Pandemic-Era Emergency-Use Devices Pose Hazard, Says Hospital Safety Expert
Early this year, ECRI named “complexity of managing medical devices with COVID-19 emergency use authorization” (EUA) at the top of its annual list of health technology hazards for 2021.
Augmented Reality System Boosts Performance in Spine Surgery
Chetan Patel, MD, medical director for spine surgery at the AdventHealth Neuroscience Institute has patented the iSight augmented reality system, and it has been used for spine surgery at the Altamonte Springs, Florida-based health system.
How Advancing Automation Can Improve Medication Management
Automation in healthcare grows more present all the time. In the pharmacy, robotics and other automation systems now help us maintain inventories, dispense medications, and reduce time, cost, and errors. Because medicine cannot operate through these solutions alone, maintaining the human connection remains a priority. But how do we balance human and machine for the best patient outcomes?
After 3 Months of Declines, Telehealth Use Stabilizes
Telehealth as a percentage of all medical claims rose 2% nationally from April to May after dropping for the three previous months, according to nonprofit FAIR Health’s Monthly Telehealth Regional Tracker.
Four Ways Physicians Can Use E-Consults to Triage Post-Pandemic Care Needs
There is a significant backlog of patients waiting to see their provider or undergo a procedure. Innovative solutions like telehealth triage can enable healthcare organizations to improve timely access to care within the most appropriate setting. As a telehealth triage tool, an e-consult platform directs patients to the most appropriate care setting as hospitals and clinics tackle their backlog of patients.
PSQH: The Podcast Episode 34 – Using Technology to Build a Patient Safety Infrastructure
On episode 34 of PSQH: The Podcast, Dr. Eric Eskioglu of Novant Health, talks about using technology to build a patient safety infrastructure.
Healthcare Leaders Identify Top Digital Transformation Priorities
Research by digital health company Lumeon identified top digital transformation priorities, as picked by C‑suite leaders at U.S. hospitals. The list includes short- and long-term goals to make care more positive and efficient. The report reveals that as the U.S. emerges from the pandemic, and hospitals’ key aims continue to be increasing patient volumes and revenue, digital transformation will continue to be ever more important in achieving those aims.
Fitch: ‘Relentless’ Cyber Attacks Pressuring Nonprofit Hospital Operations
Healthcare was the most targeted industry for cyber attacks in 2020, a trend accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Fitch. The move towards remote work provided hackers with more opportunities to infiltrate healthcare organizations. The report stated that these data breaches and attacks resulted in the average cost to recover patient records rising by 16% year-over-year, according to estimates from the Department of Health and Human Services.
Hospital-at-Home Program Slated to Start Next Month at UMass Memorial Health
The technology backbone of UMass Memorial Health’s Hospital at Home program, provided by Current Health, will provide real-time insight into patient health and coordinating in-home clinical care and services. Current Health will enroll UMass Memorial Health patients eligible for the program through Current Health’s platform and configure everything patients need to remotely engage with their care teams, including monitoring equipment, in-home connectivity, and a tablet for chat and video communication.
OIG: Medicare Lacks Cybersecurity Oversight for Hospital-Based Networked Medical Devices
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued a report last week finding that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) survey protocol does not include requirements for networked device cybersecurity.