Innovation: Quietly working behind the scenes...

A group of health care, technology, and medical device companies have formed an organization called the Continua Health Alliance.

While perhaps far from the glamorous world iPod nanos and self-parking Merzedes Benz', Continua is developing interoperability standards for remote diagnostic and monitoring medical devices. With players such as Baxter, Dell, Oracle, Motorola, Pfizer, Samsung and others - its a complete "who's who" of the technology and medical worlds - finally coming together to meet the lifestyle needs of patients throughout the world.

Still not excited?

Well the first devices are set to reach the market in 2008...with a flurry of activity expected in 2010 and 2011. Philips is already out with Motiva.

Still not worried (if you're a provider)?

Imagine a world where there are half as many physician visits (given check-ups will be growingly unnecessary) and visits to the hospital only occur when they're absolutely necessary (given the device will alert you when to go to).

On the other hand...

I wonder how many people are avoiding going to both the physician and hospital when they are desperately in need of help? Perhaps remote monitoring will have the opposite effect - generating more and more business as people realize how unhealthy they really are.

Certainly the obesity epidemic would support the above hypothesis.

Either way you slice it, it's a great time to be in Health Care.

P.S. Only costs 5k for your organization to be a contributing member of Continua...may have to put that on my to do list.