Literature Review

Will AI help improve healthcare security in 2025? Health IT Answers; by Roberta Mullin; 12/10/24 The healthcare sector is particularly vulnerable to cybersecurity risks and the stakes for patient care and safety are particularly high. Healthcare facilities are attractive targets for cyber criminals in light of their size, technological dependence, sensitive data, and unique vulnerability to disruptions. Strengthening our cybersecurity infrastructure and defending against malicious attacks requires vigilance, vision, and collaboration. Can AI help improve healthcare security? We asked our experts what improvements to security we might see in 2025. Here is what they had to say. ... [Click on the title's link to read input from 21 healthcare IT experts.]

Forcura and Axxess announce palliative care software integration Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Jacksonville, FL; Business Wire; 12/9/24 Forcura, a healthcare workflow management company, announced a strategic partnership enhancement with Axxess, the leading global technology platform for healthcare at home, by expanding connectivity to Axxess’ palliative care platform. Consequently, Axxess’ palliative care client organizations now can manage the workflow associated with onboarding and coordinating care for patients through a bi-directional API integration with Forcura. Together, Forcura and Axxess can provide shared home health, hospice, home care and palliative care clients a seamless interoperable experience.

PIH Health hospitals targeted in ransomware attack CBS News KCAL, Los Angeles, CA; by Laurie Perez and Dean Fioresi; 12/4/24 PIH Health was targeted in a ransomware attack, forcing officials to completely shut their network offline and leaving millions in the dark when it comes to healthcare. ... Officials say that they were targeted on Sunday by a "criminal act" that "compromised their network." In turn, network services were turned off at their hospitals in Downey, Whittier and downtown LA. ... "Meeting the healthcare needs of our communities remains our highest priority," said a statement from PIH Health. "We continue to provide care during our downtime procedures at all of our facilities, including all three hospitals, medical offices, home health, hospice, outpatient imaging and laboratory."

What healthcare CFOs don’t know about cybersecurity — and what they should ask their CISOs Healthcare Finance Technology (HFMA); by Plante Moran; 12/2/24Cybersecurity is a growing concern for all healthcare organizations amid the ongoing rise of ransomware attacks and other threats. In 2023, the number of reported data breaches in the U.S. rose to an all-time high of 3,205, a 78% increase from 2022, while the average cost of a healthcare data breach hit $10.93 million. What’s driving these alarming figures isn’t necessarily a lack of technology or talent. ... By rethinking their approach to collaboration and risk management, healthcare CFOs can more effectively align security with both technology and the business to help their organizations become more resilient. ... How ready is our organization for an attack? ... 

Aged care nursing in the digital future Atlassian Jira, Australia; by Flinders University; 11/27/24 The results call for nurses to be included when digital innovations are in development, so they can actively shape their implementation and ensure high-quality, compassionate care for residents in their final stages of life. "In Australia and around the world, we have seen a significant increase in digital technologies in the health care sector," says study lead author Dr. Priyanka Vandersman, a Senior Research Fellow at Flinders University's Research Center for Palliative Care, Death and Dying (RePaDD).  "In aged care, these digital approaches can include helping with care planning and assisting with managing medication, but we need to ensure that nurses are equipped with the digital skills needed to use these tools effectively, while continuing to provide high quality, person-centered care."

8 digital healthcare trends for 2025 Perficient; by Lysa Young-Bates; 11/15/24 Our experts are closely monitoring eight healthcare trends that are shaping industry leaders’ strategies in 2025. ... Let’s dive into the eight healthcare trends and pragmatic innovations that our experts are helping HCOs navigate in 2025.

Ascension president addresses UN on cyberattacks Becker's Hospital Review; by Kristin Kuchno; 11/11/24 Eduardo Conrado, president of St. Louis-based Ascension, discussed the health system's May ransomware attack at a Nov. 8 United Nations Security Council meeting. The council met to discuss strategies for countering cyberattacks in healthcare, according to a Nov. 8 news release from the U.N. Ascension's response to the May 8 ransomware attack cost the health system approximately $130 million. The attack forced its hospitals and clinics off its EHR system and disrupted key diagnostic services, including MRIs and CT scans. ... "Overnight, nurses were unable to quickly look up patient records from the computer stations and were forced to comb through paper back-ups for patient medical history and medications," Mr. Conrado said at the meeting.  ... A comprehensive approach is key, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, PhD, director-general of the World Health Organization, told the U.N. "Countries should invest not only in technologies for detecting and mitigating cyberattacks but in training staff to respond to them," he added...

Adopting tomorrow’s tech: 5 steps to effective AI training in hospice Hospice News; by Mick Stahlberg; 11/7/24 In today’s hospice environment, providers are continually asked to do more with less. Staffing shortages, rising costs and growing patient demands make efficiency a critical component of success. Enter artificial intelligence (AI). From automating administrative tasks to improving scheduling and optimizing resource allocation, AI is poised to significantly enhance operational efficiency at every level. In turn, proper training will play a monumental role in helping teams get comfortable incorporating this technology into their clinical and administrative workflows from day one. Providers will be best served to follow 5 key steps to effective AI training as they work with their technology partners to articulate a comprehensive strategy based on their organization and its unique needs. These steps incorporate:

Microsoft update warning—400 million Windows PCs now at risk Forbes; by Zak Doffman; 10/30/24 Here we go again. Previously fixed Windows vulnerabilities are back to haunt users. And with perfect timing, there’s also a serious new warning for at least 400 million users, all of whom need to act to keep their PCs and data safe from attack. This is all about timing. The public interest advocacy group PIRG is now campaigning for Microsoft to extend the Windows 10 support extension now available to schools to other users. “In one year, Microsoft plans to end support for Windows 10,” they warn, “potentially rendering up to 400 million computers obsolete overnight. This decision could trigger the single largest surge in junked computers in history, with dire consequences for both consumers and the environment.” 

Top 10 Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) tool eSecurity Planet; by Claire dela Luna; 10/28/24 In today’s global economy, even small businesses operate across multiple regions and markets, each with its own regulatory landscape. Without effective GRC tools, organizations can quickly fall out of compliance, exposing themselves to security risks and operational disruptions. GRC software solutions enable businesses to manage these risks by automating policies, tracking controls, and providing real-time compliance monitoring across international borders. .. Here’s a guide to help you make the best choice.

Change Healthcare cyberattack impacts 100 million people Becker's Health IT; by Naomi Diaz; 10/25/24 The Feb. 21 ransomware attack on UnitedHealth Group subsidiary Change Healthcare has impacted 100 million individuals. The number of impacted individuals was posted on the Office for Civil Rights Breach Portal, which is used for reporting breaches of unsecured protected health information under HIPAA. Previously, UnitedHealth said that the data stolen by hackers likely covered a "substantial proportion of people in America." The cyberattack crippled financial operations for hospitals, insurers, pharmacies and medical groups nationwide. In July, the organization began sending out breach notification letters to individuals affected by the attack.  

The Tesla Bot is the future of at-home care, but not the way Elon wants you to think AndroidCentral; by Nicholas Sutrich; 10/17/24 Imagine waking up on your 91st birthday to a friendly robot companion that brings your morning coffee and a nice warm robe to start the day in. After making you breakfast, it bids you good day and heads back into the closet for a quick charge-up. At around 11 a.m., you realize there's a new pain in your leg that you haven't experienced before, so you make a quick phone call to the doctor, and, in a minute, your robot companion emerges from the closet, entirely remote-controlled by your doctor. They can run scans, have a full conversation, and even perform exams, all without you having to leave your home and go through the irritating task of trying to find transportation across town. ... Nothing replaces full face-to-face human interaction, but the ability for a fully remote-controlled robot that can be embodied by anyone with a VR headset like the Meta Quest 3 is a future I want to fully embrace.

Mass General Brigham tests drones for 'hospital at home': 6 things to know Becker's Health IT; by Giles Bruce; 10/15/24 Somerville, Mass.-based Mass General Brigham has tested out drone delivery for its hospital-at-home program. Here are six things to know: