE has a relatively small business in home health products already. But the idea is to marry information technology, low-cost devices and services that can drive health care costs down.