We’ve done the research: Check out our top picks for telehealth video plug-ins!

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In building a viable telehealth solution, there are a number of key aspects that must seamlessly combine to create a robust clinical workflow. Among these crucial features are scheduling apps, virtual waiting rooms, clinical charting, audio recording and of course, video conferencing plug-ins. To provide you with some up-to-date and relevant information in the digital health space, we’ve gone ahead and reviewed some of the top telehealth video plug-ins on the market today. Take a look below and let us know what you think!

TokBox (San Francisco, CA)

Website: www.tokbox.com

Previously backed by Bain Capital Ventures and Sequoia Capital, TokBox develops and operates an API Platform, OpenTok, which enables users to add group video chat features to websites or mobile applications. TokBox’s industry leading Video API makes it easy to embed sophisticated and scalable video communications to facilitate consultations, team collaborations and more. From a telehealth standpoint, OpenTok helps healthcare professionals stay connected with patients in a timely fashion. The OpenTok platform can be directly integrated into a new or existing telehealth service and has been known to increase workflow efficiencies among customers. And speaking of customers, TokBox’s telehealth loyalty base includes personal health service Babylon, 2nd.MD and Net Medical Xpress.

Vidyo (Hackensack, NJ)

Website: www.vidyo.com

A venture funded company providing both software-based technology and product-based visual communication solutions, Vidyo offers a leading platform for high-definition video conferencing. Telehealth solutions powered by Vidyo have proven critical both in areas where doctors are in short supply and for routine checkups between healthcare professionals and patients. Expanding across specialties including primary care, teleneurology surgery and critical care, Vidyo’s video collaboration platform is currently integrated with REACH Health, American Well, HealthSpot and California Telehealth Network.

Polycom (San Jose, CA)

Website: www.polycom.com

With more than 400,000 clients nationwide, Polycom provides a unified video communication solution that increases productivity across the telehealth sector. Since 1990, Polycom has established its presence as a reliable video conferencing provider in the areas of education, financial services, government, entertainment, healthcare and more. Collaborative healthcare solutions via Polycom enable organizations to improve care, reduce cost and work together despite physical barriers. Armed with an impressive customer base in the healthcare realm, Polycom currently works with organizations including Clinicians Telemed–California’s largest multi-specialty telemedicine provider–, telepsychiatry-focused Gosnold on Cape Cod and Greater Midlands Cancer Network.

Tely Labs (Redwood City, CA)

Website: www.tely.com

Founded in 2010, Tely Labs has created telyHD, a video calling system that delivers high-definition Skype video-calling to the conference room, healthcare facility and more. With its ease-of-use and security features, telyHD is well-suited for healthcare providers in their endeavors to treat patients in cost-effective ways. The aging American population is currently a major target for Tely Labs–providers can utilize telyHD to remotely diagnose patients, provide ongoing outpatient care and subsequently reduce hospital readmission rates significantly. Current Tely Labs customers include Hospice of the Western Reserve, Cleveland Clinic and St. Croix Hospice.

For more information on each of these hip and happenin’ video consultation plug-ins, we recommend checking out the company websites listed above (case studies, industry news, etc.)!

And don’t forget–once you make your video plug-in selection, DoseSpot is here to tackle the e-Prescribing portion of your telehealth product. We provide a full e-Prescribing API that is easily integratable with any and all healthcare software applications and give you the ability to leverage valuable data including prescription history, medication lists, allergies and more! Download our Tool Kit today to get the full scoop.

About DoseSpot 
DoseSpot is a Surescripts certified e-Prescribing platform specifically designed to integrate with electronic health record, electronic dental record, practice management and telehealth software. DoseSpot is certified to e-Prescribe controlled substances and has provided simple, affordable and integratable e-Prescribing solutions to healthcare IT companies since 2009. For more information, please visit http://www.DoseSpot.com.

“Stuck in the 70’s:” Modern Medicine, the FDA and Medical Device Legislation

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Will Congressional bills slated for 2015 review finally bring medical device regulation into the 21st Century?

The year was 1976. Apple was founded, bell bottoms were in, Jimmy Carter was elected President and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began its first regulatory measures on medical devices.  The notion of “tech-savvy” Americans had not yet come to fruition, nor had the ubiquity of iPhones and tablets—in fact, no consumer would have known what to do with such a device during this era. Today, increasing numbers of hand-held devices allow us to connect with providers, manage and track medications and organization medical records. In 2013 alone, the Apple Store reported 97,000 mobile health apps in use and over 60% of physicians were using tablets. With these solid numbers marked in the medical sphere, why is the FDA still stuck in 1976?

In a recent article released by Forbes Magazine, John Graham illuminates the FDA’s continued regulation of novel, cutting-edge medical devices under outdated amendments and what this antiquated authority means for new health tools. According to the FDA’s original amendments, a medical device is an “instrument, apparatus, implement, machine…or related article, including any component, part or accessory…” Technologies of the 21^st century, namely smartphones, smartwatches and tablets, don’t seem to fit within this definition in any regard.

Despite the amendments’ verbose restrictions, the FDA has informed patients and providers alike on how it intends to regulate new technologies. With the final guidance for medical mobile apps passed in 2013, the FDA intends to focus its regulatory oversight on only a subset of mobile medical apps that present a risk to patients if they do not work as intended. In the final guidance, the FDA defined the term “mobile medical app” and Congress defined the technologies subject to FDA regulation.

While it appears the FDA is making strides in the right direction, many find its law-related verbiage unsettling. Early-stage startups remain weary over the FDA’s “enforcement discretion,” which includes the self-perceived ability to withhold smartphones, tablets and more. After much discussion at last week’s mHealth Summit in Washington, DC, the consensus is this: the FDA cannot be expected to generate consistent regulatory standards without appropriate legislation. Fortunately for the medical sphere, this may be resolved in the next Congress with the following propositions:

MEDTECH Act: would legislate that electronic health records (EHRs) and other technologies that only store and communicate information are exempt from FDA regulation.

SOFTWARE Act: would define the term “medical software” as software distributed directly to consumers and not integrated with a drug or device but includes the use of a drug or device. Such software would be subject to FDA regulation. The bill also includes the terms “clinical software” (used by medical professionals) and “health software” (used by consumers to store and communicate data but doesn’t include the use of a device). Both clinical and health software would not be subject to regulation.

SOURCE: Forbes Magazine

For more information on the FDA, legislation and the future of U.S. health innovation, click here!

About DoseSpot 
DoseSpot is a Surescripts certified e-Prescribing platform specifically designed to integrate with electronic health record, electronic dental record, practice management and telehealth software. DoseSpot is certified to e-Prescribe controlled substances and has provided simple, affordable and integratable e-Prescribing solutions to healthcare IT companies since 2009. For more information, please visit www.DoseSpot.com.