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Mar 2, 2026·Healthcare IT News

Duncan Grodack, CIO at AdventHealth, underscores the critical role of technology in fostering human connections in healthcare rather than impeding them. By implementing tools like the AdventHealth app and smart rooms, the organization aims to streamline processes and reduce administrative burdens, allowing caregivers to prioritize patient relationships and holistic health. This focus on facilitating communication and support not only enhances patient experience but also enables healthcare professionals to deliver better care. The advancements highlight a growing commitment to integrating technology that enriches personal interactions within healthcare settings.

Feb 16, 2026·Becker's Hospital Review

facilitating organ donation registration. Since its launch in May, over 130,000 individuals have signed up as organ donors through Epic's MyChart, with significant activity reported across various health systems like Sanford Health and Corewell Health. This trend indicates that digital health tools can play a crucial role in enhancing participation in public health initiatives, streamlining the process for patients, and supporting healthcare providers in addressing organ donation needs. The integration of such features into established patient portals signifies a promising step towards improving healthcare engagement and outcomes.

Feb 5, 2026·Healthcare IT News

Press Ganey has introduced the Zero Harm 24/7 initiative to improve patient safety in healthcare settings by uniting leaders in best practices across governance and care delivery. This program aims to create aspirational commitments in safety leadership, addressing the gap between leadership intentions and the realities experienced by frontline healthcare workers. Recent findings from Press Ganey's safety culture database reveal significant issues affecting over a million healthcare workers, underscoring the need for a robust safety culture to enhance patient outcomes. By fostering accountability and prioritizing safety, this initiative seeks to set new industry standards and transform safety strategies within health systems.

Feb 3, 2026·kevinmd.com

Artificial intelligence (AI) is significantly reshaping healthcare by providing patients with advanced tools like chatbots and symptom checkers that enhance their understanding and engagement in their health management. These technologies offer promising benefits for better patient-clinician interactions, especially through innovations such as "Augmented Empathy," which helps alleviate clinician burnout by automating administrative tasks and allowing for more meaningful patient engagement. However, the integration of AI also presents risks, including the potential for inauthentic emotional interactions, emphasizing the need for healthcare professionals to carefully balance technological benefits with the human aspects of care. Overall, while AI can improve efficiency and empower patients, its implementation requires mindful oversight to ensure that it serves rather than replaces empathetic care.

Feb 3, 2026·Forbes

Americans are increasingly turning to cash-based healthcare models like direct primary care and concierge medicine as a response to dissatisfaction with traditional insurance-based systems. This trend, marked by an 83% growth in such practices over five years, allows for more personalized care and reduces administrative burdens for physicians, enabling them to focus on attentive services, including house calls and chronic condition management. The rising popularity of these models reflects systemic issues in access to healthcare, particularly in rural areas where physician shortages persist, and it underscores a broader demand for more immediate and cost-effective care options. As healthcare technology continues to evolve, professionals must consider how these models can shape future patient engagement and access strategies.

Jan 19, 2026·LinkedIn

In an articled shared on LinkedIn, Ryan Smith announced he was stepping down as CIO of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho-based Kootenai Health after eight years in the role. Smith wrote, "I’m deeply grateful for the people, the challenges, and the shared accomplishments that defined my time here. This is a unique moment in technology. AI is reshaping what’s possible, and I’ve come to believe that making a meaningful difference will require working beyond the walls of a traditional healthcare role. That realization has led me to launch HumaNova, where we help organizations bridge into a new era of technology, strategy, and human intelligence. Our work is grounded in a simple principle: AI × HI = AVR. This is Artificial Intelligence multiplied by Human Intelligence creates Accelerated Value Realization." Smith noted that he is excited for the new chapter in his career.

Jan 13, 2026·Healthcare IT News

Hospitals in the U.S. are struggling to communicate critical information to nurses effectively, especially in high-pressure settings, according to a Firstup survey involving 1,000 nursing professionals. Although 86% of hospitals use email as the primary communication method, many nurses find the information irrelevant or poorly delivered, leading to missed safety updates and compliance requirements. This ineffective communication not only disengages nurses but also poses serious risks to patient care and safety, as evidenced by the significant percentage unaware of new policies until after implementation. The findings underscore an urgent need for healthcare technologies that enhance communication relevance and timeliness, ensuring nurses have access to critical information when they need it most.

Jan 7, 2026·MedCity News

Health systems in the U.S. are struggling to keep patients engaged outside of hospital settings as many people turn to more convenient care options, potentially jeopardizing continuity of care. In response, VHC Health has partnered with HealthTap to provide on-demand urgent care services through video consultations, aiming to reduce unnecessary emergency visits while maintaining connections to in-person providers. This collaboration extends patient access to healthcare 365 days a year, addressing care gaps and promoting ongoing engagement within VHC’s ecosystem. The initiative highlights the importance of integrating digital solutions into traditional healthcare models to enhance patient retention and satisfaction.

Jan 4, 2026·Healthcare Dive

CVS is launching an innovative healthcare engagement platform designed to improve access and navigation for consumers in a fragmented healthcare system. By integrating data and services from its ecosystem and industry partners, the platform aims to enhance consumer interactions while potentially reducing costs and improving health outcomes. This initiative addresses long-standing challenges in consumer engagement amid physician shortages and complexity in healthcare processes, with CVS leveraging its extensive digital consumer base. The project's success may hinge on its ability to foster interoperability among competitors, despite skepticism regarding collaboration with a CVS-led platform.

Dec 26, 2025·bhbusiness.com

A recent study by Talkiatry reveals that patient dropout rates in telehealth, especially tele-psychiatry, are significantly influenced by factors such as the therapeutic alliance and initial copay costs. Patients with low therapeutic alliance scores are 2.58 times more likely to discontinue care, and those facing copays above $40 are twice as likely to drop out. Although the overall dropout rate of 13.2% is lower than traditional psychiatric services, this research emphasizes that enhancing clinician-patient relationships is essential for improving patient retention and care quality in telehealth. Healthcare professionals must integrate these findings into their practices to foster better engagement in remote care settings.

Dec 17, 2025·UCLA Health

Research published in the Annals of Internal Medicine demonstrates that automatic patient outreach can significantly improve advance care planning (ACP) for patients with serious illnesses. A study involving nearly 8,000 patients across multiple healthcare clinics showed that the intervention, which incorporated health navigator outreach alongside electronic communication and educational resources, led to nearly 20% of patients completing their advance directives within a year or two. Experts like Dr. Neil Wenger and Dr. Anne Walling stress the importance of facilitating these discussions, which can be hindered by the time constraints of primary care physicians. These findings suggest that integrating systematic outreach into patient care could enhance the effectiveness of ACP efforts, aligning medical decisions more closely with patients' personal preferences.

Dec 16, 2025·aarp.org

The increasing engagement of adults aged 50 and above with digital technology marks a significant shift in the landscape of healthcare technology. Smartphone ownership in this demographic has risen dramatically, reaching 90% by 2025, and older adults are increasingly using various digital services, from social media to health apps. This trend suggests a growing potential market for health-related technologies tailored to their needs, although challenges such as privacy concerns and usability still exist. As older adults embrace technology for healthy aging, healthcare professionals must consider these dynamics to improve health outcomes and optimize patient engagement strategies.

Dec 1, 2025·Health Exec

to the complexity of her medical care. This case underscores the critical importance of surgical precision and thoroughness, as well as the potential long-term repercussions of medical errors on patients’ health and well-being. For healthcare professionals, it serves as a reminder of the necessity for meticulous adherence to protocols and continuous evaluation of surgical outcomes to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Moreover, the substantial jury award may prompt healthcare institutions to reevaluate their policies around surgical practices and patient safety initiatives.

Nov 30, 2025·Beckers Behavioral Health

Baptist Health in Jacksonville, Florida, tackled long wait times for behavioral health services, which often reached up to 14 months, by implementing a collaborative care model. This approach integrated primary care physicians, therapists, and psychiatric providers, enabling them to manage low-acuity cases directly in primary care settings. As a result, the health system saw a 30% decrease in behavioral health referrals and significantly improved appointment availability for specialists to just seven to 14 days. This model not only enhanced patient satisfaction by providing treatment in familiar environments but also underscores the potential of integrated care strategies to optimize resource allocation in healthcare.

Nov 18, 2025·linkedin.com

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has integrated Epic's AI Text Assistant, a tool designed to simplify clinical notes for enhanced patient accessibility, in line with the Cures Act of 2021. This initiative seeks to address challenges patients face in understanding complex medical terminology, thereby improving their engagement and adherence to care. By making clinical documentation more comprehensible, the AI Text Assistant not only supports the goals of the OpenNotes initiative but also represents a targeted application of generative AI in healthcare. The collaboration behind the project reflects a growing commitment within the medical community to leverage technology for better patient communication and outcomes.

Nov 13, 2025·Healthcare Finance News

As patients adopt a more empowered consumer mindset, the healthcare industry must elevate the importance of consumer experience to match the rigor of clinical care. A recent Press Ganey report emphasizes the role of social capital—trust, connection, and shared purpose—in fostering organizational culture that drives safety, loyalty, and growth. With 85% of consumers viewing perceived safety as crucial in their healthcare decisions, providers need to enhance digital communications and engagement to maintain trust, especially as online reviews increasingly influence patient choices. As consumers prioritize access and credibility, healthcare organizations must adapt to meet these expectations or risk losing patient loyalty.

Nov 6, 2025·NYU Langone Health

NYU Langone Health has launched an initiative using the Epic electronic health record system to allow patients to share personal information in their medical charts, aiming to improve healthcare by fostering empathy and deeper connections between patients and providers. This "About Me" prompt encourages patients to disclose details about their lives, which can enhance clinicians' understanding of patients as individuals and not just medical cases. Early responses indicate that patients appreciate being recognized beyond their health conditions, leading to improved engagement and therapeutic effectiveness. By embedding personal insights into care, the initiative not only enhances patient experiences but also revitalizes healthcare professionals’ commitment to empathy-driven practice.

Nov 4, 2025·Deaconess

In August, Deaconess Health System launched a feature within MyChart that allows patients to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors, resulting in over 1,000 registrations within three months. The integration with the National Donate Life Registry through Epic ensures that patients’ donor statuses are secure and remain valid even if they move. This advancement not only simplifies the registration process but also enables patients to make impactful contributions to healthcare from home, reflecting a significant shift in how health systems can leverage technology to enhance patient engagement and altruism. As healthcare technology continues to evolve, initiatives like this may serve as models for improving public health participation in organ donation.

Nov 3, 2025·MedCity News

The rapid advancement of AI technology is transforming personalization in healthcare from broad population segments to individualized experiences, as discussed by David Oakley, chief digital officer at AdventHealth. Currently, healthcare systems primarily enhance the patient experience through digital interfaces like EHRs, but Oakley argues for a more comprehensive personalization engine that addresses emotional, social, and lifestyle factors alongside clinical needs. This shift has significant implications for healthcare professionals, as it highlights the necessity of customizing care to improve patient engagement and outcomes. Expanding personalization in this way could fundamentally change how patients interact with their healthcare providers, ultimately leading to more effective care.

Nov 3, 2025·PR Newswire

A recent report by Sage Growth Partners reveals a pivotal shift among healthcare executives, with nearly half prioritizing patient experience as their top strategic initiative for the first time. This focus coincides with an increasing emphasis on digital health and virtual care services, including telehealth and remote patient monitoring, which are seen as essential to enhancing care delivery and patient satisfaction. However, despite the enthusiasm for these technologies, less than 30% of organizations report achieving significant return on investment, highlighting ongoing challenges in demonstrating the financial benefits of digital transformation in healthcare. This trend underscores the necessity for healthcare leaders to reconcile patient-centered initiatives with effective ROI strategies to fully leverage the potential of emerging technologies.