Stay ahead of the headlines

Mar 28, 2024·HealthTech Magazine

The article discusses the enhancements in patient care through the integration of Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), highlighting the shift from traditional healthcare models towards more personalized and preventative care strategies. By utilizing RPM and Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) devices, continuous monitoring of patients’ vital signs can be achieved outside of clinical settings, providing care teams with extensive data to identify health trends and tailor individual treatment plans. The piece emphasizes the importance of data interoperability and maturity, as well as the role of AI in processing and analyzing vast amounts of patient-generated data to support timely and informed clinical decisions. It also explores the broader implications of RPM and AI integration in improving healthcare outcomes, reducing unnecessary costs, and streamlining care delivery processes, underscoring the critical support technology partners like CDW offer in implementing these solutions effectively within healthcare organizations.

Mar 27, 2024·The Wall Street Journal

The article discusses the widespread frustration faced by patients attempting to see a doctor, highlighting long wait times for appointments, operational inefficiencies, and the challenge of navigating digital patient portals. Contributing factors include a national shortage of healthcare providers, decreasing rates of Medicare payment affecting physician practices, and the trend toward healthcare consolidation, which can hinder timely access to care. Solutions being explored include centralized patient-access centers, advanced scheduling systems, virtual care options, and changes in appointment management to ensure more efficient and effective patient-doctor interactions. Additionally, the article touches on efforts to streamline post-appointment communications via patient portals and the potential of artificial intelligence in managing patient queries more efficiently.

Mar 26, 2024·Physicians Practice

**Digitally Transforming Primary Care - James F. Jordan (Mar 25, 2024):** The integration of digital technologies into primary care is revolutionizing healthcare by enhancing patient care and improving practice efficiency. James F. Jordan explores how primary care physicians, by utilizing digital tools such as electronic health records (EHRs), telemedicine, and data analytics, can streamline operations and reduce non-value-added activities. These innovations not only boost practice efficiency but also allow for more patient-focused care, potentially restoring lost time and income for healthcare providers. This digital transformation, grounded in principles like Lean and Six Sigma, aims to minimize administrative burdens while amplifying direct patient interaction and care quality. **Disruptive Innovation: A Solution for American Healthcare - Neil Baum, MD (Mar 22, 2024):** Neil Baum addresses the critical need for disruptive innovation (DI) within the American healthcare system, highlighting its potential to drastically reduce costs while improving healthcare delivery and outcomes. By embracing DIs, such as expanding the roles of nurse practitioners and utilizing telemedicine, the system can shift towards a more efficient and patient-centered model. Baum advocates for the alignment of clinician skills with the complexity of medical issues and suggests a remodel toward more accessible and cost-effective care. The article emphasizes the necessity of overcoming regulatory and institutional inertia to enable these transformative changes, arguing that DI can lead to a sustainable, high-quality, and more affordable healthcare system.

Mar 21, 2024·Drug Topics

The study discussed in the article sheds light on the ongoing disparities in digital health portal use, notably during and after the COVID-19 pandemic's peak periods. Key findings indicate that despite an overall increase in patient portal engagement spurred by the pandemic, significant gaps remain among older individuals, those with lower socioeconomic status, and individuals with limited health literacy. This work emphasizes the need for targeted efforts to enhance digital literacy and access, aligning with the goals of the 21st Century Cures Act for more transparent and accessible medical records. The research suggests a proactive approach in addressing technological and educational barriers to equalize healthcare access and improve outcomes for underrepresented populations.

Mar 20, 2024·Gizmodo

Nvidia has partnered with Hippocratic AI to introduce generative AI nurses, offering healthcare providers an affordable option to address worker shortages. These AI nurses, costing $9 an hour, can provide patients with medical advice via real-time video calls, a significant saving compared to the $90 hourly rate for human nurses. Nvidia powers the technology enabling these AI agents to deliver human-like responses. The collaboration aims to alleviate the escalating nursing crisis, underscored by widespread strikes and shortages within the industry. This initiative, alongside Nvidia's other announcements at their 2024 GTC Conference, reinforces the company's influence in advancing AI technologies across various sectors.

Mar 19, 2024·Health Populi

The Rock Health’s ninth annual Consumer Adoption Survey reveals a significant shift in the landscape of virtual care and patient data sharing preferences in the U.S. health care system. As virtual care becomes a standard expectation among patients, the report highlights a growing concern over the willingness to share personal health information, with a notable decline across various demographics and entities compared to previous years. The survey indicates that while over three-quarters of U.S. residents have embraced virtual care for its convenience, there is an increasing demand for more features and a cautious approach towards data privacy. The study also outlines the varying preferences among consumers for virtual versus in-person care services, specifically noting a substantial preference for virtual mental health services. The decrease in willingness to share health data, especially among younger people and people of color, underscores the need for building trust through an omnichannel health care experience and exploring new partnerships to encourage data sharing for advancing health care and research.

Mar 19, 2024·mHealthIntelligence

Bipartisan U.S. lawmakers have introduced the Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024, aiming to make permanent various telehealth flexibilities extended to Medicare beneficiaries during the COVID-19 pandemic. This legislation proposes to permanently remove geographic restrictions on telehealth services, allow rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers to receive Medicare reimbursement for such services, and include audio-only telehealth coverage within the Medicare program. Additionally, it would permit telehealth use for hospice care and home dialysis assessments when clinically appropriate. The bill responds to the temporary regulatory flexibilities set to expire at the end of 2024, with significant support from healthcare stakeholders and organizations who recognize the benefits of continuing expanded access to telehealth services for improving patient care and the healthcare delivery system.

Mar 6, 2024·Flipboard

Federal Affordable Connectivity Program, helping 20m American households afford internet, set to run out of funds, impacting telehealth access particularly in rural areas. Rural Americans suffer internet access and local doctor shortages, increasing telehealth importance for chronic health conditions management. Telehealth grown during Covid, cuts could intensify healthcare disparities. Better internet access key to telehealth equity.

Mar 4, 2024·Beckers Hospital Review

Amazon training AI chatbot to handle patient messages, administrative queries for One Medical, amidst telehealth surge and job cuts; intended to reduce healthcare provider's administrative burdens, improve response time.

Mar 1, 2024·Medical Futurist

'Virtual first' in healthcare prioritizes remote medical services before in-person visits, blending digital and physical resources. It increases accessibility, efficiency, and cost-saving, despite potential disparities in care access. Adoption remains largely US-based but potential for global rollout exists.

Feb 13, 2024·UC Davis Health

UC Davis Health introduces digital care program for post-Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) patients using UC-NOW text-messaging and Clinii for vital monitoring. CliniiMobile Technology enables direct data transmission to healthcare team for guidance. Aimed at optimizing recovery, reducing heart risks and enhancing patient well-being. Collaboration with Clinii expected to improve patient-provider interactions. Program supported by American College of Cardiology, Rosenfeld Foundation. UC Davis Health team to monitor 200 patients daily to prevent complications, reduce readmissions.

Feb 3, 2024·Medscape

Emergency medicine doctors propose everyone having personal emergency doctors, reducing over and under-triage at hospitals. Current systems don't support this due to insurance companies' structures. Telemedicine growth, integrated systems like Kaiser Permanente and AI-powered kiosks offer better access but have limitations. Concierge medicine provides personal care and accessibility but comes with substantial cost. Innovations reducing costs, fulfilling personal care needs are imperative in healthcare's future.

Jan 25, 2024·Beckers Hospital Review

MyChart message billing by health systems is on the rise; claims swelled in mid-2021 and e-visit billing is becoming a long-term revenue stream, according to a study. The impact on provider's digital workload and effect on patient care, cost, and live visit substituting needs further research.

Jan 22, 2024·Beckers Hospital Review

By 2024, Amazon aims to enhance healthcare access and increase collaborations with health systems via its primary care company, One Medical. The digitally-forward mission is centered around customer ease and focuses on affordability, service engagement, choice, and quick health service discovery. To combat the prevalent healthcare fragmentation, One Medical's integration with various health systems ensures seamless and continuous patient care. Future plans include additional primary care offices and enhancing the telehealth service, Amazon Clinic.

Jan 22, 2024·Beckers Hospital Review

Mass General Brigham physician Shannon MacDonald sues New Jersey medical board over out-of-state telehealth restrictions. Telehealth increased during pandemic but is now hindered by state-by-state licensing. Argues violation of interstate commerce rules and speech restrictions.

Jan 16, 2024·EpicResearch

Study reveals follow-up rates post telehealth or in-office visits remained consistent over three years with under 40% occurring within 90 days. Telehealth visits had more frequent 7-day follow-ups than office visits. Findings based on data from 236 Epic health systems, over 227 million patient records, covering January 2020 and August 2023.

Jan 14, 2024·Health Data Management

AI visionaries ChatGPT and Google's Bard predict 2024 healthcare changes. AI will redefine diagnostics, streamline administration, optimize treatment and enhance early disease detection. Telehealth will expand, bridging distances and reducing costs. Personalized medicine will leverage genetic data for targeted treatments. Advanced wearables will monitor complex health parameters. Blockchain will secure healthcare data. 3D printing will customize care. Smart hospitals will embody the digital transformation. Big data and genetic testing reveal new treatments and improve outcomes. Robot-assisted surgeries will increase precision and safety. ChatGPT focuses on systemic technology integration, while Bard prioritizes personalized care security. Pace of change depends on governance and policy decisions.

Jan 8, 2024·halletecco.com

13M lost Medicaid coverage due to policy changes in 2023; More enrolled in Medicare Advantage; Employer-priced health insurance premiums rose; GLP-1 drugs for obesity gained popularity but faced shortages; AI tools increasingly used in healthcare; More Americans lost abortion access despite no decrease in abortion cases; Digital health investment cooled down with no new public listings in 2023.

Jan 3, 2024·Healthcare Brew

Future hospital care involves continuous patient monitoring through technology, enabling personalized experiences. Hospitals to become community hubs, promoting healthcare with increased visitor amenities. Evolution reflects technological advances, staffing issues and greater patient independence.

Dec 10, 2023·Beckers Hospital Review

Hospital-at-home care, assisted by technological advancements, has grown rapidly in recent years. Leading health systems including Atrium Health, Mass General Brigham, and Mayo Clinic have developed extensive home care programs, leading to decreased costs, lower readmission rates and higher patient satisfaction. Challenges include patient identification, staffing, financial constraints, and achieving necessary regulatory changes. Despite these obstacles, many believe hospital-at-home is the future of healthcare.