Silicon Valley to the Rescue!

August 4th, 2009

By Erica

This morning, the WSJ reported on various Silicon Valley companies striving to reduce healthcare costs and inefficiencies using high-tech methods.  Examples include:

• A miniature digestible chip that can be attached to conventional medication, sending a signal that confirms whether patients are taking their prescribed pills.

• A wearable device for wirelessly measuring vital signs in hospital rooms.

• A Band-Aid-like sensor that monitors patients on the move by measuring respiration, fluid status and physical movements.

Can these technologies help improve our ailing healthcare system?

Eric Topol, a cardiologist and genomics professor at Scripps Research Institute, believes they can.  “Wireless applications have the potential to change every one of these areas,” he said at an industry event in San Diego last week.

I must say I’m surprised some of these ideas are only now being developed.  Wirelessly measuring vital signs seems like a no-brainer, as it eliminates the need for “spot checks” and allows for continuous monitoring of various signs such as blood pressure. 

The digestible chip, though intended for good use, seems a bit “Big Brother” to me.  I take my prescribed pills in the proper dosage, so I don’t know that I will get behind this chip.

What do you think about Silicon Valley’s effort to improve healthcare? 

Entry Filed under: Biotech, Health 2.0, Healthcare IT, Healthcare Reform, Healthcare costs, Personalized Medicine, Uncategorized