A ransomware attack on Ascension, one of the largest health care systems in the U.S., severely disrupted patient care by locking clinicians out of critical electronic health systems. Nurses and doctors reported numerous lapses, including medication errors and delayed lab results, due to the abrupt shift from electronic to manual systems. While the health system claimed readiness for such disruptions, many staff members noted a lack of adequate training for extended downtime. The attack underscores the health sector's vulnerability to cyberattacks and the need for improved cybersecurity measures, as highlighted by recent government recommendations to bolster security standards in health care.

Cyberattack led to harrowing lapses at Ascension hospitals, clinicians say npr.org

Sen. Ron Wyden criticized the Biden administration's timeline for implementing healthcare cybersecurity regulations, urging for faster action due to the pressing nature of the threat. Highlighting recent ransomware attacks, Wyden emphasized that measures such as multi-factor authentication are basic yet essential steps that have been neglected. He stressed that while the administration is making progress, their goal of having regulations in place by the end of the year is inadequate given the current cybersecurity landscape. Wyden called for immediate action to prevent healthcare systems from remaining vulnerable to cyber-attacks.

Sen. Wyden Prods White House to ‘Speed Up’ Healthcare Cyber Regs MeriTalk

Tampa General Hospital's partnership with Palantir Technologies has led to significant improvements, including a 30% reduction in sepsis patient length of stay and millions in revenue cycle enhancements. Leveraging Palantir's analytics, the hospital has optimized sepsis protocols, improved charge capture by $4 million, and enhanced efficiency in post-anesthesia care through predictive bed placements. Benefits extend to patients, clinicians, and administrative staff via detailed patient itineraries, streamlined operations, and workflow automation. Future plans include diving deeper into AI and automation to boost predictive analytics and operational efficiency, exploring tools like ChatGPT and Office 365 Copilot for internal training and productivity.

How Tampa General is boosting efficiency through analytics Becker's Hospital Review

A global survey by Nash Squared reveals that the anticipated transformative impact of Generative AI (GenAI) on the workplace has not yet materialized, despite significant vendor valuations and lofty societal predictions. Interviews with 322 tech leaders globally indicate that while 51% of organizations have implemented GenAI to varying degrees, and 21% to a greater extent, the practical uses have mostly been limited to personal productivity tools like document creation and research. Many organizations are still in the experimental phase, with 39% reporting little to no impact from the technology. The survey also highlights that concerns about misuse, budgetary constraints, and an unproven business case for mass investment are hindering broader adoption. Additionally, the effect on jobs has been minimal, with only 1% of roles being replaced by GenAI and 10% seeing changes in job roles.

GenAI more buzz than biz as tech barely dents jobs theregister.com