Top 10 Healthcare Mobile Apps Among Hospital, Health Systems

Providers are adopting the use of mHealth in the form of mobile apps in their pursuit of easing clinical communication between providers and patients as well as improve the management of hospital workflows.

Mobile apps allow providers to effectively streamline communication between patients, providers, and their caregivers and allows for 24/7 management of a patient’s condition along with the ability to personalize healthcare per patient.

Apps provide organizational incentives for adoption such as reduced costs in workflow management. Providers leverage mobiles apps as a secure platform to manage and access important healthcare data without compromising the security of data.

The top 10 healthcare mobile app vendors includes interoperable platforms, secure two-way messaging, and patient-provider interactivity based on data gathered from Definitive Healthcare. Apps and vendors are listed in alphabetical order.

AirStrip, AirStripOB/Cardiology

AirStrip offers a mobile, interoperable platform that allows care coordination between multiple devices and multiple care settings. Data from an electronic health records, health information exchanges, medical devices, and other monitoring solutions can be accessed between smartphones, tablets, and computers from hospitals, post-acute care centers, and community-based care organizations. The AirStrip platform gives providers a tool to compact all this data into one platform that can be accessed via telemedicine, and integrates with other vendor systems.   

Aetna, ITriage

This patient-facing mobile app allows patients to directly find information on their health conditions and gives them step-by-step guidance to treat conditions in the most effective way possible. ITriage gives patient directions on whether their conditions require a visit to the emergency room, turn-by-turn navigation to the appropriate provider, and a map of facilities in their Innovation Health insurance network. The app allows patients to review previous claims and securely store health information. ITriage is free to download for patients covered by Innovation Health under Aetna.

Cerner, CareAware Connect

CareAware Connect offers providers a mobile solution to complete workflows and manage clinical communications on a single device. Multiple teams — from care teams to ancillary staff — can collaborate and communicate for the purpose of improving care coordination. Users can also view patient data from a list that includes vitals, measurements, allergies, and orders on medication and care services. CareAware can be used with bar codes to manage medication administration and similar tools to associate patients in a mobile directory.

DSS Inc.

DSS Inc. gives providers a suite of EHR-based mobile features that enhance care coordination, patient care and safety, and provides interoperable workflows aimed at reducing administrative costs. DSS provides both clinical and administrative tools that range from emergency room and home health mobile care management to automatic billing systems and scheduling tools. Recently, DSS was awarded the Faster Care for Veterans Pilot Contract for a mobile scheduling tool veterans can use from a PC or any mobile device.

Epic Systems, MyChart Mobile

Patients can download the MyChart on either the App Store or Google Play to access health data from previous in-office visits to providers. Viewable data includes test results, immunizations, medication, and health conditions indicated by a provider. MyChart also allows a patient to confirm appointments, pay their healthcare bills, and upload patient-generated data such as fitness metrics from a wearable health device. Through the app, patients can directly message their providers and confirm/schedule appointments.

GetWellNetwork, Marbella

Through the Marbella platform providers, nurses, and other caregivers within a health system can use their smartphone to manage patient rounding. Marbella can be used to specify patient data collection outside of general roundings, including safety and quality audits. The app integrates with other vendor systems and offers users real-time alerts and tracking to mitigate manual follow-ups. Marbella can be used in clinics, hospitals, and waiting rooms on any mobile device.

MEDITECH, Ambulatory EHR

Ambulatory EHR allows providers to access complete web charts, giving them instant access to patient records across healthcare organizations on a single mobile device. Providers can tap on a patient’s record to view test results, order prescriptions, schedule appointments and procedures, and note the progress of health conditions. Another part of the Ambulatory EHR platform includes population management tools that help identify at-risk patients.

PatientKeeper

The mobile app edition of the PatientKeeper Computerized Patient Order Entry (CPOE) system allows providers to order labs, radiology, medications, and similar services for their patients across all hospital departments. Catalogues for procedures and medications are kept in the mobile CPOE, so providers aren’t required to rebuild lists for new patients. Providers also can “favorite” procedures and medications that are recurring for patients, as a way to save time. For hospitals, PatientKeeper acts as an alternative to telephone orders that may cause organizational inefficiencies and allows providers to keep track of allergies, test results, patient vitals, and related health data.

PatientSafe, PatientTouch System

PatientTouch is a provider- and executive-facing mobile app that connects clinical communication with enterprise management. Providers use the app to connect departments and other parts of the care continuum. Care teams use the app to connect clinical workflows, clinical communication, and coordinated care under an umbrella to improve care efficiency. PatientTouch also comes with an enterprise software that centralizes the assignments of all users, roles, and groups in a health system. Also included is an analytics dashboard that tracks user adoption, aggregated data, and high-risk patient populations.

Spok, Spok Mobile

The Spok mobile app gives providers a unified place to coordinate clinical care and improve clinical communication. Spok updates providers with “delivered/read” messaging from several different devices. Providers can also organize messaging by priority, and securely message members of the care team. Other features of the Spok app include integration with current EHR systems, provider preferences for certain procedures or care responsibilities, and hospital-wide scheduling. Providers can access the app from their preferred devices such as smartphones or watches.