Welcome to this week's healthcare technology newsletter! Here are the major news and events from the past week in the healthcare technology industry.
- Verizon to deploy 5G in new-build Cleveland Clinic hospital.?Verizon has announced plans to deploy its 5G network at the new Cleveland Clinic hospital in Ohio. The network will be used to support a variety of healthcare applications, including remote patient monitoring, telehealth, and robotics.
- LCMC Health sues feds for blocking Tulane hospital deal despite securing COPA.?LCMC Health, a Louisiana-based healthcare system, has filed a lawsuit against the federal government for blocking its proposed acquisition of Tulane University Hospital and Clinic. The lawsuit alleges that the government's decision was politically motivated and that it will harm patients in the New Orleans area.
- Supreme Court delays decision in court battle over abortion pill.?The Supreme Court has delayed a decision in a court battle over the abortion pill. The case centers on a Mississippi law that bans the use of the pill after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The court's decision is expected to have a major impact on abortion access in the United States.
- Seema Verma, Trump CMS administrator, to join Oracle.?Seema Verma, who served as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) under President Trump, has joined Oracle as a vice president. Verma will lead Oracle's work on healthcare policy and innovation.
- Clover cuts 10% of the workforce, and moves core operations to UST HealthProof.?Clover Health, a digital health company that provides point-of-sale software for healthcare providers, has announced plans to cut 10% of its workforce. The company is also moving its core operations to UST HealthProof, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group.
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced a partnership with the University of California, San Francisco to develop a machine learning model to predict the likelihood of a patient being hospitalized after being diagnosed with COVID-19. The model is intended to help hospitals prioritize care for high-risk patients and reduce hospitalizations.
- A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that a smartphone app designed to help patients with schizophrenia manage their symptoms was effective in improving their clinical outcomes. The app, called PRIME, uses a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness exercises to help patients manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) announced the launch of a global platform to track and share data on the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. The platform, called the Global COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Surveillance System, will collect data from healthcare providers and vaccine manufacturers around the world to monitor the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines.
- Google Health announced the release of a new AI-powered tool called Derm Assist, which uses machine learning to help doctors diagnose skin conditions. The tool can analyze images of skin lesions and provide a list of potential diagnoses, along with a confidence score for each diagnosis.
- Apple announced a new feature in its Health app that will allow users to share their health data with family members, caregivers, and healthcare providers. The feature, called SharePlay, allows users to grant access to their health records, including information about medications, allergies, and medical conditions.
- Healthcare leaders share their perspectives on digital transformation at ATA, ViVE.?The annual ATA and ViVE conferences brought together healthcare leaders from around the world to discuss the latest trends in digital transformation. Topics of discussion included the use of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain in healthcare.
- CISA warns healthcare organizations of Cuba ransomware threat.?The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued a warning to healthcare organizations about a new ransomware threat from Cuba. The threat, known as "Hermes," is designed to encrypt files on infected systems and demand a ransom payment in Bitcoin.
- Moving the needle on SDOH data.?A new report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has found that there is a growing body of evidence on the social determinants of health (SDOH). The report also found that there are a number of challenges to collecting and using SDOH data, including lack of funding, data silos, and privacy concerns.
- CISA and FBI warn of Zeppelin ransomware threat to healthcare organizations.?The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have issued a joint warning about a new ransomware threat known as "Zeppelin." The threat is designed to encrypt files on infected systems and demand a ransom payment in Bitcoin.
- U.S. House passes bill to extend telehealth flexibility.?The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill that would extend telehealth flexibilities that were put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill would allow Medicare beneficiaries to continue to receive telehealth services without having to meet in-person requirements.
- Videos highlight how clinical and IT team collaboration improves patient care.?A new series of videos from the American Hospital Association (AHA) highlights how clinical and IT teams can collaborate to improve patient care. The videos feature real-world examples of how collaboration has led to better outcomes for patients.
- FBI, CISA warn of North Korean Ransomware Threat Targeting Healthcare Organizations.?The FBI and CISA have issued a joint warning about a new ransomware threat known as "Maui." The threat is designed to encrypt files on infected systems and demand a ransom payment in Bitcoin. The threat is believed to be the work of North Korean hackers.
That's all for this week's healthcare technology newsletter. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date on the latest news and trends in healthcare technology.
