Patients don't think payers, providers can protect their data, survey finds

Patients are skeptical of healthcare industry players’ ability to protect their data—and believe health insurers to be the worst at doing so, a new survey shows.  Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Politico surveyed (PDF) 1,009 adults in mid-July and found that just 17% have a “great deal” of faith that their health plan will protect their data.  By contrast, 24% said they had a “great deal” of trust in their hospital to protect their data, and 34% said the same about their physician’s office. In addition, 22% of respondents said they had “not very much” trust in their insurer to protect their data, and 17% said they had no trust at all. Broadly, while many Americans express serious misgivings about data privacy when it comes to social media sites and internet search engines, they report substantially more trust that their private health information will remain secure

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Aspect Imaging to bring Improvements in NICUs for Vizient

Aspect Imaging | September 25, 2023

Aspect Imaging, a global leader in MRI systems for neonatal patients, has been awarded an Innovative Technology contract by Vizient, the nation's largest provider -driven healthcare performance improvement company. This contract recognizes the unique qualities of Aspect Imaging's Embrace Point of Care Neonatal MRI System and its potential to bring improvements to the healthcare industry. The Embrace Point of Care Neonatal MRI System is designed specifically for the imaging needs of prematureand newborn infants, making it a critical tool in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The Embrace is the world's first FDA-cleared and CE-approved MRI system for neonatal patients. It is designed to be placed directly within NICUs, overcoming the size and risk limitations associated with adult MRI scanners. The system includes features such as a temperature-controlled patient bed and a Whisper Quiet sound profile to meet the specific care needs of neonatal patients. This technology enables safer and more accessible MRI imaging for fragile neonatal patients and provides critical information to the clinical care team. Chief Commercial Officer at Aspect Imaging, Wendy Slatery, stated, It is an honor to have the Embrace recognized by the clinical experts at Vizient, as an Innovative Technology, and an exciting opportunity to bring valuable solutions to Vizient customers. We are looking forward to working with Vizient members seeking to expand and elevate neurocritical care of the smallest patients while reducing patient risks and staff time associated with transporting newborns to a traditional MRI. The Embrace MRI gives the neonatal medical team access to information from the life’s first hours and throughout the patient’s time in the NICU, on which critical care decisions will be based. [Source: Business Wire] Vizient's provider customer-led councils recommended the Embrace system for an Innovative Technology contract after evaluating its potential to enhance clinical care, patient safety, and healthcare worker safety, or improve business operations in healthcare organizations. The recognition and award of this contract highlight the potential of the Embrace Point of Care Neonatal MRI System to improve neurocritical care for the smallest patients while reducing risks associated with transporting newborns to traditional MRI facilities. About Aspect Imaging Aspect Imaging, a pioneering force in the field, stands as the global frontrunner in crafting and advancing compact MR imaging systems tailored for both research and clinical use. Their groundbreaking technology centers on compact, high-performance permanent magnets, introducing transformative MRI solutions to tackle unmet requirements in research and medical contexts. These innovations ensure the delivery of the finest quality images, whether at the benchtop or in point-of-care scenarios.

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Health Technology

Home Care Delivered, Inc. Completes Acquisition of Medline Industries, LP's DMEPOS Supplier Business Unit

PR Newswire | October 17, 2023

Home Care Delivered, Inc. a leader in providing medical supplies including diabetes/CGM, incontinence, wound, urological, and ostomy products, is excited to announce the successful acquisition of Medline Industries, LP's DMEPOS supplier business unit. This strategic move will significantly enhance HCD's market presence, expand its geographical footprint, and provide access to a broader customer base while reinforcing relationships with patients, healthcare plans and providers, and manufacturers. "The transaction represents a major milestone for HCD by leveraging over 25 years of distinguished expertise in medical supplies," said Gordy Fox, founder and chief executive officer of HCD. "This acquisition aligns with our commitment to delivering personalized and compassionate customer experiences while leveraging Medline's DMEPOS supplier assets, and continuing to provide our industry expertise and best-in-class customer service." said Brad Mariam, executive vice president, Medline. With the transition of Medline's DMEPOS supplier assets to HCD, a company that shares in our commitment to exceptional service and patient care, Medline will continue to focus on its core role as an industry leader in the manufacturing and distribution of quality medical supplies. [Source: PR Newswire] "By integrating Medline's DMEPOS supplier assets, we are accelerating our growth strategy, delivering an avenue for expanded cost-efficiencies and member adherence," said Lowell Price, senior vice president of business development and chief growth officer of HCD. "This strategic move aligns with our commitment to delivering superior customer service, additional product offerings and ensuring reliable delivery to our members. HCD is well-positioned to continue to elevate customer experiences and reinforce our market presence." About Home Care Delivered, Inc. Home Care Delivered is a leading direct-to-consumer provider of insurance-covered medical supplies of diabetes testing, incontinence, urology, ostomy and wound care supplies delivered directly to the patient's home. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Glen Allen, Virginia, Home Care Delivered is dedicated to providing best-in-class customer support and quality supplies for patients and caregivers nationwide.

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Healthcare Analytics

Keena Healthcare Technology and Altera Digital Health Expand Strategic Partnership

Business Wire | October 27, 2023

Keena Healthcare Technology, a healthcare optimization organization, and Altera Digital Health, a global health IT leader, announce today that they have engaged in a reseller agreement. The expanded sales collaboration deal is an extension of the partnership and developer agreement Keena has had with Altera’s TouchWorks® EHR business unit since 2008. Keena has had several years of successful selling into Altera’s TouchWorks EHR client base of provider practices and has consistently prioritized its strategic focus on developing new technologies and services needed to optimize their clinical and financial performance. In parallel, Keena has looked to maintain a select group of trusted strategic partnerships with industry leaders and best of breed niche technology vendors to efficiently extend their sales reach into select segments of the marketplace. said Craig Luce, Founding Partner of Keena Healthcare Technology. We are very optimistic about our expanded relationship with Altera and the opportunity to work closely with their client success and client development teams. There is both a strategic and cultural fit between our two organizations that we feel will be of significant benefit to the TouchWorks EHR client base, while at the same time fulfilling a common high priority initiative for Keena and Altera. [Source:Business Wire] With the current EHR market made up principally of system replacement transactions, a premium is placed on strengthening relationships with existing clients and providing them with new opportunities for performance optimization and value-add solutions. Altera’s expanded partnership with Keena demonstrates the company’s commitment to and investment in providing more value to their TouchWorks EHR clients. ”Altera Digital Health strives to be insanely great for our clients. We’re constantly identifying new ways technology can meaningfully improve their everyday lives, whether they’re from our own portfolio or that of our likeminded partners,” said Ben Scharfe, Executive Vice President of the TouchWorks EHR business unit at Altera Digital Health. The timing is perfect for our sales team to leverage Keena’s past successes and provide an extended line of enhanced value solutions to our loyal TouchWorks EHR clients.” About Keena Healthcare Technology Keena is a full-service healthcare optimization organization focused on clinical workflows, interfaces, conversions and archival solutions. Built upon a vision for improving technology delivery, Keena is the collaboration of two companies that share a core value system for life, work, and healthcare. Having come from the pedigree of EHR Integration Services and Byte Sized Solutions, Keena transforms the way people manage information, develop workflows and share knowledge within healthcare. About Altera Digital Health A global healthcare IT leader, Altera Digital Health develops and elevates technology to connect and inspire healthier communities. Formerly the Allscripts Hospitals and Large Physician Practices business segment, Altera’s platform approach to our solutions is changing the way healthcare is delivered. Altera designs digital health services that lead healthcare to a higher place, while we guide those we partner with, all along the way. Together, with our clients, we’re bringing next-level healthcare within reach.

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Healthcare Analytics

WellSky Expands Post-Acute Offerings Through Corridor Acquisition

WellSky | October 13, 2023

WellSky has officially declared its acquisition of Corridor, a comprehensive technology-enabled service platform tailored to address the most formidable challenges in the post-acute care industry. This strategic move is intended to aid care providers in enhancing their efficiency and overall performance across various domains, encompassing clinical, financial, operational, and compliance aspects. The acquisition has been facilitated through the purchase of Corridor from HealthEdge Investment Partners, a private equity firm with a dedicated focus on healthcare. Bill Miller, CEO of WellSky, highlighted providers' need for quality care support and reduced administrative burdens. He stated, As we looked to strengthen our services offerings, Corridor emerged as an ideal partner. Together, WellSky and Corridor help more post-acute care organizations succeed against industry challenges. [Source – Business Wire] Des Varady, CEO of Corridor, expressed that for over three decades, Corridor has remained dedicated to its mission of enabling clients to optimize their performance and resources through robust technology-based solutions. He conveyed his enthusiasm for Corridor's continued commitment to advancing this mission as an integral part of the WellSky team. By gaining access to WellSky's technology-driven solutions, focusing on enhancing outcomes, reducing expenses, and enhancing patient and family satisfaction, Corridor is better positioned to serve its clients more effectively. With the integration of Corridor into its portfolio, WellSky aims to broaden its spectrum of services in medical coding and revenue cycle management. About WellSky Known for its proven software, analytics, and services, WellSky, a prominent U.S. healthcare technology company, drives better outcomes and cost savings across the healthcare and community care spectrum. It empowers providers, payers, health systems, and community organizations to streamline processes, enhance collaboration, leverage data analytics, and improve results by integrating clinical and social care. About Corridor The Corridor Group Holdings, LLC (Corridor) is a prominent post-acute healthcare sector entity offering top-tier technology-driven outsourced coding, revenue cycle, and educational solutions. It specializes in improving documentation quality and getting better client reimbursement outcomes, including for large health systems, national chains, and smaller, independently managed agencies.

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