Health IT News Features

31. Owning It: 4 Digital Steps Healthcare Professionals Should Consider In Developing A Mission-Driven Personal Brand 10/26/2020

    Most physicians don’t think of themselves as a brand. But in the long run, physicians can make a more significant impact and increase their reach by focusing on their personal, not institutional brand. Why?​

32. Can Whole Person Analytics Improve Health Equity? 10/26/2020

    Identifying and dealing with health equity is reliant upon reacting to retrospective data and insights. Could we use modern technology to respond more proactively to help vulnerable populations?

33. Tackling Healthcare's 3 Major Cybersecurity Challenges 10/21/2020

    Cyber-attacks against the healthcare sector have been making headlines lately, ranging from attacks on coronavirus drug makers to telehealth and IoT devices. One of the largest medical cyberattacks in U.S. history occurred in September when Universal Health Services was hit with what appears to be a ransomware attack, affecting the company’s 400+ locations for several days. The hospital system’s medication system was all online, making treatment difficult. The staff had to revert to using pen and paper, including hand-labeling medicines, which isn’t just arduous and inefficient; it also increases the potential for mistakes.

34. Virtual Care Technology Comes Into Focus 10/21/2020

    It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the growth of virtual care services to mitigate in-person medical visits. According to a recent survey from Blackbook Research, 59% of consumers are more likely to use virtual care services now than before the Coronavirus outbreak. 36% would switch their primary physician to have access to virtual care options. What is not so obvious, however, is that virtual care is transforming both remote and in-person medical visit experiences for patients.

35. 3 Steps To Help Hospitals Improve Financial Health During The COVID Pandemic And Beyond 10/21/2020

    Healthcare organizations around the country are struggling financially as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the American Hospital Association (AHA), projected total losses for the nation’s hospitals and health systems are estimated to be at least $323.1 billion in 2020. While it may be difficult to focus on finances during this unprecedented health crisis, it is imperative to do so. Figuring out where to start on the path to financial wellness is the hardest part.

36. The Global Pandemic Has Brought An Increase In External Threats. Still, The Insider Must Not Be Overlooked 10/20/2020

    For some time, healthcare records and related data have included a wealth of information about a person – and that data, if not properly secured, can be sold on the Dark Web to enrich malicious adversaries. In fact, patient health information often fetches as much as $1,000 per record. When compared to other, more common personally identifiable information, like credit card data, which sells for between $12 - $20 per record, or email addresses, which often get sold in blocks of 1,000 for less than $100, you begin to understand why the healthcare industry increasingly finds itself a preferred target for cybercriminals: over the past decade, healthcare saw more than 2,100 data breaches.

37. Securing 3 Key IoT Areas As A Pandemic Continues 10/16/2020

    Medical IoT devices have become essential for the healthcare industry to carry out many of its day-to-day responsibilities. From helping to stop the spread of COVID-19 throughout this year to assisting ambulances, this industry relies heavily on technology to get the job done. Unfortunately, connecting IoT or IoMT devices to an IT network expands the attack surface, and many hospitals are still running on older network systems. This adds new entry points for hackers to target.

38. Why Healthcare Facilities Should Consider Managed IT Services 10/13/2020

    Every day, organizations across the world continue to achieve technological advancements and breakthroughs. Although these developments are not specific to any one industry, we tend to see this occur most often in healthcare.

39. HIPAA, If Implemented As Intended, Can Improve Healthcare Interoperability 10/13/2020

    Spending a career in health IT means I have heard many interpretations – both right and wrong – of the often-cited patient privacy law, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA. Unfortunately, those who have not studied these highly complex rules are very likely to misinterpret it. This is not surprising, as a law degree and time on the bench is likely needed to make sense of the complicated legalese in the 115-page document.

40. Shortage Of Primary Care Providers And Access To Care Driving Nurse Practitioner Scope Of Practice Changes 10/13/2020

    There is a shortage of primary care providers (physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants) in the U.S. In California, the shortage has been troublesome, especially in rural areas. The government recommends 60-80 primary care providers per 100,000 population; in California, the number is down to 50 in urban areas and even lower in rural areas. In addition, 2.5 million Californians who previously were uninsured, have gained insurance through the Affordable Care Act and are now eligible for coverage.