For the second year in a row, a trio of projects from the Center for Health Care Innovation were chosen to receive Clinical Care Innovation Grants from Independence Blue Cross. Each project will receive up to $200,000 toward expanding its work.

The healthcare community has always had an innovative mindset, in part because of its research-based roots. There is a constant search for new ways to protect our well-being and speed the healing process. Its interests lie in both prevention and renewal, and best practices have continuously evolved to reflect key learnings in the field. This is true of medical techniques as well as clinical technologies. However, it has been difficult to define “success” or measure progress the past two years given the brisk pace of change spurred by the pandemic.

Cerner announces the launch of a new operating unit, Cerner Enviza, that offers data-driven solutions and research services to help bring clarity to multi-dimensional data through real-world evidence and insights.

Amazon announced two new solutions as part of Alexa Smart Properties that will enable senior living and healthcare providers to integrate Alexa into their properties and empower residents and patients to stay connected, informed and entertained, just by asking Alexa.

Vault Health published a white paper detailing one of its first active clinical trials. The Live BASIC Trial is studying whether a combination of specific probiotics can help increase immune protection against COVID-19. The pilot clinical trial is being done in partnership with Rutgers University, which Vault has worked with throughout the course of the pandemic through its national COVID testing efforts.

Vocera Communications announced that Royal Stoke University Hospital (part of University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust in the UK) deployed the Vocera Badge across its emergency department to streamline communication and collaboration among team members, enabling better patient flow, care and safety.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched a Spanish version of its QuestionBuilder app, which can help Latino patients prepare for their in-person or telehealth appointments. The HHS Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) built QuestionBuilder en Español, which is being released during Hispanic Heritage Month and Health Literacy Month, to improve health care access and equity for Latinos. Latinos have among the highest uninsured rate of any racial or ethnic group within the United States.