5 Stories Hitting Health-Tech Circles

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Over the past week, risk emerged as a key issue in our coverage of healthcare’s digital transformation. From the dangers of data breaches to the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital health to help health systems understand and overcome risks, our top stories detailed the problems and solutions of healthcare’s high-tech frontiers. But what does it all mean?

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For one, the digital evolution is increasing risk for all healthcare stakeholders. Hacking incidents are on the rise, and electronic health record (EHR) vulnerabilities are becoming clearer. If healthcare organizations don’t take active measures to defend patient data, they will pay the consequences, in financial and reputational costs.

But the digital transformation also provides tools to better mitigate medicine’s longstanding risks. Mobile health and wearables, for instance, generate constant streams of real-time, real-world data, empowering patients and physicians alike. Insurers are leveraging AI to better craft policies. And innovators from many backgrounds, whether that be in the clinic or Silicon Valley, have a chance to change healthcare for the better.

Every week, Healthcare Analytics News™ covers the use cases, news and views that are shaping the industry. We break through the hype, aiming to pave a path forward for healthcare decision makers. And every week, we break down the stories that our audience found most compelling, arming you with easy access to actionable insights. Here it is.

1. Yes, Healthcare’s Data Breach Problem Really Is That Bad

For the better part of the past decade, healthcare data breaches have been on the rise, according to a new research letter. Over eight years, 2,149 incidents have exposed the data of 176.4 million patients — and that’s only what’s been reported to the government. And here’s the thing: It’s not just one sort of healthcare organization that’s being targeted. Providers, insurers and vendors are all at risk.

2. Is Digital Health the Future of Healthcare?

Digital health is poised to change many aspects of healthcare. The clinic will expand from brick-and-mortar buildings to, well, an all-encompassing concept. The clinic will come to your wrist, your smartphone — wherever. But what will this shift do for healthcare? Data, analytics and increased connectivity will enable healthcare organizations and clinicians to better perform their jobs. It could cut the number of unnecessary treatments, slash costs and better spot and mitigate risks.

3. Kicking Off Cybersecurity Month, FDA Launches New Medical Device Security Playbook

The Internet of Things has proved especially vulnerable to hackers, offering them a trove of often unsecured or overlooked medical devices. As such, these vulnerabilities have taken on greater importance to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. But early steps have yet to result in palpable change. Can this new effort help healthcare stakeholders gear up for a battle they’re already fighting?

4. Insurers Are Using AI to Boost Risk Management

As healthcare transitions from the fee-for-service model to value-based care, many stakeholders stand to benefit from AI. That’s especially true for payers, many of whom are already using AI and advanced analytics to analyze risk. Apixio is a company that develops and sells such platforms, and it has already signed on around three dozen health plans and providers to its HCC Identifier tool. It’s all about predicting near-term costs and designing the right risk-based payment models.

5. PX: Who’s Responsible for Driving Healthcare Innovation?

C-suites, clinicians, software developers — who needs to be driving innovation and disruption in medicine? The answer isn’t clear as you might hope, but there are steps each can take to ensure health tech heads in the right direction. We assembled a panel of five respected key opinion leaders to discuss the matter. If you’re in any way connected to healthcare’s digital transformation, you need to catch this wave of insights.

Did we miss something? Or did your favorite article not make this list? Give us a shout on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

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