Healthcare industry highlights Healthcare industry highlights

A high-profile lawsuit between Epic and Particle Health highlights the challenges of data exchange for healthcare organizations. 

Storing healthcare data digitally offers many benefits for providers, particularly in terms of convenience and efficiency. However, it also poses some unique challenges in terms of patient privacy and data exchange. A recent high-profile lawsuit highlights just how difficult it can be to exchange patient information securely. 

In September, healthcare data platform Particle Health launched an antitrust lawsuit against Epic, a popular EHR vendor. Particle alleged that Epic had a monopoly on the EHR software market, and that they were unfairly denying Particle’s clients access to health records. While Epic had limited data requests from some Particle clients, they claimed the refusal was based on privacy risks. 

An impartial investigation by third-party nonprofit Carequality found that some Particle customers did request records from Epic that were not for treatment purposes. However, vague definitions of what constitutes “treatment” were in part what fueled the conflict. The Carequality investigation resulted in an independent resolution between the two parties. 

This lawsuit highlights some of the biggest challenges that healthcare tech companies face when it comes to data exchange. While data exchange can make healthcare more efficient, patient records are still highly regulated. This means that healthcare organizations need to be extremely strategic while sharing records.

With the AI boom in full force, many organizations are finding innovative new ways to incorporate this technology in the healthcare industry. One of the most popular use cases for AI is managing charting and other repetitive tasks for nurses. Many healthcare leaders are optimistic that AI tools could limit inaccuracies in paperwork while also giving nurses more time to spend with patients, resulting in better outcomes for both patients and medical staff. 

Microsoft and Epic have recently announced a partnership focusing on AI tools for the healthcare industry. One notable new tool will use AI to create flowsheets and minimize paperwork for nurses. Other tools will focus on imaging and data analysis. Microsoft will also release an AI agent for the healthcare industry, which will allow clients to develop their own AI-powered tools. 

New AI technology is one of many strategies that healthcare organizations are exploring to combat a possible nursing shortage. There are some possible challenges for healthcare organizations to keep in mind while implementing this new technology. More than 76% of physicians are already using generative AI tools in decision-making, so fact-checking and security will become paramount for safe use of this technology. 

The southeastern United States has seen two large hurricanes this fall that caused significant damage to the region and has affected access to healthcare services for local residents. Hurricane Helene made landfall in the United States in the last week of September, causing extensive flooding in portions of Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Hurricane Milton made landfall in western Florida on October 9th, causing an outbreak of tornadoes with extensive wind damage across the state. 

Both storms have affected healthcare accessibility in the southeastern United States, with effects that could continue for weeks or even months to come. Many hospitals are still picking up the pieces from Hurricane Helene, especially in western North Carolina, where damage was most significant. 

Over 350 healthcare facilities throughout Florida have also evacuated patients as a response to Hurricane Milton. These evacuations could disrupt operations at healthcare facilities throughout Florida for the next several weeks. 

Most notably, Hurricane Helene hit a Baxter International manufacturing site in North Cove, NC, which produces IV fluids. While the plant is partially operational, the damage has resulted in a significant shortage of IV fluids across the country. 

One recent poll found that 86% of healthcare providers have reported IV fluid shortages, with many providers beginning to cancel scheduled procedures. Baxter is taking steps to allocate high-demand IV fluids to customers to prevent stockpiling, and will temporarily shift production to other plants to meet demand. The American Hospital Association has asked the Biden administration to declare a national emergency and use federal resources to address the problem. 

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are accelerating payments for both providers and suppliers in areas affected by the hurricanes. This strategy is intended to prevent cash flow issues resulting from high claim volumes. It’s likely that many hospitals in the region will take a financial hit due to hurricane-related closures. 

Recent research indicates that home healthcare services are very popular among patients, particularly among older adults who may require more intensive care. A recent report from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services found that hospital programs providing acute treatment at home were widely appreciated among patients. Research also indicates that 71% of adults over the age of 50 would prefer to age in place, rather than transitioning to a nursing home. 

US Vice President and 2024 presidential candidate Kamala Harris has proposed an expansion to Medicare that would cover home health aids and other in-home services. According to Harris’s campaign, this expansion could save families approximately $3,000 per month on care costs for older adults. Harris’s opponent, former President Donald Trump, has not yet specified his stance on home health care coverage. 

This proposal has highlighted the potential benefits of accessible home health care services for older adults, particularly as the Baby Boomer generation reaches retirement age. Employment in the home healthcare industry is projected to grow at a rate of 21% between 2023 and 2033, which is much faster than the general employment rate.

However, there are some challenges to be aware of with the rise of home health care services. For insurers and healthcare providers, transitioning to home-based healthcare models could come with additional costs, as they will require changes in administrative procedures and regulations. 

Home health care services also aren’t appropriate for all seniors, as some patients may need care in a more secure, contained environment. Finally, pandemic-era telehealth policies are due to expire soon, which could make it difficult for patients to get certain prescriptions for home treatment. 

2024 has been a challenging year for the healthcare industry when it comes to cybersecurity. While healthcare organizations have always been targets for cyberattacks, this year saw the Change Healthcare data breach, a highly disruptive cybersecurity event that affected some healthcare providers for months. This data breach is one of many factors that prompted Senators Ron Wyden and Mark Warner to propose new legislation to regulate cybersecurity in the healthcare industry. The state of New York is also now requiring its hospitals to appoint chief information security officers and undergo regular cybersecurity testing. 

Several recent studies have highlighted just how prevalent cybersecurity risks are for healthcare organizations. 92% of IT and security professionals surveyed in the healthcare industry reported that their company had faced at least one cyberattack in the last 12 months. Two-thirds of healthcare organizations have been hit by ransomware in a similar time frame, with average ransom payment amounts on the rise. 

Healthcare organizations are putting more money toward cybersecurity, with the average budget increasing by 12% year-over-year. However, many healthcare leaders still aren’t confident that their organizations have the strategies in place to handle a cyberattack. Generative AI has made it much easier for hackers to create deepfakes, which are particularly difficult to anticipate and respond to.