Information system management

Steth IO is a technology that can do remote cardiopulmonary monitoring via telehealth or in the clinic setting (Steth IO, 2020).  This technology can record and track heart and lung sounds live or be kept for a later time then be sent to the doctor to be assessed (Steth IO, 2020). The doctor may buy an adaptive case that can be used for either an iPhone or Android and downloads the application to transform their phone into a stethoscope that will visually show what heart and lungs sounds are occurring (Primary Care Innovation Lab [PCI Lab], 2020). The technology is FDA approved as well (PCI Lab, 2020).

There is great information about the founder who started working on the prototype as a teenager and commercially debuted it in 2018. The article written about the founder, Suman Mulumudi, is done by Clare McGrane at GeekWire and can be read at https://www.geekwire.com/2018/steth-io-launches-smartphone-based-intelligent-stethoscope-visualizes-patients-heartbeats/.

For in-home care, there are three parts to using or having Steth IO. The patient is prescribed the device that would be placed on the chest to hear heart and lung sounds, called the Spot Device (Steth IO, 2020). The doctor would have the device sent before an appointment and the patient would then register the spot device with their doctor so the doctor can see what is being done and recorded (Steth IO, 2020). The patient would be able to use an application that will need downloaded that again is compatible for the iPhone or Android that will help the patient through any examination with the doctor or for self-assessments (Steth IO, 2020). The third part of this technology is having a patient portal that the patient is able to see and look through past examinations to see their assessments done with this device (Steth IO, 2020).  Billing is either for each visit or can be done as a continuous monthly fee for those that have conditions that need to be assessed and monitored over time (Steth IO, 2020). 

This device is beneficial for the bettering of patient outcomes because it can be used for those that are at home with different and serious medical issues that affect their lungs and heart. They are able to be in an environment that may be less stressful but also allows the doctor to keep track of what is going on with their bodies. There is easier access to monitoring those symptoms over a period of time rather than coming into the office for visits that may be hard to set up. The doctor can also add notes to the exam that has occurred in the application itself for better charting (Steth IO, 2020). Having a way to visualize what sounds are being assessed, can also help the doctor with teaching colleagues or the patient themselves about their health (PCI Lab, 2020). The patient can become a part of their healthcare process.

Not only is that beneficial, but during a pandemic such as COVID-19, this allows for more virtual appointments that have quality information being exchanged. It provides quality information but that information can be uploaded to some electronic medical records which helps with data comprehensiveness so the doctor can treat the patient in a way that is most useful. The way the information is easily accessible to the patient and doctor will improve the delivery of care because the patient will be able to learn and see what is going on with their condition. Technology during this pandemic has been a major influence in how healthcare is being provided and this is an easy and simple way to receive vital information that could impact the course of a patient’s treatment.

References

McGrane, C. (2018, April 24). Steth IO launches smartphone based stethoscope that visualizes heartbeats-invented by teenager. GeekWire. Retrieved October 6, 2020 from https://www.geekwire.com/2018/steth-io-launches-smartphone-based-intelligent-stethoscope-visualizes-patients-heartbeats/.

Primary care Innovation Lab. (2020). Steth IO: A Smartphone Stethoscope. UW Medicine. Retrieved October 6, 2020 from https://depts.washington.edu/fammed/pci-lab/projects/steth-io-a-smartphone-stethoscope/.

Steth IO. (2020). Making Telemedicine More Than a Video Call. Retrieved October 6, 2020 from https://stethio.com/telehealth/.

Reply to this write-up and

GROUPS A, B, and C:  For at least two postings:

1. Conduct your own research on the new or emerging technology discussed in the posting.

2. Identify and explain two issues or concerns related to its implementation and use.