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.
On October 19, 2017, HRSA announced nearly $282 million in awards to primary health care clinicians and students through the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) and NURSE Corps Scholarship and Loan Repayment Programs.
In 1965, the Community Health Center (CHC) Program began with two clinics. Over 52 years, this number has increased to nearly 1,400 health centers, with 10,400 delivery sites. Obviously, with that number of delivery locations, health centers have a vast impact on the health of our nation’s communities.
The United States is experiencing a wave of an aging population. Warmly referred to as the Silver Tsunami, the population of seniors (65 and over) in the US has passed 50 million for the first time in history and is projected to reach over 70 million in the next 25 years[1].
Teaching hospitals and FQHCs can partner to alleviate community healthcare provider shortages and reduce training costs.
Innovative healthcare leaders sometimes need to make unorthodox connections. Such is the case with a partnership that some organizations have been part of since the 1970s—a connection between teaching hospitals and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) that offers financial advantages to both.
Since the 2016 presidential election, the US healthcare industry has been bracing for some significant changes. The Affordable Care Act (ACA), while certainly not perfect, has helped move the US toward universal health coverage. As part of the Obama Administration's healthcare strategy, Community Health Center (CHC) funding was increased and moved under the ACA. This year’s initial ACA replacement proposal, the American Health Care Act (AHCA), was unable to gain traction in Congress and was withdrawn. While the ACA is still the law of the land, it clearly has a target painted on it. Amidst all of this uncertainty, how can health centers plan and prepare for continued financial stability?
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.
