Jul 24 2017 25 mins 2
BinaryBridge creates software that helps humanitarians do their work effectively and efficiently.
Lori Most grew up seeing television commercials of humanitarian crises, especially in Africa. Lori recounted, “I always wanted to go to Africa and help…I thought ‘I’m going to grow up and go over there.” In college, she started as a pre-med student. Part way through she switched to engineering. “I changed directions a lot,” she laughed. When she graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in mathematics, she was left with this sense that she still wanted to help.
After graduating, Lori quickly found work in the booming field of software development. She worked as a software developer, business analyst and product manager with well-known brands such as UnitedHealth Group, Target, and C.H. Robinson. She felt like the work she was doing was important, but she says, “It wasn’t quite the mission I was looking for.”
Lori thought about working with a nonprofit. She explored several opportunities. Eventually, her sister introduced her to a humanitarian medical mission working in Peru. Lori accompanied the mission to Peru where she observed organized chaos. The medical team saw between 80 and 100 patients per day. As the patients moved from the intake room to the exam room, to the checkout areas, the patients were tracked with paper records. Paper records are easily misplaced or mishandled. They lack instant access across a caregiving team. They can be illegible, causing medical errors and slowing down care. Medical professionals on humanitarian missions have had to rely on paper medical records, until now.
Walk into almost any medical clinic in an industrialized country, and you’re likely to be greeted by a person behind a computer screen. With a few key strokes, the receptionist can pull up your complete medical record. Modern clinics depend on electronic medical records or EMR. EMR provides many benefits. Records are instantly accurate and complete. Health workers can effectively diagnose patients, reduce medical errors, and provide safer care. EMR provides coordinated, efficient care, improving productivity.
backpackEMR allows medical professionals in the field to instantly input, update and share patient data. They use a custom-built peer-to-peer network to share data in remote areas where no internet access is available. backpackEMR works as an app on a tablet or with web-based access. BinaryBridge charges a minimal fee to keep the software running.
Social Entrepreneurship Quotes from Lori Most
“I changed directions a lot.”
“My philosophy on software…is get the best of the best and make sure it’s right the first time.”
“Get a technical co-founder.”
“Accept help from other people.”
“Support your local social entrepreneurs.”
Social Entrepreneurship Resources:
- BinaryBridge: https://www.backpackemr.com
- BinaryBridge on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Binary_Bridge
