Congress has passed a short-term federal spending package extending telehealth and hospital-at-home programs until the end of September, allowing continued virtual care access for patients. Despite this extension, which comes as federal waivers were set to expire, advocates expressed disappointment over the absence of a longer-term solution for healthcare planning. Additionally, the package failed to address impending cuts to Medicare payments to physicians, which has drawn criticism from medical professionals and organizations. This stagnation raises concerns about the sustainability of care for Medicare beneficiaries as some providers reconsider accepting Medicare patients.

Congress Extends Telehealth Access Amid Ongoing Medicare Payment Cuts Chief Healthcare Executive

A study by Michael Allen from Indiana University Health investigated the use of escape rooms as a training method for new nurses facing electronic health record (EHR) outages. Presented at the HIMSS25 conference, the program aimed to boost the confidence of nursing graduates in managing critical tasks during EHR downtimes, which can jeopardize patient safety. The findings revealed that nurses who participated in the escape room training felt better prepared for EHR failures. Allen highlighted a training gap for new nurses in traditional documentation due to a focus on digital records, underscoring the importance of such innovative training approaches to mitigate risks in patient care during critical system outages.

Escape Room Training Boosts Nurse Confidence During EHR Outages Healthcare IT News

Houston Methodist is actively pursuing innovation in healthcare to improve patient care, underscored by insights from Michelle Stansbury, the Associate Chief Innovation Officer. She highlights the challenges of implementing new technologies and the need for operational leadership involvement to reduce resistance to change. Effective communication about the benefits of innovations, such as virtual nursing, fosters collaboration among staff. The organization also prioritizes multidisciplinary representation in its Center of Innovation, allowing team members to address real challenges while continuing their regular roles, which accelerates the development and implementation of digital solutions. Stansbury emphasizes the importance of balancing innovation goals with practical outcomes to enhance care delivery.

Transforming Healthcare: Embracing Innovation for Enhanced Patient Care This Week Health

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has announced a $10 million cut in annual funding for the Center for Internet Security (CIS), which supports vital programs like the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) and the Election Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EI-ISAC). These centers provide critical cybersecurity assistance to state governments, particularly in the context of rising cyber threats. The cuts have raised concerns among experts and state officials about the potential impact on their operations and the cybersecurity of local election offices.

CISA Cuts $10 Million in Cybersecurity Funding, Sparking Alarm Among Experts The Record