Health Care
2015 Leaders in Health Care Awards: Outstanding Delivery of Digital Health Care
By Julia Anderson February 24, 2015
This article originally appeared in the March 2015 issue of Seattle magazine.
WINNER
Carena Inc.
Seattle
Carenas technology-enabled virtual care delivery system allows people to receive medical care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year via telephone, online video or the traditional house call. Carena describes itself as a strategic operating partner, not a software vendor.
Carenas Virtual Clinic employs virtualists and an operations management team. The service, founded in 2000, is designed to cut back on emergency room visits and control costs while putting more buying power and cost management in the hands of patients. Although virtual urgent care is not typically covered by insurance, it is available 24/7 and costs only $35 per visit. Wait times are about 30 minutes or less. Patients can use it for minor complaints such as bladder and sinus infections, rashes, pink eye, colds and flu.
Much like a visit to a clinic or care facility, the patient completes a registration and a request for medical care using interactive software. In the case of a phone call, a service rep assists with registration. The website guides patients through the steps to receive care virtually or assists them in selecting a facility in their network that matches their immediate needs.
SILVER AWARD
Translational Software
Seattle
Translational Software is paving the way for genetic information to be a routine part of clinical care with improved patient outcomes. Its genomics-based testing focuses on a patients ability to metabolize drugs. For many common prescriptions, a simple genetic test can provide significant insight into the likely efficacy or toxicity of a drug.
Translational Softwares powerful Genomic Insight Solution is a cloud-based resource that harnesses the companys proprietary knowledge base, developed from the most current and relevant clinical evidence and coupled with advanced laboratory molecular data. More than 100,000 patients have new insights into the medications that are most appropriate for them. Meanwhile, test results provide health care professionals with a new level of confidence with better patient outcomes.