News Briefs
80 Percent of Health Organizations Hit with Cyberattack
More than 80 percent of healthcare organizations detected a cyberattack on their technology infrastructure within the past year, according to a survey by cybersecurity firm Netwrix, and healthcare organizations faced other consequences after cyberattacks as well. One in five said they experienced a change in senior leadership after an attack, while 19 percent reported lawsuits.
(Source: Healthcare Dive, 2025-01-23)
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Healthcare Ransomware Attacks Up 32%, Targeting Doctors, Hospitals
Healthcare is the third-most targeted ransomware victim in the cyberthreat landscape, with incidents surging by over 32 percent from 2023 to 2024, according to research from Black Kite, moving from seventh place in the first quarter of 2023 to third place in the fourth quarter of 2024, the company's data showed. What's more, Black Kite found that physician practices accounted for 25 percent of the healthcare ransomware incidents it tracked in 2024, while general hospitals accounted for 22 percent.
(Source: Tech Target, 2025-01-22)
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Study Finds Only 44% of Hospitals Evaluating AI Models for Bias
While around two-thirds of U.S. hospitals are using AI-assisted predictive models, just 44 percent of hospitals evaluate these models for bias, raising concerns about equity in patient care. These were the results of a recent study conducted by the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and published in Health Affairs, which analyzed data from 2,425 hospitals across the country.
(Source: Healthcare IT News, 2025-01-24)
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FDA Medical Device Director Warns of Supply Chain Risks
Michelle Tarver, the Food and Drug Administration’s recently appointed medical device director, warned that the U.S. risks falling behind other countries in its ability to protect patients by ensuring product supply, according to a press release. The warning about the limited reporting requirements imposed by the U.S. follows the FDA's call for new statutory authority on device shortages and for full funding of its supply chain program.
(Source: Supply Chain Dive, 2025-01-24)
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AAMC Estimates Doctor Shortage Will Reach 86,000 by 2036
If it takes a lot longer to get a doctor's appointment these days, it should come as no surprise. The Association of American Medical Colleges estimates the U.S. will face a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036.
(Source: Consumer Affairs, 2025-01-24)
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Venture Funding for Digital Health Companies Declines to $10.1B
As venture funding for digital health startups has dipped in recent years, the market has created an environment where big and smaller players are vying for investments. Venture funding for U.S. digital health companies totaled $10.1 billion across 497 deals last year, continuing the decline from $10.8 billion (503) in 2023, $15.7 billion (594) in 2022, and $29.2 billion (740) in 2021.
(Source: HealthLeaders Media, 2025-01-21)
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Senior Living Operations, Financials Improving
The continuing complexity of operating and financial conditions in the senior living sector presents challenges, but the situation is improving, and an increased degree of optimism exists at the beginning of 2025, according to one industry expert. Jim Bodine, HJ Sims executive vice president, in a webinar sponsored by Varsity, shared his perspective, coming from the lens of financing and advisory services, on the main trends he is seeing in senior living and the implications that those trends may have on the industry in the future.
(Source: McKnight's Senior Living, 2025-01-27)
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Report Finds Healthcare Bankruptcies Declined But Still High
A new report is pointing out where distress lies in the healthcare industry, and bankruptcies are still a major concern. Although filings dropped by 28 percent from the peak in 2023, this year produced the second-highest level of healthcare bankruptcy filings within the past six years (2019-2024).
(Source: HealthLeaders Media, 2025-01-27)
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Health Systems Seek to Improve Efficiency, Supply Chain in 2025
Healthcare providers are set to have another year where maximizing efficiency, above all, is paramount. Health systems will seek to expand gains from 2024, including improved utilization metrics, and apply lessons learned from major supply chain crises.
(Source: Healthcare Dive, 2025-01-22)
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ACOs Continue to Move Toward CMS Goal of Value-Based Care
ACOs are developing more accountable care relationships than ever before, pushing CMS closer to its goal of value-based care. As a result, ACO models are now a staple of the value-based reimbursement landscape.
(Source: Tech Target, 2025-01-23)
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Walgreens Faces DOJ Lawsuit Over Illegal Prescriptions
The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Walgreens Boots Alliance and its subsidiaries for allegedly dispensing millions of unlawful prescriptions in violation of the Controlled Substances Act. According to the lawsuit, Walgreens then sought reimbursement for many of these prescriptions from various federal healthcare programs in violation of the False Claims Act.
(Source: Healthcare Finance News, 2025-01-22)
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