Ascension has confirmed that it experienced a ransomware attack on May 8, which disrupted clinical operations across its network. The health system is working with cybersecurity experts, including Mandiant, to investigate and remediate the issue. While Ascension is focused on safely restoring affected systems, it has not disclosed the ransom amount or whether personal health information (PHI) has been compromised. This incident follows a similar ransomware attack on Change Healthcare in February, underscoring the ongoing cybersecurity challenges faced by healthcare organizations.

Ascension confirms cyberattack is ransomware Healthcare Finance News

CNBC's Disruptor 50 list for 2024 includes seven healthcare companies out of the finalists selected through nominations for companies founded post-Jan. 1, 2009. Evaluations were based on scalability, user growth, sales growth, and the implementation of breakthrough technologies like AI and machine learning. The advisory board, comprising 50 innovators and entrepreneurs, and venture capitalists conducted both quantitative and qualitative reviews. The list is led by OpenAI, recognized for its growing role in healthcare through Microsoft. Other notable healthcare startups making the list are ElevateBio, Transcarent, Generate:Biomedicines, Alto Pharmacy, Spring Health, Maven Clinic, and Cityblock.

Top 7 healthcare disruptors, per CNBC Becker's Hospital Review

Hospital and health system CFOs are focusing on four critical trends to ensure financial viability in a challenging environment. During the HealthLeaders CFO Exchange event, attendees emphasized the need for early payer contract negotiations to secure favorable terms, strategic and unified budgeting for AI investments, and effective physician retention strategies considering the shift to ambulatory settings. Additionally, they highlighted that decreased length of stay (LOS) doesn’t always equate to increased revenue, necessitating thorough ROI assessments of new technologies. These measures are aimed at balancing cost reduction while maintaining high-quality patient care amidst rising labor costs and squeezed margins.

CFOs Are Shifting Attention to These 4 Make-or-Break Trends HealthLeaders Media

The introduction of OpenAI's GPT-4o in health care promises significant advancements while ensuring data security and eliminating biases. Potential innovations include advanced predictive analytics, real-time surgical assistance through augmented reality, and highly personalized medicine. GPT-4o could also enhance automated health monitoring and virtual health assistance, revolutionize emergency response, and streamline administrative processes. Additionally, it could improve medical training, enable cross-border collaboration, support mental health services, and contribute to community-specific health initiatives. These developments aim to improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency while maintaining strict security and fairness standards.

Envisioning the future of health care with OpenAI's GPT-4o: potential innovations under secure and unbiased conditions KevinMD