BOSTON—Without exception, all successful implementations are due to the people involved understanding that it’s not about the technology, said Jonathan Shankman, vice president of analytics for AMC Health, speaking during the mHealth + Telehealth World Congress 2013. “It’s about actual information and getting that information in front of clinical eyes so something can be done with it. Too many people forget about that last piece.”

BOSTON—The Center for Connected Health at Partners Healthcare in Boston is an embedded innovation group dedicated to moving care beyond the hospital, explained director Joseph Kvedar, MD, speaking during a panel discussion on the urgency for connected health at the mHealth +Telehealth World Congress 2013.

The focus is on mobile health this week with a market report heralding coming growth and coverage from the mHealth + Telehealth World Congress held in Boston this week. Look for much more coverage from the meeting in next week’s news.

ARLINGTON, Va., July 25, 2013 -- Surescripts, the nation's largest health information network, has expanded its reach by enabling five additional health technology vendors to offer clinical messaging capabilities to their users.  Surescripts' Basic Messaging and Communications product for clinical interoperability will now be offered to all users of Inofile, Greenway, SCI Solutions and Vitera.  SOAPware users will be able to communicate with users on the Surescripts network using a HISP-to-HISP connection. These enhanced capabilities will allow care providers to seamlessly communicate and share important clinical information through a secure and integrated messaging service powered by the Surescripts network.

Expect an explosion in the mobile health market, according to a new market report on the field. Mobile Health Trends and Figures 2013-2017 maps out the future development of the mHealth applications market, highlighting 10 key trends that will shape the mHealth market until 2017.

BOSTON—Philip Fasano, executive vice president and CIO of Kaiser Permanente, shared the organization’s mobile health strategy during a session at the mHealth + Telehealth World Congress 2013 on July 24.

BOSTON—Walgreens is actively pursuing mobile health as part of the continuum of consumer engagement with impressive results, according to Abhi Dhar, chief technology officer, eCommerce, who spoke during the mHealth + Telehealth World Congress 2013.

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT has released a report updating its progress on five goals outlined in its Federal Health IT Strategic Plan 2011-2015, which was published in March 2011 by the previous national coordinator, David Blumenthal.