Coronavirus: How RWJBarnabas Health is Administering Monoclonal Antibodies
On November 9, bamlanivimab became the first monoclonal antibody to receive an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. The EUA for bamlanivimab marked a milestone in the coronavirus pandemic because the monoclonal antibody became the first medication that could be administered to COVID-19 patients on an outpatient basis.
Artificial Intelligence: 5 Considerations for Health Systems
According to a recent report by Optum, 83% of healthcare organizations reported having an AI strategy in place during 2020, and another 15% are planning on creating one, with many accelerating their AI deployment timelines in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The Great Potential of Virtual Reality in Healthcare
Technologies such as VR open innovative paths to improve the well-being of patients, as well as help health professionals who need to quickly expand their knowledge to work in the various fields of health. Pain control and knowledge are key ingredients of this technological open door that is increasingly occupying more territory in hospital organizations.
Preventing Opioid Overprescribing During the COVID-19 Pandemic
We know that overdoses quickened their pace in 2020, according to the CDC. The CDC identified over 81,000 drug overdoses in the 12 months ending in May 2020, the highest number ever in a 12-month period. And while those numbers were increasing prior to COVID-19, the latest data indicate the numbers accelerated further during the pandemic.
Healthcare and Cybersecurity in a Pandemic World
Changes in how medical care is provided has opened up a host of avenues for cyberattacks, with the rise of telehealth and more healthcare staff working remotely. But many of the challenges the industry faces are tied to problems that existed before the pandemic. Old systems, outdated policies, and unprotected Internet of Things (IoT) devices were issues healthcare facilities needed to address before the lockdown, and they’re still problems for many facilities today.
Integrating Communication for Better Patient Care—and Better Provider Experiences
Efficient communication and sharing of data are key to patient care improvements. The healthcare integration market is enormous—expected to hit $7.5 billion by 2026—and organizations are constantly on the lookout for better ways to collaborate securely to improve patient care.
Reducing Back-End Bottlenecks
Expanding the number of facilities able to vaccinate could work to close coverage gaps. An analysis from the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy and the nonprofit West Health Policy Center has found that several states may not have a sufficient number of healthcare facilities in some areas to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to all residents who want it.
New Cost to Paying Ransom on Cyberattacks
In a joint cybersecurity advisory issued in late 2020, the FBI, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and HHS warned the healthcare and public health sector that they held “credible information of an increased and imminent cybercrime threat to U.S. hospitals and healthcare providers.” The organizations warned healthcare providers to take precautions to protect their networks against malware threats that could lead to ransomware attacks, data theft, and disruption of services.
Coronavirus: 35% of Survey Respondents Say They Are Unlikely to Get Vaccinated
Vaccination is widely viewed as an end-game stage in the coronavirus pandemic. One of the primary goals of vaccination is to achieve herd immunity—a point at which enough of the country’s population will have immunity to the coronavirus that community spread is unlikely.
How to Treat Coronavirus Patients in Post-ICU Care Clinics
Since June 2020, the ICU Survivor Center at Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis has treated about 100 COVID-19 patients who survived ICU-level care. The patients are experiencing a range of symptoms, according to Sikandar Khan, DO, medical director at the ICU Survivor Center and a research scientist at the Regenstrief Institute in Indianapolis.