In April of 2009 GE and Intel announced a joint research and development effort to help improve the technology in home health care. The two companies plan to invest $250 million dollars on the project over the next five years. Right now GE has already started development on a system that monitors the health of patients in nursing homes. This technology features a system of sensors that are set by the physicians to monitor the patient, and in the event something changes the system will sound an alarm to notify the health professionals. Intel has started development on a two way video monitoring feed. GE and Intel hope to capitalize on these emerging technologies to offer these products for patients in their homes.
As the baby boomers enter retirement there will be a larger segment of the population who will need home monitoring. It is positive to see this substantial investment in health technology. The two companies could ultimately use technology to help lower health care costs, and help to improve the quality of care.
Main Article. US News and World Report. (2009, April 03). Health Buzz, GE, Intel Plan Home-Health Venture and Other Health News. Retrieved April 10, 2009 from. http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/sleep/2009/04/03/health-buzz-ge-intel-plan-home-health-venture-and-other-health-news.html
