When the Biden Administration announced its plan of action to respond to the threat of avian H5N1 flu, most of the steps being taken were similar to previous threats – targeted patient and animal screenings, bolstered laboratory capacity, and regular communications with and updates for the public and policymakers. But one item on the list may have struck people as newer than the rest – the incorporation of wastewater monitoring into an emergency response. The federal government allocated $3
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Cracking the Nutritional Puzzle: A Path Out Of Dallas’ Food Desert
Recently, I was shocked to hear that North Texas is one of the hardest-hit areas of the country for food insecurity. Shocked, but not surprised. As having been a registered dietitian and part of the Dallas Accountable Health Community (DAHC)[1] program, I have seen Dallas County’s food depravations firsthand, and while this food desert may seem trackless, I believe that by using data, we have ways to create oases.
It turns out that Dallas County has the highest rate of food insecurity
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Navigating the Final CMS Medicaid Managed Care Rule (CMS-2439-F)
On April 22, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final rule, Medicaid Program; Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Managed Care Access, Finance, and Quality. The rule aims to promote consistency and transparency, with an increased focus on improving access, driving quality, and advancing equity for Medicaid beneficiaries. CMS has been moving in this direction for several years, and states managed care organizations, and providers have
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Strengthening Healthcare Resilience: A Vendor Checklist for Data Security and Business Continuity
In the aftermath of the cyber-attack on Change Healthcare by the BlackCat ransomware group, a renewed interest has emerged in protecting operations and ensuring contingencies are in place. For impacted providers, the financial fallout from the attack is estimated at $500 million to $1 billion per day and climbing, driving home the fact that business continuity is everything in the aftermath of a cyber-attack.
Presently, many healthcare organizations remain in limbo after the
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Vendor Sprawl: The Hidden Barrier to Effective Patient Engagement
Patient engagement is a critical priority for modern healthcare organizations. Yet, the path is often obstructed by the unintended consequences of vendor sprawl. A profusion of disparate technology solutions creates a fragmented patient experience, hinders operational efficiency, and can even put patient data at risk. To combat this challenge, healthcare organizations need a unified patient engagement strategy. This strategic approach will help providers streamline their technology stack, create
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Home-Based Care Software: Why Partnerships are Key to Success
The home-based care sector is undergoing a significant surge in demand. As more patients choose the comfort of their own homes for treatment, the demand for innovative solutions grows exponentially. However, creating effective software for this industry requires a unique approach. Technology developers can’t simply build solutions in a silo and expect them to succeed. The complex ecosystem of home-based care demands a deep understanding of the daily challenges and opportunities faced by
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Bridging the Gap: Health Equity, Cancer Screening, and the Role of FQHCs
The Persistent Challenge of Healthcare Access and Cancer Screening Disparities
In the United States, the healthcare landscape remains plagued by significant disparities, particularly for underserved populations. People of color, low-income families, rural residents, and immigrant communities often face a daunting array of barriers that prevent them from accessing quality preventive and diagnostic services.
These barriers include limited access to healthcare facilities, financial
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HIPAA and Modern Healthcare Realities: Dispelling Data Sharing Myths
Myths in healthcare data sharing often cloud the understanding of permissible practices, but this hesitance usually stems from risk avoidance rather than regulatory constraints. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) stands as a sentinel, guarding the security and privacy of patient information, but its limitations in supporting contemporary information-sharing needs must be acknowledged. As “health care” continues to evolve beyond just medical care, clear guidance is
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Preventing and Mitigating Gun-Related Violence in Hospitals: The Intersection of Proactive and Reactive Security Technologies
Gun-related violence continues to pose a significant threat to society, with the Gun Violence Archive reporting over 650 mass shootings in 2023. Disturbingly, even institutions dedicated to healing and safeguarding individuals, like hospitals, are not immune to these threats; in fact, they’re uniquely susceptible. Since 2018, more than 100 gun-related incidents have been reported within hospital premises.
These statistics highlight the urgent need for hospitals and healthcare
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PCR is the Gold Standard of Testing. How Can It Be Improved?
Most of us have been tested for COVID-19 over the past few years. If that’s true of you, you know the routine: you go to a testing site, give your sample, a medical professional sends it to a laboratory, and you receive your results in a day or two. If this sounds familiar, you’ve benefited from PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) testing.
PCR is well known for its accuracy. It has limitations, however: it’s costly, time-consuming, and requires samples to be sent to central laboratories.
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