The Change Healthcare ransomware attack earlier this year disrupted operations at Moffitt Cancer Center by rendering critical systems inoperable, affecting claims processing and patient payments. Vice President Lynn Ansley highlighted the urgent need for accurate information to assess the situation and emphasized maintaining payroll for their staff of 9,500 while seeking alternative cash flow solutions. During the three-week outage, the team adapted by using an alternate clearinghouse and relied on manual data entry for claims, necessitating a re-familiarization with outdated systems.

Moffitt Cancer Center Overcomes Ransomware Chaos to Ensure Payroll and Payments HealthLeaders

New research suggests that IT organizations have suffered a reputational hit. According to the IBM Institute for Business Value survey indicates a troubling decline in confidence among C-suite executives in their IT teams, with only 36% of CEOs stating they trust their IT departments to deliver essential services. This reflects a broader trend of waning confidence among IT leaders themselves. The findings suggest that increasing expectations, coupled with the rapid adoption of advanced technologies, are challenging IT professionals who are struggling with legacy systems and a talent shortage. As a result, IT departments are often seen as slow and less integral to strategic business functions, potentially hindering future investment and collaboration.

C-Suite Confidence in IT Plummets: Executives Demand More from Tech Teams CIO

University Hospitals in Cleveland transitioned to a new EHR system, Epic, after determining that their previous systems, including Allscripts and Cerner, were unsustainable. The decision was made about five years ago, with a focus on avoiding market pressure-driven changes. To support the $400 million investment, CIO Robert Eardley and former CFO Michael Szubski presented a business case to the board that highlighted potential financial benefits of around $120 million and projected payback periods of 2.5 to 4.9 years. The planning phase began in early 2020, involving evaluations of the major EHR vendors and a detailed analysis encompassing 15 benefit categories.

University Hospitals Transitions to Epic EHR, Projecting $120 Million Benefits Becker's Hospital Review

Significant investments have improved the digital infrastructure of the U.S. healthcare system, particularly in EHRs and interoperability, writes Micky Tripathi, Acting Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer at the HHS. However, reports of potential legal violations related to information sharing raise concerns about data exchange efficacy. The 21st Century Cures Act mandates the use of application programming interfaces (APIs) for certified EHRs to enhance data accessibility. While more than 96% of hospitals and 78% of physician offices utilize certified EHRs with standardized FHIR APIs, challenges remain, including difficulties in accessing API documentation, high fees from certified developers, and hurdles in connecting with providers. The primary barriers to progress seem to be behavioral rather than technological, highlighting the need for better support and resources for API users.

Healthcare's Digital Leap Hindered by Information Sharing Barriers HealthIT.gov

The Change Healthcare ransomware attack earlier this year disrupted operations at Moffitt Cancer Center by rendering critical systems inoperable, affecting claims processing and patient payments. Vice President Lynn Ansley highlighted the urgent need for accurate information to assess the situation and emphasized maintaining payroll for their staff of 9,500 while seeking alternative cash flow solutions. During the three-week outage, the team adapted by using an alternate clearinghouse and relied on manual data entry for claims, necessitating a re-familiarization with outdated systems.

Moffitt Cancer Center Overcomes Ransomware Chaos to Ensure Payroll and Payments HealthLeaders

New research suggests that IT organizations have suffered a reputational hit. According to the IBM Institute for Business Value survey indicates a troubling decline in confidence among C-suite executives in their IT teams, with only 36% of CEOs stating they trust their IT departments to deliver essential services. This reflects a broader trend of waning confidence among IT leaders themselves. The findings suggest that increasing expectations, coupled with the rapid adoption of advanced technologies, are challenging IT professionals who are struggling with legacy systems and a talent shortage. As a result, IT departments are often seen as slow and less integral to strategic business functions, potentially hindering future investment and collaboration.

C-Suite Confidence in IT Plummets: Executives Demand More from Tech Teams CIO

University Hospitals in Cleveland transitioned to a new EHR system, Epic, after determining that their previous systems, including Allscripts and Cerner, were unsustainable. The decision was made about five years ago, with a focus on avoiding market pressure-driven changes. To support the $400 million investment, CIO Robert Eardley and former CFO Michael Szubski presented a business case to the board that highlighted potential financial benefits of around $120 million and projected payback periods of 2.5 to 4.9 years. The planning phase began in early 2020, involving evaluations of the major EHR vendors and a detailed analysis encompassing 15 benefit categories.

University Hospitals Transitions to Epic EHR, Projecting $120 Million Benefits Becker's Hospital Review

Significant investments have improved the digital infrastructure of the U.S. healthcare system, particularly in EHRs and interoperability, writes Micky Tripathi, Acting Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer at the HHS. However, reports of potential legal violations related to information sharing raise concerns about data exchange efficacy. The 21st Century Cures Act mandates the use of application programming interfaces (APIs) for certified EHRs to enhance data accessibility. While more than 96% of hospitals and 78% of physician offices utilize certified EHRs with standardized FHIR APIs, challenges remain, including difficulties in accessing API documentation, high fees from certified developers, and hurdles in connecting with providers. The primary barriers to progress seem to be behavioral rather than technological, highlighting the need for better support and resources for API users.

Healthcare's Digital Leap Hindered by Information Sharing Barriers HealthIT.gov