Telehealth

Telehealth relies on reliable, secure connectivity — and that's not something we can take for granted.

This week's top stories include a data breach that prompts healthcare organizations to take preventive steps, the CDC giving $227 million for COVID-19 vaccine preparedness and tracking, and Apple Watch adding a new VO2 Max feature.

The hospital is using communication technologies to bring care teams, patients and families together to plan healthcare. The tools have helped enable a 40% reduction in avoidable inpatient visits and a 29% reduction in length of stay.

The company has declined to comment on Business Insider's report that it will seek to expand the app-based Amazon Care beyond its own employees.

Will a health system battered by the pandemic emerge stronger in the year ahead? The annual report predicts challenges such as profitably merging virtual and in-person care, capitalizing on new consumer- and clinician-facing digital health tools – and enabling pharma to find its footing in this changing ecosystem.

 The relaxation of regulations around telemedicine has undoubtedly made it easier for patients to access virtual care – but has also presented new privacy risks.

The RPH-based service will start with 50 beds being monitored and run 24/7.

Better data, better devices and a better experience will push telehealth to the next stage of its development in 2021.

At Geisinger in Pennsylvania, a pilot program to bring care to the homes of older patients with complex healthcare needs has shown a 35% reduction in visits to the emergency department visits, a 40% drop in hospital admissions and an average annual savings of nearly $8,000 per patient.

Lumeon CEO Robbie Hughes says there's a huge opportunity to reduce the cost of care delivery by focusing on how to best support a patient digitally through their care transitions.