Small-practice cloud company announces Apple Watch app
Last month at HIMSS, a healthy handful of mHealth vendors and providers talked about Apple Watch apps that they’re now either developing or already distributing. The lineup included Doximity, Cerner, Epic, the Mayo Clinic, Vocera, Anthem (with CareEvolution), Medisafe, HealthTap and Athenahealth, according to HIMSS Media. This week another player entered the arena.
Kareo, the Irvine, Calif.-based supplier of cloud-based medical software aimed squarely at the small-practice niche, said its offering will help independent docs manage their schedules, communicate with their patients and prepare for upcoming appointments.
According to the company’s product announcement, Kareo’s Apple Watch app includes functionality for secure messaging, “running late” notifications to staff and quick overviews of basic practice metrics such as how many patients are scheduled throughout the day, how many patients are waiting to be seen, and which patients are currently waiting in an exam room.
“Independent physicians need new tools to grow strong, patient-centered practices,” said Dan Rodrigues, Kareo’s founder and CEO.
The company said the app will be available for download on the Apple Watch App Store at the end of May.
The Apple Watch has been on sale online since late April and is expected to hit brick-and-mortar store shelves in June.
Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.