GeaCom's Phrazer

If you took stock of T-Mobile USA's activities in mobile health as of a few days ago -- and we did -- you'd notice the mobile operator had little to no mHealth partnerships announced or services supported. This week, however, T-Mobile USA announced two partnerships with healthcare companies where the operator is supporting the services' with connectivity via its data network.

Multi-lingual caregiver device runs on T-Mobile USA's network

GeaCom's handheld multi-lingual device Phrazer, which hopes to break down communication barriers between patients and care providers, will run on T-Mobile USA's network. GeaCom said Phrazer will launch sometime mid-year.

“Medical communication is in a state of failure,” GeaCom COO Chris Butler stated in a company press release. “Phrazer will help eliminate communication barriers, thereby improving efficiency and accuracy and reducing costs. Certainly, having a reliable, widespread wireless network like that of T-Mobile is critical to Phrazer’s success.”

GeaCom's press release points to a a 2003 study that found an average of 31 interpreter errors occur per encounter with limited English proficient patients. Of those errors, 63 percent result in clinical consequences, according to the company.

Phrazer's initial target customers include hospitals, clinics, and urgent care centers at the point of admissions, but GeaCom plans to offer the device to emergency rooms, other medical specialties and first response vehicles, too.

BeClose Network's panic button powered by T-Mobile USA

BeClose offers an aging in place technology service that is backed by "a simple customizable system of unobstrusive, wireless sensors" that help caregivers monitor the daily activities of the resident. BeClose announced this week a deal with T-Mobile USA to power a panic button, which in this case is a two-way voice call initiated with the BeClose 24/7 central station partners, that can alert emergency responders and dispatch them if needed.

The BeClose system can cost as little as $1.50 a day, according to the company's press release.

Interestingly, BeClose's system is based on a research and development partnership with Alarm.com, an in-home wireless monitoring system that serves more than 500,000 homes and businesses nationwide.