Data + Technology

ECRI, a nonprofit group focused on improving safety in healthcare, has released its annual analysis. The group’s president offers suggestions for hospital leaders to protect patients.

In other executive news, an Ohio system names a chief digital health officer, CareFirst hires a chief diversity officer, and others are tapped for new posts.

The Senate passed the omnibus bill and President Biden plans to sign it. The package includes key provisions on telehealth, research programs and other areas of note for hospitals.

Reducing patient leakage is a top concern for healthcare leaders. Angie Franks, CEO of ABOUT Healthcare, talks about what hospitals should be doing.

More than 200 patient records at a veterans hospital in Washington were corrupted. The problem prompted calls to delay a wider rollout of the new health record system.

Dozens of healthcare organizations asked the Biden administration to permanently waive the requirement of an in-person evaluation.

Most said authorization requirements have increased over the past year. Healthcare practices and doctors say the process is hurting patient care.

Federal officials and industry leaders have warned healthcare organizations they could see more cyberattacks.

A survey of 400 healthcare financial leaders identified several other challenges, but the tough job market topped the list.

More people are using telehealth and say they will continue to do so beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Doximity. But there are differences in some groups worth noting.

Most healthcare executives say they’re worried inaccurate patient data is hurting outcomes and costing them money. The CEO of Verato says it’s something leaders must address.

A host of health studies are using data from watches and other devices, but there’s a great deal of inconsistency in the reporting. A new study suggests some core standards.

About 7 in 10 will go elsewhere if there are better options, according to the new survey. Most said they want more convenience, including the ability to schedule appointments online.

Telehealth use has surged in the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Biden administration is aiming to ensure more access in underserved communities.

The New York technology company’s software allows people to fill out paperwork and pay before appointments. Yosi Health offers convenience for providers and patients, CEO Hari Prasad says.

A bipartisan bill has been introduced to expand telehealth access for two years. Hundreds of advocates are calling on Congress to ensure permanent access.

The group says it doesn’t target healthcare organizations but authorities stress the importance of bolstering protections.

HIMSS surveyed more than 160 cybersecurity professionals and found some healthcare organizations are spending more to protect their networks, but many are still making modest investments.

Telehealth use has grown tremendously during the pandemic, but there are gaps in usage, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. There are concerns about access to video telehealth services.

Roughly two out of three people of color said they canceled or delayed healthcare services during the pandemic, the report said.

The federal watchdog points to problems in migrating data and the need to get more feedback from stakeholders. The Department of Veterans Affairs has been struggling to modernize its patient records for years.

Providers are still spending more money than they should in submitting claims and prior authorization, according to the new CAQH Index. The industry could save billions by moving toward more automation, the group says.

With more information available on phones and watches, most data is now health data, Penn researchers say. But a new study shows many have privacy concerns.

It represents a 79% increase over the previous year, CB Insights reports. The COVID-19 pandemic is fueling the appetite for digital health technologies.

The typical breach costs several million dollars. Attackers have realized hospitals are prime targets, so healthcare leaders need to make protecting their systems a top priority.