Cerner announced it will link a patient app to the Apple Watch, pushing data from Apple's research app HealthKit into its EHR system.
The introduction of the app, which will launch April 24, follows an announcement that the Kansas City, Mo.-based Cerner will incorporate patient-generated data into its EHR from wearable technology such as smartwatches through Durham, N.C.-based Validic. The new app, HealtheLife, allows patients to manage their health records from their Apple Watch and sends push notification reminders to patients to track health data, according to a news release.
Emory Healthcare in Atlanta and Agnesian Healthcare in Font du Lac, Wis., will be the first two health systems to roll out the new app. Emory will receive information from its patients through HealthKit, and Agnesian will provide patients with their own sets of devices that communicate through the watch, including a blood pressure monitor, glucose meter and scale, according to the news release.
Cerner is part of the wave of EHR vendors integrating their EHRs with information from patient-owned wearables. Westborough, Mass.-based eClinicalWorks recently announced its integration of patient-generated data from wearables through its subsidiary healow, and Westwood, Mass.-based MEDITECH inked a similar agreement, also with Validic. New York City-based startup Mana Health has also jumped in as a middle-man, linking EHRs with patient-generated data through an application program interface.
Although it is not explicitly included in CMS' proposed rule for meaningful use stage 3, there is talk in the industry that providers may be required to incorporate patient-generated data into their medical record systems.