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Aug 2, 2024·CNBC

Epic Systems, a health-care software vendor, announced that individuals will now have the capability to release their health data to various apps of their choice, giving them more control over their medical information. This development is a significant technological advancement in the health-care sector. Epic has been instrumental in helping the federal government establish the Trust Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA), which sets the legal and technical guidelines for sharing patient data on a large scale. This initiative aims to make it easier for U.S. patients to access their medical records.

Jul 24, 2024·techtarget

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) has released the final version of United States Core Data for Interoperability Version 5 (USCDI v5), accompanied by a new standards bulletin. The updated USCDI includes standardized data elements for health information exchange, reflecting over 330 comments and 60 new element submissions received from July to September 2023. New data classes, Observations and Orders, have been introduced, featuring elements like Advance Directive Observation and Sex Parameter for Clinical Use (SPCU). The Orders data class now encompasses elements for Medication, Laboratory, Diagnostic Imaging, Clinical Test, and Procedure orders. Updates were also made to existing data classes, adding elements in Clinical Notes, Patient Demographics/Information, Provenance, Immunizations, and Medications, aiming to enhance the clarity and utility of these data standards.

Jul 17, 2024·publication

The need for middleware and Clinical Communication & Collaboration (CC&C) systems in hospitals is evolving with advancements in medical communication technologies. Initially serving as simple bridges for systems like nurse call and telemetry, modern CC&C platforms now incorporate sophisticated features including secure messaging, voice calling, and patient engagement via smartphones and specialized devices. However, the industry's lack of comprehensive planning has led to complex, often unmanageable integrated systems, known as “accidental architecture.” The landscape is further complicated by the dominance of EHR-centric systems like Epic, regulatory constraints on alarm management, and the push towards a unified communication platform. Despite the competition, CC&C and middleware solutions remain relevant by offering essential integration capabilities that EHRs currently cannot, especially in alarm management. The future likely sees a convergence towards single comprehensive platforms, though regulatory and market dynamics will heavily influence this transition.

Jul 17, 2024·Fierce Healthcare

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) has introduced the HTI-2 proposed rule, aiming to enhance data sharing and interoperability within the healthcare sector by setting new standards for health IT. This 1,067-page rule builds on HTI-1 and includes voluntary certification for payers and public health IT systems. Key updates involve standard-based APIs, promoting certification standards that could improve the flow of healthcare data and the patient experience. While stakeholders like America's Health Insurance Plans see potential benefits, some EHR vendors are concerned about the compliance timelines. The rule also addresses public health data sharing gaps exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the creation of unified data-sharing standards across various health entities.

Jun 21, 2024·healthit.gov

Since 2014, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) has tracked the progress of hospital and physician interoperability in the U.S., focusing on the electronic exchange of patient health information across four domains: finding, sending, receiving, and integrating. Significant improvements have been observed, with 70% of hospitals reporting engagement in all domains by 2023, up from 23% in 2014. However, ONC is now shifting to a more rigorous definition of interoperability that emphasizes routine data exchange, revealing deeper insights into how consistently hospitals and physicians can access and utilize critical health information. Future efforts aim to achieve widespread, routine, and high-value interoperability to enhance patient care quality and continuity across the healthcare system.

Jun 14, 2024·techtarget.com

Home healthcare offers cost-effective and quality care in patient homes, but home health agencies (HHAs) face unique health IT challenges. Despite an 80% EHR adoption rate among HHAs, they lag behind other providers due to exclusion from federal EHR incentives. Issues include inefficiencies from paper-based documentation, poor data sharing with hospitals, and limited interoperability. The use of mobile devices in the field faces connectivity and security challenges, while telehealth adoption has revealed technical and access barriers. Addressing these issues requires better data exchange mechanisms, robust mobile connectivity solutions, and interoperable technologies, emphasizing the collaboration among policymakers, vendors, and providers.

Jun 12, 2024·InterSystems

InterSystems has announced a partnership with CLEAR to integrate CLEAR’s Verified Identity technology with its Health Gateway Service to enhance patient check-in and pre-registration processes. This collaboration aims to streamline secure access to patients’ medical histories and improve the efficiency and accuracy of patient data management. The Health Gateway Service, which already aggregates patient data from national networks like Care Quality, eHealth Exchange, and CommonWell, will now include advanced identity verification, aiding healthcare providers in accessing comprehensive patient records efficiently. The joint offering is currently in the early access program with select U.S. healthcare systems and is set to be showcased at the InterSystems Global Summit 2024.

Apr 10, 2024·LinkedIn

Steven Charlap, MD, MBA has penned an open letter to Judith Faulkner, CEO of Epic Systems, advocating for the integration of SOAP Health, a startup aimed at improving patient data collection and risk assessment, into Epic's systems. Despite SOAP Health's potential to significantly enhance early disease detection and diagnosis, integration challenges with Epic are hindering its impact. Charlap, motivated by a personal tragedy of a missed diagnosis in his family, beseeches Faulkner to consider the broader benefits of such an integration for patient care, emphasizing the shared goal of advancing healthcare.

Apr 2, 2024·AuntMinnie

As AI-mediated cyberattacks become increasingly common, radiologists face the challenge of ensuring timely access to diagnostic imaging while protecting sensitive health data. Prioritizing cybersecurity investments, such as sophisticated network security measures, regular software updates, and staff training, can mitigate financial losses for radiology departments. With interoperability between healthcare and imaging systems being crucial for patient care, the rise in cyberthreats prompts a greater focus on data protection. A Ponemon Institute survey revealed that 88% of healthcare organizations encountered an average of 40 cyberattacks in the past year, costing around $5 million on average. In response, there's a push for establishing comprehensive cybersecurity programs to protect personal information without hindering patient diagnosis and treatment. The article highlights the importance of secure data storage, the integration of robust cybersecurity measures, and the deployment of efficient storage solutions to manage the increasing volume of radiology data. Moreover, it underscores the necessity of adopting proactive cybersecurity strategies, including organization-wide training on phishing, compliance with global standards, and exploration of cloud-native security to safeguard patient data against cyber threats effectively.

Apr 1, 2024·MedCity News

In "The Reluctant Revolution: Encouraging Interoperability Adoption in Healthcare," David Lareau discusses the significant challenge of low adoption rates of interoperability tools among healthcare providers. Despite the availability of advanced standards and tools designed to facilitate the seamless exchange of patient data across different health systems, many providers continue to rely on outdated methods such as faxing. Lareau highlights barriers such as cost, complexity, security concerns, and a lack of tangible benefits as major reasons for this reluctance. He suggests a multi-faceted approach to encourage adoption, including improving the ease of use of these tools, expanding the scope of data exchange standards, implementing strong incentives, and enforcing penalties for non-compliance. The article underscores the importance of overcoming these hurdles to achieve true interoperability in healthcare, which is crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Mar 27, 2024·Health Progress

In the article "To Transform Care, Health Systems Must Collaborate To Adopt Innovations" by Rod Hochman, MD, the essential role of collaboration in advancing health care through technology and innovation is emphasized. Hochman reflects on the pioneering spirit of the Catholic sisters who founded health care institutions, highlighting their adaptability and commitment to serving communities as a model for modern health systems. The article discusses the challenges and opportunities presented by the rapid development of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the importance of integrating and utilizing data efficiently, and the strategic establishment of global innovation centers. It underlines Providence St. Joseph Health's efforts to modernize infrastructure, leverage global talent, and advance health care delivery through AI and data analytics while maintaining a commitment to ethical practices and community service. The collaboration between health systems and technology partners is positioned as crucial for harnessing the potential of AI and other technologies to improve patient care and address current health care challenges.

Mar 13, 2024·CNBC

In an article reflecting on the 35th anniversary of the World Wide Web's creation, inventor Tim Berners-Lee discusses his dissatisfaction with certain developments on the web, particularly around social media and data ownership. He forecasts a future where AI personal assistants become central to web interaction, emphasizing the need for a trustworthy digital assistant akin to doctors or lawyers. Berners-Lee envisions a shift towards users regaining control over their data through technology his startup, Inrupt, is developing, which allows for data to be stored in personal "pods." This innovation seeks to challenge the current dominance of tech giants over user data. Additionally, he touches on the prospects of mixed reality integrating seamlessly with everyday technology and speculates that regulatory pressures could lead to the breakup of a major tech company in the future, in light of recent legislation like the European Union's Digital Markets Act.

Feb 29, 2024·LinkedIn

Change Healthcare disruption shows fragility in digitization, affects local pharmacies and clinics nationwide, risking employees' livelihoods. Urges for robust, resilient systems, reviews digital dependencies, considers accountability amid inevitable future uncertainties.

Feb 28, 2024·FierceHealthcare

Quantum Health collaborates with Vanderbilt Health Affiliated Network to manage self-funded health plans addressing employee health. New market for Quantum Health is a model to replicate with other health systems. The partnership aims to reduce healthcare costs and improve healthcare experience, using Quantum Health’s navigation platform and VHAN’s network. Quantum Health offers a simplified navigation experience, combining member and provider services and clinical care coordination. In future, regional self-insured employers will link Quantum's platform with a VHAN-powered network.

Feb 28, 2024·Healthcare IT News

Health-ISAC reports a cyberattack on Change Healthcare, attributing the breach to ConnectWise ScreenConnect vulnerabilities. Health-ISAC urged healthcare organisations to review indicators and consider risks of disengaging from Optum. Change Healthcare maintained high confidence in unaffected Optum and United systems and took its system offline in response. American Hospital Association supports the recommendations and previously advised potentially exposed healthcare organisations to disconnect from Optum. The attack source is reportedly Blackcat ransomware gang. Over 90% of US pharmacies have implemented offline processing workarounds. Despite the cyberattack, a spokesperson reported minimal impact.

Feb 28, 2024·MedCity News

Healthcare's struggle with disconnected data systems and lack of interoperability leads to errors and delays. Despite tools for digital integration, most referrals still happen via fax, showing poor tool adoption due to usability issues. Emory Healthcare is streamlining digital referrals while Micky Tripathi from the ONC emphasizes the need for encouraging use of electronic referral tools.

Feb 23, 2024·BankInfoSecurity

Cyber incident at Optum's Change Healthcare disrupts services nationwide. Healthcare providers advised to stay vigilant. Impact on patient care assessed. Update and remedy in progress.

Feb 20, 2024·eWeek

Providence Healthcare revamped its network for digital transformation by adopting Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN), boosting performance and reliability across its 51 hospitals and 829 clinics. The SD-WAN solution provides dynamic remediation, transport and routing separation, simplified management, and standardized configuration and design. VMware emerged as their chosen SD-WAN vendor following extensive testing. The updated network enables Providence to swiftly accommodate new opportunities and demands, expanding healthcare delivery beyond hospitals to its network of clinics.

Feb 13, 2024·Beckers Hospital Review

Health IT firms must satisfy new federal transparency norms starting Feb. 8, supplying health systems with AI. ONC's rule requires certified IT developers to offer clear info about decision-making algorithms; effecting 96% hospitals and 78% office-based doctors. Companies such as Epic, Amazon, and Google opposed, but rule also introduces enhanced interoperability standards, reporting metrics and information-blocking requirements.

Jan 19, 2024·Fierce Healthcare

Epic launches Showroom site integrating third-party healthcare tech companies, replacing the previous App Market. The service connects software companies with provider customers, offers staffing support for feature implementation and connects healthcare ecosystem members. Its products section includes the Connection Hub for vendors to list their products integrated with Epic software, Toolbox with recommended integration practices and third-party apps, and Workshop for co-developing technology; all with an annual $500 fee. Epic aims to support standards-based interoperability while addressing provider request for beyond-standard integration. Showroom also includes Open.Epic API tool for app developers.