Cyberattacks targeting the supply chain are an increasingly prevalent threat in the healthcare industry, especially as the modern healthcare supply chain contains significant digital elements, such as the patient engagement vendors that provide public-facing digital tools. These third-party apps and patient-facing tools process sensitive patient data and connect with a healthcare organization’s source systems on the supply chain. As such, they are tempting targets for cybercriminals, who can sell this data on the black market or lock it up with ransomware until they are paid.
Patient education is about more than simply spreading knowledge about the disease. It can also empower patients to better live with their condition and avoid complications–an approach known as therapeutic patient education[¹]
Digital technology can do wonders when it comes to streamlining the work of delivering efficient quality care to patients. The use of patient portals, EHRs, mhealth apps, and wearable tech can all empower patients to be more active in their healthcare, get faster treatment, and access preventative care earlier on. But with all the capabilities of modern technology, we find that many patients are slow to adopt digital tools. If this is the case for your healthcare organization, we recommend the following tips to increase adoption.
Technology has a lot of potential to improve efficiency and health outcomes in the complex practice of healthcare, from time-sensitive interventions in the hospital environment to long-term preventative measures among patient populations. Diagnostics, data management, patient engagement, and personalized medicine all stand to benefit from greater technology integration in a holistic, connected care model. Despite this, there are many hurdles that prevent technology from being adopted as quickly or effectively as it could be. Let’s take a look at the challenges contemporary healthcare organizations face.
Healthcare services are meeting patient demand by becoming increasingly digitized. These digital healthcare services are often developed by third parties and access electronic health records (EHR), revenue cycle management (RCM) systems, and other databases that include sensitive and legally protected information. While these electronic services are beneficial to both patients and providers, they create an increasingly complex software supply chain, with more potential vulnerabilities that are being targeted by hackers[¹]. Healthcare providers can find it difficult to manage effective oversight of these supply chains - including the relationships between different software tools, who has access to what data, and where there might be potential weaknesses.
The 340B Program will be accepting Health Center Program grantee registrations beyond the standard two-week registration period (April 1-15). Health centers will be able to register a site that has been verified as implemented and the site status is reflected as “active” in EHBs Form 5B through June 9, after which the system will close to prepare for the July 1 start. A similar quarterly registration timeframe will be employed each quarter.
In a move that should surprise no one, the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) announced that the 340B Program Omnibus Guidelines, aka the 340B Mega Guidance, was withdrawn on January 30th. The proposed rule, which was released in draft form in August 2015, was widely expected to be finalized last December. As a unit of OMB, OIRA speaks directly for President Trump's executive branch.
I don’t care who you are – You should be scared of Zika. And, by scared, I don’t mean that you should panic. That doesn’t help anyone. But this virus needs to be taken seriously - And I'm not alone here, even public health experts are sounding the alarm. There is still so much that is unknown about it’s transmission and the possible long-term effects for those infected.
Here at FQHC.org, we get many inquiries about starting or becoming a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). We hear from a wide range of individuals and organizations, but most inquiries come from existing health care organizations who see the benefits in transitioning to an FQHC model of care, both to the community-at-large and to the organization itself.
The 340B Program has become an important source of revenue for many Federally Qualified Health Centers. Many fear that without 340B, their programs will not survive. With a draft Mega Guidance under consideration by HRSA and new CMS rules governing Medicaid reimbursement, 340B is going to change. The extent to which this will affect FQHCs is currently a matter of speculation. Meanwhile, in order to understand where this crucial program is likely headed, it is important to know where we are now, and how we got here.
Besides not dying young, one of the advantages of being around for a long time is that you gain perspective.
FQHC Connect is a Free, Private Online Community for FQHC Professionals. Join the conversation, share resources and insights with your peers and access exclusive educational content to ensure your health center can thrive. You can request to join at www.FQHCConnect.com.
