Trials set to begin for Apple's HealthKit

Sep 15 2014, 08:56 ET | About: Apple Inc. (AAPL) | By: Douglas W. House, SA News Editor 

• Doctors at Stanford U. are set to begin an evaluation of Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) HealthKit in the management of patients with diabetes. The goal is the improve the sharing of data between patients and physicians. HealthKit will provide a critical link between monitoring devices, frequently used at home, and medical information services relied upon by doctors.
• Initially, two young diabetes patients will each be sent home with an iPod touch to monitor their blood sugar levels between visits to the doctor. Their blood monitoring equipment (DexCom is currently negotiating with Apple, Stanford and the FDA about integrating with HealthKit) measures glucose levels every five minutes via a tiny sensor inserted under the skin in the abdominal area. It then sends the data to DexCom's mobile iPhone app which can then be uploaded into charting software for viewing by clinicians.
• Duke University is developing a similar pilot program to monitor blood pressure and other vitals for patients with cancer or heart disease.
• The trials will be expanded rapidly if there are no significant problems.