Caregility and Eko announced today that they entered into a partnership to integrate cloud technology and smart stethoscopes.
The partnership enables seamless integration between Caregility’s cloud platform and Eko’s smart stethoscopes and software. The idea is to allow health providers on Caregility’s iConsult application to perform auscultation (heart, lung, and other body sounds) on patients during a virtual physical exam.
“Our partnership addresses a key component missing from most virtual exams – auscultation. The ability for care teams to easily and accurately assess a patient’s body sounds in real-time will have a meaningful impact on our hybrid care delivery models, including telenursing, telerounding, tele-ICU, and at-home care,” Peter McLain, chief strategy officer and SVP of business development at Caregility, said in a news release. “Eko’s unparalleled digital stethoscope sound quality and waveform visualization software will build clinician confidence, reduce workflow friction, and ultimately improve patient outcomes.”
Eko Connect, Eko’s suite of telehealth application programming interfaces (APIs), now integrates with Caregility Cloud telehealth software. As a result, those using Cargility now have access to live-streaming stethoscope sounds with a real-time phonocardiogram (PCG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) waveform visualization.
The companies said the integration is compatible with Eko’s line of smart stethoscopes, including the CORE digital stethoscope attachment, the 3M Littmann CORE digital stethoscope, and DUO ECG + digital stethoscope.
How will the integration work
During a virtual care session through Caregility’s iConsult platform, care teams can collaborate to perform a complete stethoscope examination on a patient. Users wirelessly connect an Eko stethoscope directly with a Caregility APS telehealth device or tablet with one touch.
The companies say the streamlined workflow eliminates additional complexities and allows the care team to stay within the iConsult application. They can therefore maintain focus on conducting the virtual visit.
“Caregility and Eko share a mission to provide healthcare professionals and institutions with technologies that enable them to give their patients the best care possible, in-person or remote,” said Jason Bellet, Eko co-founder and chief strategy officer. “By marrying our Eko Connect solution with Caregility’s virtual care platform, we’re redefining the virtual physical exam experience for hundreds of health systems, thousands of clinicians, and millions of patients.”