Interoperability

With the number of health information exchanges declining since 2012, and EHR makers creating their own exchanges, the latter might just be a more effective way to share patient data. 

Other hospitals including PeaceHealth in the Pacific Northwest are also finding video consults can also open doors to other services to the benefit of patients and healthcare providers. 

The deal will enable clients to exchange clinical data to eliminate the need for chart extractions and foster collaboration between healthcare payers and hospitals. 

The health system is using eHosptial and eCMU to create command centers where clinicians gather to keep an eye on the sickest patients and, in turn, more effectively handle rapid response calls. 

The healthcare network has begun rolling out new telehealth services to provide digital second opinions and promote inter-hospital consultations. 

HCA and OhioHealth are also among the first movers overhauling initiatives from technology-led to clinically-focused programs and already reaping early results. 

The first half of 2016 has seen more healthcare organization M&A activity than the same timeframe in 2015 as providers are figuring out how to navigate rapid industry change and emerging payment models, Kaufman Hall said. 

The Office of the Inspector General posted research from 2014 so there’s reason to believe the proliferation of cyberattacks and malware could create even more downtime. OIG recommended that hospitals institute and continuously update contingency plans.

Specific hospital ratings will be posted on the CMS Hospital Compare website soon.

William Yasnoff, MD, has developed a personal grid format that can prevent hackers from accessing an entire database full of patient records. Hospitals or IT vendors can use the tactic – for free – to force cybercriminals to decrypt one record at a time.