As the number of new digital health startups continues to skyrocket, so does that of the health systems, established venture capital firms, Silicon Valley billionaires, university-based accelerator programs and any other party with money to spare who wants to buy in.

As digital technology and, specifically, medical wearables continue to advance, it is easier than ever to track practically every piece of health-related data, from step count to heart rate to sleep quality — but, especially in the case of the latter, that is not always the best idea.

The researchers behind the ongoing Genes for Good genetic study have found that recruiting participants from Facebook and offering them free DNA reports has solved many of the issues associated with study samples, they wrote in the American Journal of Human Genetics this week.

After experiencing a 23 percent drop in its stock price in the last 12 months and with an estimated $110 billion in debt as of the end of March, General Electric is reportedly looking to sell off its corporate venture arm's portfolio, which includes multiple digital health and life sciences startups, according to CNBC.

The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation announced this week the launch of a centralized data hub to help identify new treatment targets and thus accelerate the delivery of precision medicine.

White Memorial Medical Center in Los Angeles, part of the Adventist Health system, has improved its operating room turnaround time by approximately 10 percent by implementing a workflow-optimizing mobile app system that combined offerings from Zebra Technologies and clinical logistics software company Tagnos.

Nine recent health IT vendor contracts and go-lives:

FacePrint, a health technology startup, is developing a web and smartphone-based automated system that aims to identify and monitor signs of Parkinson's disease, according to Wired.

Flatiron Health, an oncology EHR vendor, has appointed Michael Vasconcelles, MD, as CMO, effective August 2019.

Cleveland-based Case Western Reserve University is leading a study to test whether a computer algorithm that pulls information from patients' EHRs can help determine whether an emergency helicopter transfer is necessary.

Uber Health partnered with Carisk, a specialty risk care coordination company, to offer injured workers transportation to and from medical appointments.  

For hospitals and health systems looking to explore blockchain, here are seven mistakes to avoid, according to Garter, a research and advisory company.

In 2012, Pankaj Jandwani, MD, became the first CMIO of MidMichigan Health in Midland.

Electronic health record company Allscripts has purchased ZappRx, a startup that aims to modernize how patients receive prescription medicines, two people familiar with the deal confirmed to CNBC on June 13.

New York City-based Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai will explore new technologies that identify and measure a person's exposure to weapons of mass destruction as part of a contract with the U.S. Department of Defense.

Indiana-based enterprise software company continues to revolutionize revenue cycle operations

Hospital and health system executives vary in their knowledge and implementation of blockchain. Some are using it to track prescriptions while others are unsure how the technology works.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted June 12 to end the ban on using federal funds to create a national patient identifier.

Data analytics company Health Catalyst introduced its Population Health Foundations solution to aid hospitals' population health initiatives and the transition to value-based care.

Greely-based North Colorado Medical Center implemented a chatbot service June 12 for patients visiting its emergency room, Journal-Advocate reports.