The Practice Fusion API Challenge!
Practice Fusion is thrilled to be teaming with Health 2.0 and the US Department of Health and Human services to issue a Developer Challenge this summer. This is your chance to use Practice Fusion’s brand new API to plug in patient-driven health data to one of the largest medical communities in the US. The details of Practice Fusion’s API challenge are posted online along with the entry form.
We’ve already received a tidal wave of interest from the health IT community, and with that wave a lot of questions too. So here’s a quick FAQ on the challenge:
What’s the big idea?
There are a lot of fantastic healthcare “apps” on the market today - but no “iPhone.” Practice Fusion has opened up an API to make it easy for patient health data to be streamed in real-time to doctors. We’re inviting the best and brightest health 2.0 developers to plug in to our platform of 43,000 medical providers and 4 million patients. The result should be a major step toward participatory medicine.
What kinds of systems can plug in?
It’s wide open! Patient health data can come from medical devices, mobile apps, social media services, websites and more. We’ve been brainstorming ideas including bluetooth-connected heart rate monitor s, iPhone apps such as Lose it!, laboratory data, online caregiver journals for elderly patients and mood trackers.
What happens next?
The patient-reported health data will come in directly to the physician’s web-based EHR account. There will be a new section of each patient’s chart designed to store and display the records. The doctor will be able to accept or deny the data. If accepted, the records are transmitted in real-time. The development team can also receive the verified patient data back to match it with alerts, patient education, reporting tools, widgets, etc.
Who can enter?
Corporate, independent and academic teams are all welcome.
Can you enter more than once?
Yes, teams can enter multiple connections if desired.
Does Practice Fusion help?
We’ll provide development teams with the API, technical specs and support needed to create the Practice Fusion connection.
How do you win?
Entries have to be sent in before September 8, 2010 and will be judged by a Practice Fusion panel of health IT experts. Bonus points will be awarded for creative and easy data input systems for patients, use of data that delivers serious healthcare value and use of cutting edge technology. The best, most innovative solution wins!
What do you win?
The winning team gets $2,500, tickets to Health Innovation Week events in San Francisco, lunch with the Practice Fusion executive team and a live demo on the main stage of the Health 2.0 conference.
Emily Peters
Director of Communications
Practice Fusion EMR