Cybersecurity Company Finds Vulnerabilities in Hospital Robots

Robots like the Aethon TUG are used by hospitals to do light housekeeping and ferry items from one place to another, relying on radio waves, sensors and other technology to open doors, take elevators and maneuver through hallways without hitting anything. More advanced telepresence robots are being used to connect care providers in other locations with patients in their rooms or the Emergency Department and even perform some guided surgeries.

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IPPS Rule: CMS Proposes New ‘Birthing Friendly’ Designation, Along With PHE-Related CoPs

In an effort to “ensure a nimble and informed response to the next potential pandemic or epidemic, so that we are able to immediately respond to the situation at hand,” CMS is proposing revising hospital Conditions of Participation on infection prevention and control “to extend the current COVID-19 reporting requirements and to establish new reporting requirements for any future PHEs related to a specific infectious disease or pathogen.”

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COVID-19 PHE is Renewed Through July 15

CMS continues to gradually end some emergency blanket waivers allowed under the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) for some providers, but for now the 1135 waivers remain intact for acute care and critical access hospitals. The current 90-day PHE declaration was renewed and posted online Wednesday, and is effective through July 15.

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