IBM has announced a collaboration with one of the largest healthcare publishers in Latin America to launch dozens of clinical decision support apps to clinicians throughout Central and South America.
IBM and PLM, based in Mexico City, are launching a library of some 35 apps through IBM's MobileFirst app development platform. The MobileFirst portfolio includes IBM Worklight, which was used to standardize the apps across a broad array of mobile devices and operating systems.
IBM executives say mHealth tools could make a significant impact in Central and South America, where chronic diseases are growing about as fast as the adoption of mobile phones and smartphones.
Officials said the apps were developed in just a few weeks and will be available throughout the Spanish-speaking world, offering real-time data on specific treatment areas like cardiology, dermatology, obstetrics and oncology.
“By transforming our products for today’s mobile world, PLM has been able to improve access to timely, accurate information that is critical to our users, no matter what device or platform they use,” Antonio Carrasco, general manager of PLM, said in a press release. “As our business continues to grow, IBM can support our evolving mobile initiatives, including the integration of data analytics to further improve medical decisions across individual practices, hospitals and laboratories every day.”
"In addition to timely access to information and the ability to improve patient outcomes, mobile technology can also lead to new efficiencies for healthcare providers, where cost constraints and funding are still challenges in many in Latin American countries," Carrasco said in a blog posted on IBM's website. "According to PWC, by 2017 the potential of mobile-related healthcare solutions will be significant. In addition to providing millions of citizens’ access to in-country healthcare systems, such solutions will result in a reduction in healthcare spend and an improvement in productivity."
PLM officials said they plan to use IBM's MobileFirst platform in the future to push more analytics resources to clinicians, including alerts about the availability of new medicines based on consulting patterns.
“As healthcare providers increasingly seek greater efficiencies across clinical workflows, mobile and data analytics will continue to create new opportunities for innovation,” added Julio Velázquez, software manager for IBM México, in the press release. “The IBM MobileFirst portfolio is helping organizations like PLM take advantage of new market opportunities, while delivering exceptional value that can improve health outcomes.”
