Health system executives in 2025 are prioritizing capacity management and patient throughput, a focus intensified by pandemic-related challenges and workforce shortages. Many hospitals report near-full capacity, with leaders like Robert Corona noting recruitment difficulties for specialists and increasing transfer denials. A recent survey by Vizient reveals that over half of hospital executives see improving patient access as crucial, even as growth slows and patient volumes remain high. With financial pressures mounting due to rising labor and supply costs outpacing reimbursements, strategic planning for technology investments is essential for adapting to the evolving healthcare landscape.

Healthcare Leaders Tackle Capacity Challenges and Patient Access in 2025 Becker's Hospital Review

The HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) will implement the HIPAA Privacy Rule to Support Reproductive Healthcare Privacy on December 23, 2024, in response to the Supreme Court's 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. This rule intends to enhance privacy protections for reproductive healthcare by preventing HIPAA-covered entities from disclosing protected health information (PHI) in scenarios where it could assist law enforcement or other entities in investigating individuals for lawful reproductive healthcare. To comply, these entities must require an attestation from requesters, confirming that their intended use of the information does not involve prohibited purposes, particularly in health oversight, judicial proceedings, or law enforcement.

New HIPAA Rule Enhances Reproductive Healthcare Privacy Amid Legal Changes HIPAA Journal

Cybersecurity experts warn that organizations face increased risks when their security teams are reduced during holidays or vacations, as attackers often exploit these times to target corporate communication platforms and impersonate trusted colleagues. This vulnerability is exacerbated by junior staff being less acquainted with security protocols and the challenges of maintaining service-level agreements. Notable incidents, such as the Log4j vulnerability discovery during a holiday, highlight the importance of timely responses and operational safeguards. To mitigate these risks, organizations should develop detailed staffing plans, train employees on verification methods for urgent requests, and consider automation and restrictions on changes to critical systems during low-resource periods.

Cybersecurity Risks Surge as Teams Thin Out During Holidays Dark Reading

Ascension, a major U.S. healthcare system, reported a data breach affecting around 5.6 million patients and employees due to a ransomware attack attributed to the Black Basta group. The attack, which occurred in May, compromised sensitive personal and health information, prompting Ascension to notify affected individuals and offer two years of free identity theft protection. The breach, linked to an employee's accidental download of malware, disrupted their MyChart electronic health records system, while Ascension has initiated investigations and notified law enforcement agencies.

Major Ransomware Attack Exposes Data of 5.6 Million Ascension Patients BleepingComputer

Health system executives in 2025 are prioritizing capacity management and patient throughput, a focus intensified by pandemic-related challenges and workforce shortages. Many hospitals report near-full capacity, with leaders like Robert Corona noting recruitment difficulties for specialists and increasing transfer denials. A recent survey by Vizient reveals that over half of hospital executives see improving patient access as crucial, even as growth slows and patient volumes remain high. With financial pressures mounting due to rising labor and supply costs outpacing reimbursements, strategic planning for technology investments is essential for adapting to the evolving healthcare landscape.

Healthcare Leaders Tackle Capacity Challenges and Patient Access in 2025 Becker's Hospital Review

The HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) will implement the HIPAA Privacy Rule to Support Reproductive Healthcare Privacy on December 23, 2024, in response to the Supreme Court's 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. This rule intends to enhance privacy protections for reproductive healthcare by preventing HIPAA-covered entities from disclosing protected health information (PHI) in scenarios where it could assist law enforcement or other entities in investigating individuals for lawful reproductive healthcare. To comply, these entities must require an attestation from requesters, confirming that their intended use of the information does not involve prohibited purposes, particularly in health oversight, judicial proceedings, or law enforcement.

New HIPAA Rule Enhances Reproductive Healthcare Privacy Amid Legal Changes HIPAA Journal

Cybersecurity experts warn that organizations face increased risks when their security teams are reduced during holidays or vacations, as attackers often exploit these times to target corporate communication platforms and impersonate trusted colleagues. This vulnerability is exacerbated by junior staff being less acquainted with security protocols and the challenges of maintaining service-level agreements. Notable incidents, such as the Log4j vulnerability discovery during a holiday, highlight the importance of timely responses and operational safeguards. To mitigate these risks, organizations should develop detailed staffing plans, train employees on verification methods for urgent requests, and consider automation and restrictions on changes to critical systems during low-resource periods.

Cybersecurity Risks Surge as Teams Thin Out During Holidays Dark Reading

Ascension, a major U.S. healthcare system, reported a data breach affecting around 5.6 million patients and employees due to a ransomware attack attributed to the Black Basta group. The attack, which occurred in May, compromised sensitive personal and health information, prompting Ascension to notify affected individuals and offer two years of free identity theft protection. The breach, linked to an employee's accidental download of malware, disrupted their MyChart electronic health records system, while Ascension has initiated investigations and notified law enforcement agencies.

Major Ransomware Attack Exposes Data of 5.6 Million Ascension Patients BleepingComputer