The Veterans Administration Center in Oklahoma City recently became the first commercial installation site for an emerging biotech firm that specializes in Internet digital disease detection and tracking. The VA center is test-driving the biotech Internet offerings of Inoveon Advanced Diabetic Retinopathy Evaluation Service.
The service allows the hospital to identify patients at risk of having diabetic retinopathy, the leading cause of preventable blindness in the U.S. Inoveon places a digital retinal camera in the doctor's office.
Less than 40% of those who need an annual retinal exam go to a specialist for the analysis. Many wait until their retinal disease irreversibly progresses leading to unnecessary blindness, which affects approximately 40,000 diabetics each year.
The Inoveon service is located in the Primary Care Clinic location of the VA center. Within 48 hours of taking retinal images from diabetic patients the service follows up with physicians via the Internet providing recommendations for retinal specialist referrals when necessary.
Biotech services like Inoveon represent a hot emerging partnership area for hospitals to consider for cross-promotions. More information about biotech marketing opportunities is offered in the cover story of this issue.
(Inoveon, Jane Braden, 405/715-3232)