Medtech Insider: $4 Billion in Healthcare Data Breaches for 2019

Medtech Insider: $4 Billion in Healthcare Data Breaches for 2019

- November 8, 2019

 

$4 Billion in Healthcare Data Breaches for 2019

Findings reported by Healthcare Finance provide a broad and detailed understanding of the financial toll data breaches have caused healthcare organizations. Since Q3 of 2016, more than 93% of healthcare organizations have experienced a data breach, with 57% experiencing more than 5 data breaches within that time frame. According to 90% of hospital representatives, IT security budget have remained level since 2016. Further, the organization reported that while cybersecurity spending has increased to about 6% of the total annual IT spend, physician organizations have reported a decrease in expenses allocated for cybersecurity, with less than 1% of their total budgets. Overall, data breaches are expected to cost the healthcare industry $4 billion by the years end, with costs projected to rise in 2020.

 

Clinical Trial Uses In-Brain Chip to Fight Opioid Addiction

Researchers from the West Virginia University Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute (RNI) and West Virginia University Medicine (WVU) have begun a new clinical trial that uses brain-embedded technology to potentially curb opioid addiction in cases that have resisted other methods of treatment. A team of neurosurgeons from the universities implanted a “deep brain simulation” (DBS) devices into the brain of a 33 year old man.The device has a minitature electrodes attached to specific parts of the brain associated with addiction and self control behaviors. Alongside the potential for curbing addiction impulses, the device will provide researchers with data regarding real-time cravings within addiction patients.

 

Apple Completes VA Health Records Rolloout

On Wednesday, Apple and the VA announced the completion of the Apple Health Records rollout to U.S. veterans. Within the Health Records feature, veterans will have access to an aggregated record of allergies, immunizations, lab results, procedures, and other health information. In a released statement, VA Secretary Robert Wilkie shared: “We have delivered veterans an innovative new way to easily and securely access their health information. Veterans deserve access to their health data at any time and in one place, and with Health Records on the Health app, VA has pushed the Veterans experience forward.” The tech rollout includes 1,243 facilities across all 50 states, Cuba, Guam, Philippines, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands.

 

New “Intelligent” Metamaterial Could Transform MRIs

Researchers from Boston University have developed a new, affordable “intelligent” metamaterial that has the potential to change the MRI process into one “faster, safer, and more accessible.” When placed beside the body that is the target of a scan, the metamaterial selectively boosts the low energy emissions by the patient’s body, increasing SNR “by 10-fold” and improving MRI imaging at a low cost. One of the researchers noted: “Shortening MRI examinations is paramount to maximizing the capacity. Not to mention revenue, as well as the overall patient experience of this powerful imaging technology.” With the support of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, the researchers estimate the metamaterial should cost less than $100 to construct.

 

 

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