Patient Privacy with HeartSnug - Ep. 205

FemTech Focus

In this episode, Dr. Brittany Barreto talks to Lauren Orlick, Co-Founder of HeartSnug. They discuss the benefits of providing privacy in medical settings, what medical privacy garments have looked like up to now and how HeartSnug is changing the status quo. Remember to like, rate and subscribe and enjoy the episode!

Guest bio

Lauren's childhood best friend (and HeartSnug co-founder Sara), has a complex congenital heart defect which resulted in her undergoing open-heart surgery as a baby and throughout her life. She has therefore experienced first-hand the challenges inherent with being subjected to countless medical exams and procedures. Lauren also saw how dispiriting the medical process can be when her mother went through a battle with cancer. Lauren saw firsthand how dispiriting the medical process can be when her mother went through a battle with cancer. Always looking to be a part of the solution, Lauren was inspired to search for ways for patients to feel comfortable during procedures that are awkward and associated with physical exposure and emotional vulnerability. Lauren's extensive Human Resources background includes executing all levels of HR. She lives in San Francisco with her teenage twin boys.

Company bio

HeartSnug is the first of its kind - a patented, adjustable (front Velcro closure & elastic at the bottom) disposable medical bra. It is X-RAY safe, making it viable for ultrasound and MRI procedures, and comes in three sizes. HeartSnug can be worn by itself or under a medical gown for an additional layer of support.The mission driven business was launched two years ago from Co Founder Sara Dorband’s lifelong challenges living with a chronic heart condition and being in and out of the hospital and undergoing procedures. She wondered why medical advancement hadn't caught up to include women’s chest privacy. Heartsnug was created with the goal of positively impacting female patients both mentally and physically. We aim to help patients feel dignity with an emphasis on patient privacy. We have conducted extensive research and utilized patient surveys to confirm that both medical facilities and patients have an increased focus in 2023 on patient satisfaction, and that is what HeartSnug offers.

FemTech Focus Podcast bio

The FemTech Focus Podcast is brought to you by FemHealth Insights, the leader in Women’s Health market research and consulting. In this show, Dr. Brittany Barreto hosts meaningfully provocative conversations that bring FemTech experts - including doctors, scientists, inventors, and founders - on air to talk about the innovative technology, services, and products (collectively known as FemTech) that are improving women's health and wellness. Though many leaders in FemTech are women, this podcast is not specifically about female founders, nor is it geared toward a specifically female audience. The podcast gives our host, Dr. Brittany Barreto, and guests an engaging, friendly environment to learn about the past, present, and future of women’s health and wellness.

FemHealth Insights bio

Led by a team of analysts and advisors who specialize in female health, FemHealth Insights is a female health-specific market research and analysis firm, offering businesses in diverse industries unparalleled access to the comprehensive data and insights needed to illuminate areas of untapped potential in the nuanced women’s health market.

Time Stamps

[03:52] Lauren’s background

[07:32] Why HeartSnug is needed

[12:11] What is HeartSnug?

[16:27] Why do we need medical garments?

[17:34] The history of medical garments

[19:24] The impact of not having a privacy garment

[24:45] Guidelines for physicians around consent

[32:05] Other areas of improvement for respecting a female patient during exams

[33:00] Benefits of making the healthcare system feel safer for women

[36:22] How to get HeartSnug

Resources

For more information on the work in Isreal mentioned by Brittany - check out https://www.briah.org/

Call To Action!

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Episode Contributors

Lauren Orlick

Instagram: @sflauren

HeartSnug

Website: https://www.heartsnug.com/

Instagram: @heartsnug

Dr. Brittany Barreto

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittanybarreto/

Twitter: @DrBrittB

Instagram: @drbrittanybarreto

FemTech Focus Podcast

Website: https://femtechfocus.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/femtechfocus

Twitter: @FemTech_Focus

Instagram: @femtechfocus

FemHealth Insights

Website: https://www.femhealthinsights.com/

LinkedIn: @FemHealth Insights