A new analysis by the Peterson Health Technology Institute (PHTI) highlights the efficacy and economic benefits of virtual musculoskeletal (MSK) solutions in treating various conditions. The independent evaluation reveals that virtual solutions can deliver comparable clinical outcomes to in-person physical therapy (PT), expanding access to care and potentially reducing healthcare costs. The report assessed eight virtual MSK platforms in three categories, including app-based exercise therapy, physical therapist-guided solutions, and remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) supplements. The findings suggest that physical therapist-guided solutions offer substantial clinical and economic benefits, potentially yielding significant savings if widely adopted. Additionally, the integration of virtual MSK solutions into traditional medical benefits could enhance their value by facilitating early intervention and reducing high-cost care.

New Analysis: Virtual Musculoskeletal Solutions Improve Health Outcomes and Lower Costs - Peterson Health Technology Institute publication

Kaiser Permanente's Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, inaugurated in 2020, aims to address health inequities and promote personalized student experiences through the integration of advanced technologies. Outgoing CEO Mark Schuster discussed the school's use of augmented and virtual reality in teaching anatomy and clinical skills, enhancing traditional methods by allowing detailed, repeatable exploration of human anatomy and surgery simulations. While these technologies significantly aid learning, they supplement rather than replace human cadaver studies and interactions with standardized patients, which are crucial for developing empathy and communication skills. Additionally, the curriculum incorporates AI technology, preparing students to critically assess and integrate new advancements throughout their medical careers.

Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine’s outgoing CEO on how technology aids student learning | Healthcare Dive Healthcare Dive

Houston Methodist is set to enhance data latency and transmission speeds with the launch of its new hospital in April 2025, partnering with AT&T and Verizon to implement 5G technology, according to CTO Jim Francis. The health system will integrate public and private 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and the Citizens Broadband Radio Service band to ensure comprehensive connectivity across its 104-acre campus that includes recreational amenities. A distributed antenna system will amplify wireless signals, ensuring seamless communication for both in-hospital care and critical remote situations, such as emergency highway incidents. This connectivity aims to transform healthcare delivery by enabling flexible, real-time access to essential medical data.

Similarly, Baptist Health's Chief Digital and Information Officer, Aaron Miri, discusses the potential of 5G to revolutionize healthcare by providing instantaneous access to information and supporting large file transfers, a capability already realized in Europe and Japan. Although Baptist Health is evaluating its 5G options, Miri highlights the potential for improved patient engagement and data sharing, especially in rural communities lacking broadband access. He emphasizes that 5G could fundamentally change healthcare by enabling more dynamic and timely patient care, affirming that its widespread adoption will significantly enhance medical service delivery.

How Are Healthcare Organizations Approaching 5G? healthtechmagazine.net

In a landmark case, Springhill Memorial Hospital in Alabama allegedly fails to honor a settlement related to the death of Nicko Silar, an infant whose demise is linked to a 2019 ransomware attack that impeded clinicians' access to crucial fetal monitoring data. Teiranni Kidd, the mother, claims her lawsuit settlement reached in April 2024 remains unpaid, prompting a court motion to enforce the agreement. The hospital's alleged new demands have raised questions about their motivations, possibly to amend terms or avoid a binding settlement. The case underscores the growing patient safety concerns tied to cyberattacks in healthcare, reflecting broader systemic vulnerabilities.

Hospital Allegedly Skirting Ransomware Death Suit Settlement bankinfosecurity