Literature Review

Best Buy lands new health system partnerBecker's Health IT; by Giles Bruce; 5/10/24The tech retailer said it joined forces with Bethlehem, Pa.-based St. Luke's University Health Network in the first quarter. The health system will use Best Buy's Current Health remote monitoring platform to treat post-discharge congestive heart failure patients. "We talk a lot about our big goal to enable care at home for everyone, and we're intentional about our role as the enabler," Best Buy Health said in a May 9 statement. "Partnering with providers, health plans and biopharma organizations is at the core of our strategy." Best Buy has been leaning into healthcare in recent years, acquiring Current Health in 2021 for $400 million and sending Geek Squad members into patients' homes to set up hospital-at-home technology.

Can virtual reality help ease the end of life? MDLinx; Originally published on Université de Montréal News; 5/10/24 A sunny beach under an azure sky in Mexico, a bustling market in Reykjavik, a sparkling lake in Quebec’s Laurentians, a string quartet playing Bach… What if we could offer individuals in palliative care a whole range of peaceful, familiar or exhilarating experiences that they could enjoy from the comfort of their chair? What if such experiences could not only allow them to travel, discover, explore and relax, but also decrease their anxiety and physical pain? Neuropsychologist Jhon Alexander Moreno, a professor in Université de Montréal’s Department of Psychology and a researcher at the Montreal University Institute of Geriatrics Research Centre, decided to take up the challenge.

AI governance and cybersecurity certifications: Are they worth it? CSO; by Maria Korolov; 5/6/24The International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), SANS Institute, and other organizations are releasing new AI certifications in the areas of governance and cybersecurity or adding new AI modules to existing programs. These may help professionals find employment, but with the area being relatively new, experts warn certifications could be out of date almost immediately. ... On the other hand, the new AI governance and cybersecurity certifications cover the basics needed to get up to speed, create a foundation layer on which people can build later, create a common language for practitioners to use, and will typically include ongoing training requirements to help people stay current. Here, in alphabetical order by organization are all the AI governance training and certificates known at the time of publishing. ...

ONC chief: EHRs are central to AI’s role in healthcare Modern Healthcare; by Brock E.W. Turner; 5/2/24 Even as the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology celebrates its 20th birthday, the agency has little time these days to stop and smell the roses. ... [This article discusses the following questions.]

CIOs' top 15 priorities over next 3 years Becker's Health IT; by Giles Bruce; 5/1/24 CIOs' top priority over the next one to three years will be driving business innovation, according to a recent CIO survey. That differs from their current No. 1 focus, which is cybersecurity, per an April CIO story. Here are the activities CIOs plan to spend more time on in the next one to three years, according to the 2024 survey of 1,126 IT leaders: ... [click on the title's link for the list]. 

Generative AI: A roadmap for healthcare leaders Curate; 4/30/24 ... As the capabilities of generative AI continue to expand, healthcare leaders are tasked with harnessing its potential while navigating the ethical, regulatory, and operational challenges it brings. This article offers a comprehensive roadmap for healthcare C-suite and senior leaders to incrementally adopt generative AI, emphasizing the strategic approach and expertise provided by Curate in healthcare consulting and technology modernization.

AMA responds to UnitedHealth confirmation of stolen data from Change HealthcareAmerican Medical Association; 4/24/24The American Medical Association (AMA) is deeply concerned about the April 22 announcement from UnitedHealth Group (UHG) indicating vast amounts of sensitive medical data might have been stolen from Change Healthcare’s system and in the hands of malicious ransomware groups. “The AMA appreciates UHG’s statement outlining efforts to contain damage and provide support for people who are concerned about their personal data,” said AMA President Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, M.D., M.P.H. “The AMA urges UHG to quickly operationalize and fulfill its promises to help patients and physicians affected by the breach.”

How will AI affect care? Let us count the ways McKnights Senior Living; by John O'Connor; 4/25/24 A new report from the editors at Health IT Analytics describes a dozen leading areas where changes will take place. The top three are especially germane to the senior living and care sector. Leading the charge is clinical decision support. ... Following closely is the integration of AI in drug discovery and development. ... Rounding out the top three are electronic health records. ...

Cleveland Clinic eHospital expands to monitor 300,000 patients Becker's Health IT; by Naomi Diaz; 4/24/24 Cleveland Clinic's eHospital program has expanded and now monitors 248 patient beds in ICUs and other units across the organization's network. The eHospital program launched in 2014 as a pilot in one intensive care unit. ... The program has enabled more patients to receive care at community hospitals, reducing the need for transfers to the main campus, according to Cleveland Clinic. It has also helped decrease ICU lengths of stay and minimize the volume of calls received at night. 

AI could play role in preventing prescribing of unnecessary drugs in older adults McKnights Senior Living, by Kristen Fischer; 4/22/24 A new study finds that artificial intelligence could encourage doctors to stop prescribing drugs that aren’t necessary — especially in older adults, who tend to be on multiple medications. The report was published 4/18 in the Journal of Medical Systems. More than 40% of older adults are taking five or more prescription medications, a rate that raises their risk for potentially harmful drug interactions. ... AI isn’t a perfect tool compared with having an actual doctor. For instance, it tended not to pay much attention to a person’s pain level, suggesting that the patient stop taking pain medications but not others for clinical ailments such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure, the authors reported.

Change cyberattack affected 'substantial proportion' of America Modern Healthcare, by Lauren Berryman; 4/23/24UnitedHealth Group said the cyberattack against its Change Healthcare unit potentially exposed the personal information of  "a substantial proportion of people in America," and it will be months before it is able to identify and notify patients affected. The company also confirmed it paid an unspecified ransom to protect patient data, as reported by Bloomberg Monday.

Operator hopes to expand residents’ digital literacy with unique tech concierge program McKnights Senior Living, by John O'Connor; 4/22/24Beginning in June, residents in some BHI Senior Living communities will be able to take advantage of a unique tech concierge program. For residents, the new service will feature on-demand tech support, alongside virtual assistance, in-home appointments and a curriculum of tailored enrichment classes and training sessions. For the operator, the program will deliver immediate tech support while also gathering and analyzing data that can be used to inform future technology investments and strategic moves.Editor's Note: How might you adapt this creative service for the persons you serve? What differences might it make in patient care? In hospice caregiver/family satisfaction? What tech support do you have for your staff, especially when they are making home or other in-the-field visits? Relating this to today's articles on the importance of "trust" and "nurses' negativity about AI," do your innovative technologies improve or impede the patient/family's needs and experiences with you?

Mercy Hospital surgeon teaches high school student future of surgical medicine CBS News TV 13 Sacramento, CA; 4/21/24 A unique experience for high school students, taking a step into the world of robotic surgery. Mercy Hospital hosted students to learn the ins and outs of the future of surgical medicine.