< + > Geospatial analysis is helping improve community health outcomes

Christian Wernz, senior data scientist at UVA Health System, will explain more about this approach to tracking social determinants and population health at HIMSS22.

< + > CIO Podcast – Episode 27: Health IT Talent Shortage and Equity with Michael Saad

For the 27th episode of the CIO podcast hosted by Healthcare IT Today, we sat down with Michael Saad, Senior VP and CIO at The University of Tennessee Medical Center.  In this episode we learn about Saad’s experience outside of healthcare and what we can learn from that background.  Plus, we dive into a number […]

< + > CDC’s New Mask Guidelines For COVID-19 Throw Vulnerable People Under The Bus

The CDC's justification for rolling back masking rings hollow, and there are other metrics that would be safer than hospitalizations.

< + > Cedars-Sinai, Stanford scientists use AI to flag hard-to-detect heart disease

Researchers created an artificial intelligence tool to help identify hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and cardiac amyloidosis, which can be challenging for cardiologists to spot.

< + > With Covid Behind Us, Can We Turn Back To Fixing Our Broken Healthcare Model?

Bringing about the best outcome will require a fundamentally different business model that redefines how work gets done, by whom, and how people are compensated. While it’s not that hard to conceptualize, it’s very different from the status quo that’s been the hallmark of the industry for decades.

< + > 314e Transforming from Services to Products

One of the most interesting evolutions in healthcare IT has been the evolution of healthcare IT staffing and consulting companies.  During the boom that was meaningful use and adoption of EHR software, consulting companies played an integral role in almost every large healthcare organization when it came to rolling out EHR software.  Now that we’re […]

< + > Apps can help improve wound care, according to eHealth NSW study

Findings from this latest study can potentially guide the wide adoption of a wound management app across health services in Australia.

< + > England’s Hospitals Told To Boost Cybersecurity Amid Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Hospitals have been asked to shore up their online defenses as Russian's attack on Ukraine escalates.

< + > Dr. Oz Challenged Dr. Fauci To A Debate, Here’s How Others Responded

Mehmet Oz, MD, has been campaigning as a Republican candidate for one of Pennsylvania’s two U.S. Senate seats.

< + > What Happens In The Brain At The Moment Of Death?

EEG brain recordings show that the experience of one's "life flashing before one's eyes" may have a neurological basis

< + > COVID Bumped High End Travel To Safe (And Very Exclusive) Places

Some some high end resorts had increased booking during the pandamic

< + > Understanding The Design Elements That Help Create The Perfect Care Home In 2022

With an aging population, there exists a pressing need to build more advanced and sustainable senior care facilities in the years and decades to come. What are the design principles to be adhered to in order to create the most accessible senior living spaces of the future?

< + > Russia’s Invasion Of Ukraine May Cause Polio, Covid-19, Public Health Crises

Will Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to attack Ukraine help further destabilize the world and extend the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic?

< + > Glucose Monitoring Is The Weight Loss Biohack You Never Knew You Needed

Glucose monitoring allows users to intricately understand the foods that affect their body because what we think may be healthy may, indeed, be causing spikes in blood sugar. When these extra sugars go unused, they're stored as fat. Which is why glucose monitoring is the latest hack in weight loss.

< + > The Great Resignation and what it means for healthcare data analytics

The loss of employees has taught some tough lessons around the competitive environment of analytic talent acquisition. An expert offers ways for health systems to bounce back.

< + > Vaccine credentials enabling wider progress on public health interoperability

At HIMSS22, clinical and informatics leaders from MITRE and Washington State will show how FHIR-enabled immunization management is catalyzing data exchange and patient empowerment nationwide – and around the world.

< + > Telehealth revenue could hit $20B in five years, say analysts

Some researchers say virtual care will increasingly become the norm, while others are more measured in their predictions. Plus: Who are the telehealth super users?

< + > There’s Not Just One Data and Interoperability Problem in Healthcare, There Are Many

Healthcare loves to talk about the challenge that is data and interoperability in healthcare.  Indeed, healthcare faces a major challenge when it comes to data and interoperability.  However, it’s actually even more complex than this.  I realized this when talking with ELLKAY as they prepare for the upcoming ViVE and HIMSS conferences.  As I saw […]

< + > A Healthier, Wealthier Future: Rethinking Global Healthcare Investing

Scientists and doctors all over the world have long been calling for a coordinated effort to effectively and equitably distribute vaccines, so that we can contain the virus and keep variants at bay. The choice to achieve vaccine equity comes down to political will.

< + > Suicide Hotline Left Ethics Board Out Of The Loop About Data-Sharing With For-Profit Spinoff

Medical experts recruited to advise Crisis Text Line say they weren’t consulted about its data sharing and voiced objection to the arrangement. “This would never have passed a sniff test,” one says.

< + > Feds release final guidance on telehealth, RPM security

The National Institute of Standards and Technology's National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence published its final guidance this week on securing telehealth and remote patient monitoring ecosystems.  

< + > How augmented intelligence can promote health equity

Training artificial intelligence models on more diverse image and data sets can augment decision making, overcome knowledge gaps, and promote greater health equity and outcomes, says one expert.

< + > Do you know your end-of-life treatment preferences? Your loved ones may not

The COVID-19 crisis has made it more clear than ever that a medical emergency can strike at any time – sometimes, with dire consequences.   

< + > Healthcare Needs Deep, not Surface Automation

Healthcare needs more automation, but not the kind that just robotically repeats a process over and over. That would just lead to factory medicine. Instead, what healthcare needs is deep automation that can adapt in real-time to changing circumstances and that helps to personalize the care for each individual patient. Deep automation reduces the burden […]

< + > Two Kinds Of “Endemic” — Let’s Not Forget The Difference

It may indeed be time to relinquish mask mandates, but not because it has now become endemic.

< + > Cerner revenue up, net earnings down in 2021

Cerner released its fourth-quarter and full-year earnings report this week, showing an increase in revenue but a decrease in net earnings in 2021.    In the financial release – the first following the announcement of its acquisition by Oracle this past year – Cerner leaders said its Q4 revenue underperformed projections to some degree.  

< + > Why healthcare needs an evidence-based AI development and deployment movement

AI and machine learning expert Joachim Roski offers a look at his upcoming HIMSS22 session, spelling out why such a movement is so crucial to AI's future in healthcare.

< + > Mental Health, Going Into the 3rd Year of the Pandemic – #HITsm Chat Topic

We’re excited to share the topic and questions for this week’s #HITsm chat happening Friday, 2/25 at Noon ET (9 AM PT). This week’s chat will be hosted by Anton C. Bizzell, MD (@drantonbizzell) from @TheBizzellGroup on the topic “Mental Health, Going Into the 3rd Year of the Pandemic.” As a society, we have been dealing […]

< + > Capsa Healthcare Announces the Acquisition of Humanscale Healthcare

Capsa Healthcare, a leading innovator in healthcare delivery solutions for hospitals, long-term care, and retail pharmacy providers, announced the acquisition of Humanscale Healthcare, a designer and manufacturer of flexible technology solutions and computing workstations based in New York, NY. Capsa’s purchase of Humanscale Healthcare is the company’s seventh major brand acquisition in the last 11 […]

< + > U.K. Covid-19: Hospital Bosses Call For Evidence Behind Decision To Lift Restrictions

From Thursday, people in England will no longer need to self-isolate following a positive test.

< + > 2022 will be a 'transformative year' for health IT, says ONC head

National Coordinator for Health IT Micky Tripathi points to information blocking, API standardization and TEFCA as key factors in enhancing critical interoperability.

< + > Cybersecurity Impacts on Healthcare – Healthcare IT Today Podcast Episode 82

For the 82nd episode of the Healthcare IT Podcast, we’re talking about Cybersecurity Impacts on Healthcare.  This has to be one of the most important topics in health IT right now.  It’s one of the most challenging items a healthcare organization faces.  It’s the reason CIOs can’t sleep at night.  In this episode we dive […]

< + > Clean, Usable Health Data and the Impact of Sharing Data with Partners

Each day in healthcare, data becomes more valuable, more useful, and more important to a healthcare organization.  It’s easy to see that the future of healthcare rests on the back of data.  The problem is that data in and of itself isn’t useful.  To really make a difference in healthcare, we need clean, usable data […]

< + > Peloton Shares Fall After Major Outage Temporarily Hits Bikes And Treadmills

The outage lasted just over an hour before getting resolved, but shares fell on the news.

< + > HHS cyber arm warns of EHR vulnerabilities

The Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center published a threat brief outlining common threats to electronic health records, including phishing attacks, malware and cloud threats.

< + > CIOs looking to expand telehealth and make it part of the permanent workflow

A hospitals and health systems expert from Teladoc Health discusses where telemedicine goes now that it's secured a permanent role in a hybrid care future.

< + > Teen Suffers Finger, Leg Amputations After Eating Leftover Noodles Gave Him Sepsis

Neisseria meningitidis contamination gave him “purpura fulminans.” Here's what this condition is.

< + > DirectTrust tops 945M exchange transactions in 2021

The past year's numbers bring the Direct Secure Message totals to nearly 3 billion, with more than 254 million sent and received in the last quarter.

< + > WHO: Here Are The 16 ‘Best Buys’ To Tackle Non-Communicable Diseases

Investing just $0.84 per person per year could yield around $230 billion in economic gains, seven million lives saved, 10 million heart attacks and strokes averted, and 50 million healthy life years gained.

< + > Protection In The Present From The Deep Past

A recent paper shows that many defense mechanisms developed by our bacterial ancestors are employed by the human body's immune system today.

< + > How a medical university's Telehealth Service Implementation Model can help you

Shawn Valenta of Wellpath describes how the model helped his organization set up an emergency medicine telehealth service in this preview of his HIMSS22 session.

< + > Oracle debuts tool to help healthcare organizations manage supplier relationships

The expectation is that customers will be able to minimize the risk of missing rebate program revenue targets and receive rebate funds more quickly.

< + > IT transformations should be guided by improving clinical outcomes

The CMIO at NYU Langone Health previews his HIMSS22 session, where he'll explain how the health system's digital strategy has been fine-tuned to meet the needs of its care providers and patients.

< + > Millions live in 'contraception deserts' – can telehealth help?

Dr. Nancy Shannon, chief medical officer for the recently merged Nurx, says she believes the specialty app model can help bridge the birth control gap for some patients.

< + > Positive Effects Of Alcohol On The Heart A “Myth” Says New Study

The study also found that even moderate drinking is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

< + > Happy President’s Day!

As you all know, today is President’s Day in the US and Family Day in Canada.  So, we’re taking the day off from work here at Healthcare IT Today.  We hope you all are able to have a great day and enjoy time with family or at least be able to slow down and take […]

< + > You’re Being Duped. Don’t Fall For It.

Quacks and populist politicians are two manifestations of the same type: the con artist. Don't fall for their lies.

< + > Finnish Skier Remi Lindholm Suffers Frozen Genitals At 2022 Winter Olympics

The Beijing, China, games wasn't the first time his privates had been subject to such a deep freeze.

< + > Uber In Portugal Is Now Offering Home Healthcare Visits

Uber boldly continues to expand its presence in healthcare.

< + > Study: No Covid-19 Mortality Benefit From Supplements, But Here’s What They Found About Vitamin D

A meta-analysis found that those who had taken vitamin D supplements were less likely to get intubated and had on average shorter hospital lengths of stay than those who had received standard Covid-19 care alone.

< + > Bird Flu Continues To Spread, Avian Influenza Outbreak In Long Island, New York

Poultry owners around the U.S. are now under high alert due to the continuing spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

< + > Bill Maher Claims Covid-19 Face Mask Requirements Turning Kids Into ‘Howie Mandels’

This came a week after Maher had compared Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with Hitler.

< + > Can Coronavirus Antibody Testing Measure Your Protection Against Covid-19?

Before you even consider any type of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibody testing first make sure that the test at least has emergency use authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

< + > Merck’s Anti-Covid Pill Shows Better Effectiveness In Indian Study

After disappointing trial results led to canceled orders, an encouraging new study may give Merck’s anti-Covid pill a new boost.

< + > FDA: Family Dollar Products In 6 States Contaminated By Rodents, Urine, And Feces

Family Dollar has issued a voluntary recall of various products sold at 404 different stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee.

< + > FDA: Baby Formula Recall After 4 Infants Hospitalized Includes Similac, Alimentum, EleCare

The infant formula may have been contaminated with either Cronobacter sakazakii or Salmonella Newport, two not very friendly bacteria.

< + > Ivermectin Doesn’t Help Covid Patients, Study Finds

Ivermectin, lauded by some as a Covid-19 miracle cure, does nothing to prevent patients with the virus from developing more severe symptoms, a study published Friday found.

< + > Hiding In Plain Sight: Mom & Daughter Talk Mental Health

Talking to others about your mental health isn’t an easy feat, especially if that person is your parent. Zion Williams, a high school student and Season 1 host of PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs’ On Our Minds, and her mother, Gwen Littles-Williams, don’t have that problem at all.

< + > Dispelling the mysteries around neural networks in healthcare

In his HIMSS22 education session, "Demystifying Deep Learning and Neural Networks," computing expert Michael Meighu will help health IT leaders better understand the applications and value of these leading-edge technologies.

< + > At Nicklaus Children's, successful telehealth expansion depends on customer input

In a preview of their HIMSS22 session, innovators from the Miami-based health system explain how they've addressed individualized patient concerns around virtual care.

< + > #HealthPolicyValentines – Fun Friday

I know that Valentine’s Day is over, but I like to celebrate holidays the entire week.  Especially because #HealthPolicyValentines are some of my favorite.  There are so many creative people in the world of healthcare and that’s proven in the following funny tweets where people highlight so many areas of healthcare and health IT. Roses […]

< + > Canada Authorizes Novavax’s Non-MRNA Covid Vaccine For Use In Adults

Nuvaxovid, a protein-based Covid vaccine, could help reduce hesitancy among people suspicious of mRNA vaccine technology.

< + > Cerner teams up with Social Security Administration on disability benefits

The partnership aims to make the retrieval of secure, clinical electronic health records more seamless in an effort to speed up the claims process.

< + > Do Not Underestimate The Consequences Of SARS-CoV-2 Escape: The Omicron Example

From the outset of the Covid pandemic, the extent to which the virus SARS-CoV-2 might vary was seriously underestimated. Here we analyze the different ways the SARS-CoV-2 virus adapts to overcome and infect the human population and its best defenses.

< + > How Nursing Home Staff Shortages Are Hurting Hospital Care

By now, you’ve probably heard about the desperate shortage of nurses and aides in nursing homes and long-term care facilities.

< + > Fine Balance Between Empowering Patients and Offloading Tasks

Life is a tricky balance and is often about perspective.  For example, when you go into the grocery store these days you now see all of these self check out options.  It’s easy to see why stores like self check-out.  They only have to have 1 person there covering multiple checkout stations.  That’s a lower […]

< + > Walmart, Amazon Say Covid Sick Leave Has Cost Them A Fortune

Walmart spent more than $400 million on leave during the Omicron surge, above the $100 million it expected.

< + > Michigan Avenue Primary Care integrates EHR, telehealth and scheduling

"If the pandemic has taught us anything, it's that we, as healthcare providers, need to up our games in terms of the patient experience," said its associate medical director.

< + > The key role HIEs can play in value-based care

The CEO of Wisconsin Statewide Health Information Network says state and regional data exchanges can offer "unique and indispensable value" to their participants. He'll explain more at HIMSS22.

< + > How private healthcare data can predict diagnoses, unlock innovation

In a preview of his HIMSS22 session, the CEO of Tripleblind explains the value of private data – and describes how his company's technology enables datasets to be used for model training while complying with an array of privacy regulations.

< + > InnovationRx: New FDA Chief; Plus, Vaccines May Prevent Long Covid

InnovationRx is your weekly digest of healthcare news. Sign up!

< + > Report shows overwhelming patient interest in post-pandemic virtual care

Research from the telehealth platform Doximity finds that nearly three-quarters of patients surveyed say they plan to keep receiving at least some care virtually.

< + > 'Shields up' say feds in response to potential Russian escalation

Plus: Ukrainian banks and military agency hit with DDoS attack, and an EHR vendor agrees to pony up $1.3 million after a data breach.

< + > How Healthcare Can Win with a Digital Transformation

The following is a guest article by Michael Norring, President and CEO at GCSIT. Hospitals are predicted to have lost $53 billion in 2021. Finding ways to recoup this loss and meet the surge of patient needs starts with IT. Technology has been disrupting industries for more than a decade, and it’s time for the […]

< + > Headed To Portugal? You Can Use The Uber App To Order Medical Care

Portugal is the first country where travelers will be able to use the UberEats app to order at-home healthcare, provided either via telehealth or on-site at a hotel or rental property.

< + > Data and analytics boost strategic text message outreach programs

A physician expert spells out how provider organizations can improve patient engagement – and eliminate care gaps.

< + > The Road To 340B Was Paved With Good Intentions So Why Are Drug Companies Looking For An Off Ramp?

From a $5 billion program in 2014 to a $30 billion program in 2019, 340B saw a 47% compound annual growth rate in five years, significantly outpacing other government pricing programs. Current estimates place it at about $34 billion today.

< + > Senate confirms Califf as FDA commissioner

Dr. Robert Califf squeaked by in a 50-46 vote, in stark contrast to his 89-4 confirmation under President Barack Obama in 2016.

< + > What you need to know about standing up a virtual nursing unit

Jennifer Ball, RN, director of virtual care at Saint Luke's Health System of Kansas City, describes the workings and many benefits of the telehealth approach.

< + > Woman Apparently Cured Of HIV Using Umbilical Cord Blood, Scientists Say

A new strategy using stem cells in umbilical cord blood appears to have cured a woman of HIV, possibly paving the way for the treatment of dozens of patients each year.

< + > Disability documentation in the EHR can improve care quality

An article in Health Affairs shows that standardizations in the electronic health record could also facilitate value-based care and create research opportunities.

< + > Study Says Patients Like Mayo Clinic’s “Care Hotel” Virtual Care Approach for Surgical Care

A new study has concluded that Mayo Clinic’s hybrid Care Hotel is working well for patients, offering them an opportunity to handle stressful aspects of surgery in a lower-stress environment and saving them money. Mayo’s Care Hotel is a virtual medicine hybrid care model implemented at Mayo’s Florida location in July 2020. Mayo designed the […]

< + > AI for health can't leave older people behind, says WHO

A policy brief from the World Health Organization offers strategies for combating ageism and bias in machine learning technologies.

< + > Telehealth, physical therapy and the pandemic: Lessons for all

A University of Washington clinical instructor explains the benefits and challenges of therapy and technology.

< + > Why Endemic Covid Could Lead To Another Deadly Outbreak

“Endemic strains can certainly seed new epidemic waves… potentially even pandemic ones,” Dr. Aris Katzourakis told Forbes.

< + > Healthcare Industry Still Lacks Inclusivity And Accessibility. These 7 Female Leaders Are Here To Change That

Pandemic has exacerbated existing healthcare inequalities and disparities in how accessible and inclusive healthcare provision is in some countries. But, there are many innovative companies out there working on solutions that have the potential to change how we provide and receive healthcare.

< + > NSW Health secretary stepping down to join Telstra Health

She will leave her present role on 4 March.

< + > India's contact tracing app integrates with ABDM

Aarogya Setu adds to the growing number of mobile apps that connects with the Ayushman Bharat Health Account. 

< + > Dexcom G6 added to Australia's CGM subsidy

It will replace the prior generation of the CGM device which is being phased out due to supply issues.

< + > NZ-based Mercy Hospital adopts Rauland's bedside terminal platform

The platform features a local television service as part of its entertainment offering.

< + > Nail Salon Technicians Inhale 10 Times More Chemicals Than E-Waste Workers

A group of researchers from the University of Toronto found that nail salon workers’ exposure to chemicals was 30 times higher as compared to exposure within households.

< + > For Valentine’s Day, Here Are Some New Covid-19 Pandemic Dating Terms

Are you Dar-WIN-ing and hesidating because you are gambiting and don’t want to end up wasting your time and applying Piers Pressure on all of your dates?

< + > Study Finds Increased Heart Disease, Stroke Risk After Surviving Even Mild Covid-19

Overall, those who had recovered from Covid-19 coronavirus infections were 63% more likely to have had some kind of cardiovascular problem in the ensuing year.

< + > More People Are Waiting for Hospital Care In England Than Ever Before

The pandemic has pushed waiting times to historic levels as procedures have been cancelled and delayed.

< + > Lassa Fever Leaves One Dead, 2 Others Ill In United Kingdom

Here are the symptoms of a Lassa virus infection.

< + > Is The Biden Administration Really Funding Crack Pipes? Here’s How Such Claims Emerged

Senator Marco Rubio (R-Florida) recently tweeted that “Biden is sending free meth & crack pipes to minority communities in the name of ‘racial equity’.”

< + > Labcorp teams up with Ascension to expand services in several states

Ascension's clinician network and patients will have access to Labcorp's diagnostics and at-home collection services.

< + > FDA Authorizes Eli Lilly Antibody Treatment That Fights Omicron

The U.S. has ordered 600,000 doses of a new treatment that helps the immune system combat the coronavirus’ omicron variant.

< + > With At-Home Covid Tests, Timing Is Everything. Here Are Tips For Correct Use.

Infectious disease expert Dr. Mark Kortepeter explains the pros and cons of at-home Covid diagnostic tests and how to interpret the results.

< + > Customers sound off about Cerner CEO, revenue cycle offering

KLAS researchers noted that the company's big-ticket deal with Oracle could add an additional layer of complexity to its future.

< + > MercyOne Elkader gains big rewards with hands-free communication

The Iowa medical center streamlined clinical collaboration, saved money on PPE, and improved both patient and provider experience.

< + > Unique Reverse Expo Style Health IT Conference

As most of you know, at Healthcare IT Today, we attend and track a long list of health IT conferences throughout the year.  During COVID that list got even longer as pretty much everyone was offering some sort of virtual event.  While each event has its own culture, community, and approach, one event that we’ve […]

< + > How Brigham and Women's is democratizing digital transformation

At HIMSS22, the medical director of the Boston health system's Digital Innovation Hub will offer tips for other providers who want to capitalize on their own internal innovators' bright ideas.

< + > Saying We Shouldn’t Use Fax Because It’s Old is Like Saying Email Is Old and We Shouldn’t Use It

I have to go on a rant here for a second.  I’m tired of people using age as a criticism of fax.  Yes, I know all about the #AxtheFax people out there that think that use of fax in healthcare is emblematic of the problems in healthcare.  While there are deeper discussions around fax and […]

< + > Oscar Health Loss Hits $197 Million Despite Record Obamacare Growth

Oscar Health reported a quarterly loss of nearly $198 million as the company invests more to grow its health insurance businesses, including Obamacare.

< + > How The Medical System Is Failing People With Down Syndrome And Alzheimer’s Disease

As they live longer, up to ninety percent of people with Down Syndrome will have Alzheimer’s Disease.

< + > Where pop health IT is headed in 2022 and beyond

An expert discusses recent technology developments, describes how pop health may evolve this year – and describes the pharmacy's key role in population health management.

< + > Senators intro bipartisan effort toward modernizing health privacy laws

Teladoc Health, IBM, Epic and athenahealth all signed on to support the proposed legislation.

< + > Study Backs Safety Of Pfizer’s Covid Shot Among Infants Exposed During Pregnancy

There were no appreciable differences in gestational age, birth weight or birth defects among newborns whose parents were vaccinated during pregnancy, an Israeli study found.

< + > Counties With Low Vaccination Rates Endured ‘More Intense Surge’ Of Covid Cases During Delta Wave, Study Finds

Counties with low vaccination rates had more than double the number of new Covid-19 infections per 100,000 people than those with high vaccination rates, researchers found.

< + > Biden admin tweaking COVID-19 data reporting

According to reporting from Politico, a task force of federal government scientists and data specialists are working with hospitals to improve COVID-19 data collection.

< + > Studies Identify Cost Savings, Racial Equity Benefits From Virtual Care

A new pair of studies suggests that virtual care is demonstrating some attractive long-term benefits, including lower costs and improved health access for underserved populations One such study comes from Cigna, whose Evernorth health services division recently closed on its acquisition of virtual care vendor MDLIVE. As part of the study report, Cigna notes that […]

< + > PPE Maker Medline’s Sales Eclipse $20 Billion During Pandemic’s Surge

Medical product maker Medline’s sales eclipsed $20 billion last year, adding more than 230 new healthcare provider and health system accounts worth nearly $2 billion in sales last year.

< + > How Henry Ford Health System's 100% virtual behavioral care program works

The manager of access care technology at the Detroit provider offers an advance look at her HIMSS22 session, which will dive deep into the unique telehealth initiative.

< + > NHS to launch new digital platform for patients awaiting treatment

The move is part of elective recovery plan to tackle COVID backlogs.

< + > Epic to showcase new CRM system and more at HIMSS22

The new technology, called Cheers, is one of several new consumer-focused capabilities – with others aimed at helping patients find estimates, schedule visits and connect with providers.

< + > Johnson & Johnson Reportedly Pauses Covid Vaccine Production Despite Sharp Need In Developing Countries

Production at a key Covid-19 vaccine plant has been paused though many African nations continue to report low vaccine supplies.

< + > SOC Telemed to be Acquired by Patient Square Capital

SOC Telemed, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLMD) (the “Company” or “SOC Telemed”), the largest national provider of acute care telemedicine, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Patient Square Capital (“Patient Square”), the leading dedicated health care investment firm. Under the terms of the agreement, SOC Telemed stockholders will receive $3.00 in cash […]

< + > Voice and NLP, global expansion key for Oracle-Cerner success, says analyst

The go-forward prospects could be "very interesting overseas" and voice is a "huge frontier," says IDC Research Director Mutaz Shegewi. But ensuring the complex merger comes off cleanly is essential.

< + > Epic tops Best in KLAS overall software suite list for 12th year running

Epic, Nordic, Galen Healthcare and Chartis Group won big in the 2022 Best in KLAS Awards, the research and insights firm announced Tuesday.

< + > Neura Health Raises $2.2M to Improve Access and Quality of Care for Neurologic Conditions

Funding to Support Neura Heath’s Long-Term Vision to Find Cures by Learning from Experience of Every Neurology Patient New help is on the way for the more than 100 million Americans who suffer from a neurological disorder. Neura Health, which was built to close the massive access and quality gap in neurological care, today announced it has […]

< + > How the hybrid future of telemedicine may play out

An expert from Philips goes in-depth into the combination of in-person and virtual care, and how that could lead to a better experience and decreased costs.

< + > Canada’s Hockey Team Play Entire Olympic Match With Masks On After Delayed Covid-19 Tests

Late Covid-19 testing results led to both teams wearing N95 masks on the ice after a one hour delay to the game.

< + > How data privacy frameworks are evolving, and how they can guide risk-based decisions

Implementing a framework can be useful, but it requires resources – and healthcare organizations may face challenges gaining consensus over which ones to deploy, said a compliance expert ahead of HIMSS22.

< + > Jasper Health Raises $25 Million in Series A Funding to Increase Access to Comprehensive Cancer Experience and Care Navigation Platform

Jasper Health, a first-of-its-kind cancer care navigation and experience platform, today announced a $25 million Series A funding round led by General Catalyst. The round, which was joined by new and existing investors Human Capital, W Health Ventures, Redesign Health, and 7wireVentures, brings Jasper Health’s total funding to approximately $31 million. Jasper Health is a care guidance, navigation, […]

< + > Young Americans Are Dying At Higher Rates Than In Any Other Wealthy Country

Young people in the U.S. are less likely to make their 25th birthday than in any other high-income country, with poverty, gun crime and violence major causes.

< + > Patient Square Capital to acquire SOC Telemed

SOC Telemed stockholders will receive $3 in cash per share of common stock, said the companies.

< + > Japan Could Fast Track Shionogi’s New Antiviral Pill To Treat Covid After Promising Trial Data

The drug reduced the amount of virus in patients by as much as 80%, according to data from Shionogi’s small clinical trial.

< + > NHS England moves ahead with tech restructure

The NHSX brand will ‘retire very soon’ under new interim arrangements.

< + > Government-backed study finds Australia's COVIDSafe app ineffective for contact tracing

The findings show that the app has only added more work for already fatigued public health staff.

< + > Double Agents In Global Health

'Double agents' in global health straddle two worlds, and try to bridge them. While they enjoy some privileges, they also deal with conflicts and challenges

< + > Meet The Family-Owned Company That Invented Swabs For Covid Tests

Swabs for Covid testing made Copan CEO Stefania Triva a billionaire. But, despite countless buyout offers, she’s snubbing the dealmakers and keeping the company firmly in the family.

< + > Bans On Mask Mandates To Protect Against Covid Endanger Students With Disabilities

Masks protect people from Covid-19. People with disabilities are becoming victims of the culture war over public health vs personal or parental "rights."

< + > Meet The First Covid Testing Billionaire

Swabs for Covid testing made Copan CEO Stefania Triva a billionaire. But, despite countless buyout offers, she’s snubbing the dealmakers and keeping the company firmly in the family.

< + > Did So-Called ‘Johns Hopkins Study’ Really Show Lockdowns Were Ineffective Against Covid-19?

Here's why this working paper is not really a "Johns Hopkins study" despite what some have been saying on social media.

< + > Covid-19 Vaccines May Affect Your Menstrual Cycle In This Small, Temporary Way

Here is what a study recently published in the medical journal Obstetrics and Gynecology found.

< + > Most GoFundMe Campaigns For Medical Bills Fail, Less Than 12% Reach Goals

From 2016 through 2020, the number of medically-related GoFundMe campaigns increased from 37,824 up to 196,955. Yet, 16% of them didn’t even receive any donations

< + > Aduhelm’s Paltry $1 Million In Q4 Sales Indicates CMS’s Coverage With Evidence Development May Be Biogen’s Only Chance At Salvaging Something From The Product

Medicare’s controversial draft decision - released on January 11th of this year - to restrict coverage of Aduhelm to beneficiaries who enroll in post-marketing clinical trials may be the only feasible option left for the product. Such a policy is called coverage with evidence development.

< + > Would You Buy Insurance From A Tech Giant? 55% Of Americans Would, New Survey Shows

Desperate for better options, 55% of Americans surveyed said they would buy a hypothetical insurance product from Amazon and nearly half would buy from Google.

< + > AI-powered scheduling can boost clinician engagement, reduce burnout

Research presented at an American Society of Anesthesiologists event this past week found that software based on artificial intelligence provided flexibility and increased vacation days.

< + > Regeneron Expects Zero Covid Antibody Sales For The First Quarter Of 2022

The company’s antibody therapy has been determined to be ineffective against the omicron variant that now dominates Covid-19 cases worldwide.

< + > CareSource uses mobile tools to combat COVID-19 misinformation, get shots in arms

The managed care payer initiated a behavior change program, including AI-supported text outreach. Of 107,000 members who were "unsure," about 57,000 were changed to "ready" for the vaccine.

< + > Cerner previews its new products and plans for HIMSS22

The company plans to highlight more FHIR-enabled interoperability, organ donor and recipient matching tools, and new approaches to simplifying public health data reporting in Orlando next month.

< + > Economic Toll Of Opioid Epidemic: $1.3 Trillion A Year

A new report warns more than 1.2 million people could die from overdoses in the U.S. and Canada by 2029 if no action is taken.

< + > Cancer cases at risk of almost doubling in the MEA region by 2040

A new report, released this World Cancer Day, highlights the need for “immediate action” in addressing rising cancer cases in the Middle East and Africa. Healthcare IT News explores four territories, and the current challenges and opportunities for cancer prevention and treatment.

< + > Indian Billionaire Gautam Adani Becomes Asia’s Richest Person

Adani overtakes fellow Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani, marking a rapid rise in fortune in the six years since he joined the Forbes billionaires’ list.

< + > $100K In Dog ‘Stud Fees’? Covid Fraudsters Get Creative Covering Up Theft

A Florida dog breeder was sentenced to two years in prison for obtaining a fraudulent Covid relief loan, $100,000 of which he passed to a co-conspirator disguised as a payment of “stud fees,” the Department of Justice said.

< + > HHS study shows fewer video visits for older patients, people of color

Researchers from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation found that although telehealth use was fairly consistent across demographic groups, rates varied dramatically when it came to video and audio utilization.

< + > How health systems can leverage their buying power for safer medical devices

A healthcare cybersecurity expert discusses how IT buyers can put financial pressure on device manufacturers to help drive a higher level of security for their fleets.

< + > Smoke Still Rising Over the Cybersecurity Battlefield of 2021

When my colleague John Lynn sent the following report over to me, he seemed quite taken aback by the results, calling the number of organizations reporting a large breach “crazy.” After a year like 2021, it’s hard to argue with his assessment. This volume and ferocity of cybersecurity attacks on healthcare organizations have been brutal. […]

< + > HIMSS Healthcare Cybersecurity Survey: Some improvements, but still a 'long way to go'

As risk levels increase, health systems have "significant challenges to overcome," according to the 13th annual report – including suboptimal security spending, vulnerable legacy tech and weak-link human factors.

< + > 'Decoy' Protein Offers New Treatment Approach For Covid-19.

Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have developed a “decoy” protein that tricks SARS-CoV-2 into binding to it instead of to host cells.

< + > Virtua Health offers lessons in creating a Digital Transformation Office, Part 1

C-suite executives and health IT leaders have much to learn from the East Coast health system's massive digital health overhaul.

< + > U.S. Will Not Be Paying More Than Other Wealthy Countries For Pfizer’s Covid-19 Pill

At least in this one case, wealthy nations will be doing their part to pay for drugs – and that’s a nice change.

< + > A Look at the Future of Virtual Care with Omada Health CEO Sean Duffy

Many of us in the world of health IT saw how the future of healthcare was going to be virtual.  The challenge I always had was seeing how we’d actually get there.  The financial incentives weren’t in place and still today many of the approaches to virtual don’t actually benefit the doctor who provides the […]

< + > Despite Supreme Court Ruling, Most Employers Implemented Covid Vaccine Mandates

A new Mercer poll shows 44% of employers “currently have a vaccine mandate in place for employees working onsite and 6% are planning to implement one, with another 9% still considering it.”

< + > Watchdog: VA did not ensure quality of migrated data in EHR modernization efforts

The U.S. Government Accountability Office found that clinicians faced challenges regarding the accuracy, accessibility and appropriateness of patient information.

< + > Pfizer Asks FDA To Authorize Its Covid Shot For Kids Under 5

If approved, it will be the first time the U.S. regulator has authorized a Covid-19 vaccine for use in very young children and infants.

< + > Businesswoman Pleads Guilty To Stealing Covid Relief Funds In First Case Of Its Kind

Former healthcare company owner Amina Abbas admitted to spending about $37,657 in Covid-19 relief funds on personal expenses, the Department of Justice said.

< + > Final 2022 Health IT Predictions

As we wrap up our 2022 health IT predictions, we’ve got a potpourri of predictions for you to enjoy.  In case you missed our topic specific predictions, you can find all of those Health IT Predictions here.  It will be fun to look back at all of these predictions at the end of 2022 and […]

< + > Walmart to offer AI-enabled provider recs to some workers

Through Walmart's partnership with Health at Scale, the companies say their goal is to make it easier for plan enrollees in currently unspecified locations to connect with the right providers.

< + > What's the hospital of the future? A prize-winning designer has some ideas

Nick Culley, director of ExR, gives an advance look at his HIMSS22 session, where he will offer his vision of how hospitals should function with leading-edge technology.

< + > Cleveland Clinic leader: Telehealth now a 'permanent mode' of care delivery

Frank McGillin, CEO of The Clinic by Cleveland Clinic, talks about next steps: relaxed licensure requirements, personalized care for complex conditions, a move toward concierge care – and avoiding "platform sprawl."

< + > ‘Care Anywhere’ is the new normal, according to new industry report

Innovation predictions concern growing demand for virtual mental health, femtech and more AI scrutiny.

< + > Biden admin buys 104M more COVID-19 antigen tests from iHealth

The departments of Defense and Health and Human Services had previously also contracted with Abbott Rapid Dx North America, Roche Diagnostics and Siemens to supply at-home COVID-19 tests.