Data Analytics

Hospitals and health systems use current and past data from its informatics systems to find trends, draw conclusions and identify the potential for improvement outcomes in patients and populations, and to support business decision-making. In patient care, data analytics can show areas  that need improvement, and bottlenecks to faster and more accurate diagnoses. On the business side, health system data can be leveraged to lower costs, maximize revenue, streamline and improve operations. Data is increasingly being used to look at the larger picture of population health to identify traits that can flag patients that may need additional resources to prevent readmissions. It can also help identify patients at high risk for some diseases that can be contacted about additional screenings for improved preventative care.

Rural America lost 3,300 medical practices in five years, report shows

A data analysis from the Physicians Advocacy Institute and Avalere Health found corporate buyouts are leaving patients in low-population areas with fewer options, as doctors are opting to go elsewhere.

Clinical support tool for pediatric autism earns $27M from private equity

Motivity is receiving an injection of cash from Five Elms Capital, a software investment firm. The companies said the funds will be used to hire staff and improve products.  

Phishing Hack Data Breach Password

Report: 84% of healthcare organizations identified a data breach last year

Phishing incidents were the most common type of attack on a healthcare entity, which is consistent with what's seen across all industries. 

Epic sued by interoperability startup following dispute over patient data

Particle Health has accused Epic Systems of monopolistic business practices that hinder data-driven initiatives to improve patient care. Epic calls the complaint “baseless.” 

underutilized healthcare data

So much healthcare data, so many missed opportunities

Four of five hospital leaders trust the accuracy of their institution’s data. Yet almost half of useable data gets underutilized if not completely untapped for guiding business and clinical decisions.

bipartisan house task force on artificial intelligence

House to hold hearing on new patient data rights legislation

The bipartisan American Privacy Rights Act (APRA) would allow consumers to access and delete much of their personal data being held by private companies.

Video of Kateita Hasanovic, RN, senior director, clinical EHR applications at Baptist Health, Jacksonville, Florida, explains how her large health system consolidated its Epic EHR and patient medication history.

How medication reconciliation data consolidation in the EHR enables better patient care

Baptist Health in Jacksonville, Florida, consolidated patient medication history from numerous facilities into one location in its Epic EHR to improve patient safety and allow data analytics.

ransomware cybercrime

Hospital trio learns cybersecurity lessons the hard way

How quickly a hospital recovers from a ransomware cyberattack has a lot to do with how thoroughly the hospital prepared ahead of time for just such an event.

Around the web

The mobile power units of certain HeartMate 3 and HeartMate II LVADs have been experiencing “sudden, unexpected performance issues” such as turning on, off or even restarting with no warning. These issues can potentially be fatal, according to an alert shared by the FDA.

Radiology practices are already operating on razor thin margins, with price increases prompting calls for congressional action to prevent further damage. 

United Imaging and other manufacturers that have established American factories may remain insulated from the trade war.