< + > Australia's first public health 'data lake' project launched

Flinders University researchers expect their AI-driven data repository to improve public health surveillance and response.

< + > HIMSSCast: Fighting back against healthcare misinformation in the era of social media and genAI

Mis- and disinformation have long been a significant challenge to health and wellness, even before the pandemic showed just how damaging they can be. How should medical professionals push back? Dr. Geeta Nayyar has some answers.

< + > AI has a role to play during the patient intake process

One technology CEO discusses the importance of pre-visit preparation – how AI-enabled automation can transform the process and minimize the time physicians spend in the EHR.

< + > ONC releases draft USCDI+ dataset for maternal health

As part of national maternal health initiatives, the agency is focused on harnessing EHR data to create a more equitable ecosystem and a reduction in maternal morbidity and mortality rates.

< + > New AI research to boost ambulance response, skin cancer screening

Also, Telstra Health has soft-launched remote maternity solutions on its GP network.

< + > AWS announces $10M to accelerate pediatric research

The AWS Imagine Grant is open to registered nonprofit organizations using cloud technology to advance their research across the spectrum of childhood diseases — from heart conditions to genetic disorders.

< + > Geisinger alerts patients to data incident involving terminated Nuance employee

Nuance hadn't immediately revoked the employee's access to the health system's records upon their termination, which allowed unauthorized access to personal information of more than a million patients.

< + > MBS review wants to retain first video telehealth consult with specialists

The committee also suggested bringing back subsidised GP telephone consultations for chronic disease management and patient end-support.

< + > University Health slashes discrepancies and frees up time with meds management

A 50% reduction in nurse-created discrepancies at medication cabinets and a 20% decrease in the time nurses spend dispensing meds have been two big wins. A 30% increase in storage capacity on the floors is another.

< + > Cybersecurity roundup: U.S. to ban Kaspersky antivirus; Cost of healthcare breaches way up

Also: HIMSS Privacy and Security leader campaigns for ISC2 Board.

< + > CHAI releases responsible AI framework for public comment

The documents are meant to help healthcare organizations evaluate standards across the product life cycle while enabling artificial intelligence innovation, according to the Coalition for Health AI.

< + > Vendor Notebook: Novel AI for staff turnover, mental health robots and more

Several vendors announced new artificial intelligence integrations that help primary care providers, home caregivers and others to retain employees and improve operations and patient care.

< + > Healthcare leads in third-party data breaches, says new report

In 2023, 35% of third-party breaches affected healthcare organizations with application security presenting the broadest attack surface, according to a new cybersecurity analysis of the largest healthcare companies.

< + > AHA, MGMA say provider penalties in info blocking final rule are 'excessive'

Not only are the HHS information blocking disincentives too steep, but they could also interrupt accountable care organizations' shift to value-based care, the organizations argue. Meanwhile, the EHR Association says the regs are "too narrowly focused."

< + > OSF deploys care transition program, reduces readmission rate from 29% to 9%

The sophisticated program employing patient monitoring, patient tracking and reporting technologies also has enhanced patient follow-up and engagement and yielded a big win on overall healthcare delivery.

< + > Oracle's new Clinical Digital Assistant offers genAI for ambulatory clinics

By integrating with practices' EHRs, the voice and generative AI tool can help reduce the need to manage drop-down menus and scrolling, reducing physicians' documentation time by up to 40%, the company says.

< + > Asian gastro docs generally trust and accept AI: survey

Interestingly, young physicians see more risk to it than their senior counterparts.

< + > Team nursing could lead to patient deaths, higher costs, says study

A 10% reduction in hospital nurses could lead to patients having 7% higher odds of dying and an increase in preventable readmissions, according to researchers at Penn Nursing.

< + > ONC marks milestone: HRSA receiving live data via FHIR

The federal agency has been receiving performance data from a cohort of funded health centers testing data exchange through standards-based APIs, according to ONC's USCDI program and the UDS Test Cooperative.

< + > Contractors signed for NSW Health's network infra upgrade and more briefs

Also, North Queensland GPs have been using AI to increase registrations to MyMedicare.

< + > CISA leads tabletop exercise focusing on hacked AI

The simulated cybersecurity attack on an artificial intelligence-enabled system enabled participants to hone their information-sharing and incident response skills. It underscored the need to ensure secure-by-design products, said CISA's Jen Easterly. 

< + > Indian RAS system SSi Mantra coming to Indonesia

The surgical robotic system has also been introduced in Nepal for the first time.

< + > Making the case for physician and nurse involvement in IT decisions

Daniel O'Connor, RN, a former chief information officer, discusses the fundamental value of including caregivers on IT teams and help-desk support. He also describes the differing viewpoints of physicians and nurses, and gives tips on how CIOs can cost-justify hiring clinicians full time.

< + > Google Cloud looks to incorporate genAI in Indonesia's SatuSehat

The Indonesian Ministry of Health has recently received the tech giant's support in its development of AI applications in healthcare.

< + > Within 5 years, all Mount Sinai IT systems will contain some AI

That's according to the health system's CMIO and interim chief digital and information officer, who offers an overview of how – and where – he sees artificial intelligence and automation having the most potential.

< + > Linux Foundation seeks collaborators for new interoperability open standard

The Margo initiative is developing an open standard to scale data exchange across multi-vendor environments and help organizations automate interoperability with edge applications, devices and software.

< + > Color Health uses OpenAI to develop cancer screening copilot for doctors

The genetic testing company used GPT-4o to create an artificial intelligence-driven tool that helps doctors create screening plans based on patient data, including personal risk factors and family history. 

< + > Telstra Health secures extended meds info contract from Te Whatu Ora and more briefs

Also, South Australia is introducing free virtual mental health support for young people.

< + > If a doctor and an AI app both have 95% accuracy, what’s the difference?

Why wait 10 days to see a dermatologist when an AI app with nearly the same accuracy as a clinician can treat you the same day? That's a question providers may soon have to answer, says Mount Sinai's interim chief digital and information officer.

< + > Tips to shorten healthcare's cybersecurity learning curve

"Healthcare organizations cannot rely on legacy technologies to detect and respond to today’s attacks," says Ricardo Villadiego, CEO of cybersecurity firm Lumu.

< + > CPT Editorial Panel suspends changes to RPM coding – what's next?

The panel likely needs more data and a decision on what constitutes a good form of engagement in order to make an informed decision on the proposed changes to the CPT code language for RPM reimbursement, one expert says.

< + > VA stays the course with Oracle EHR contract renewal

The Department of Veterans Affairs will extend the contract for the electronic health record modernization first launched seven years ago, even in the face of implementation challenges and more Congressional scrutiny.

< + > Rural hospitals: The forgotten frontier needs advocates for a better model

Technology won't fulfill its potential for the U.S. healthcare system if rural hospitals remain an afterthought. They deserve tools and infrastructure that enable them to provide the best possible care for their unique communities, says one physician IT leader.

< + > With Epic, GeneDx aims to broaden the potential of rapid whole genome sequencing

The precision medicine company will integrate its rWGS technology with Epic, giving health systems using its EHR the ability to gain genomic insights for pediatric and neonatal patients.

< + > Ascension confirms data breached in Black Basta ransomware attack

A cyberattack investigation has found that files were stolen during the May incident, some of which "may contain" protected health information and personally identifiable information, the health system says.

< + > Mile Bluff clinicians save 7.5 minutes in prep per patient with help from Meditech AI

The Wisconsin medical center's HIMS department reported a complete transformation in their workflow: It could save up to 40% of time when abstracting a large volume chart, which equates to 16.7 hours per week.

< + > Vendor Notebook: New partnerships around AI, VBC, virtual care and more

Collaborations and integrations aim to streamline access to patient medical histories via national networks, drive more proactive pediatric care, expand behavioral telehealth and pioneer more hospital automation.

< + > With AI, keep patient satisfaction top of mind, says health IT investor

Despite challenges such as data privacy concerns and the need for seamless integration into existing systems, the trajectory of AI development in healthcare is promising as tools continue to improve, says Alex Mason of FTV Capital.

< + > UW Health nurses test AI tools for patient messaging

A cohort of nurses are trialing generative artificial intelligence to draft responses to patient messages in Epic's MyChart patient portal.

< + > With Microsoft and Google, White House offers cybersecurity tools for rural hospitals

The AHA and National Rural Health Association are also onboard for the initiative, which will offer grants, free endpoint security advice and other resources for critical access and emergency hospitals.

< + > The Prince Charles Hospital adopts support tool for determining delirium

This world's first electronic tool is now implemented in its medical wards. 

< + > Boosting military healthcare with AI, telemedicine

India's Armed Forces Medical Services is exploring the use of emerging technologies with partners in local universities and the government.

< + > MetroHealth and MUSC Health launch virtual-first telehealth company

Ovatient is designed to help health system clients anywhere in the country by leveraging the healthcare DNA of the two founding health systems while serving as a catalyst for innovation.

< + > Customizing AI scribes is key to reducing clinician editing time

"Doctors have specific ways they like to document information," says Dr. Dean Dalili, chief medical officer of DeepScribe, who describes why personalization is a must when using ambient AI notetaking to reduce burnout.

< + > Full-body MRI helps Hackensack Radiology Group boost quality, find growth opportunities

Using the technology can be daunting because it involves considerable time and careful results management – but augmenting it with AI image enhancement software has made a big difference for its radiologists.

< + > Patients are bullish on the benefits of genAI, but still have qualms

If hospitals and health systems can increase consumers' trust in AI outputs, the tools could help achieve better outcomes and more affordable care, according to Deloitte’s latest survey. 

< + > MediSecure enters administration and more briefs

Also, SA Ambulance Service is set to implement an electronic patient care record system.

< + > Increasing applications of robotic surgical systems across Asia and more briefs

Also, Japan has put up an online directory of health facilities offering childbirth services across the country.

< + > A fast-paced, fictional exploration of cybersecurity and nationwide interoperability

Dr. Marschall Runge, CEO of Michigan Medicine and dean of U-M Medical School, discusses the real-world insider threats that inspired his new "techno-medical thriller," whose plot focuses on misuse of a national electronic health record.

< + > How Penn Medicine's IT department integrates with ops to capitalize on high-priority investments

John P. Donohue, vice president of IS entity services, discusses creating opportunities for standardization across a complex health system, strategizing prioritization of initiatives across the health system, and much more.

< + > HubSpot announces HIPAA-compliant tools in public beta

A long-requested update in Smart CRM stores protected data, giving healthcare organizations more integrated patient information to streamline patient engagement efforts.

< + > These technologies are offering a lifeline to rural and community hospitals

Cloud-based EHRs, robotic process automation, containerization tools and other tech can help under-resourced providers overcome a growing list of challenges, says one physician IT leader.

< + > 13 cybersecurity recommendations for government, hospitals

Rural hospitals bear the brunt of relentless ransomware attacks and face the greatest risk for patients with no close alternatives for life-saving care. Government, Congress and industry must act, a new report says.

< + > Using AI to appeal denials three times faster – and recover lost revenue

It's fair to be wary of AI in healthcare, but using proven technology to help do easily automatable tasks is a no-brainer, says the CMO of EmpowerMe.

< + > Study finds link of improved child health equity to data system

GP enrolment and immunisations remained higher during the pandemic in areas where New Zealand's child health information platform was implemented.

< + > Trend Micro partners with Nvidia on AI-driven cybersecurity

The tools will use artificial intelligence to protect data centers by authorizing access and detecting intruders.

< + > Change Healthcare has responsibility to notify patients data breach, says OCR

While UnitedHealth has yet to file a data breach report with HHS, covered entities can delegate the job of notifying patients that their healthcare data was exposed in the crippling ransomware attack to the UHG subsidiary.

< + > How to navigate the risks of remote patient monitoring

A risk management expert offers perspective on shoring up data security, preventing misdiagnosis and avoiding over-reliance on RPM.

< + > Budget 2024: NZ cuts over $200M in digital health

The apparent reduction comes as New Zealand zeroes in on frontline health services.