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Nov 11, 2024·CommonSpirit Health
CommonSpirit Health's Mountain Region has appointed Brady Small as its new Chief Information Officer, bringing nearly 15 years of experience in technology strategy and innovation from previous roles at Oracle Health and Iris Telehealth. Small is also an advisor for the Customer Experience program at the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business, highlighting his commitment to education and community service. He expressed enthusiasm for joining CommonSpirit, aligning with the organization's mission to enhance healthcare delivery. Small resides in Berthoud, Colorado, with his family and values outdoor activities and spiritual growth.
Nov 11, 2024·MobiHealthNews
Health Catalyst has acquired Intraprise Health, a cybersecurity firm, for approximately $43 million to strengthen its healthcare data management and cybersecurity capabilities. The transaction, which includes cash and about 2.2 million shares of common stock, aims to integrate Intraprise's cybersecurity risk management platform with Health Catalyst's existing systems. This partnership is intended to enhance risk management and information security, helping clients develop cyber resilience programs. In its third-quarter report for 2024, Health Catalyst reported revenues of $76.4 million and an adjusted EBITDA of $7.3 million, indicating a positive financial trend following a previous net loss.
Nov 11, 2024·Albuquerque Journal
A recent data breach at Presbyterian Healthcare Services may have compromised the personal information of patients, including names and addresses. The law firm representing the healthcare provider is investigating the breach's extent and its potential impact on individuals. In response, Presbyterian Healthcare Services is collaborating with the firm to assess the situation and notify affected patients on how to protect themselves from identity theft or fraud. This incident underscores ongoing concerns about healthcare data security and highlights the need for stronger cybersecurity measures within the industry. Updates from the organization regarding the investigation are anticipated.
Nov 11, 2024·CIODive
In response to a notable outage caused by a flawed CrowdStrike security update in July, technology leaders are reassessing their IT operational resilience. A survey by Cockroach Labs and Wakefield Research revealed that over 90% of 1,000 senior cloud architects and engineers recognized operational weaknesses that could lead to costly interruptions, with nearly half admitting to inadequate measures for improvement. The incident, which disrupted millions of Windows systems and impacted major airlines and banks, underscored the necessity for robust cybersecurity and operational strategies, as companies reported an average of 86 outages a year, with significant recovery times and resultant productivity losses.
Nov 11, 2024·Healthcare IT News
Ransomware attacks and cyber threats are increasingly affecting healthcare services in the U.S., with an average of two data breaches occurring daily, according to Greg Garcia of the Health Sector Coordinating Council Cybersecurity Working Group. A recent ransomware incident at Memorial Hospital in Bainbridge, Georgia, disrupted its electronic health records system, forcing a temporary shift to paper processes. Meanwhile, Summit Pathology in Colorado reported a significant data breach impacting over 1.8 million individuals, with sensitive patient information being compromised.
Regenstrief Institute has appointed Chris Harle as its new chief information officer (CIO), while he continues his role as a research scientist in the Center for Biomedical Informatics. With over ten years at Indiana University and Regenstrief, Harle will manage operations of Regenstrief Data Services, aiding more than 200 faculty in healthcare research. His responsibilities include improving support for researchers and overseeing access to the Indiana Network for Patient Care. He will work alongside the institute's new chief data scientist, Jiang Bian, and vice president for data and analytics, Dr. Shaun Grannis, to enhance data initiatives.
Nov 11, 2024·HealthLeaders
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will not extend several key telehealth waivers that were implemented during the pandemic, which may restrict virtual care accessibility, particularly for older Americans in various regions. While most waivers will expire, CMS has extended the waiver allowing providers to bill Medicare for telehealth services conducted from home, a change advocated for by over 100 organizations seeking its permanence to enhance patient access. Additionally, CMS plans to include new services in the Medicare Telehealth Services List, such as caregiver training and PrEP counseling, and permit telehealth via two-way, real-time audio.
Nov 7, 2024·MedCity News
Generative AI is generating optimism in the healthcare sector for its potential to alleviate burnout, enhance operational efficiency, and improve patient care. Jason Hill, Chief Innovation Officer at Ochsner Health, highlights the need for standard governance and frameworks to ensure safe and effective AI use. He foresees a future of inevitable AI regulation, focusing on technological accuracy and operational readiness. Hill emphasizes the importance of a thorough evaluation process for AI tools in clinical settings, advocating for systematic reviews to assess their effectiveness before adoption.
Nov 7, 2024·Healthcare IT News
MedStar Health has expanded its acute care at home program to Baltimore, targeting patients from its Franklin Square Medical Center and other local hospitals. This partnership with Dispatch Health allows for daily home visits within 72 hours post-discharge, facilitating a smoother transition for patients. The service, which has already proven effective in Washington, D.C., covers a range of acute conditions and includes treatments like IV administration and lab services. This expansion is part of a larger trend in healthcare following the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the increasing role of telemedicine and at-home care.
Nov 7, 2024·SecurityWeek
CrowdStrike has announced plans to acquire Adaptive Shield for approximately $300 million, aiming to enhance its cybersecurity offerings focused on cloud application security. Adaptive Shield specializes in securing SaaS applications, and its integration into CrowdStrike's platform is expected to improve visibility and control over cloud security configurations. This acquisition responds to the increasing demand for comprehensive security solutions as organizations adopt cloud technologies and face growing cyber threats. By incorporating Adaptive Shield’s capabilities, CrowdStrike intends to strengthen its position in the evolving cybersecurity landscape and better protect sensitive data and applications for its clients.
North Korean hackers are employing a sophisticated phishing campaign targeting macOS users with counterfeit cryptocurrency-related PDF documents. These PDFs are designed to install malware, compromising systems and stealing sensitive data. The campaign reflects the evolving nature of cyber threats as it capitalizes on trends in digital currency to lure victims through seemingly legitimate offers. Cybersecurity experts urge macOS users, particularly those involved with cryptocurrency, to remain vigilant and adopt enhanced security measures in light of these emerging threats, which indicate a worrying shift from traditional Windows targets to macOS.
Nov 7, 2024·About Amazon
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has launched the IMAGINE Grant: Children’s Health Innovation Award, committing $10 million to enhance pediatric healthcare and support research into rare diseases affecting children. This initiative focuses on funding nonprofit healthcare organizations employing generative artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud technology to foster innovation. Notable recipients, including Rady Children’s Hospital and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, are working on projects that aim to improve diagnoses and treatment through better data management and real-time insights. The grant addresses the pressing need for advancements in pediatric care and research.
Nov 7, 2024·Mayo Clinic Platform
Generative AI is making notable strides in the healthcare sector since the launch of ChatGPT in late 2022, attracting around 200 million weekly users, although concerns about misinformation persist. Advances in AI functionality, particularly through the development of transformers and attention mechanisms by data scientists, are improving diagnostic accuracy, as shown by research from the University of Cologne that indicates aggregating outputs from multiple large language models (LLMs) enhances trustworthiness in clinical settings. While these developments are promising, ongoing efforts to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of AI in real-world healthcare applications are essential, with tech companies like OpenAI actively working to enhance the reliability of their AI models.
Nov 7, 2024·BleepingComputer
Google has announced that multi-factor authentication (MFA) will be mandatory for all Google Cloud accounts by the end of 2025, targeting enhanced security for businesses and IT teams. The rollout will occur in three phases, starting with reminders for users without MFA this month, followed by notifications for those using only passwords in early 2025. Ultimately, all Google Cloud users, including federated users, will need to implement MFA, underscoring its importance for account protection.
Dennis Chornenky, chief AI adviser at UC Davis Health, discusses the pivotal role of chief AI officers in healthcare, highlighting the necessity for a comprehensive understanding of policy, business strategy, healthcare, and IT. With more than 80 AI applications being tracked at UC Davis Health, he describes various initiatives aimed at enhancing care delivery and patient engagement, noting that although AI adoption is increasing, there remains substantial work to maximize its effectiveness. A key project focuses on a system that identifies and prioritizes stroke patients, improving outcomes through faster diagnosis. While Chornenky does not manage individual projects, he influences strategic governance to ensure innovation aligns with safety and organizational objectives. He advises IT executives aiming for chief AI officer roles to cultivate a broad skill set, emphasizing the relevance of understanding AI governance amidst its rapid evolution.
Nov 6, 2024·Newsday
A data breach at Long Island Plastic Surgical Group has compromised the personal information of 161,707 patients, with unauthorized access occurring between January 4 and 8. The incident, disclosed on October 4, prompted an investigation by external cybersecurity experts, which revealed that sensitive data including Social Security numbers and medical information were accessed. The practice has reported the breach to the Department of Health and Human Services and is working to enhance its security measures. Ransomware groups Radar and AlphV have claimed responsibility, highlighting the ongoing vulnerability of healthcare providers to cyberattacks.
Nov 6, 2024·Becker's Hospital Review
The article discusses the importance of establishing a strong accountability framework in healthcare to enhance patient outcomes, as current systems often rely on informal peer pressure and lack defined roles. The author describes a proactive strategy from their institution, supported by government guidance, that encourages caregivers to critically assess their objectives and available resources while promoting shared responsibility among leaders and teams. This model has shown positive results, reflected in improved metrics such as medication safety and patient mobility, and particularly in increased completion rates for Annual Wellness Visits.
Nov 6, 2024·LinkedIn
In his discussion on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace, Khalid Turk, Chief Healthcare Information Officer at County of Santa Clara Health System, clarifies common misconceptions about AI’s role in productivity. He argues that rather than replacing human jobs, AI is intended to augment human capabilities by automating repetitive tasks, thereby allowing workers to engage in higher-value activities. Turk emphasizes the importance of human-AI collaboration, as AI's strengths in data processing must be complemented by human creativity and empathy for optimal results. Additionally, he notes that ongoing training and oversight are crucial for maintaining effective AI systems, which need regular updates to adapt to evolving business needs and conditions.
Spencer Dorn, a Vice Chair and Professor of Medicine at UNC, highlights a troubling shift in hospitalized patients' illnesses, noting fewer admissions for common conditions and more for complex issues like aortic graft and checkpoint inhibitor colitis. Supporting his observations, a population-based study indicates that current hospitalized patients are older, take more medications, and face a higher likelihood of having multiple active medical problems compared to patients 15 years ago. This trend, driven by an aging demographic and the increasing burden of chronic diseases, complicates care transitions and adds significant emotional and logistical challenges for families and the healthcare system.
Nov 6, 2024·SecurityWeek
Mystic Valley Elder Services has reported a data breach affecting approximately 87,000 individuals due to unauthorized access to its computer systems. The organization, which supports the elderly in Massachusetts, discovered the breach during a routine security assessment and has since taken steps to secure its systems, engage cybersecurity experts, and collaborate with law enforcement. Affected individuals have been notified and provided with resources, including credit monitoring services, to protect their personal information. The incident underscores the increasing risks of cyberattacks on healthcare and social service organizations and raises concerns about the security of sensitive data for vulnerable populations.