Uproar over Google’s deal with Ascension has many concerned about patient data privacy and BigTech.

Less noticed by privacy advocates was Google’s recently awarded patent for monitoring and reporting household activities in a smart home.

Home alone? Not eating dinner as a family? Worried about mischievous children, inattentive babysitters, teen substance abuse or an elderly parent’s health issues? All might be monitored and reported on through Google’s policy-enabled smart home.

I encourage you to read the patent in detail.

At this week’s Invest:NYC, a top investor declared the “death of blockchain.” He cited the ICO bust, failure of top projects to deliver against expectations, and business model changes by R3 and Digital Asset as evidence.

In contrast, Novartis today announced a 2020 ramp up of its blockchain programs. The Swiss giant will target costly administrative processes. It also revealed plans to lead a blockchain healthcare consortium as part of the Innovative Medicines Initiative. So far, 28 entities are on board, including 11 pharmaceutical companies.

From news of ground-breaking remote surgeries to surging global sales and big M&A deals, it’s clear robotic surgery’s exploding.

Soon you might see a robot next to you in hospital elevators. Thyssen Krupp is piloting robots that make deliveries to and from pharmacies, labs, blood banks, nurse stations, waiting rooms, patient rooms, administrative offices and gift shops.

A new study shows real-world evidence drawn from unstructured clinical notes was more accurate in algorithmic prediction of coronary artery disease than structured data.

CVS is experimenting with text messages and wearables to improve patient adherence to therapeutic regimens involving high-cost specialty drugs.

In this TED Talk, Tim Ferris makes the case for “fear-setting.” He wants us to fully envision and write down our fears to separate what’s within and outside our control as a practice for thriving amidst high-stress.

Have a great weekend.

Susan

@susan_ramonat

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