“Many CIPI members work with data standards—organized sets of principles and specifications that guide how data are managed, represented, and exchanged across different systems,” Dr. de Baca continues. “We want to bring information about pathology-related technologies to an audience that doesn’t think about these things all the time, like we do, in a way that makes the risks and benefits clearer. CIPI Connections is one way to do that.”
As she and her CAP colleagues continue to refine and add to the podcast series, Dr. de Baca is also thinking about how to extend the reach of CIPI Connections. “We’re eager for metrics but following industry standards [for collecting them],” she says. “The podcast will circulate for about a year before we collect listener analytics. In the meantime, we have our eye on download numbers and are pleased to see they’re climbing.”
The committee is also considering the feasibility of adding video to CIPI Connections to make it easier for guests and hosts to communicate complex concepts.
“This is the council on innovation, after all,” says Dr. de Baca. “It’s our mission to look for every possible avenue to improve the quality of life for pathologists and patients. We will continue to try new things and share new ideas in new ways.”
—Brenda Lange
Texas Medical Center and Memorial Hermann enter into innovation partnership
Memorial Hermann Health System, in Southeast Texas, and Houston-based Texas Medical Center are collaborating on the development of innovative health care technologies.
“Through access to the TMC Center for Device Innovation, select Memorial Hermann employees and affiliated physicians interested in product innovation will now have a direct path to translate ideas into working prototypes for solutions that can transform patient care,” TMC reported in a press release.
Mentors from Memorial Hermann and TMC, as well as industry experts in medicine, regulatory strategy, reimbursement planning, and investor readiness, will provide assistance to those using the innovation center. Entrepreneurs working in that space will have access to product innovation and translation strategy, dedicated engineering and machinist resources, and personal workbench space, among other forms of support.
The inaugural group of entrepreneurs working under the collaboration were expected to pitch their innovations early this year.
The partnership will support Memorial Hermann’s innovation hub, which uses a pilot and scale approach, by helping researchers, clinicians, and other staff develop patentable commercially viable products, according to the press release.
Oracle Health secures QHIN designation
The Oracle Health Information Network has been designated a qualified health information network, capable of nationwide health data exchange, under the voluntary Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement.
“Oracle Health remains at the forefront by participating in the nationwide approach to offer secure, smooth, and standardized sharing of health information across all designated QHINs and between providers, payers, and government agencies,” according to an Oracle press statement.
Oracle Health clients can join at no charge by accessing the Oracle Health Connection Hub.
TEFCA is an outgrowth of the 21st Century Cures Act, which required that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services establish an infrastructure model and governing approach for nationwide health information exchange.
Among the other organizations designated as QHINs are Epic, CommonWell Health Alliance, eHealth Exchange, Health Gorilla, Konza, and Kno2.
Gastroenterology group implements Proscia digital pathology platform
New York Gastroenterology Associates, in New York City, has adopted Proscia’s Concentriq artificial intelligence-driven pathology software platform.
“NYGA has implemented Concentriq in its in-house laboratory to support pathologists in delivering timely and accurate results,” according to a press release from Proscia. “Because the platform is used across both laboratories and life sciences organizations, NYGA will also benefit from a shared foundation for seamlessly collaborating with pharmaceutical companies. This will enable the practice to expand its role in research, building on its active participation in clinical trials and studies.”
Proscia, 215-608-5411