GE bets on EMR in the cloud: GE sees a future in web-based electronic medical records for private practice with the introduction of the cloud-based Centricity Advance EMR. GE seems to be putting their medical IT reputation on the line by branding the new EMR in the Centricity product family, which is already widely used by several large academic medical centers. Enough complaints from the small practice sector or larger medical centers could impact the global company’s sales of the product. 
Easy and cheap eye tests on your cell phone: Researchers at MIT developed a method of using a basic cellphone coupled with a cheap plastic device with a simple lens. Clipped onto the phone’s screen, the device enables an application on the phone to estimate refractive errors and focal ranges of eyes. Because of the device’s simplicity and the ubiquity of mobile phones, eye exams may become available to a global population at little to no cost.
Microsoft unveils medical query features for Bing: Microsoft beefed up the medical information results for its Bing search engine. When providing web query results for drugs, conditions and information on medical tests, Bing now provides users with a box containing basic information and links to more data from reputable institutions such as Mayo Clinic, NIH and medical associations.
New mobile app for implant surgery scheduling and inventory management: InVivoLink of Nashville, Tenn., released an app across the major mobile platforms, including the iPad, that streamlines medical device reps’ routines. The system helps reps automate the supply line and schedule procedures allowing them to skip making calls and manually managing the delivery of devices.
Find an ER with MGH app for iPhone: Mass. General Hospital launched an emergency room finder for Apple’s iPhone. MGH’s Emergency Medicine Network developed the program, called “findER,” which uses the iPhone’s GPS capabilities and a database of 5,000 ERs to locate the nearest emergency care facility. The application is free on iPhone’s app store. 
A weekly roundup of new developments in wireless medical technology and mHealth, by MedGadget.com.
