Startup Looks To Improve Patient Charting Using Google Glass

San Francisco-based startup Augmedix has raised $17 million to help physicians use Google Glass to create and review patient charts. The investment capital was raised from five US healthcare companies – including Sutter Health, Dignity Health, Catholic Health Initiatives, TriHealth and one other – that represent over 100,000 individual healthcare providers.

“I have spent nearly a decade evaluating and investing in leading health IT companies,” said Kevin Spain, general partner at Emergence Capital. “There are few technology solutions in healthcare that deliver both the level of customer delight and meaningful ROI that Augmedix provides.”

Augmedix is the largest Google Glass startup which allows physicians to access and review patient charts when needed. The tool also creates patient notes in real-time by using a third-party scribe. By removing the computer, the Google Glass program allows for a better physician-patient relationship.

According to estimates made by Augmedix, using the tool can help free-up about 15 hours of a physician’s time per week. This extra time could allow doctors to see up to 25 percent more patients.

“We take our mission to transform healthcare very seriously, and are proud to align our goals and service with some of the most innovative healthcare systems in the country who share our passion,” said Ian Shakil, CEO of Augmedix. “We believe that delivering quality, personalized patient care shouldn’t be at odds with maintaining state-of-the-art electronic health records (EHR) – both are important. With our wearable solution, healthcare organizations have the technology tools necessary to drive EHR efficiencies, enhance services and improve patient care, all at the same time.”

The technology is currently used by hundreds of physicians in nearly every state across the US. Combined, these doctors – which span multiple specialties from primary care to surgeons – see around 5,000 patients every day.

“At Dignity Health, we are committed to developing partnerships that harness the great potential of technology and apply it in ways that help patients and providers make better day-to-day decisions about care,” said Dr. Davin Lundquist, chief medical information officer, Dignity Health. “The use of Google Glass and Augmedix allows our doctors to spend more time with patients by eliminating the distraction of entering information into a patient’s electronic medical record on the computer. This enables our healthcare providers to give more focused attention to our patients and results in a better patient experience.”