Talk about convenience. The Cleveland Clinic opened two kiosks in a local drug store chain for people who want on-the-spot virtual appointments. A touchscreen computer and video screen allow for a consultation plus provide readings for heart rate and blood pressure.

Facebook is exploring the development of health-related social networks, including communities for members who share an illness and forums for maintaining healthy lifestyles, according to Reuters.

In a nod to National Health IT Week, the American College of Cardiology asked some of its members to share their thoughts on interoperability. Four cardiologists describe the challenges, benefits and ways vendors could facilitate usage in the ACC in Touch Blog.

Merge Healthcare Incorporated, a leading provider of innovative enterprise imaging, interoperability and clinical systems that seek to advance healthcare, today announced Willis-Knighton Health System, a large non-profit community healthcare organization with four hospitals in the Shreveport and Bossier City, La. area comprising of a 600+ physician network, has selected Merge's enterprise-wide cardiology and interoperability solutions to simplify workflow and advance clinical reporting and analytics. The solution also supports improved documentation for core measures and Meaningful Use (MU) requirements and enables easier access to images, improved patient experience and enhanced business continuity across all Willis-Knighton locations.

Medtronic, Inc. today announced the U.S. launch of the SEEQ Mobile Cardiac Telemetry (MCT) System, an external, wire-free, adhesive heart monitor that can be worn for up to 30 days to help detect and diagnose the cause of irregular heartbeats in patients.  Medtronic completed the acquisition of U.S.-based Corventis, Inc., which developed the technology, in June 2014.

Preventice, developer of the PatientCare Platform and the BodyGuardian Remote Monitoring Sensor and an innovator in software solutions for remote patient care, and eCardio Diagnostics LLC, a leading provider of remote cardiac monitoring products and services, announced today a strategic combination of Preventice and eCardio to drive innovation and growth in remote monitoring systems and mobile health applications. The two companies will now operate as wholly-owned subsidiaries of a newly formed holding company, Preventice, Inc.

Symetis SA, the leading European developer of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) systems, announced today the launch of ACURATE neo, its 15F compatible transfemoral TAVI system. Commercial implantations started early September after Symetis received CE Mark approval for ACURATE neo this summer.

University of Houston (UH) professor Suncica "Sunny" Canic is a mathematician, not a medical doctor, but her research could save the lives of heart patients. Working with collaborators from Houston Methodist Hospital on a minimally invasive experimental procedure for heart valve replacement, Canic's work could lead to optimal design of an alternative to open-heart surgery for treating failing heart valves.