Cybersecurity

The digital security of healthcare institutions and data is a growing concern, with an increasing number of cyberattacks each year against healthcare systems, which are seen as easy targets. Cyber attacks often use ransomware to target personal health information, patient data and medical devices to cut off access to the data until a ransom is payed to the hacker. Cybercriminals have become more sophisticated, using malware, ransomware and spyware to attack outdated and vulnerable systems and software. Due to the interconnected nature of hospital IT systems today, the weakest link can be older web-enabled medical devices, including clinical and non-clinical systems. Employees are also a major target of attacks via malicious e-mails that prompt them to open attachments that then download malware onto the hospital's IT system.

Two heavy hitters slug it out over MU’s role in breaches

Meaningful Use may not have launched the hacker express into healthcare, but it surely seems to have greased the rails. 

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OCR: Cybersecurity needs to be a priority

Federal regulators urged healthcare organizations to have plans in place to deal with security issues such as data breaches involving patient and business information.

Hospital faces criticism for filming surgeries

In stepping up its surveillance after anesthesia drugs started going missing, Sharp Grossmont Hospital filmed women undergoing surgery without their permission.

Brookings report asks OCR to share data breach findings

Interviewees felt the Office of Civil Rights’ process should be more about finding ways to prevent future breaches than punishing hacked organizations.

Bill would establish CISO role for HHS

House Energy and Commerce Committee members Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Calif.) and Congressman Billy Long (R-Mo.) introduced the HHS Data Protection Act which would establish the Office of the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and elevate the position out from under the CIO.

Calif. legislation addresses ransomware in healthcare

California is leading the charge for healthcare cybersecurity by passing legislation that outlaws ransomware and specifies how the crime should be prosecuted. 

CHIME, AEHIS weigh in on FDA's medical device cybersecurity guidance

CHIME and AEHIS believe the solution begins with more cooperation between healthcare organizations and device manufacturers.

Stolen mail truck impacts 2,400 Kaiser Permanente members

The theft of a mail truck carrying protected health information is the source of a data breach affecting 2,400 members of Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente.

Around the web

Cardiovascular devices are more likely to be in a Class I recall than any other device type. The FDA's approval process appears to be at least partially responsible, though the agency is working to make some serious changes. We spoke to a researcher who has been tracking these data for years to learn more. 

Updated compensation data includes good news for multiple subspecialties. The new report also examines private equity's impact on employment models and how much male cardiologists earn compared to females.

When drugs are on the FDA’s shortage list, outsourcing facilities can produce their own compounded versions. When the FDA removed tirzepatide from that list with no warning, it created a considerable amount of chaos both behind the scenes and in pharmacies all over the country. 

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