HME News TV: Bryan Sowards

If there's an HME market in which technology makes sense, it's diabetes, says Bryan Sowards, CEO of Infopia USA.

From increased efficiencies to improved patient compliance, providers can use technology to leverage themselves against reimbursement cuts and audits; control inventory; and improve patient care, Sowards said in a recent HME News TV interview.

"Technology gives suppliers the ability to look at which patients need what products in a timely manner," he said. "It enables them to track utilization rates. Having a central repository which tracks all of the test strips and outcomes and usage would certainly put them in a better position in case of an audit."

When it comes to helping patients meet their health care goals, Sowards expects the technology focus to shift from equipment like meters--products on the market now offer readings in three seconds and sample sizes of .3mL--toward greater accuracy and "connectivity," he said.

"There's a big push in the industry to have diagnostic devices in the home that can then communicate (electronically) and upload those test results to some type of central repository," said Sowards. "Based on certain parameters and thresholds you put in place, the server could alert nurses or DMEs or family members in cases where there's abnormalities in the reports. You can try and make that patient a healthier patient with diabetes."

To watch the interview, go to www.hmenews.com/video.php.