In the News: Combatting Internal and External Challenges in Healthcare
Patients put enormous trust in healthcare organizations — but the industry as a whole is facing increasing threats, both internal and external. Issues ranging from supply chain challenges to cyberattacks have the potential to impact patient care and expose organizations to significant financial burdens.
This month’s news roundup explores some of those key challenges, so healthcare organizations can take proper and proactive steps to mitigate risks and deliver consistent, quality patient care.
Why IV Shortages Were a Long-Standing Issue Even Before Helene: 6 Things to Know
Three key IV fluids — saline solution, sterile water, and dextrose solution — have been in chronic shortage for years due to low profitability and high regulatory hurdles. Recently, Hurricane Helene damaged a manufacturing plant, further highlighting the issue. While the Biden administration has taken steps to address the immediate crisis, experts warn that long-term solutions require ensuring the profitability of IV fluid manufacturing.
The Impact of Medical Equipment Downtime on Healthcare Delivery
The Right to Repair Act in California is set to revolutionize medical equipment maintenance. By granting access to manuals, parts, and tools, the act empowers healthcare facilities to perform in-house repairs, reducing downtime and costs. This is particularly vital in the healthcare sector, as delays in medical device repairs can compromise patient care.
The Cyberthreat Health System Firewalls Can't Stop
Human error remains a significant vulnerability in healthcare cybersecurity, even with advanced technological defenses. To mitigate the risks of phishing attacks — which often target clinicians — healthcare organizations are implementing strategies such as regular phishing tests, multi-factor authentication, and strong security protocols. However, due to the increasing sophistication of attacks and the potential impact on patient care, healthcare organizations must also develop robust incident response plans.
100M People Impacted by Massive Change Healthcare Cyberattack: OCR
UnitedHealth Group recently disclosed a massive cyberattack on Change Healthcare that affected approximately 100 million individuals. The breach, which occurred in February, compromised sensitive data due to a lack of two-factor authentication. The financial implications of the attack are significant, with estimated costs reaching $2.45 billion. This highlights the severe consequences of cybersecurity breaches and underscores the importance of robust security measures in healthcare.
