The time shared between a provider and patient is the most important aspect of the healthcare journey.

There is extreme pressure on healthcare organizations to be at the forefront of this change to ensure valuable interaction and relationships occurring at the point of care remain intact,” said Tom Schwieterman, MD, MBA, chief medical officer.

DAYTON, Ohio (PRWEB)
January 07, 2020

Midmark Corp., a leading provider of medical, dental and veterinary equipment, technology and services, today identified six trends that will significantly impact the point of care ecosystem, where the majority of today’s healthcare encounters still occur.

“Arguably, the time shared between a provider and patient is the most important aspect of the healthcare journey. Medical, dental and veterinary providers work with patients to conduct annual checkups, dental cleanings and procedures, as well as validate possible diagnoses and make sure chronic conditions are well managed,” said Tom Schwieterman, MD, MBA, chief medical officer, Midmark. “Change in healthcare has accelerated to a point where rapid innovation is not just a business advantage, but a business imperative. There is extreme pressure on healthcare organizations to be at the forefront of this change to ensure valuable interaction and relationships occurring at the point of care remain intact.”

Below are the six identified trends that will shape how care is delivered at the point of care in 2020:

1. Data analytics drives the next step in enhanced care and outcomes

Having sufficient and accurate data is the life blood of good medicine. As connected technology and devices are introduced in ambulatory care, they are paving the way for digitization of the point of care ecosystem. This greater connectivity is allowing providers to capture more data at the point of care than was previously possible. In certain cases, home data can be more accurate and relevant, and may be invaluable to augment a future patient visit.

On a larger scale, advanced analytical engines that are being used to examine genomic, population health and social determinants data are ushering in a more personalized level of care for individuals. Using advanced computing capabilities, artificial intelligence and machine learning systems are being employed to determine risk profiles such that clinical teams can more appropriately target interventions, strengthening customized screening scenarios, insights into behavioral modifications and targeted therapeutics.

2. Primary care steals spotlight back from specialists

In a reversal of a trend where more care was being referred to specialists, primary care is seeing a resurgence of relevance and expanding capabilities. Primary care physicians are being empowered and better equipped to do more for their patients, including provide comprehensive and sophisticated interventions at the point of care. Primary care is becoming increasingly armed with smaller patient cohorts and a fully holistic approach to care.

Likewise, in dentistry and veterinary medicine, general practitioners are beginning to offer more specialized and complex procedures. In both areas, this trend is gaining strength as practitioners see it as a viable strategy to improve customer retention and revenue that have been challenged with the growth of Dental Support Organizations (DSOs), disruptive channel innovators, corporate veterinary groups, and mass-marketed online merchandisers.

3. Customer experience takes hold in healthcare

Research has shown that a good experience with a physician, dentist, or veterinarian is impactful to the health and well-being of the patient. The quality of interaction the patient or pet owner has with the provider and the broader care team can translate to a better understanding of the clinical situation and a higher likelihood of all participants becoming activated to get more involved, which can improve health and lower costs.

Patients and pet owners are expecting and demanding a better experience for themselves and their pets when they visit medical, dental and veterinary offices. They want the same type of experience they receive from other retail and service industries. There is more attention being given to how patients, pet owners and providers engage and interact at the point of care. This is driving a focus on everything from practice design for comfort, efficiencies and workflow to technology that enables better patient care plans.

4. Self-empowered patients take control of their care

Driven in part by the consumerization of healthcare, patients are demanding to be connected with and in control of their healthcare in the same way they are within other aspects of their lives. Wearable technology, online clinical information, vastly expanded options for care access, and new technologies to diagnose and treat at the individual level are changing how people engage in their healthcare.

Self-guided and self-diagnosis care are becoming plausible options. Readily available technologies like smart watches and fitness trackers, as well as apps that help patients manage chronic conditions, are allowing patients to be more proactive with their own healthcare. They often choose to engage with a provider only after they do their own research. Pressure is growing for healthcare organizations to incorporate these devices and tools into workflows and the care continuum. A new level of empowerment is also taking hold within veterinary medicine, as pet owners use technology, such as health tracker apps, to take more control of their pet’s health and preventative care.

5. Risk shifts from insurers to providers

Traditionally, insurance companies have existed to manage risk within populations of healthcare patients. The insurer absorbed the risk while the provider was guaranteed a payment mechanism. The advent of value-based payments is causing a change to that model. Increasingly, the provider is absorbing the risk. This is being done to both control costs and align the interests of stakeholders.

This shifting of risk is changing the relationship between vendors, payers, providers and healthcare systems in fundamental ways. These players are beginning to work more closely together to improve value. More equipment, technology and solutions are being designed to boost the clinical and financial performance of providers while improving patient health.

6. A healthy body begins with the mouth becomes best practice

An increasing amount of clinical evidence is demonstrating that the health and wellness of the oral cavity (i.e., teeth, gums and dentition) is critical to the overall health of the patient, whether that patient be a person or animal. Oral pathology is directly linked to multiple systemic illnesses. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, over 90 percent of all systemic diseases produce oral symptoms.

A growing majority of the healthcare community understands that holistic interventions to improve outcomes in many disorders require care teams to look to the mouth. They see treating the mouth and oral cavity as essential to lowering costs and improving disease outcomes. As a result, more effort and point of care solutions are being focused on aligning the dental and medical worlds. On the animal health side, the demand for oral health products and services continues to grow with increased understanding that animal dentistry can improve the quality and lifespan of pets.

“Medical, dental and veterinary equipment and technology continues to evolve to provide healthcare organizations the new approaches, innovative technologies and proven solutions to improve the quality of care and outcomes delivered and enable a better care experience for caregivers and patients at the point of care,” continued Schwieterman.

About Midmark

Midmark Corporation is the only clinical environmental design company that enables a better care experience for the medical, dental and animal health markets. With nearly 2,000 teammates worldwide, Midmark focuses on harmonizing clinical space, technology and workflows for caregivers and patients at the point of care. Founded in 1915 and headquartered in the greater Dayton, Ohio, area, Midmark maintains production and administrative offices in Versailles, Ohio, with seven other locations in the United States as well as subsidiaries in India, Italy and the United Kingdom. To learn more about Midmark, visit http://www.midmark.com.

The Dental Studio of Midland Offers Life-Changing Full Mouth Dental Implants

Dr. Thompson has really changed the way I personally feel. Now, I can actually smile.

MIDLAND, Texas (PRWEB)
January 07, 2020

Drs. Tye Thompson and Jordon Green, respected dentists in Midland, TX, welcome new patients to experience the life-changing benefits of full arch dental implants. At their practice, The Dental Studio of Midland, these trusted dentists skillfully combine the art and science of dentistry in order to offer aesthetically appealing and long-lasting full arch solutions. Patients are able to have their dental implants placed one day and come back the following day for a full set of functional teeth. By using state-of-the-art technology, The Dental Studio of Midland can also craft patients’ final set of natural-looking teeth from one-of-a-kind Prettau® Zirconia.

Dr. Thompson’s surgical skill as an implant specialist combined with Dr. Green’s passion for cosmetic dentistry offers a comprehensive approach to each dental implant patient they see. Patients are able to receive precise and predictable dental implant surgery but also artistically crafted smiles all in one office. Each Prettau Zirconia restoration is designed by Dr. Green taking into consideration personalized details, such as size, color and shape, that will complement each patient.

Prettau Zirconia is a highly durable material that receives little to no wear from biting, chewing, or talking. It has just enough flexibility to be sculpted into a bridge that matches a patient’s specific design requests. Its non-porous composition creates a smooth finish that does not retain stains, odors, plaque, or bacteria. Plus, because the full arch is crafted from one large block, the final product is stronger than an arch that combines multiple materials.

Patients who receive a full arch dental implant treatment at The Dental Studio of Midland experience accurate and immediate results. To prepare a patient’s mouth for implants, Dr. Thompson can perform bone grafting and tooth extractions when needed. On the day of treatment, the team makes the patient comfortable with sedation dentistry, then Dr. Thompson will place as little as four dental implants into each jaw using minimally invasive techniques. The doctors send the patient home to heal overnight before returning the next day to receive their temporary, functional full arch dental bridge.

In the few months following the treatment, the new implant posts undergo osseointegration, a process where dental implants integrate into the jawbone creating a firm and lasting bond. Once this process is complete, patients return to the office, where Dr. Green places the patient’s customized, Prettau Zirconia arch within the mouth. With proper care, this arch should remain secure for the duration of the patient’s life.

Patients with The Dental Studio of Midland’s full dental arch have gained an ability to eat steak, apples, and a variety of foods that dentures and damaged teeth do not allow. Patients can brush and maintain their full arch like natural teeth. When properly maintained, patients often keep these custom fit implants for life. Plus, at The Dental Studio of Midland, patients experience a relaxing treatment from start to finish through personalized care and sedation dentistry.

“Dr. Thompson has really changed the way I personally feel. Now, I can actually smile,” Larry, a patient of Dr. Thompson, explains as he recounts his full arch dental implant treatment.

Patients with severely damaged or missing teeth who are looking for dental implants in Midland, TX can connect with Drs. Thompson and Green for a personalized consultation by visiting http://www.midlanddentalstudio.com or calling 432-687-0629.

About the Dentists

The Dental Studio of Midland offers comprehensive and caring dental care to patients in Midland, TX. Committed to serving custom care that patients truly need, Drs. Tye Thompson and Jordon Green build relationships with each patient in order to understand their unique needs and goals. Both Drs. Thompson and Green completed dental training at the prestigious University of the Pacific and continue to expand their knowledge in dentistry by attending multiple continuing education courses. The Dental Studio of Midland is equipped with advanced dental technology to provide patients with the highest standard of care. Drs. Thompson and Green offer laser dentistry, Invisalign®, full mouth reconstruction, and sedation dentistry. The Dental Studio of Midland team is dedicated to providing the most efficient, least painful procedures for patients, and offer minimally invasive surgery whenever possible. To learn more about Drs. Thompson and Green and the services offered at The Dental Studio of Midland, call 432-687-0629 or visit http://www.midlanddentalstudio.com.

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Blood pressure monitoring from the ear

LAS VEGAS (PRWEB)
January 07, 2020

Valencell today announced the availability of the world’s first calibration-free blood pressure (BP) sensor system for integration in hearables and wearables. Valencell will provide the BP sensor system as a core technology to medical device and consumer electronics manufacturers for inclusion in their products. Embedded in an earbud reference design, the technology has demonstrated BP cuff-like accuracy through rigorous testing on thousands of patients and tens of thousands of datasets. The technology can recognize hypertension with 89% accuracy, which is more accurate than comparable technologies available today, and provides BP readings within +/-8mmHg for qualified datasets. In addition, the sensor system requires no calibration of any kind, meaning no BP cuff is ever needed to use this technology.

This breakthrough technology uses only photoplethysmography (PPG) and inertial sensors – no ECG, pulse transit time or other sensor modalities are used. It allows someone wearing an earbud to get accurate BP readings throughout the day, for example while they are at their desk at work, listening to music, or watching television, all without the hassle of putting on a BP cuff.

In the fall of 2019, Valencell conducted a clinical research study to validate the accuracy of the BP sensor system adhering to the ISO 81060-2(2018) standard for noninvasive BP cuffs. The results of that study have been accepted to be presented at the American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Session in March 2020 in a session titled: “Biometric Audio Earbuds Produce Cuff-Like Accuracy in Monitoring Blood Pressure”.

“We are very excited to announce the availability of this technology for a few reasons: 1) we see tremendous public health value for over one billion people with hypertension in measuring blood pressure in devices people are wearing everyday anyway, 2) providing cuff-level accuracy without the cuff in a sensor system that can be embedded in many different form factors and devices is truly groundbreaking,” said Dr. Steven LeBoeuf, Valencell president and co-founder. “Valencell has been working on this technology for many years and we look forward to working with our partners to integrate this technology in their next devices.”

The BP sensor system was developed in partnership with Valencell’s strategic partner Sonion. Sonion and Valencell are also working on a version of this technology optimized for hearing aids and hearing health devices. Additionally, Valencell is conducting ongoing research and development to enable the technology in other form factors and body locations, including the finger and wrist.

There is tremendous potential public health value in getting more people to measure their BP more often. According to the World Health Organization, over one billion people around the world have hypertension and in the US the CDC estimates one-third of those with hypertension don’t even know it. Compounding the problem is the fact that BP cuffs are hard to use and they come with a stigma. If technology like this can start measuring BP in the background with devices that people already use daily, it can start making a dent in a massive global health problem.

The technology is being demonstrated at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas starting today in Valencell booth #44313. The BP sensor system is available to integrate into hearables and wearables starting in February 2020.

About Valencell

Valencell transforms the science of wearable biometrics to enable impactful health outcomes. Through innovative R&D and validated technologies, we develop breakthroughs and collaborate with wearables, hearables, and medical device companies around the world to deliver amazing results. Protected by more than 85 granted patents and more than 100 patents pending, Valencell’s technology can be used in wearables and hearables for virtually anyone, anywhere, doing anything. Valencell’s biometric sensor systems are currently integrated into more wearable devices than any other technology provider in the world.

Valencell Media Contact:

Ryan Kraudel

VP Marketing

Valencell Inc.

kraudel@valencell.com

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I have always believed that patients stand to be best served when there is constant and healthy communication among care professionals across the care continuum.

MALVERN, Pa. (PRWEB)
January 07, 2020

HMP, a leader in healthcare events and education, announced today that the weekly podcast “Outspoken Oncology,” produced by its peer-reviewed publication Journal of Clinical Pathways, received a Gold MarCom Award from the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals.

The international creative competition recognizes outstanding achievement by professionals involved in the concept, direction, design, and production of marketing and communication materials and programs. The MarCom Awards competition is one of the oldest, largest, and most respected in the world. Judges are industry professionals who look for companies and individuals whose talents exceed a high standard of excellence and whose work serves as a benchmark for the industry.

The 2019 MarCom Awards competition received over 6,500 entries from 20 countries. The Gold Award designation is reserved for entries judged to exceed the high standards of the industry norm. Only 24% of 2019 entries met these expectations.

“It is an honor to be recognized by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals,” said Chadi Nabhan, MD, MBA, FACP, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Aptitude Health, and host of the Outspoken Oncology podcast. “I have always believed that patients stand to be best served when there is constant and healthy communication among care professionals across the care continuum. This award is a reflection of the emphasis the podcast places on transparent conversations and debates in order to challenge listener perspectives, generate further discussion, and ultimately enhance collaboration in the field.”

Launched in February 2019, the Journal of Clinical Pathway’s “Outspoken Oncology” podcast is dedicated to facilitating candid discussion among all stakeholders on the most pressing—and often controversial—topics in cancer care today. Episodes feature key opinion leaders in their field and cover topics such as artificial intelligence, next-generation sequencing, medication errors, shared-decision making, and disease-state-specific treatment challenges in oncology care.

Podcast episodes are published weekly on the Journal website as well as on iTunes and other popular podcast directories. For more information, visit outspokenoncology.com.

About Journal of Clinical Pathways

Founded in 2015, Journal of Clinical Pathways captures the shift in health care away from a fee-for-service system and toward a value-based care delivery and reimbursement model. The move toward value-based medicine combined with innovations in big data has brought clinical pathways to the forefront as a means to drive precision and optimization of care for patients. Journal of Clinical Pathways addresses the potential of clinical pathways to address rising health care costs, mitigate patient risk, reduce variability, and achieve better, more predictable clinical outcomes. In this unique publication, physicians, payers, and health care executives share methods, insights, and results of projects to design, implement, evaluate, and update clinical pathways in their organizations. Journal of Clinical Pathways is specifically positioned to address the design and implementation of value-based care approaches; the use of clinical and real-world evidence to drive treatment decision-making; and the early learnings and experiences of managed care professionals and health care organizations as they implement new models for achieving high-value care. To learn more, visit journalofclinicalpathways.com.

About HMP

HMP is the force behind Healthcare Made Practical – and is a multichannel leader in healthcare events and education, with a mission to improve patient care. The company produces accredited medical education events and clinically relevant, evidence-based content for the global healthcare community across a range of therapeutic areas. Its brands include Consultant360, the year-round, award-winning platform relied upon by primary care providers and other specialists; Psych Congress, the largest independent mental health meeting in the U.S.; EMS World Expo, North America’s largest EMT and paramedic event; and the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC), the largest wound care meeting in the world. For more information, visit hmpglobal.com.

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