Search site
Find podcasts, news, articles, webinars, and contributors in one search.
Health IT News
Browse by topic
Most-read stories in the last 7 days
4,419 stories
May 24, 2024·bleepingcomputer
Microsoft's recent unveiling of the AI-powered Windows 11 Recall feature has stirred privacy and security concerns among users and experts. The feature periodically captures screenshots of an active window to aid in retrieving previously viewed information, with data stored locally and encrypted via BitLocker. Though intended to enhance user convenience, many worry it could be exploited by threat actors, effectively creating a new attack vector. Critics argue that despite Microsoft's assurances of data privacy and user control, the potential for misuse, especially if a device is compromised, poses significant risks. The Information Commissioner’s Office in the UK is consulting with Microsoft to ensure proper data protection measures are in place.
May 24, 2024·Seattle Children's Hospital
Seattle Children’s Hospital's Clinical Effectiveness department and Center for Diversity and Health Equity have developed Equity Dashboards to identify disparities in health outcomes among various patient populations. These dashboards aim to challenge racial inequities and prioritize quality improvement initiatives by trending Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) over time and by demographic factors. Available for free in R, Tableau, and PowerBI, these tools help organizations visualize and address disparities in care. The Equity Dashboards are updated quarterly and allow users to organize data by selected demographics to inform regular Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles. Interested users can access the code by completing a form and are encouraged to collaborate with their internal teams for effective implementation.
May 24, 2024·healthcaredive
An appellate court ruled in favor of drug manufacturers, allowing them to impose conditions on pharmacies receiving discounted drugs under the 340B program. This decision upholds a previous district court ruling that sided with Novartis Pharmaceuticals and United Therapeutics, who had sued the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in 2021. The 340B Drug Pricing Program requires drugmakers to provide discounts to providers serving low-income populations. However, pharmaceutical companies argue that providers abuse these discounts, especially when partnering with multiple pharmacies. The HHS had argued against the restrictions, issuing enforcement letters and threatening fines. The court's decision acknowledges drugmakers' concerns regarding potential abuses in the program but also noted that any conditions imposed by drugmakers must not violate the 340B statute. Provider groups oppose the ruling, arguing it jeopardizes access to discounted medications for disadvantaged patients.
May 24, 2024·publication
Ascension is collaborating with top cybersecurity experts to investigate and mitigate a recent ransomware attack, ensuring the secure restoration of their systems. Despite the incident, hospitals and facilities remain operational. Regular updates are being provided to patients on a regional basis via the designated webpage, while critical partners and vendors are receiving necessary information to assist in network restoration. Ongoing progress and updates will be communicated through the website.
May 24, 2024·Forbes
In today's digital age, data management is evolving rapidly, with businesses harnessing technology to maximize the return on data investments. Forbes Technology Council members outline emerging trends such as the use of generative AI, private large language models, and retrieval-augmented generation to improve data analysis and usability. Other highlighted strategies include implementing federated learning for decentralized data training, utilizing decentralized ledger technology for enhanced security, and employing low-code platforms to accelerate data projects. Furthermore, integrating data security within ETL pipelines, adopting data fabric approaches, and treating data as a product were identified as practices that significantly enhance data management efficiency and security.
May 24, 2024·healthtechmagazine
**Expanding the System to Emergency Departments for Improved Patient Care**: The team plans to extend their system to emergency departments. Their aim is to use head-to-toe assessments to generate scores that guide providers on the next steps, ensuring patients receive appropriate care levels from the start. This expansion is anticipated to be highly beneficial, although further development is necessary. **Enhanced Patient Experiences at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital**: Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital has introduced "Loma Land," an interactive digital experience designed to create a calming environment for patients and families. Visitors engage with digital wall screens to customize an animated forest creature, which then accompanies them through the hospital via motion sensors. This technology aims to alleviate stress and enhance the healing process by providing engaging, customizable experiences, with potential applications for in-room education. **Using AI for Safer Surgeries in Pediatric Care**: A survey at a Chicago-based children’s hospital reveals that parents generally support the use of AI in pediatric acute care despite some reservations. At Boston Children’s Hospital, Dr. Kathy Jenkins explores AI's potential to improve safety in pediatric cardiac procedures. Utilizing extensive data, her research focuses on enhancing the quality of complex and invasive procedures like those in the cardiac catheterization lab.
May 24, 2024·itpro
A recent study highlighted in HP Wolf Security's Q1 2024 threat insights report reveals a growing concern over fake invoice scams, which continue to bypass enterprise email security measures. These scams, often involving PDF-based email attacks, have seen threat actors refine their techniques, successfully evading gateway security tools. The WikiLoader malware, identified in December 2022, exemplifies the sophisticated nature of these threats by using techniques like detection evasion and DLL sideloading to install additional malicious software. The report underscores the substantial risk and financial implications for businesses, as attackers leverage widespread practices of sending invoices via email.
May 24, 2024·SC Magazine
House Armed Services Committee members Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, and Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., propose an amendment to the upcoming fiscal year's defense authorization legislation to create a Cyber Force under the Department of Defense. This entails a National Academy of Sciences evaluation on the feasibility of the new armed service, expected within nine months post-approval. Luttrell emphasizes the necessity of a Cyber Force due to the growing cyber threat landscape, even as Cyber Command undertakes its own assessments. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has fined Intercontinental Exchange, the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, $10 million for failing to promptly report a data breach in 2021. The breach affected the NYSE and eight other subsidiaries, highlighting the importance of timely incident reporting. The U.S. Department of Justice has arrested and indicted Chinese nationals Daren Li and Yicheng Zhang for their involvement in a pig butchering scheme that allegedly laundered at least $73 million. The scheme underscores the ongoing challenges in combating sophisticated financial cybercrimes. Following its earlier resistance to a European Parliament probe on NSO Group's Pegasus spyware abuse, Poland has made strides in addressing spyware accountability. The country has committed to the Biden
The evolving digital lifestyle of Generation Z presents significant cybersecurity challenges due to their preferences for online communication, gaming, and remote work. Gen Z's reliance on smartphones and digital platforms heightens risks like phishing, data breaches, and mobile malware. Implementing robust mobile security practices, educational initiatives on cyber risks, and privacy measures are essential. The rise of the gig economy and remote work further necessitates secure access solutions and data handling practices. Moreover, their engagement in online shopping, digital payments, and digital activism demands advanced security protocols to protect against fraud, identity theft, and cyber-attacks. Tailored cybersecurity education and robust security solutions are imperative to address these unique risks and ensure safe digital interactions for Generation Z.
May 22, 2024·Healthcare Financial Management Association
The article by Jeff and Trevor Goldsmith addresses the complexities and inefficiencies of the U.S. healthcare transaction system, emphasizing the need for reform. The Change Healthcare cyberattack highlights the vulnerabilities in the healthcare payment infrastructure, which handles $5 trillion annually and involves numerous transactions, many of which are non-essential and burdensome. These transactions, often requiring manual input, contribute to high administrative costs and physician burnout. The authors argue for reducing transaction volume by 50%, standardizing business rules, and simplifying payment processes, while acknowledging that overcoming entrenched interests and ensuring data security present significant challenges.
May 22, 2024·CRN
Kevin Mandia, founder of the cyber incident response and threat intelligence firm Mandiant, will step down from his current position at the end of the month but will remain as an advisor. This transition follows Mandiant's integration into Google Cloud, which acquired the company for $5.4 billion in September 2022. Mandia announced this change in a letter to employees, indicating that Sandra Joyce and Jurgen Kutscher will take on leadership roles. Mandia, who established Mandiant in 2004, expressed pride in the firm's accomplishments and stated that he will continue to advise Google Cloud on various cybersecurity projects. He also remains a strategic partner at Ballistic Ventures, a cybersecurity-focused venture firm he co-founded.
May 22, 2024·Mayo Clinic News Network
Mayo Clinic and Mercy are expanding their collaboration through the Mayo Clinic Platform_Connect to share de-identified patient data, enhancing their capacity to diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases more effectively. This partnership, which originally allowed each organization to analyze internal data, now leverages a much larger combined data set, enabling more accurate identification of risk factors and earlier disease detection. The collaboration, involving healthcare institutions from multiple countries, aims to revolutionize healthcare by integrating artificial intelligence into clinical workflows, thereby improving patient outcomes and reducing costs.
May 22, 2024·Becker's Hospital Review
Tufts Medicine in Burlington, Massachusetts, plans to lay off 174 employees primarily in administrative and non-direct patient care roles, citing ongoing industry challenges such as capacity issues, high contract labor expenses, and rising supply chain costs. In a statement on May 21, the health system acknowledged the difficulty of these decisions and emphasized their goal of financial recovery. The layoffs include some leadership positions and are part of efforts to stabilize Tufts Medicine's financial health while continuing to provide high-quality care. The organization employs over 15,000 individuals across various affiliated healthcare facilities and networks.
May 22, 2024·publication
The article focuses on strategies for healthcare IT leaders to avoid the pitfalls of hastily implemented AI initiatives in their organizations. Drawing from experiences such as the HIMSS Global Health Conference and real-world examples of AI failures in other sectors, the author underscores the importance of a cautious, transparent, and ethically driven approach to AI adoption. Ten actionable tips are presented, ranging from transparency and robust data governance to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and promoting an ethical AI culture. The piece also highlights successful implementations in large healthcare organizations, emphasizing the necessity of a leadership-first, data-driven culture.
May 22, 2024·BBC News
The UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is investigating Microsoft's new feature, Recall, which periodically takes and stores encrypted screenshots on users' laptops, available exclusively on forthcoming Copilot+ PCs. While Microsoft claims Recall prioritizes user privacy and security, allowing control over captured data and keeping it local, privacy advocates express concerns over significant potential privacy risks. Critics argue that the continuous screenshot feature could cause users to avoid certain activities on their devices. Microsoft reiterates that the experience is optional, emphasizing robust privacy safeguards and restricted access. The ICO’s inquiries aim to assess the effectiveness of these measures in protecting users' rights and freedoms.
May 22, 2024·Microsoft
The 2024 Work Trend Index Annual Report from Microsoft and LinkedIn highlights the increasing integration of AI in the workplace, noting that 75% of global knowledge workers now utilize generative AI. Employees, driven by overwhelming workloads, are often independently adopting AI tools at work. Despite recognizing AI as essential, many leaders struggle with strategic implementation and are under pressure to demonstrate ROI quickly. The report finds that AI is poised to transform various job roles and the labor market, emphasizing the need for organizations to train and support their workforce in leveraging AI effectively. The rise of AI power users—those who routinely use AI—illustrates the significant productivity and creativity gains possible when AI is embraced fully.
LogRhythm, owned by private equity firm Thoma Bravo, has announced a merger with its SIEM market competitor Exabeam. Financial details were not disclosed, but Exabeam's latest valuation was $2.5 billion. The merger aims to leverage complementary strengths in AI-driven threat detection, investigation, and response, offering enhanced R&D, product innovation, and expanded support. Exabeam provides a SIEM platform known for its behavioral analytics and automated threat response capabilities. The deal is anticipated to close in Q3 2024, pending regulatory approvals.
May 22, 2024·Healthcare IT News
The "U.S. Acute Care EHR Market Share 2024" report from KLAS highlights the substantial growth of Epic Systems, which added 153 new clients over the past year, expanding its reach to more than half of inpatient multispecialty beds in the U.S. Epic’s success contrasts with Oracle Health (formerly Cerner) and Meditech, both of which experienced client losses. Smaller EHR vendors like Altera Digital Health and TruBridge made minor gains, while Azalea Health and Medhost saw no net-new contracts. The year's market activity primarily involved large health systems making decisive purchases influenced by acquisition activities and the need to improve IT and clinical operations.
The article by J. Michael Connors MD discusses the shift in medical leadership from physician-led roles, like the Chief of Staff, to corporate-appointed positions, such as the Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Historically, Chiefs of Staff were elected by their peers and served without additional compensation, representing the medical staff's interests independently of hospital administration. In contrast, modern CMOs are appointed by the hospital's executive team, aligning more with corporate goals and administrative decisions. This shift has led to reduced physician autonomy and increased feelings of burnout, as physicians navigate a corporate-driven healthcare environment. The article advocates for reclaiming clinical practice and ensuring fair treatment of medical professionals to maintain the integrity and autonomy of the medical profession.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) and its channel partners will no longer be reselling VMware Cloud on AWS due to Broadcom's decision to require customers to buy directly from VMware. Broadcom CEO Hock Tan confirmed the shift, noting that current customers will continue being billed by AWS until their subscription terms end. This move has sparked concern among AWS and VMware partners who believe Broadcom is phasing out the product, complicating its future viability. In response, AWS is encouraging customers to migrate their VMware workloads to Amazon EC2, emphasizing the scalability and cost advantages of this alternative.