Cerner and Athenahealth working to integrate with Apple’s HealthKit

Cerner and Athenahealth working to integrate with Apple's HealthKit

Leading U.S. electronic health record providers Cerner and Athenahealth are working with Apple to develop apps that leverage the HealthKit platform.

The duo was preceded by Epic System, which has been working with Cupertino-based company from the day one.

Both Athenahealth and Cerner have developed mobile apps targeted at patients, and will soon launch updated versions that sing along HealthKit.

Apple’s HealthKit gathers data from various apps and devices, including blood pressure cuffs, accelerometers, fitness trackers and glucose measurement systems, making it easier for doctors to view all information in one place.

A number of hospitals have already expressed their interest to work with Apple’s HealthKit platform.A number of hospitals have already expressed their interest to work with Apple’s HealthKit platform, and Cerner, Epic and Athenahealth are central to these plans, as the patient-generated data is ultimately stored in the electronic health record.

Commenting on the news, Athenahealth’s vice president Abbe Don said the company will use HealthKit to help patients with chronic conditions like diabetes. Initially, they plan to test a “proof of concept” application with one client, Hudson Headwaters Health Network, which is a non-profit health center based in New York.

Meanwhile, Cerner’s senior director Brian Carter said care teams will be able to access data from HealthKit with patients’ consent. He also noted that they will work closely with “focused smaller organizations” to prove the value of the service. The initial integration will focus on wellness and preventing the onset of chronic conditions.

[Via: Reuters]