Healthcare delivery organizations (HDOs) are increasingly vulnerable to cybersecurity threats, with a 40% rise in reported breaches noted early this year, causing significant financial loss and impacting care delivery. High-profile ransomware attacks have crippled organizations like the University of Vermont Medical Center and Scripps, incurring million-dollar losses. Studies indicate that such cyber incidents jeopardize patient safety by delaying procedures and increasing mortality rates. To combat this, HDOs must strengthen their cybersecurity foundation through three main strategies: formalizing cybersecurity governance within a standing committee, establishing an integrated cyber and enterprise risk program, and measuring the effectiveness of their cybersecurity initiatives. These steps emphasize board-level accountability and require comprehensive oversight to ensure cybersecurity risks are effectively managed across all aspects of their operations.

Council Post: Healthcare Boards Must Be Accountable For Cybersecurity Forbes

The article discusses the increasing tendency of patients, particularly those who have experienced multiple miscarriages, to conduct their own research online and gather information from various sources before consulting their doctors. This self-gathered information, often compiled from Google, WebMD, support groups, and personal networks, can result in a substantial amount of data that patients bring to their medical appointments. The article underscores the need for healthcare providers to adapt by finding ways to effectively integrate patient-led research into the clinical decision-making process, fostering a collaborative atmosphere where patients and doctors work together for the best outcomes.

When Patients Do Their Own Research The Atlantic

Technological advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have significantly increased lobbying activity in recent years, affecting a broad range of industries beyond just technology. Public Citizen's analysis of five years of House lobbying disclosure data (2019-2023) shows a sharp rise in AI-related lobbying, with more than 3,400 lobbyists engaging in AI issues in 2023 alone—an increase of 120% from the previous year. Lobbying efforts have not been limited to technology firms but have also involved industries such as financial services, healthcare, and defense. The White House was the most targeted entity, attracting more than 1,100 lobbyists in 2023, reflecting heightened interest following the Biden administration's executive order on AI. Although 85% of the lobbyists represented corporate interests, discussions also included various non-corporate stakeholders, illustrating extensive efforts to shape AI regulations across federal agencies.

Artificial Intelligence Lobbyists Descend on Washington DC Public Citizen

UCSF Health, in collaboration with the UCSF Division of Clinical Informatics and Digital Transformation, has received a $5 million donation from Ken and Kathy Hao to develop the Impact Monitoring Platform for AI in Clinical Care (IMPACC). This platform aims to continuously evaluate the efficacy and safety of AI tools used in clinical settings, ensuring they meet intended outcomes and addressing potential risks such as increased health disparities. Led by Julia Adler-Milstein and Dr. Sara Murray, the initiative will initially test IMPACC on current AI tools to provide real-time performance insights. This project addresses the critical need for ongoing AI monitoring protocols in healthcare, offering a scalable solution for assessing the real-world impact of these technologies.

UCSF to build novel continuous AI monitoring platform Healthcare IT News