Healthcare tech companies predict increased role for AI and digital tools in enhancing patient care and operational efficiency in 2024. Emphasis on technology’s role in reducing labor pressures and managing costs. AI disruption expected, with need for strong safeguards. E-prescribing and data analytics gain attention, with focus on tech contributing to patient-centric approach, cost management, health outcomes. AI’s value to increase in non-clinical processes, provider data management, and patient care. Consumer-focused shift toward price transparency in ePrescribing anticipated; AI driven advancements expected in clinical documentation and medical billing. CEOs advised to view technology as strategic partner for future strategy development.

Health technology in 2024: Projections for AI, digital health, and more Chief Healthcare Executive

Predictive analytics, through data, algorithms, and machine learning, advance cash flow management in hospitals, helping forecast revenues, managing expenses, and streamlining reimbursements. Better patient risk predictions aid early diagnosis and personalized treatments, ensuring effective allocation of resources. Predictive models estimate future income, align staffing with patient load, and control costs by identifying resource usage patterns. Hospitals can predict payment timelines and amounts from insurers, managing cash flow better. Predictive analytics' integration requires IT professional, data analyst, and department head collaboration, with a focus on data accuracy and consistency. This technology is a strategic asset ensuring financial resilience in healthcare.

Using Predictive Analytics to Manage Cash Flow in Hospitals - Health IT Answers Health IT Answers

FTC seeking comment on proposed changes to Health Breach Notification Rule (HBNR) to clarify rule's relevance to health applications and other tech. Advances increase health data quantity and marketing incentive, but proposed amendments aim to respond to tech changes and market trends. Rule mandates breach notification by non-HIPAA covered personal health records vendors and related entities. FTC keen on personal health data protection, has taken multiple recent action against misuse. Proposed rule changes aim to extend HBNR's reach to non-HIPAA apps and technology, define "breach of security", clarify PHR related entity meaning, authorize expanded breach notice, and improve rule readability. Public comments invited for 60 days post Federal Register notice.

FTC Proposes Amendments to Strengthen and Modernize the Health Breach Notification Rule | Federal Trade Commission FTC

AI tools in healthcare, offering diagnoses, risk predictions, and decision support, are increasing yet lack regulation and oversight. Concerns include black box systems not performing as expected, possibly compromising quality and safety, and promoting inequities. Design decisions and training data affect an AI system's performance, making validation and ongoing assessment vital. Duke University has set up an oversight system for AI tools, and is part of the Coalition for Health AI (CHAI), working on creating guidelines for health AI systems to ensure trust, fairness, and transparency. The guidelines aim to monitor and assess the performance of AI systems throughout their lifecycle.

Building Better Guardrails for Algorithmic Medicine – Duke AI Health Duke AI Health