Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Microsoft Unveils H1N1 Swine Flu Response Center

Filed under: Net News , Public Health

Today Microsoft in partnership with Emory University unveiled the H1N1 Flu Response Center to help people experiencing symptoms of sickness to triage themselves, thereby keeping ERs unclogged for those who might really need clinical help. We participated today in a conference call with David Cerino, General Manager, Microsoft Health Solutions Group and Dr. Arthur Kellermann, Professor of Emergency Medicine and Associate Dean at Emory School of Medicine about this free public health service.

The simple website poses a series of questions based on three levels of assessment developed by Emory with guidance from CDC recommendations. Using basic English, that just about anyone can understand and what a primary care physician would be asking, a series of questions is presented. First, the system identifies whether you meet the CDC criteria of flu. And if so, it proceeds to look for symptoms of potentially severe illness, immediately suggesting you to see a doc. If the illness is not severe enough, the questions then try to identify associated risk factors of becoming sick with the flu, finally leading to a recommendation of whether to seek professional help. Currently operational for people 12 years of age and older, the system should be functional to include children in the next few days. Additionally, Microsoft promises to soon include services from TelaDoc, linking patients with real physicians for further assessment of their condition.

Link: Microsoft H1N1 Flu Response Center...

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