TECHdotMN: News about Minnesota Startups

mRemedy was born late 2009 in Rochester, but it wasn’t until this year that it has really began to stand on its own.

A down south conception between mobile app developer DoApp and the renowned Mayo Clinic, mRemedy has matured from a single mobile app into a B2B suite of functionality for healthcare providers seeking to optimize their patient outcomes by leveraging iOS and Android devices.

“A major problem with healthcare today is that 90% of health care costs come from 15% of patients with chronic conditions such as heart disease, obesity and diabetes,” states mRemedy’s Patrick Smith. “To that extent, the myTality platform is cost effective toolbox that can help address these widespread issues in a preventative nature.”

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By Arundhati Parmar, MedCity News

“Telemedicine and mobile health’s popularity and efficacy have spurred a plethora of innovations, not the least of which is the online diagnosis of common ailments.

One integrated health system in Minnesota, which functions both as a healthcare provider and insurer, has witnessed growing popularity of its e-diagnosis system. Called Virtuwell, the online service of HealthPartners has treated around 22,00o patients since its launch in October 2010, said Kevin Palattao, the service’s vice president.”

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By Frank Jossi, Finance & Commerce

“When Minneapolis-based Refactr began hiring employees in 2010, it contacted a private health exchange called Bloom Health.

While the software development business had used a small group health plan, it liked Bloom Health’s model, which allows employees to select from different plans based on their needs.”

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Relevant: Minnesota ‘Health Insurance Exchange’ funding tops $30m

There is no shortage of iPhone apps that relate to the consumption of alcohol, but the latest to hit the market is going against the grain.

Internationally recognized Minnesota-based nonprofit Hazelden recently launched the “Field Guide to Life” app for more than 20 million Americans in recovery and trying to stay sober.

It offers alcoholics and addicts in recovery an array of digital tools and mobile support connected to core recovery principles, helping them evolve in their sobriety using the iPhone, iPad, or iPod. Users progress through the 12 stages of early recovery over the course of a year and interact with features including: daily guidance and inspiration, weekly challenges, progress tracking tools, meeting finder and relapse prevention awareness.

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Via News Release

“MINNEAPOLIS—January 13 , 2012—7 Medical Systems, LLC, a leader in on‐demand digital imaging, electronic medical records (EMR) and revenue cycle management (RCM) solutions for healthcare, today announced the closing of its acquisition of Manager Consultoria em Informatica LTDA EPP. (“Manager Systems®”), a health informatics company providing practice management, EMR, radiology information systems (RIS) and picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) to hospitals and clinics in Brazil.”

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By Arundhati Parmar, MedCity News

“A mobile health startup wants to help providers get a better handle on patient satisfaction and they find good reception given the advent of Accountable Care Organizations and other elements of healthcare reform.

Healthy Heartland Inc. has created CareWire, a text-messaging service by which patients can rate their satisfaction following an appointment on a scale of 0 to 10. After patients have completed their appointment, CareWire can send a text message on behalf of the provider to the patient asking that they rate their experience on a scale of 0 to 10, with 10 being very positive.”

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Via News Release

“STILWELL, Kan., Jan. 9, 2011 – Ascend Learning, a leading provider of technology-based educational solutions for healthcare and other vocational industries, has acquired Advanced Informatics, a software company helping healthcare education programs more efficiently manage the clinical education experience of their students.

The deal is part of Ascend’s overall growth plan, which emphasizes strong, organic growth of its current business units and selective, strategic acquisitions. “

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Via News Release

“…UnitedHealth Group has announced strategic partnerships with three health technology companies that offer mobile products and services designed to help improve consumers’ health and well-being.

UnitedHealth Group’s new business partners — CareSpeak Communications (NJ), Lose It! (MA) and Fitbit (CA) — help simplify the consumer health care experience by making relevant, practical information easier to access by using consumer-friendly technology devices such as smartphones and other mobile devices.”

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By Arundhati Parmar, MedCity News

“People eager to tackle obesity or just maintain a healthy lifestyle may soon have another tool to help them achieve their goals. MetaLogics Corp, a Minnesota company, is building a calorie monitor that it claims is the “only wearable device that directly measures the calories your body burns without relying on guesses or estimates.”

In late December the company raised $70,000 of the $200,000 it is seeking.The MetaLogics Personal Calorie Monitor is worn on the upper arm. It uses a patented technology used in metabolics research to measure the four kinds of heat generated by the body – radiant, conductive, evaporative and convective.”

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