Articles Written By: Linda Moore

Linda Moore is an experienced journalist with in dept knowledge of the healthcare sector.

Study Finds Half Of Veterans With OUD Used Audio-only Telehealth To Receive Medication

According to a study published in JAMA Network Open, the majority of opioid use disorder (OUD) patients used telehealth to receive medication, and of those, about 50 percent engaged in telephone-only consultations rather than video. The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Washington in order to provide viable data to policymakers as they determine the future of telehealth use in healthcare.  The study was based on data on over 17,000 veterans nationwide who had received OUD treatment between March 23, 2020 and March 22, 2021 provided by the Veterans Health Administration. The researchers examined OUD treatment access…

UAMS Partners With Amedisys & Contessa To Provide Care-At-Home Program

In an effort to improve patient comfort and convenience, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Amedisys, and Cotessa have formed a partnership to develop a comprehensive program composed of a variety of care-at-home services. The partnership comes as the desire for home-based care continues to increase. According to Amadesys’ press release, 90 percent of Amercans over 50 prefer to remain in their homes and age in place.  “UAMS is leading the ambitious goal of making Arkansas the healthiest state in the region, and this strategic initiative supercharges that vision,” said Cam Patterson, M.D., MBA, UAMS chancellor and CEO…

Walmart Announces Walmart HealthCare Institute To Improve Health Inequality

Bentonville, Arkansas-based Walmart has recently announced the launch of the Walmart Healthcare Institute (WHRI) in an effort to improve community access to healthcare research which may contribute to the development of safer and more equitable healthcare.  According to the statement released on October 11, 2022, the will aim to develop interventions and medications that benefit underrepresented groups such as senior citizens, rural residents, women, and people of color. The first focus of WHRI will be to include members of these groups in research for chronic conditions and innovative treatments. For Walmart, clinical trials have historically recruited individuals who reside close…

Telehealth Stakeholders Urge US Senators To Continue PHE Telehealth Flexibilities

In a letter to the US Senate, which was co-led by the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) and its advocacy group ATA Action and bearing the signatures of 375 stakeholders, it is requested that expanded telehealth access be supported for the following two years while working forward towards a permanent extension of the existing flexibilities and exceptions. Upon the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, the United States government announced a Public Health Emergency (PHE) in order to limit the spread of the deadly virus. The PHE eliminated a number of regulations within the health sector including regulations that restricted the extent…

Study Finds Penn Medicine’s Fertility Program Highly Effective

A study has been released by researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania which evaluated the Fast Track to Fertility Program at Penn Medicine. The program was implemented to increase access to fertility care for patients who are having difficulty getting pregnant. The researchers discovered that the program is highly successful, with results demonstrating shorter wait times, more patients served, lower no-show rates, and higher patient satisfaction.  According to the press release, the Fast Track to Fertility program reduced the time it took for patients to receive their first treatment from initial request by half….

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles And Limbix Collaborate To Research Virtual Depression Treatment Tool

Limbix has announced a collaboration with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) for a research project to assess SparkRx, an additional therapy for teenagers with depressive symptoms, in settings that provide specialized medical care. For teenagers, ages 13 to 22, SparkRx is a self-directed, digital treatment approach based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). According to Limbix’s press release, SparkRx delivers a compelling, research-based program straight to teenagers’ smartphones. With the use of this online therapy, Limbix claims, teenagers may better understand their depression and develop coping mechanisms to control its symptoms. Limbix is a virtual reality and digital treatment tool developer….

Study Finds ED Standard Care Quality Equal to Virtual Care

Researchers at Stanford Health Care have found evidence that indicates the quality of virtual care provided to low-acuity patients at Stanford Health Care’s emergency department is equal to that of standard care procedures. In order to resist the disruption to treatment provision caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Stanford Health Care chose to expedite the implementation of its strategy to incorporate virtual visits into clinical care in December of 2020.  The medical system changed its current ED Fast Track care unit to a Virtual Visit Track as part of the acceleration. According to data published in the NEJM Catalyst case study,…

California Governor Signs Package Of Bills To Improve Abortion Patient Privacy

The state of California has improved safeguards for those seeking birth control and abortion services. California Governor Gavin Newson, has signed a package of bills that forbid healthcare providers from disclosing patients’ medical information in response to subpoenas and requests form outside the state. The bill comes following the United States Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization which removed women’s federal right to obtain an abortion, leaving the decsion up to the individual state. Several states had trigger laws in place whereby, in the event of the overruling of Dobbs v. Jackson, abortion would be…

Healthcare Groups Request HHS To Extend 21st Century Cures Act Compliance Deadline

As of October 6th, 2022, all HIPAA-regulated healthcare providers will be required to achieve full compliance with the information blocking requirements of the 21st Century Cures Act. Following October 6th, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will be responsible for imposing financial penalties to healthcare providers who fail to facilitate patient’s access to their health information.  The new information blocking requirements have been introduced by legislatures to improve patient access to their medical records. Information blocking is defined as any practice by an entity that is likely to interfere with the access, exchange, or use of electronic health…

Study Finds Similar Diagnoses Between Clinical In-Person And Telehealth Visits

A JAMA Network Study that compared the diagnostic concordance of various treatment modalities discovered high levels of diagnostic concordance between telehealth and in-person visits overall. In order to address the concerns associated with viral exposure during the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous healthcare organizations switched in-person appointments to video telehealth visits. As a result, telehealth utilization grew exponentially. Experts believe that the shift in patient volume from physical clinical visits to video telehealth services will likely have a long-lasting effect on how healthcare is provided in the long term. However, the lack of telehealth research may make it difficult for clinicians to…

Study Finds High Satisfaction With Telehealth During Pandemic Among Older Adults

Despite the widespread desire for in-person treatment among adults over 65, many were content with telemedicine throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and want it to be available going forward, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (AGS). During the COVID-19 crisis, many patients and healthcare professionals turned to telehealth since limitations on in-person care were being implemented. Seniors in particular benefited from telehealth’s ability to keep care accessible throughout this period, but the research team at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center wanted to determine how satisfied these elderly patients were with their virtual care. The…

Microsoft Announce Two-Day Vulnerabilities In Exchange Servers

Microsoft has recently notified its users that two-day vulnerabilities in its Exchange Server are being exploited by Chinese threat actors and have recommended a number of mitigations users can take to secure their data while the company develops patches to rectify the vulnerabilities. While the attacks made by the threat actors have been restricted, Microsoft does advise that the attackers may soon target the health sector. In several of the attacks, the attackers used the China Chopper web shell for permanent access, which indicates that a Chinese hacker outfit with governmental backing is making use of the security vulnerabilities. The…

FDA’s User Fee Authorization Bill Medical Device Cybersecurity Requirements Removed By Senate Republicans

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) user fee authorization bill that was approved by the House of Representatives in early June contained new provisions demanding medical device manufacturers to label all devices with a software bill of materials, to adequately monitor for and rectify postmarket cybersecurity flaws in their devices, and ensure all devices are able to receive updates to ensure cybersecurity for the entirety of the devices’ lifecycles. By a vote of 392-28, the law was approved. However, the cybersecurity provisions have since been removed. With time running out, the FDA bowed to pressure from Senate republicans…

GAO Report Finds That HHS Must Strengthen Telehealth Oversight

The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) has recently called for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to strengthen their oversight and assist medicare telehealth providers to educate patients on Privacy and Security Risks. Due to the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicare temporarily waived restrictions on telehealth services to help patients access care without risk of exposure. As a result, the number of telehealth visits grew exponentially to over 53 million between April and December 2020. The unprecedented use of telehealth services has raised many concerns regarding the quality of care patients received and the lack of…

NSF Set To Fund $1.2M UC San Diego Lower Back Pain Study

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded $1.2 million to a multidisciplinary team headed by UC San Diego researchers to develop a unique approach for researching and informing the management of chronic lower back pain. A variety of techniques, such as wearable sensors and machine learning, will be used in the project to improve physical therapy assessment and treatment. According to the UC San Diego’s press release, up to 80 percent of people suffer low back pain at some point in their lives, and the yearly cost of treatment and lost pay as a result of disability in the United…

FDA Warns Healthcare Sector Of Risks Associated With Medtronic’s Insulin Pumps

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned the healthcare sector of cybersecurity risks associated with the Medtronic MiniMed 600 Series Insulin Pump System. A malicious actor could exploit an issue in the pump system’s communication protocol which may lead to unauthorized access to the device. With access to the device, the actor can manipulate the amount of insulin provided to deliver too much or too little. An attack of this nature can result in a seizure, come, hyperglycemia, and death.   The MiniMed 600 series pump system is made up of wirelessly communicating components including the pump, continuous…

HC3 Warns Healthcare Industry Of Monkeypox-Themed Phishing Campaign

The United States Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center (HC3) has warned the healthcare industry of a new monkeypox-themed malspam campaign targeting healthcare providers. According to the HC3, the campaign has a subject line of “Data from (Victim Organization Abbreviation): “Important read about -Monkey Pox– (Victim Organization) (Reference Number)” and utilizes an “Important read about Monkey Pox” theme. A PDF attachment to the email contains a malicious link that takes the user to a Lark Docs site. The website has a cloud-themed adobe doc and provides a secure Moneky Pox PDF download. The victim’s Outlook, O365, or Other Mail login credentials…

Medtronic Awarded FDA Approval For Bifurcation Lesion Medical Devices

Medtronic has become the first company to receive the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval for their Onyx Frontier and Resolute Onyx drug-eluting stents used for bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention. With FDA approval, Medtronic will be able to offer a wide range of medical training and technical assistance to physicians using percutaneous coronary interventions to treat patients with bifurcation lesions. Bifurcation lesions occur when plaque accumulates at the meeting point of two coronary arteries. As a result of the structural changes in the arteries and the difficulty in obtaining access to the side branches, the lesions are often regarded…

House Reps. Introduce Bill To Allow Pharmacies To Refuse Provision Of Abortion Medication

United States House Republicans have introduced a bill to ensure pharmacists can refuse patients’ requests for abortion medicines if they oppose. The Pharmacist Conscience Protection Act, which was proposed on Wednesday, forbids the federal government from punishing pharmacists who object on moral or religious grounds to prescribing medications that might result in an abortion. The bill comes following the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) guidance which states that pharmacists who refuse to provide prescriptions for abortions could be in violation of several civil rights laws.  The HHS argued that in accordance with federal civil rights rules, pharmacists are…

Study Finds Small Percentage Of Physicians Are Responsible For Growth In RPM Usage During The Pandemic

A study released by the Health Affairs’ September Issue has found that the growth in remote patient monitoring during the Covid-19 pandemic was driven by a small percentage of primary care physicians who used random patient selection techniques. The study examined billing for RPM for patients who suffer from chronic illnesses diagnosis. The device has received praise for its potential to significantly enhance patient care for those with undermanaged chronic illnesses. According to the report, billing in this sector grew 400 percent, and a select group of primary care physicians were mostly responsible. Patients with more severe disease burdens or…

Report Finds Health Sector’s Use Of Outdated Systems Poses Significant Security Risks

A penetration risk report released by Global cybersecurity firm Coalfire has found that while the health sector is gradually reducing its dependence on legacy systems, unpatched and out-of-date software continues to pose security risks. The report was composed of results of more than 3,100 penetration tests from approximately 1,600 client engagements in the technology, retail financial services, and healthcare industries. Penetration testing is a tool used by healthcare organizations to identify potential vulnerabilities in their cybersecurity before hackers can. In addition coalfire employed cybersecurity firm NowSecure to examine mobile applications’ cybersecurity.  The report found a number of key findings. Firstly,…

DOJ Charges Iranian Hackers For Cyberattacks Against Critical US Infrastructure Entities

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has charged three Iranian nationals for executing several ransomware attacks and other cyberattacks against United States critical infrastructure entities including multiple healthcare organizations. The information of the charges comes from an unsealed indictment filed in the US District Court for the District of New Jersey and a DOJ press release.  According to the press release, the hacking campaign exploited flaws in frequently used network devices and software applications to gain access and remove files from computer systems. The hackers then deny the victims access to their own systems unless a ransom payment is…

HHS Appoints New Office For Civil Rights Director Melanie Fontes Rainer

The United States Department of Health and Human Services’ Director Xavier Becerra has formally sworn in Melanie Fontes Rainer as Director of the Office for Civil Rights (OCR). As of Wednesday, September 12, 2022, Fontes Rainer will lead the OCR in its duties to enforce federal civil rights, conscience protections, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act’s (HIPAA) Rules, which protect Americans’ fundamental civil rights and medical privacy.  Melanie Fontes Rainer has been officially sworn in as the Director of the Office for Civil Rights by Xavier Becerra, Director of the United States’ Department of Health and Human Services…

Study Monitors Healthcare Worker Stress During COVID-19 Pandemic With Wearables

Researchers at Mount Sinai conducted a study to assess the physiological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers, utilizing both wearable devices and a customized mobile health application. This study included 361 healthcare workers from seven different hospitals in the New York City health system. These participants completed weekly surveys to assess their perceived stress, emotional support, resilience, optimism, and quality of life. The wearable devices were used to measure heart rate variability, a marker of stress. This study highlights the importance of emotional support and resilience in helping healthcare workers cope with the pandemic. The research showed that…

US Senators Ask HHS To Bolster Reproductive Health Privacy Following SCOTUS Roe V. Wade Ruling

Following the United States’ Supreme Court’s ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade and Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, 30 groups have written a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services’ Secretary Xavier Becerra requesting an update to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act to ensure the privacy of patients’ reproductive health data. As a result of the Supreme Court’s decision, numerous states either outlawed abortion for their citizens or imposed limitations, and some have even started looking into and punishing women who obtain abortion services.  The senators, under the leadership of Patty Murray, chair of the…

Study Finds Physicians Are More Optimistic About Digital Health

A study recently published by the American Medical Association (AMA) research team has revealed rising rates of digital health use among physicians since 2016 and offers details on their expectations. Digital health provides a wide range of tools that can enhance medical treatment, facilitate lifestyle changes, and increase operational efficiency and includes technological advancements in mHealth, wearables, monitoring systems, applications, and telemedicine and telehealth.  According to AMA, the survey’s objective was to learn more about physicians’ reasons for adopting digital health technology and their needs for doing so. It included responses from people of various ages and specializations. The researchers…

FBI Warns Healthcare Sector Of Increase In Medical Device Vulnerabilities

The United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation’ Cyber Division has released a private industry notification alerting healthcare organizations of the growing number of medical device vulnerabilities. According to the notification, cybercriminals may exploit these weaknesses to negatively affect a healthcare organization’s operational functions, patient safety, data confidentiality, and data integrity.  Medical device hardware frequently operates for 10 to 30 years. However, manufacturers determine the life cycle of the underlying software which can range from a few months to the device’s maximum life expectancy. Medical devices are particularly vulnerable to attacks as they frequently contain outdated software as manufacturers do not…

Medtronic Recalls EMG Endotracheal Tube Following Two Fatalities

Medical device manufacturer Medtronic has reported two fatalities as a result of faults found in their EMG endotracheal tube. According to a recall notice posted by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA),  the company has received 15 complaints between the period of March 2020 to March 2022.  In April, Medtronic recalled its Medtronic’s NIM CONTACT Reinforced EMG Endotracheal Tube and NIM Standard Reinforced EMG Endotracheal Tube devices. The devices are used to provide an airway to patient ventilation and monitor EMG activity and the nerve integrity of the  thyroarytenoid muscle of the larynx. The recall was made by…

Report Finds Health Sector Has Suffered Over 5,000 Breaches Since 2009

A report recently issued by Comparitech has found that almost 5,000 healthcare breaches have been reported to the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights’ (OCR) data breach portal since 2009. The breaches involved more than 342 million medical records.  The researchers at Comparitech evaluated data from the period between 2009 to June 2022 to determine which states in the United States experience the most medical data breaches and how many medical records are exposed annually. Additionally, the researchers examined from January 2021 to June 2022 in-depth to determine their main causes and the healthcare organizations they…

CISA Warn Health Sector Of Baxter Sigma Infusion Pump Vulnerabilities

The United States Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency had issued a medical advisory to the healthcare sector reagrdign four vulnerabilities within the Sigma and Baxter Spectrum Infusion Pumps, a device typically used to provide medications and nutrition to patients. The vulnerabillties within the fusion pumps were identified by IoT researchers at Rapid 7, a well-known security solution provider. The issues were then reported to Baxter who are currently working with the security solution provider to resolve the vulnerabilities.  The versions of the device with vulnerabtilies include the Sigma Spectrum v6.x model 35700BAX, Sigma Spectrum v8.x model 35700BAX2, Baxter Spectrum IQ (v9.x)…

HC3 Issues Report Highlighting Benefits And Risks Of New Health Technologies

The Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center (HC3) has released a report emphasizing some of the concerns associated with some of the most promising new technologies that have the potential to transform clinical research, the monitoring and delivery of treatment, connectivity, data analysis, and data security. New technologies have the capability to completely transform the healthcare sector. Although these technologies have a lot of potential advantages, they also carry a danger of compromising patient privacy and safety. If vulnerabilities are not adequately fixed, malicious actors may use them to access internal systems or sensitive health information, endangering patient safety. According to…

DHS Releases Final Rule Updating Basis For Public Charge Inadmissability

The U.S.’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released a final rule, which will be released in the Federal Register, that clarifies and uniformly applies DHS’s management of the public charge basis of inadmissibility for non-citizens. The rule amends actions that the Trump Administration made to identify supplemental public health benefits like Medicaid and nutritional assistance as part of the public charge inadmissibility determination and corrects the historical understanding of a “public charge” that had been recognized for previous decades. According to the DHS’s press release, the rule is a reflection of the Biden Administration’s commitment to restore faith in…

Study Finds AI-Powered Chronic Condition Platform Reduces Bipolar Disorder Symptoms

A study conducted by researchers at the University of London has revealed that artificial-intelligence-powered chronic condition platform, Juli, uses technology to provide patients with information to effectively manage their long-term mental health disorders. According to a recent study, distressing psychological symptoms can be reduced by combining digital self-monitoring, AI, and targeted behavioral modifications. The technology was initially founded to support conditions that need specialized mental health treatment such as bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a chronic, recurrent episodic condition with high rates of hospitalization, suicide, and co-morbidity. The condition’s characteristics include periods of extremely low moods and high moods. In…

Report Finds Decline In Patient Outcomes And Increase In Mortality Rate Following Cyberattacks

A report conducted by the Ponemon Institute has found that over 20 percent of healthcare organizations have encountered an increase in mortality rate after a substantial cyberattack and over half of healthcare organizations surveyed stated that they encountered poorer patient outcomes as a result. With delays to procedures and tests being the most frequent consequences of the attacks that resulted in poorer patient outcomes.  On behalf of cybersecurity firm Proofpoint, Ponemon Institute surveyed 641 IT and IT security professionals in healthcare organizations who are responsible for participating in cybersecurity procedures such as setting IT cybersecurity priorities, selecting vendors and contractors…

OIG Demands Increased Supervision Of The Cybersecurity Of OPTN

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has called for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to bolster oversight of the cybersecurity of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN). This public-private partnership is managed by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), a nonprofit that links all professionals involved in the donation and transplantation system. It holds the personal and medical information of organ donors, transplant candidates and transplant recipients. The OPTN’s IT systems are essential for the timely matching of organs with people awaiting organ donation. Such a process…

HHS’ Office Of Inspector General Advises HRSA To Improve Their Oversight Of OPTN Cybersecurity

The Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) has requested the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to improve their oversight of the cybersecurity of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN). The OIG was established to ensure the protection of HHS programs through a nationwide network of audits, investigations, and inspections.The latest audit conducted by the OIG was to determine whether the HRSA had complied with federal requirements to implement appropriate and suitable cybersecurity controls over the OPTN to protect transplant information. The OPTN is a component of the HRSA’s nationwide system for allocation…

House Democrats Request Meta Data Privacy Briefing Following Nebraska Abortion Case

On August 31, 2022, the Democrats part of the Committee on Energy and Commerce sent a letter to Mark Zuckerberg, Meta CEO, outlining their concerns about the company’s data-sharing policy and asking for clarity on the dissemination of private messages to law authorities.  The letter comes as a mother and her daughter discussions relating to an illegal abortion on Meta platforms had been obtained by law enforcement. In Nebraska, law enforcement had conducted an investigation into Jessica Burgess and her 18-year old daughter, Celeste, over an alleged illegal abortion. Following the United States’ decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Nebraska…

CISA Warns Health Sector Of Contec Health’s Vital Signs Patient Monitor Vulnerabilities

The United States Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released a security advisory outlining five vulnerabilities found in Contec Health’s CMS8000 CONTEC ICU CCU Vital Signs Patient Monitor. The Agency details how exploitation of the vulnerability could allow a malicious actor to conduct distributed denial of service attacks to alter firmware, make configuration changes, access a root shell, and cause a monitor to display wrong information.  CISA has stated that they have contacted Contec Health about the faults in the Vital Signs Monitors, however, they have not received any response regarding vulnerability mitigations. CISA have found five vulnerabilities within…

California Legislature Strengthen Female Reproductive Health Privacy

A bill has been approved by the California legislature that forbids businesses operating in the state of California from providing access to information on those pursuing or performing abortions to other states who require the information through warrants. The bill is an attempt made by the California legislature to protect women’s privacy following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade. Following the Supreme Court’s decision, women’s federal right to an abortion has been left been left to individual states to choose whether abortion is legal. Several republican states had trigger laws in place to immediately prohibited abortions in…

CISA Warns Health Sector Of North Korean Maui Ransomware

A joint Cybersecurity Advisory has been issued by the United States Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) in collaboration the the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Department of the Treasury to advise the health sector about the threat of Maui ransomware, a cyberattack variant which has been utilized by the North Korea state-sponsored cyber attackers.  Since 2021, the FBI have identified and handled several incidents in the health sector involving Maui ransomware. The ransomware is used to encrypt servers that healthcare services operate such as EHR services, diagnostics services, imaging services, and intranet services. Maui ransomware has the ability…

Health-ISAC Publish Zero Trust Implementation Guidance For CISOs

A white paper has recently been published by Health-ISAC intended to assist CISOs to understand and implement a zero trust security architecture. Traditionally, a CISOs approach includes perimeter defenses, which prohibit unauthorized third parties from gaining access to data. However, the traditional cybersecurity approach is no longer viable in the cloud due to the lack of perimeters. Furthermore, the methods malicious actors employ to successfully gain access to data are rapid changing. In the event that access to the data is gained through perimeter defenses, the malicious actor can travel laterally within networks and have the ability to conduct several…

Baton Rouge General Health System Reports Healthcare Data Breach

The General Health System (GHS), located in Baton Rouge, has recently disclosed on its website that it experienced a data breach in June. The GHS is responsible for operating over 20 healthcare institutions in the Baton Rouge area.  The breach was initially announced in June by WAFB, the local news network, who reported that GHS had temporarily transferred its patient records to paper until it was safe to bring its EMR and other patient networks back online. However, GHS has confirmed the incident in a post they have published on their website. The post confirms that the GHS had detected…

Study Finds 66% Of Healthcare Organizations Experienced Ransomware Attacks In 2021

A recent study published by Sophos has revealed that 66 percent of healthcare organizations experienced ransomware attacks in 2021, a 94 percent increase compared to 2020. Sophos employed research agency Vanson Bourne to conduct an independent survey for Sophos’ annual study of ransomware attacks in the healthcare sector. The study consisted of 5,600 IT professionals, including 381 healthcare respondents in organizations residing in 31 different countries during the period of January and February 2022.  The survey discovered that two-thirds of healthcare organizations experienced ransomware attacks last year, revealing that cybercriminals’ capabilities to deliver significant attacks is only improving. The healthcare…

Analysis Finds Half Of Popular Period-Tracking Apps Share User Data For Ads

A recent analysis published by cybersecurity company Surfshark has revealed that almost half of period-tracking applications in the study shared or used user data for third-party advertising. The analysis consisted of the twenty most popular applications on the Apple Application Store and graded each application according to the quantity and sensitivity of the data it collects. Each data point was then added on the company’s point system. One point was awarded to data that is not linked to a user’s identity, two points for data that could be linked to a user’s identity such as name and address,  and finally,…

Report Evaluates Cybersecurity Firm Satisfaction Among Healthcare Clients

The number of cybersecurity attacks on healthcare organizations continue to increase on a yearly basis. The healthcare sector is often targeted by cyber criminals as healthcare providers are more likely to pay ransoms as there is risk to human health. Healthcare organizations are frequently penalized by the HHS’ Office for Civil Rights for cybersecurity vulnerabilities which can result in damaged reputations and the increased risk of patient safety and misuse of patient data. Organizations regularly employ outside consulting firms that specialize in increasing security and data privacy safeguards in order to decrease these risks in healthcare. A report conducted by…

Abbott Awarded FDA Approval For Spinal Cord Stimulation Device

Abbott’s new spinal cord stimulation system has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In an press release on August 23, 2022, the medical technology manufacturer announced that their Proclaim Plus cord stimulation system will be available to provide physicians the opportunity to treat multi-site and evolving pain. Abbott is a global leader in healthcare that works to improve quality of life for people at all phases of life. The company works to provide life-changing technologies in various areas of healthcare including medical equipment, nutritionals, and generic medicines.  According to Abbot, over 50 million Americans suffer from chronic…

Getinge Ventilator Recall Labelled Class I Event By FDA

The U.S. Food and Administration has categorized Gentinge’s recall of over 11,000 ventilators as a class I event. After discovering the ventilators may produce a combination of technical alarms that may result in a loss of communication and cut of ventilation. This can result in dire consequences as the patient’s breathing pattern may be impeded and therefore will receive too little oxygen to enter the blood and cause brain damage and circulatory failure.   Getinge has recalled four devices, including the Servo-u mechanical ventilator and the Servo-n product intended for use with newborns. After discovering the faults in over 11,089 ventilators…

MIT Researchers Develop Chip-Free Skin Sensor

A wireless wearable skin sensor that can measure activity levels, blood pressure, heart rate, and glucose levels without a bluetooth chip has been developed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers. The usage of wearable technology in healthcare is rapidly increasing. The technology is used to treat a variety of medical conditions, including cardiac issues. Researchers from MIT stated that Bluetooth chips used in products are sizable and can cause problems, despite the fact that they are frequently effective. In order to avoid the need for bulky chip implants, MIT engineers developed a wireless wearable skin sensor that can gather several…

Oklahoma State University Pays $875,000 To OCR After Major Data Breach

The Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences (OSUCHS) has recently settled a HIPAA violation case for $875,000. The Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) brought the case to the University after an investigation into a major breach of sensitive data found several potential violations of the HIPAA Rules.  The breach of data was detected by the university on November 7, 2017. It was discovered that an unauthorized third party had gained access to sections of the University’s computer network and potentially recovered files relating to the information of Medicaid patients. The information included…

HC3 Warns Healthcare Organations Of Social Engineering and Vishing Attacks

A warning has been issued by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center to warn healthcare organizations about voice phishing and social engineering attacks.  Social engineering, in the context of cybersecurity, is the exploitation of individuals by malicious attackers for their own benefit. Social engineering is a general term that ecompasses a wide range of cyberattacks such as phishing, spear phishing, business email compromising whaling, scareware, baiting, callback phishing, SMS phishing, and pretexting.  Social engineering techniques are employed in phishing attacks to deceive employees into giving up private information, such as protected health information, login…

Study Finds 58% Of Healthcare Organizations Plan To Implement Zero Trust Initiative

A recent report issued by Okta has found that there has been an increase in the number of healthcare organizations that have implemented zero trust initiatives. The 2022 State of Zero Trust Security report revealed that approximately 58 percent of organizations who were surveyed have confirmed that they have or are beginning to implement zero trust initiatives. In addition, approximately 96 percent of healthcare organizations stated they had implemented a zero trust initiative or intend to do so over the next year to year and a half.  Traditionally, healthcare organizations secure devices and networks through a trusted network perimeter. However,…

HC3 Issues Sector Alert For Apple Zero-Day Device Vulnerability Update

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Cybersecurity Coordination Center (HC3) has issued a security alert notifying healthcare organizations of Apple’s security updates to safeguard against two zero-day vulnerabilities in the macOS Monterey, Safari, iOs, and iPadOS. The devices affected by the software vulnerabilities include all iPad Pro Models, iPad Air 2 and after, iPad 5th generation and after, all Macs operating with macOS Monterey, iPad mini 4 and later, the iPod Touch 7th generation, and finally iPhone 6s and later generations.  A zero-day vulnerability is a flaw in hardware, software, or firmware that the individuals responsible for resolving issues…

Atrium Health Announces Telehealth Program For U.S. Schools

Atrium Health has announced ambitions to introduce telehealth services targeted at students enrolled in American schools. A 10 million dollar donation from the Bank of America has enabled the launch of the “Meaningful Medicine” initiative. The introduction of the program will initially involve 20 elementary schools, 10 middle and high schools based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The elementary schools will receive school-based virtual care, while telemental services will be offered to middle and highschools by Atrium Health. Atrium Health, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, works with 70,000 individuals at approximately 1,500 facilities, including 40 hospitals. The non-profit healthcare organization, provides…

Cyberspace Solarium Commision Requests Urgent Cyber Briefing With HHS

A letter has been sent by Angus S. King Jr. (I-ME) and Congressman Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Co-Chairs of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission to the Department of Health and Human Services’ Secretary Xavier Beccerra expressing concerns regarding the public health sector’s cybersecurity. In the letter, the lawmakers emphasize the significant rise in cyberattacks aimed at the healthcare industry, call for more concerted effort to confront the growing danger, and request the government for an urgent update on the issue.  King and Gallagher detail how the COVID-19 pandemic exposed several systemic issues within the healthcare sector, particularly the shortage of resources. However,…

Medtronic Announces Class I Recall For Implantable Defibrillators

Medtronic has announced a recall of its Cobalt and Crome implantable cardioverter defibrillators and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators. A report issued by the Food and Drug Administration labeled the recall in the Class I after the report found that the devices may only deliver approximately 79 percent of the intended energy of the shock during high-voltage treatment. The recall includes more than 20,000 units.  The recall comes after healthcare professionals in Europe received an urgent field safety notification from Medtronic last month regarding the same issue with the same product codes. The notification stated that the effectiveness of the defibrillator…

FBI and CISA Warns Heathcare Organizations Of Zeppelin Ransomware

The Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have issued a joint warning regarding the Zeppelin strain of ransomware. The alert, issued on August 11, warns healthcare organizations of the threat the ransomware poses and the steps organizations can take in order to mitigate threats to electronic healthcare data.  The Zeppelin ransomware is a component of  Delphi-based Vega malware and operates as a Ransomware as a Service. Malicious actors have utilized the malware to gain access to the networks of various critical infrastructure organizations and businesses. These include educational institutions, manufacturers, technology companies, and particularly…

MIT Researchers Develop Implantable Insulin Distribution Device

A team of MIT engineers and collaborators has designed an implantable device that prevents the buildup of scar tissue around medical implants. Implantable devices can be used to treat diabetes without insulin injections or cannula insertions by releasing insulin into the system. However, implantable devices can often trigger a foreign body response, a formation of a thick layer of scar tissue that prevents insulin release within weeks or months. As a result, the majority of patients with type 1 diabetes prefer to receive insulin through daily injections. These can be provided through wearable insulin pumps or insulin patches.  The researchers…

Senate Passes $740B Bill To Reduce Healthcare Costs

A long-waited bill worth $740 billion to reduce the price of prescription medications and health insurance has officially been approved by the Senate. The legislation comes as a new form of the Build Back Better Act, which passed through the House of Representatives in November. However, the previous Act was far greater, amounting to $2.2 trillion. The Act may have been too optimistic as the Act did not pass through the Senate. The Act underwent a rebrand and reduction which warranted enough support from Senators to pass the law through the upper chamber of Congress. On August 7, the Biden…

HC3 Warns Healthcare Organizations Of IoT Security Risks

A security advisory alert has been issued by the Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center (HC3) warning organizations in the healthcare and public health industry about the dangers posed by Internet of Things (IoT) devices and has offered suggestions for improving the security of the devices.  The Internet of Things describes physical devices with software, sensors and other technologies that connect and exchange information with other devices and systems via the internet. There are currently approximately 7 billion devices that utilize IoT. The number of IoT devices is expected to increase dramatically over the coming years. IoT devices are utilized in…

Senator Hawley Requests FTC To Investigate Amazon’s One Medical Acquisition Amid Privacy Concerns

A letter has been sent to the Federal Trade Commision (FTC) by Senator Josh Hawley requesting an investigation into Amazon’s plans to purchase primary care company organization One Medical. The letter comes as a result of concerns regarding patient health information privacy and security concerns.  On July 21, it was announced that Amazon had settled a deal to purchase 1Life Healthcare, which provides primary treatment via One Medical. In the letter, Senator Hawley recognizes the FTC’s efforts to counteract America’s growing economic oligopoly and the influence of tech giants. However, he maintains that the One Medical acquisition requires particular attention….

New Guidance By HHS and DOJ To Prevent Telehealth Discrimination Issued

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the US Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a new guidance for healthcare providers to help prevent telehealth discrimination. The new guidance marks the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, where the US government seeks to address several federal nondiscrimination laws such as the ADA Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Section 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act along with several steps healthcare providers can take to prohibit discrimination and protect access to health…

Bodyport Awarded FDA Approval For Cardiac Scale

The FDA has granted 501(k) clearance to BodyPort for its cardiovascular monitor that tracks patients with fluid management related heart conditions such as kidney disease and heart failure. According to the CDC, over 6 million adults in the US suffer from heart failure, resulting in over 12 million clinical visits and approximately 1.2 million hospitalizations annually. 90% of these hospitalizations are said to be the result of hemodynamic changes causing fluid accumulation. Typically, weight gain is the standard for non-invasive detection of fluid changes. However, Bodyport has developed a scale to measure fluid changes alternatively. To use the device, individuals…

Study Finds Telehealth Benefits Veterans Opioid Addiction

A study issued in the American Journal of Psychiatry has discovered that audio and video-based telehealth has helped prevent VA patients from discontinuing their treatment for opioid use disorder. Researchers at the University of Michigan and VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System initially conducted the study to examine various methods to provide access to opioid use disorder treatment among veterans. However, in conducting the study, the researchers identified several benefits to telehealth use, such as increased access to buprenorphine.  The COVID-19 pandemic caused an extensive adoption of telehealth services as an alternative to traditional care. Concerns were raised by patients and…

Northwestern University Develops Alternative To Drugs For Pain Relief

Northwestern University has recently published a study that details a new device which may present an alternative to opioids for pain relief. The study, reported June 30th, details a new device that is implanted near a patient’s nerves. The device cools down nerves and blocks pain signals from transmitting to the brain.  After an accident or medical procedure results in injury, patients are typically issued several forms of pain relief. These include local injections or various pain relief medications which dull the pain receptors. However, the large-scale provision of these pain relief medications has caused an opioid epidemic resulting in…

FDA Approves Google’s Atrial Fibrillation Detection Device

The Food and Drug Administration has awarded 501k clearance to Verily and iRhythm Technologies for the new cardiac arrhythmia feature on their Zio Watch. The approval comes as wearables continue to become an integral part of healthcare treatment. Wearables can be used to contact others, for navigation, and perhaps most importantly, monitor a user’s health. Google has recognized the potential wearables have to help individuals and encouraged their sister company Verily and iRhythm Technologies to design a wearable capable of competing in the wearables market.  The company created the Zio Watch. The new device works in collaboration with Zio ECG…

MedTronic Awarded FDA Approval For Spine Surgey Planning Platform

Medtronic has recently announced that their spine analyzing planning platform has received FDA 501k clearance. The healthcare technology global leader reported the news on July 14 2022. The UNiD Spine Analyzer v4.0 planning platform includes an artificial intelligence powered algorithm called the Degen Algorithm which helps surgeons to design and personalize procedures for individuals undergoing lower lumbar spine surgery and anticipates spinal compensatory processes 6 months following surgery. In addition, the planning platform will include advancements in predicting spinal alterations in both children and adults.  Degenerative spine disease is a common age-related condition that results in disabilities for individuals all…

Apple Watch Receives FDA Approval For AFib Tracking Feature

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given 501k clearance to Apple for a new smart watch feature. The clearance comes as wearables continue to be integrated into healthcare provision. Today, wearables can help measure data related to temperature, blood pressure, blood oxygen, breathing rate, physical movement, and the electrical activity of several organs. Apple has utilized this technology to design a feature which is capable of detecting signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib) in its user.  The Food and Drug Administration approved the Apple Watch as a viable tool for detecting irregular heart rhythms in 2018. Although the Watch’s electrocardiogram…

NIST Issues Revised Guidance For HIPAA Security Rule

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has issued its updated healthcare cybersecurity and HIPAA Security Rule guidance to help aid health organizations in safeguarding their Protected Health Information.  The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act was introduced to establish national standards for the protection of electronic protected health information that is managed by HIPAA-covered entities. A significant component of the Act is the HIPAA Security Rule, which requires covered entities to implement the appropriate physical, technical, and administrative safeguards in order to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the protected health information they maintain. Compliance with the…

HHS Issues Warning Of Web Application Attacks

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordinator (HC3) has issued an alert on july 21 about an increase in the number of web application attacks on the healthcare sector. In the alert, the HC3 outlines guidelines to help healthcare organizations to protect their health data against web application attacks. Web applications have become a significant proponent of the healthcare sector in recent years. The software has been utilized for patient portals, maintaining electronic medical record systems, CAD for dentists, remote consultation, predictive analysis, and inventory management. Web applications are accessed through a web browser such as…

CBHA Suffers Major Data Breach From Ransomware Attack

A major behavioral health alliance has recently announced a significant breach of data. The Carolina Behavioral Health Alliance (CBHA) operates in the city of Winston-Salem and is the administer of behavioral health benefits for Wake Forest University and Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. The attack was discovered by the alliance on March 20, 2022. Upon detection, the organization notified law enforcement and immediately conducted a comprehensive forensic investigation and deduced that cybercriminals had gained access to the organization’s computer systems between March 19 and March 20. The malicious actors potentially viewed and recovered the personal information of approximately 130,000 health…

Study Finds Sepsis Detection Tool Reduces Deaths

Bayesian Health, a machine learning startup has found in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University that a sepsis early detection tool has reduced sepsis associated deaths by approximately 18%. Sepsis is identified as a life-threatening reaction to an infection. It occurs when the immune system overreacts to an infection and creates inflammation. Blood clots and leaking blood vessels occur, and can cause damage to the body’s tissue and organs. Sepsis is extremely common, affecting approximately 1.7 million adults annually. However, despite its prevalence, over 250,000 instances resulted in death. Sepsis is often simple to overlook because its symptoms such as fever…

Study Finds SmartPhone App Detects Skin Cancer In Older Adults

Researchers at Stanford Medicine have discovered that a smartphone app can help healthcare providers detect skin cancer among older people. The app is called SkinIO and enables regular individuals and medical professionals to take high-quality pictures of possibly cancerous tumors without entering a clinic. A dermatologist is then given access to the photos through a secure gateway for evaluation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous restrictions were put in place in order to prevent the spread of the virus and protect those vulnerable, particularly older individuals. However, the strict protocols implemented have resulted in a decline in clinic visits leading to…

Texas Democrats And Abortion Rights Organizations Urge The White House To Take Immediate Action To Guarantee Access to Medication Abortions

In response to the Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn Roe v Wade, a coalition of Texas Democrats have written to the White House, proposing strategies to ensure medication-enabled abortions are still available. This ruling has caused abortion restrictions to come into effect in Texas and other states, resulting in abortion being illegal in Texas and individuals needing to travel to other states to receive abortion care. The letter from the Texas Democrats and abortion rights organizations highlighted the financial and transportation difficulties this would cause for many, and asked the Biden administration for their support. The White House has…

Smiths Medical Recalls Infusion Pumps After Patient Death

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced that Smiths Medical, a medical device manufacturer, has sent an Urgent Medical Device Correction letter to inform its customers about potential risks associated with their Syringe Infusion Pumps.The letter notified users that the Smiths Medical Medfusion 4000 and 3500 Syringe Infusion Pumps suffer from 8 potential software issues. The devices are used by healthcare providers to deliver blood or blood products, drugs, antibiotics, lipids, enteral feedings and other therapeutic fluids through infusion tubing into a patient’s vein or through other routes of administration. The devices are typically used in neonatal and pediatric…

510(k) Clearance Granted To ResApp Sleep Apnea Detection App

The US Food and Drug Administration has granted clearance to ResApp Health’s 510(k) app. The SleepCheckRx app screens users for moderate to severe sleep apnea by listening to recordings of their breathing and snoring. The regulatory clearance will only apply to the iPhone version. However, ResApp has stated that they are committed to developing an android version.  In the U.S. alone, approximately 20 million American adults live with sleep apnea. Despite the high number, the majority are unaware of their condition. The new app will help provide physicians with the opportunity to evaluate their patients effectively. To acquire access to…

FDA Grants Breakthrough Device Designation To Ventricular Restoration Device

The FDA has awarded Breakthrough Device Designation to Ancora Heart’s Accucinch ventricular restoration system. The device was constructed to help reduce ejection fraction from patients with symptomatic heart failure. It achieves this by restoring the makeup and activity of an enlarged left ventricle. In turn, heart failure symptoms are reduced and the quality of life of patients is improved greatly.  The FDA Breakthrough Devices Designation program was introduced to help patients receive timely access to treatment innovations without compromising their safety. The program helps expedite the development of novel medical devices that have the potential to give more effective treatment…

Concerns Raised Over FDA Cybersecurity Draft Guidance

In April 2022, the FDA published a draft guidance concerning cybersecurity medical devices. The Agency sought to help medical device manufacturers with integrating cybersecurity practices into their products in the premarket period and to help ensure security risks were addressed for the duration of the products lifetimes. The latest update to the guidance included recommendations related to device design and labeling. The FDA also encouraged manufacturers to include threat models, a requirement for a software bill of materials designed to improve data safety and security.   The FDA had created the new draft guidance after receiving concerns on its 2018 guidance….

DHS Issues Fifth Cybersecurity Alert In Five Years to BD’s Pyxis Medication Dispenser

The Cybersecurity Infrastructure Agency, a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has issued its fifth cybersecurity alert in five years to Becton Dickinson. The medical technology company has received the alerts as a result of vulnerabilities found in their Pyxis automated medication dispensing systems. The Cybersecurity alert is the second alert the medical device manufacturers have received this year. In March, the DHS had identified a vulnerability regarding the use of hard-coded credentials which may allow unauthorized malicious actors to gain access to the file system and use the data for exploitation. The DHS has issued the latest…

FDA Grants Breakthrough Device Tag To Abbott’s DBS System

On July 12, 2022, the FDA awarded Breakthrough Device Designation to Abbott’s deep brain stimulation (DBS) device developed to care for treatment resistant depression (TRD). The Breakthrough Devices Designation program was developed to help patients gain timely access to innovations without putting the patients at risk. The program has helped expedite several innovative technologies that help provide a better quality of life to patients with severe illnesses and diseases. Typically, Abbott’s DBS device is used to treat movement symptoms of patients’ neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor. However, recent evidence indicates that the device may be used…

DHS Issues Cybersecurity Alert To Illumina

The Cybersecuirty and Infrastructure Agency, a component of the DHS, has issued a cybersecurity alert regarding Illumina software and its multiple vulnerabilities. The Local Run Manager program provides a complete solution for collecting samples for a run, selecting run parameters, keeping track of progress, examining sequencing data, and reviewing outcomes. The vulnerabilities were identified by Pentest, an information security consultant, who found the softwares diagnostic devices and research-use only instruments were susceptible to security threats. The instruments named included NextSeq 500, 550 and 550Dx, MiSeq and MiSeq Dx, iSeq 100 and MiniSeq. Amongst these devices, Pentest found that an unauthorized…

Study Finds Racial Bias In Faulty Oximeter Readings

The pulse oximeter is a frequently used device to measure oxygen saturation of the blood and the pulse rate. However, the pulse oximeter has been found to overestimate actual oxygenation.The inaccurate readings are typically found in patients identified as a racial and ethnic minority. A recent study published in the JAMA Network, has attempted to determine how inaccurate readings affect patient care.  The study was conducted using a dataset of approximately 3,000 patients who were admitted to the ICU. The oxygenation levels and nasal cannula flow rates were examined for up to 5 days from the date of ICU admission….

Biden Issues Executive Order To Protect Patient Privacy Concerns Following Roe v. Wade Decision

An executive order has been released by President Biden to address patient privacy protection concerns and to emphasize the significance of access to abortion in response to the Supreme Corut’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.  “Eliminating the right recognized in Roe has already had and will continue to have devastating implications for women’s health and public health more broadly. Access to reproductive healthcare services is now threatened for millions of Americans, and especially for those who live in States that are banning or severely restricting abortion care.” The “Executive Order on Protecting Access to Reproductive Healthcare Services” details how…

Study Finds Wearables Are More Frequent In Cardiac Health Patient Visits

As technology continues to evolve, so too does the individual’s ability to monitor their health. Wearable health technology is rapidly becoming a significant component of the healthcare industry as sensors and artificial intelligence continue to improve. As wearable technology is a relatively new area of health care, there is little information regarding its future use and its place in healthcare provision. Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital have conducted a study attempting to address the lack of information with wearables and their relationship to cardiac health.  Although wearables can help measure data related to temperature, blood pressure, blood oxygen, breathing rate,…

Wireless Osseosurface Electronic Sensors to Monitor Bone Health

The musculoskeletal system is an area of particular complexity within the study of anatomy. Currently scientists do not understand precisely how a bone heals. Responses can change depending on the individual. As a result, the provision of personalized treatment is challenging. A better understanding of how a bone is healing and responding to treatment enables physicians to tailor treatment according to their patient and will avoid any unintended adverse effects.  Significant advances are taking place as scientists continue to develop bioelectronic interfaces including soft and ultrathin sensors. These tools provide scientists the opportunity to explore and examine unexplored areas of…

US Senators Urge HHS To Update HIPAA Privacy Rule Following SCOTUS Roe V. Wade Decision

United States Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Michael Bennet have written to the Department of Health and Human Services’ Secretary, Xavier Becerra, (HHS) requesting an update of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to improve reproductive rights protection. The letter comes as major concerns have been raised regarding data and privacy concerns following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.  “Last week, the Supreme Court upended almost 50 years of legal precedent in its decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The decision has created profound uncertainty for patients concerning their right to privacy when making the…

Canada Strengthening Privacy Legislation with New Laws

The Canadian federal government is seeking to strengthen their privacy legislation with the introduction of new laws to the House of Commons. The developments to privacy law were introduced in the form of Bill C-27, a renovation of the previously proposed Bill C-11. The objective of Bill C-11 was to repeal the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), the current federal private sector privacy law and replace them with a new legislative framework for data and privacy. However, Bill C-11 was unsuccessful and never made it into law.  Bill C-27 is another attempt to introduce more stringent privacy…

New HHS Cybersecurity Guidelines to Protect PHI

The HHS has published new guidelines for healthcare organizations to improve the protection of the PHI they maintain. In these new guidelines, the HHS will help healthcare organizations to develop a more comprehensive cyber posture. This includes increasing the overall strength of an organization’s cybersecurity, developing protocols for predicting and preventing cyber threats, and improving the ability of the organization to continue operations while responding to cyber threats. A significant portion of breaches of unsecured electronic Protected Health Information are the result of cyberattacks. The HHS has contended that a large percentage of those breaches could have been prevented had…

New HHS Guidelines for Telehealth Providers

The Health and Human Services Department’s Office for Civil Rights has issued new guidelines regarding the use of telehealth technologies for covered health care providers and health plans. Due to the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person visits from patients to physicians were restricted to only the extremely necessary in order to stop the spread of COVID-19. Because of this, the use of telehealth technologies to deliver health care increased greatly.  While telehealth can expand the access to health care, certain groups of people may face difficulty with accessing telehealth technologies. Populations with limited English proficiency, disabilities, restricted internet access,…

FSMB Updates Telemedicine Policy

Since 2014, there has been a dramatic increase in the utilization of telemedicine, resulting in the advancement of telemedicine technologies and new challenges to the safety of patients. The rapid expansion of telemedicine generated by the public health emergency of the COVID-19 pandemic  has caused concerns regarding fraud and abuse and access inequity. To address these concerns, the FSMB appointed a workgroup tasked with establishing an updated policy regarding telemedicine. The workgroup created the new policy by addressing the challenges and evolving use of telemedicine, analyzing the effect of waiving licensing requirements and practice across state lines, reviewing current state…

COVID Teleheath Cross State Waivers Now Expiring

During the COVID-19 pandemic, all U.S. 50 states were granted emergency authority to waive components of their state licensing requirements.  Under these waivers, states could allow temporary visits from out of state physicians to provide services. However, as the Covid-19 pandemic winds down, waivers allowing for cross-state telehealth are expiring. Hospitals with large amounts of COVID-19 cases were put under immense pressure and had their resources stretched thin. Under the pandemic waivers, overwhelmed hospitals were permitted to request help from physicians in other states to provide care via telehealth. The result of these waivers were extremely advantageous. Particularly to patients…

Access To Healthcare Now Top Priority For OCR Following Roe v. Wade Overruling

Following the Supreme Court’s decision to overrule Roe v. Wade, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra has recently urged HHS agencies to take action to protect women’s access to sexual and reproductive health care, which includes abortion, pregnancy complications, and other related care. The decision made by the Supreme Court to overrule Roe v. Wade has removed women’s rights to safe and legal abortions, leaving the decision for the individual states to determine women’s reproductive rights. 13 states have trigger laws embedded in Roe v. Wade that will outlaw abortions once overturned. The HHS’ Office…

CISA Issues Security Advisory Of 3 Vulnerabilities In OFFIS DICOM Software

Three critical flaws in the OFFIS DCMTK software have been identified by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which has released a security advisory for the healthcare and public health sectors. The program is used for processing offline media, creating and converting DICOM image files, and transmitting and receiving images through a network connection. All versions before version 3.6.7. are affected by the critical flaws. If the flaw is abused, prior to version 3.6.7, all DCMTK versions are vulnerable. If abused, a remote attacker may cause a denial-of-service issue, write corrupt DICOM files into arbitrary directories, and obtain remote…

CMS Urged To Support mHealth Innovation In IPPS Through Connected Health Initiative

The Connected Health Initiative (CHI), a coalition composed of a wide range of stakeholders ranging from physician and patient groups to pharmaceutical and software companies and research universities, recently sent a letter to agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and others in order to further mobile health innovation, while safeguarding confidentiality. The CHI steering committee consists of Boston Children’s Hospital, HIMSS, Apple, and UnitedHealth Group. In its letter, CHI expressed their support for mobile health innovation and advocated for the Medicare hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) proposed changes from CMS….

Study Finds Higher Telehealth Use Among Children With Chronic Conditions

A study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has revealed that only 14.1% of children utilized telemedicine in the second half of 2020 as a result of the pandemic, however, utilization was higher among those with disabilities, developmental conditions, and asthma. The CDC launched the study in order to assess the effect of telemedicine on the pediatric population. To do this, the CDC gathered information from a National Health Interview Survey including data between July and December 2020 and assessed the frequency of use and types of cases that most frequently appeared in virtual environments. The CDC…

Study Confirms Viability Of Digital Literacy Evaluation Tool

A recent study published in JMIR Formative Research developed and analyzed a three-item screening questionnaire to measure digital literacy across different demographics. Experts believe that this tool may be used to identify those who would not stand to gain from virtual care services provided. As a consequence of the nature of the COVID-19 crisis, the use of virtual care modalities such as telehealth, mobile health, and patient portals grew exponentially. However, concerns have been raised about the issue of digital illiteracy. To evaluate the legitimacy of these concerns, researchers examined the efficacy of a tool that measures digital health literacy….

Study Finds Smartwatch Heart Rate Feature Can Monitor COVID-19 Symptoms

A new study published in the journal Cell Reports Medicine discovered that a smartwatch can monitor the progression of COVID-19 symptoms. For the study, researchers at the University of Michigan analyzed the impacts of COVID-19 using six factors derived from heart rate data. After following Michigan students and medical interns across the country, the researchers found new indicators embedded in heart rate which can help identify those infected with the virus and how sick they became. For example, the researchers discovered  that those with COVID exhibited an increase in heart rate per step following the beginning of symptoms and that…

Study Finds Wearables Viable For Tracking Responses To Covid-19 Vaccine

Researchers at Scripps Research have recently published a new digital health study that demonstrates how data from wearable sensors, such as smartwatches and activity bands, can monitor a person’s physiological reaction to the COVID-19 immunization. The study, which was published in the npj Digital Medicine journal, examined sensor data on heart rate, activity, and sleep from over 5,600 participants. The information was obtained from a larger initiative known as DETECT (Digital Engagement and Tracking for Early Control and Treatment), which was started in March 2020. The initiative enables users to manually enter symptoms, test results, and immunization status in addition…

Four States Pass Legislation To Expand Telehealth Services

The state Senators of Alabama, Kentucky, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania have all discussed or adopted regulations for telehealth services. For example, Alabama’s approved bill mandates that a doctor delivering telehealth medical treatment must be as attentive, thorough, and careful as if rendering the service in person. This means that patients can access remote care without first having met the provider. However, if a patient requires more than four virtual care appointments for the same issue without it being solved, then the doctor must make an in-person visit within a year. This bill has now been sent to the Alabama House…

Proposed Legislation Seeks To Establish Telehealth As An Acceptable Employee Benefit

A new bipartisan bill was introduced to the US House of Representatives on Thursday. It allows employers to offer standalone telehealth programs in addition to traditional medical health plans. The bill, called the Telehealth Benefit Expansion for Workers Act, would classify telehealth as an excepted benefit and amend the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and the Affordable Care Act so that all employees, including part-time and seasonal workers, can receive the benefit. Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA) recently proposed the Telehealth Benefit Expansion for Workers Act. The bill aims to make telehealth services more accessible to workers by allowing employers…

Study Finds At-Home Blood Oxygen Monitoring Helped To Detect COVID-19 Deterioration

According to a recent study conducted by Imperial College London, measuring blood oxygen levels at home is a safe approach for individuals with COVID-19 to identify warning indicators that their health may be deteriorating and that they may need urgent and inpatient hospitalization. Pulse oximeters are medical devices used to measure a patient’s blood oxygen saturation. Prior studies have demonstrated that a drop in an individual’s blood oxygen levels is a critical indicator of a COVID-19 patient’s health worsening and may indicate the need for closer monitoring and immediate treatment.  The study, which was published in the journal Lancet Digital…