Deep Dive

No ‘slam dunk fix’ in HIPAA privacy law to protect abortion patients

In an increasingly murky legal environment, providers should focus on minimizing and protecting the data they collect, experts said.

Rebecca Pifer • Aug. 5, 2022

How the spread of Catholic-owned healthcare facilities may complicate access to reproductive care

Catholic facilities must follow ethical and religious directives that say they can’t provide abortion or sterilization services and may not "promote or condone" contraceptives.

Samantha Liss • July 13, 2022

Companies see a future for smart implants. Doctors are waiting for proof.

Zimmer Biomet and Canary Medical are rolling out the first knee implant with an integrated sensor, though it will take time to learn how to incorporate that data into patient care, experts say.

Elise Reuter • June 30, 2022

As cross-state telemedicine waivers expire, virtual care advocates focus on long-term policy changes

There’s a complication: No one solution to the U.S.’ patchy physician licensing infrastructure has universal buy-in.

Rebecca Pifer • June 21, 2022

Despite rosier trust fund outlook, time running out to stabilize Medicare funding, researchers warn

Though it’s tempting to interpret the recent Medicare trustees report as good news, academics are arguing lawmakers can’t wait until hospital trust fund insolvency is imminent before taking action to bolster the program.

Rebecca Pifer • June 13, 2022

Can digital therapeutics become profitable?

As more software-based treatments gain FDA clearance, they still face hurdles ahead, including insurance reimbursement and garnering adoption among patients and physicians.

Elise Reuter • April 12, 2022

'Where's the patient?': Experts question FDA's final recall guidance

While the guidance encouraged the use of electronic communications in recalls, a change experts have advocated for, some questioned why the agency did not address more problems with the system.

Ricky Zipp • April 7, 2022

Hospitals struggle to fill staffing holes in short, long term amid surge in nurse turnover

"This is a bigger workforce shortage than we have ever dealt with," said Gay Landstrom, senior vice president and chief nursing officer of Trinity Health, a nonprofit system with 88 hospitals nationwide.

Hailey Mensik • March 31, 2022

Hospitals bet big on venture capital amid COVID-19 revenue flux

Hospitals are increasingly acting as venture capitalists, ratcheting up investments in companies with products they can use and scale, according to a data analysis of hospital VC arms conducted by Healthcare Dive.

Rebecca Pifer • March 30, 2022

Long-term health of patients, hospitals at stake as care delays continue

As federal relief funds dwindle and volumes remain stagnant, concerns are mounting about the stability of many providers' operations, especially those lacking robust outpatient services.

Samantha Liss • March 29, 2022

ONC head Micky Tripathi on info-blocking complaints, provider penalties and future of TEFCA

Tripathi shared his thoughts on data-sharing complaints, when the industry can expect penalties for providers found information blocking and how the government plans to build on TEFCA moving forward.

Rebecca Pifer • March 25, 2022

The case for hybrid care models

Telehealth is increasingly being woven into healthcare organizations' future plans, giving hope to proponents of hybrid care models.

Rebecca Pifer • March 22, 2022

New app, streamlined EHR: how Athenahealth is tackling 2022, according to its chief product officer

Athenahealth plans to release a slew of new products this year, CPO Paul Brient said, including a new patient-facing app focused on engagement and care management.

Rebecca Pifer • March 16, 2022

'The promise it really brings': talking TEFCA with Sequoia Project CEO Mariann Yeager

ONC's main partner in creating a nationwide framework for data exchange shared details on timeline, buy-in and the vision for TEFCA on the sidelines of HIMSS22.

Rebecca Pifer • March 15, 2022

Threats, obscenities, homicide: Healthcare workers stressed by pandemic face elevated violence

Millions of healthcare workers across the country are becoming inured to workplace violence, which can range from verbal abuse and threats to physical attacks and even homicide.

Hailey Mensik • March 9, 2022

4 key trends for procedure-reliant medtechs in 2022

Medical device companies likely will face the same challenges this year that they have been dealing with since the pandemic's start, such as procedure volatility and hospital staffing shortages.

Ricky Zipp • Feb. 3, 2022

As hospitals sue over surprise billing ban, healthcare experts ask why

While provider associations take the battle to court, private equity backed physician groups are absent from the litigation.

Samantha Liss • Feb. 1, 2022

3 key labor trends for hospitals in 2022

Hospitals are still grappling with rising turnover, widespread burnout and numerous staff calling in sick nearly two years after the pandemic began. It's unclear when it might get better — or how much worse it could get.

Hailey Mensik • Jan. 27, 2022

The shifting digital health investment landscape in 2022

Signs point toward another historic year in VC investment, experts say, which will benefit the medical system as it evolves to include more digital services.

Rebecca Pifer • Jan. 25, 2022

4 key trends for payers and providers in 2022

The sectors face continued operational pressure as they head into a third year of the pandemic, including a tight labor market and shifts in payer mix.

Samantha Liss • Jan. 21, 2022

How telehealth could be an equitable 'bridge to care' in a post-pandemic world

Much has been made of the technology's advantages, but it has its share of challenges when it comes to accessibility, experts said.

Ryan Golden • Jan. 20, 2022

Heart attacks struck Sek Kathiresan's family. He's devoted his life to stopping them.

After several family members had early heart attacks, Kathiresan vowed to understand why they happen. His research journey has changed medical practice and led to a new biotech startup, Verve Therapeutics.

Ben Fidler • Dec. 2, 2021

Medical device security continues to be casualty of hospital-medtech divide

FDA says manufacturers and hospitals are both responsible for protecting devices from growing cybersecurity threats. However, healthcare organizations carry a much heavier load.

Greg Slabodkin • Dec. 1, 2021

How hospitals leveraged on-site child care during the pandemic in a bid to drive retention

An overwhelming amount of healthcare jobs are held by women. On-site child care can drive better retention amid a "Great Resignation," as burned out employees across all industries reevaluate their roles and workplaces.

Hailey Mensik • Nov. 3, 2021

Why are women more likely to use telehealth?

As Washington mulls over telehealth regulations post-COVID-19, it's important not to roll back access in a way that could disproportionately affect women, experts say.

Rebecca Pifer • Nov. 2, 2021