Startup launches 'first wearable health record' for Google Glass

Google Inc's futuristic eyeglasses are finding their way into hospitals and clinics throughout the United States.

To meet the growing demand for Google Glass from physicians, Drchrono, a Mountain View, Calif., based electronic medical record company has developed a new application for the device it claims is the first "wearable health record."

Doctors who register for the Drchrono app for Glass can use it to record a consultation or surgery with the patient's permission. Videos, photos and notes are stored in the patient's electronic medical record or in Box, a cloud-based storage and collaboration service and can be shared with the patient on request.

Dr. Bill J. Metaxas, a podiatrist based in San Francisco, warned fellow physicians to take precautions before using Glass, such as obtaining patient consent and "locking down security settings." He also said Glass is no more or less secure than tablet devices such as the iPad, which are routinely used in clinical practices.

Metaxas, who uses Glass in the operating room and in patient consultations, said 99 percent of his patients agree to the gadget, but it is still early days and most of his fellow physicians have yet to adopt the technology. It is primarily used by the "bleeding edge" minority, he added.

Still, Box spokeswoman and former Google Health employee Missy Krasner said she is aware of at least 20 venture-backed startups catering to this niche of physicians. The majority of these Glass apps, including Augmedix and Pristine, are complying with federal regulation that protects privacy, known as HIPAA.

To develop the service, Drchrono worked closely with Box, one of its early investors, and the Google Glass team.

Google Glass was intended for the consumer mass market, but it has been criticized by some for its geeky appearance. But many industry professionals immediately saw value in the hands-free gadget.

The Glass team hosted an event last month at its San Francisco offices for care providers, hospitals administrators and medical-tech entrepreneurs to discuss how to bring these wearable computers into practices.

"Google is still in the early-stages of determining the most viable use-cases for Google Glass," said Drchrono co-founder Daniel Kivatinos. "But some doctors are demanding Glass, so Google is providing resources and support to developers."

Drchrono claims to have 60,000 registered physicians using its electronic medical record for doctors and patients. More than 300 of these physicians have already opted to use the app, Kivatinos said. The app is currently available for free, but the company may charge a fee in the near future.

Google could not be reached for comment.

(Reporting By Christina Farr. Editing by Andre Grenon)





Source: Reuters

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Google Glass Explorer developing apps for firefighters

Google Glass Explorers come in all varieties and Glassware of many sorts is in development, all of it aiming to augment our existence in a new and functional way. One of the more altruistic developments-in-progress are the apps being created by developer and firefighter Patrick Jackson, who sees a future in the technology for his fellow firefighters.

The specifics of Jackson's projects weren't detailed, though in the video there are various examples of how Glass can be used by Explorers. The idea is that firefighters could wear Google's wearable when on the job and have the ability to pull up needed information hands-free, giving them the opportunity to focus on the task of hand while getting the details needed at the same time.


One example is the ability to pull up instant extraction schematics for the needed vehicle when responding to an auto accident scheme. This builds upon the idea set forth by Mercedes-Benz early last year, when the auto maker started including QR code stickers for first responders. The idea behind that was the ability to use mobile technology to scan and instantly retrieve the details needed to free trapped drivers. A comparable app for Glass would build upon this, eliminating the need to pull out a smartphone or tablet -- instead, one could speak the make and model as a command, or perhaps scan an included QR code with Glass's camera if available.

Said Jackson on Google+: "When I got Google Glass I had no idea that this would happen! Very cool experience with Google and they capture what I am doing and plan to do with Glass for firefighters. Thanks to all those who supported my indiegogo campaign to make this possible and to my wife for being the best wife ever and supporting me!"






SOURCE: Google+

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Glass exchange initiated: return boxes sent

The newest wave of Google Glass Explorer Edition units are set to be distributed by mail, with Google sending out word that they’re fully prepared to do the switch with boxes of their own. Users that’d signed up over the last few weeks will be seeing a box sent to their residence through the mail that they’ll then use to mail their original Google Glass back to the shop. From there, Google will send a pair of the newest wave of Glass to the user so that everyone can be onboard with the most current hardware.

While it’s unclear what will happen to the original Glass units sent back to Google, we’ll have to take a wild guess and say that they’ll be sent to the spice mines of Kessel, smashed into who-knows-what. The new Google Glass units work with ever-so-slight a set of modifications to the hardware and an earbud so users will have an easier time being stealthy. Users with the old set were also given the option of changing over to a new color or sticking with the same color they had in the first place.

The change-over to a new pair of a piece of technology like this, in this sort of space, is relatively unprecedented. Google’s original “Google Glass Explorers” program in itself was a new sort of deal when it first launched well over a year ago – here the company continues to prove that this is no ordinary device or launch.

Google Glass is getting nearer and nearer final launch – they’ve gotten to the point where just about anyone can order a device, developer or not, while the first full launch is likely to hit within the year 2014. Have a peek at our Google Glass tag portal as well as a collection of recent posts below in a recent archival timeline. For those of you that plan on switching: expect the box soon.



SOURCE: Slashgear

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