Blog - Peter Killcommons, MD - Weebly

ATA 2020 Hosted Virtually and Recordings Now Available

11/3/2020

The chief executive officer of Medweb in San Francisco, Peter “Pete” Killcommons, MD, has undertaken numerous medical mission trips, including traveling to Cabo Verde, Africa, to further telemedicine use there. Dr. Peter Killcommons is a member of professional organizations such as the American Telemedicine Association (ATA).

Founded to advance telehealth, ATA wants every person to receive necessary healthcare and believes that telemedicine and virtual care play a critical role in that process. Each year, the association hosts its annual conference to bring together professionals from around the world to dialogue about its mission.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, ATA hosted its 2020 meeting, scheduled for June 22-26, through a virtual platform. Those interested in learning more about ATA 2020 can obtain access to the conference recordings for a year following the event through the association's website.

Titled “Moving at the Speed of Innovation: Accelerating Telehealth Adoption,” ATA 2020 covered topics such as how to improve the healthcare system in preparation for future health crises and innovation on virtual healthcare from an employer's perspective. To listen to these and other recordings, visit www.americantelemed.org.

Power from the Sun - Three Types of Solar Cells

10/26/2020

As the chief executive officer of Medweb since 1992, Peter (Pete) Killcommons invented a process of viewing radiology results through the Internet. Peter Killcommons has several outside interests, such as the uses of photovoltaic or solar cells.

The process of converting photons from sunlight into electricity was pioneered in 1954 by Bell Laboratories. Over the years the technology has matured, with photovoltaic solar power now meeting a growing portion of the nation’s electricity needs. The devices can be classified into three types, depending on the materials from which they are made:

- Silicon. Most solar power installations use this element. The efficiency of silicon-based cells is matched by their cost-effectiveness, and they are massively deployed on rooftops or freestanding energy racks.

- Thin-film. Also in frequent use are thin sheets of semiconductor material, such as gallium diselenide. In layers only millionths of meters thick, thin-film technology is highly portable - for instance, it can provide power from a soldier’s backpack. Manufacturing these panels requires less energy than other methods and is easily scalable.

- III-V. This designation refers to the elements these panels consist of, Group III (indium or gallium) and Group V (arsenic and antimony). Offsetting their steep manufacturing costs is greater efficiency - the percentage of solar energy that is turned into usable electricity. They are most suitable for unmanned aerial vehicles and satellites, which need maximum energy in relation to weight.

Scientists and engineers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) are working on solar cells powered by organic and hybrid organic-inorganic materials. They are also striving to make the technology more durable and to integrate more easily with other energy sources.

Telemedicine Is a Viable Health Care Solution in Africa

10/19/2020

MEDWEB chief executive officer Dr. Peter “Pete” Killcommons has traveled throughout the world to promote the benefits of telemedicine and other medical technologies. Dr. Peter Killcommons has previously toured the West African island nation Cape Verde to support the country’s telemedicine infrastructure.

Cape Verde first introduced telemedicine services to its health care system in 2012. As a result, Cape Verdeans have enjoyed facilitated access to specialized treatment. Telemedicine services have also improved the ability of medical students and health care providers to engage in distance learning. The success of telemedicine in Cape Verde has a high potential for replication throughout the African continent.

By 2025, nearly 90 percent of Africans are expected to have access to smart devices and an Internet connection. Since this is all that is needed to receive telemedicine services, telemedicine can greatly expand health care access for millions of people in rural or remote areas. Telemedicine also improves the entire health care experience, as medical providers can more easily check in with patients who may otherwise face logistical obstacles to attending appointments.

APOA Launches Online Skills Review for Pilots

10/9/2020

As the CEO of Medweb, which he founded in 1992, Dr. Peter "Pete" Killcommons is responsible for running its emergency response, telemedicine, and radiology operations. Dr. Peter Killcommons is also a member of the American Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), which works to improve piloting standards across the country.

The association has begun a series of webinars designed to help pilots develop and maintain their skills during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has grounded many flights across the country. The series, which launched on April 16, is hosted by AOPA You Can Fly member Keith West, alongside senior director of flight training Pablo Maurelia and flight training education senior director Chris Moser.

Each installment of the webinar series focuses on how pilots can enhance their flight skills while at home, with this including the use of flight simulators. Each episode also encourages AOPA members to ask questions regarding topics that interest them most, while also highlighting how to build confidence when using radio communications.

Undergraduate Research Goes Online at Hawaii’s Chaminade University

10/1/2020

An expert in remote-access radiology, Peter “Pete” Killcommons heads Medweb in San Francisco, California. One of Peter Killcommons’ service commitments is membership in the alumni association of Chaminade University, a Catholic institution in Honolulu, Hawaii.

With a student body of around 1,100, Chaminade operates over 25 programs for undergraduates and graduates. The emphasis on staying indoors during the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the school to convert its Undergraduate Summer Research Institute to digital-only access.

The annual event gives participants 10 weeks to research topics and meet with professors to learn about methodology. At the end of the sessions, students turn in their theses and present their findings to the group. They receive a $2,000 stipend.

The program is open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors who maintain at least a 2.5 grade point average. At least one semester must be left in their schedule, and Hawaiian natives are encouraged to submit applications. Preference is given to students in areas such as data science, chemistry, biochemistry, and biology.

Medweb’s HTK Enables Dermatological Telemedicine Practice

12/30/2019

San Francisco-based MD Dr. Peter “Pete” Killcommons graduated cum laude from City College of New York before attending New York Medical College. Focused on telemedicine and its ability to rapidly improve access to quality care, Dr. Peter Killcommons is the CEO of Medweb, a company that makes telemedicine equipment. One of Medweb’s products for dermatologists is the Handheld Telemedicine Kit (HTK).

Medweb’s HTK is a lightweight bag about the size of an ordinary laptop bag featuring several devices including a multi-scope exam camera, handheld USB ultrasound probe, digital EKG, tablet, otoscope, and Bluetooth stethoscope. It equips dermatologists and general practitioners with the most advanced offerings in LED light sources, wireless data transfer, high-resolution imaging, and digital displays, empowering them with the tools to provide care to patients in remote locations or those who are incarcerated.

The HTK combines a computer-based patient assessment system with a simple user interface enabling easy capturing of digital images. The devices are wifi, 3G, and 4G enabled for quick transmission of data to a dermatological specialist for real time screening, diagnosis, and treatment.

Besides dermatologists, the HTK can also help nurses and community workers consulting patients in the field, allowing them to quickly reach out to specialists for guidance on complex cases. It is also a must-have for EMTs, firefighters, police officers, and other first responders as it makes on-site treatment possible, limiting the need for emergency ambulatory trips.

Trends in New England and Beyond Point to Telemedicine Growth

12/9/2019

Based in San Francisco, Dr. Peter “Pete” Killcommons has guided Medweb for more than 25 years, providing secure, web-enabled telemedicine to populations across the globe. Future focused, Dr. Peter Killcommons continues to position his firm at the cusp of an expanding marketplace that connects physicians with patients remotely through continuous monitoring and video conferences.

A recent Bisnow National Healthcare New England event brought together medical industry leaders to discuss trends of care centered away from hospitals. This is reflected in a more than doubling of urgent care clinics in Massachusetts between 2010 and 2018, from 18 to 45. Though these clinics offer greater convenience, a consensus of panelists was that patients want even more responsive care from home and this is a niche that telemedicine fills.

As described by the Boston Medical Center director of ambulatory operations, an increasing number of patients are beginning to receive care via apps on their phone. Through the use of video conferences or photos, patients can easily consult with professionals in areas ranging from psychiatry to dermatology, and also access prescriptions.

High demand is reflected in new Persistence Market Research data, which estimates the North American telemedicine market value at almost $7 billion, with this figure expected to expand by a factor of five over the next decade. Nearly 70 percent of physicians surveyed reported strong interest in employing telemedicine and remote patient monitoring moving forward.

Common Forms of Home Health Care

1/16/2019

Peter (Pete) Killcommons, MD, leverages nearly three decades of experience in the medical industry as the CEO and founder of Medweb in San Francisco, California. As CEO, Dr. Peter Killcommons regularly travels to locations such as Cabo Verde, Africa, to expand the use of telemedicine.

Recently, Dr. Killcommons also visited Japan to expand the use of Medweb’s health services for home health care of the elderly. Home health care encompasses a variety of in-home services that typically help elderly individuals maintain their independence. Moreover, home health services help delay the need for institutional care, such as nursing homes, and help the elderly remain in their own homes longer.

Some common forms of home health care include personal care and companionship, which provides support for basic, everyday activities. Another form, private duty nursing, provides more intensive care for individuals dealing with a chronic illness, injury, or disability. Last, physician-directed home health care is a short term form of caring for patients in their own home. Also known as intermittent skilled care, it supports patients as they recover from a recent injury or illness.

Understanding Mobile Health Technology

1/11/2019

The CEO of Medweb, Peter Killcommons, MD, has dedicated his medical career to helping those in need. Among his activities, Dr. Peter Killcommons expanded the use of telemedicine in Cabo Verde, Africa. Dr. Pete Killcommons recently traveled to Japan to improve mobile health technology in home health care for the elderly.

A new and rapidly evolving field of medicine, mobile health technology, also known as mHealth, harnesses the power of mobile devices in private medical and public health practices. Although it has yet to develop a set definition, it has a clear aim: more efficient, improved health care specifically adapted to mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.

The use of mobile health technology offers benefits to both doctors and patients. For providers, it allows for real-time monitoring of patients, and enables medical professionals to offer care remotely. For patients, mHealth technology may take the form of accessing records and tracking health through the convenience of mobile devices.

Afshar Hospital in Afghanistan Campaigns Against Diabetes

2/22/2018

CEO of the medical software and device company Medweb in San Francisco, California, Peter (Pete) Killcommons has managed the company's medical and philanthropic services since founding Medweb in 1992. Throughout his career, Peter Killcommons has supported underprivileged medical institutions such as Afshar Hospital.

Located in Kabul, Afghanistan, Afshar Hospital provides medical care through 10 community clinics and seeks to raise public awareness about various health concerns. For example, the hospital recently started a Diabetes Awareness Campaign.

Facilitated by a three-year grant from the World Diabetes Foundation, Afshar Hospital's Diabetes Awareness Campaign will provide health screenings across Afghanistan in order to detect diabetes early and prevent potential complications leading to death. The campaign will include public announcements by the media to encourage people to attend these screenings, as well as staff training in health education to provide the general populace with educational information about preventing diabetes.

For more information about Afshar Hospital and the Diabetes Awareness Campaign, visit afsharhospital.org.