FutureRx (FRx) announced today the appointment of Eric Grossman as its chief commercial officer, tasked with all aspects of the commercial strategy related to its innovative FRx cloud-based healthcare platform and FRx Marketplace for health plans and pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs). Grossman will oversee FRx product and partner development, marketing, sales, and customer service strategies to build market share and maximize revenues.
Eric Grossman
“Eric brings to FutureRx a remarkable track record of developing highly effective commercial strategies for healthcare technology companies that deliver innovative SaaS solutions to the payer market,” said Anil Kottoor, CEO of FutureRx. “He will be an exceptional asset as FutureRx embarks on an aggressive growth strategy focused on providing health plans and PBMs with access to a highly unique suite of technology tools and services that lets them reclaim control over their pharmacy benefits programs.”
Grossman has more than 20 years of leadership experience with innovative health IT organizations in roles that span strategy, sales, product management, and corporate business development.
Before joining FRx, he was chief commercial officer of Softheon, where his commercial strategies and sales team and processes netted double-digit recurring revenue growth. He joined Softheon following its 2021 acquisition of NextHealth, the market-leading analytics platform he founded and ran to help health plans measure and optimize clinical interventions for more than 25 million U.S. beneficiaries.
By Rob Falbo, vice president of healthcare solutions, Imperva.
In most industries, an IT service outage can lead to lost revenue. In the healthcare industry, disruption of network or application services impacts critical patient care. In the past year, non-human web traffic spiked dramatically, a trend that should be concerning for any healthcare organization.
Research conducted by cybersecurity company Imperva found that, in 2022, 35.8% of all US healthcare website traffic came from bad bots. These are malicious, automated software applications capable of high-speed abuse, misuse, and attacks. What’s more concerning is that 27.1% of bad bots were classified as “advanced.” This breed of bot is capable of using the latest evasion techniques, closely mimicking human behavior to avoid detection.
With bad bot traffic continuing to rise across the globe, it’s critical for healthcare organizations to understand the potential threat bad bots pose and the steps they can take to mitigate it.
How Attackers Are Hitting the Healthcare Industry
In February 2023, the US healthcare industry was put on edge as a spade of denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks were carried out against various healthcare organizations by the Pro-Russian hacktivist group Killnet.
DDoS attacks are designed to overload a network with traffic, making it difficult, even impossible, for patients to access essential services. The attacks are carried out by a collection of bots or hijacked machines, known as a botnet. This enables the attackers to harness the power of many machines and obscure the traffic source. Since traffic is distributed, it is difficult for security tools and teams to detect that a DDoS attack is occurring until it is too late.
In the previous articles, we discussed the importance of healthcare interoperability and the factors hindering its progress. In this final part, we will explore potential solutions and future directions to accelerate the advancement of interoperability in healthcare.
Standardization and Data Exchange Frameworks
One of the key solutions for promoting interoperability is the adoption of standardized data formats and exchange frameworks. Implementing widely accepted standards, such as HL7 FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources), can facilitate seamless data exchange between different systems. Embracing common standards ensures that healthcare organizations can effectively communicate and share information, regardless of the systems they use.
Enhancing Data Governance and Consent Management
To address privacy concerns and build trust, robust data governance frameworks and consent management mechanisms need to be established. Patients should have control over their health data, allowing them to provide informed consent for data sharing and specify their privacy preferences. Implementing strong security measures, ensuring data integrity, and promoting transparent data handling practices are vital for fostering patient confidence in interoperability initiatives.
In our previous article, we discussed the importance of healthcare interoperability and some of the challenges that impede its progress. In this second part, we will delve deeper into the factors that hinder the advancement of healthcare interoperability.
By understanding these barriers, we can work towards overcoming them and achieving a more interconnected healthcare system.
Fragmented Health IT Landscape
The healthcare industry operates within a fragmented landscape, with various electronic health record (EHR) systems, medical devices, and health information exchange (HIE) platforms in use. These systems often lack standardized data formats and interoperability capabilities, making it challenging to exchange information seamlessly.
The lack of a unified approach leads to data silos, where patient information becomes trapped within specific systems and organizations.
Proprietary Systems and Vendor Lock-In
Proprietary EHR systems and vendor lock-in practices can hinder interoperability. When healthcare organizations heavily invest in a particular vendor’s system, it may restrict their ability to share data with other systems or switch vendors.
This limited interoperability can impede the seamless exchange of patient information and hinder collaboration between healthcare providers.
Information Blocking Practices
Information blocking refers to practices that intentionally impede the access, exchange, or use of electronic health information. Although regulations such as the 21st Century Cures Act in the United States discourage information blocking, instances of such practices have been reported. Some vendors or healthcare organizations may restrict data sharing for competitive or financial reasons, hindering the free flow of information necessary for interoperability.
Scaling up is a crucial step in the development of biotechnology processes, particularly in upstream biotech development. It involves transitioning from laboratory-scale production to larger volumes, enabling the efficient production of biopharmaceuticals and other biotech products. However, scaling up is not without its challenges. In this article, we will explore the key obstacles faced during the scaling-up process and provide practical solutions to overcome them, ensuring successful outcomes in upstream biotech development.
Understanding the Challenges
Process Complexity
One of the primary challenges in scaling up biotech development is the inherent complexity of the process. As the production volume increases, so do the variables and intricacies that need to be managed. Parameters such as temperature, pH, nutrient availability, and agitation must be carefully controlled to maintain product quality and yield. Achieving this level of control in large-scale production systems can be daunting.
Equipment Limitations
Scaling up often requires the use of different equipment and technologies than those used at the laboratory scale. Factors such as mixing efficiency, mass transfer rates, and heat transfer capabilities become critical considerations when moving from small-scale to large-scale production. Identifying and adapting the right equipment to ensure optimal performance can be a significant challenge.
Cell Line Development
Cell line development is a crucial aspect of biotech development, as it involves selecting and optimizing a cell line capable of producing the desired product efficiently. However, this process can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. Collaborating with specialized cell line development companies can streamline this process and provide expertise in selecting, engineering, and optimizing cell lines for large-scale production.
There’s nothing wrong with carrying devices that help you in your tasks better, be it hearing aids or walking canes; however, they make many individuals feel self-conscious. Consequently, gadgets like hearing aids have undergone a remarkable transformation, combining fashion, convenience, and functionality to create devices with innovative designs. In this article, we’ll discuss these in detail.
The latest trends in hearing aid designs are revolutionizing how hearing loss patients perceive their devices. Devices now have sleek designs that sit in the ear discreetly without attracting much attention. Let’s explore five key trends in hearing aid design that empowers individuals to embrace their hearing aid with confidence and pride.
Discreet and Invisible Solutions
One of the most significant trends in hearing aid designs is the move towards discreet and virtually invisible solutions. Modern hearing aids are designed to be sleek, compact, and blend seamlessly with the wearer’s natural appearance. The following four types of hearing aids offer these amenities:
Behind the Ear (BTE)
Behind-the-ear hearing aids sit behind the ear and consist of a transparent tube connected to the earmold. Advanced miniaturization technologies have created smaller components, making the BTE models more discreet than ever. These devices are easy to clean and use, even recommended for children, offer minimal feedback, and are suitable for mild to profound hearing loss.
In-the-Canal (ITC)
Advancements in custom earmold manufacturing and 3D printing techniques have led to the development of completely-in-canal (CIC) or invisible-in-canal (IIC) hearing aids. ITC devices are made of invisible plastic shells placed inside the ear canal. The deep placement allows them to be minimally visible and small. However, patients find it difficult to handle considering its size. It is prone to earwax build-up and is inappropriate for profound hearing loss.
In-the-Ear (IEA)
In-the-ear hearing aids are more prominent than the other options, comprising parts within a shell placed in the ear’s outer part. They are made to appear discreet by customizing them in colors that match your skin tone. IEA hearing aids work well with directional microphones and telecoils. The cons of this style include earwax build-up, feedback issues, and unsuitability for profound hearing loss.
Receiver-In-Canal (RIC)
Receiver-in-canal hearing comprises a tiny receiver inside the canal and an invisible tube. This hearing aid also sits inside the ear canal, virtually invisible. They also utilize an open-fit concept preventing the canal from being entirely blocked. They are also prone to wax buildup and are inappropriate for profound hearing loss.
So many aspects of our lives happen on digital platforms these days. After the pandemic forced everyone to do more online, we’ve grown accustomed to using technology to buy groceries, pay bills, and keep in touch with friends and family.
Digital has become such a big part of our everyday lives that we expect speed, simplicity, and convenience whenever we interact with any organization. In the healthcare sector, however, many organizations aren’t keeping pace with these expectations, so it’s unsurprising that 61% of patients want better engagement from their provider.
Many health systems have opened a “digital front door” that gives patients some level of online access to support and information. But it’s vital for organizations to look beyond and provide meaningful patient engagement in all channels.
Forward-thinking health systems are implementing new tools powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to make patient experiences as simple, effortless, and effective as the experiences they get from major retailers and banks. Here are just a few ways they transform patient engagement and enable health systems to close the experience gap.
Simplify Appointment Management
Managing appointments can put a huge strain on already overworked care teams and administrative staff—and it can be a hassle for patients. No-shows, for example, waste precious clinician time and impact the patient experience.
While automated appointment reminders are a good start, more sophisticated solutions take it a step further. The most advanced solutions allow patients to respond to appointment reminders in the same channel. So, instead of receiving an SMS reminder and then phoning the Patient Access Center to reschedule, patients can simply reply to the text and engage in a two-way, natural conversation to book a different time. By connecting to the EHR and backend business systems, organizations can use real-time provider appointment availability to maximize schedules — benefiting clinicians and patients alike.
Going further, organizations can allow patients to self-serve appointment scheduling to extend convenience and eliminate staff workload. Patients can contact their provider on voice and digital channels, look up existing appointments, make modifications, or schedule new appointments — all without involving a live agent.
Help Patients Manage Their Own Care
Anyone trying to promote good health knows it pays to be proactive. Many health systems are using AI-powered patient engagement solutions to strengthen their relationships with patients and increase patient accountability and compliance throughout their care journeys— improving patient outcomes.
Clinical and support staff don’t have time to check in with every patient and make sure they’ve booked follow-up appointments, taken their medication, or made important lifestyle changes. But automated systems can do all that and more, keeping patients on track in their wellness journey and serving as a care team member that maintains a helpful, watchful eye on patients.
For example, AI-driven technology can automatically text or call patients due for a follow-up scan and prompt them to book their appointment using details in the message. Or it can remind patients to refill their prescriptions. It can even provide easy access to all its vetted literature relevant to a patient’s condition so patients can take control of their care and avoid referencing unreliable internet sources.
Provide Effective Self-Service
Some health systems are using conversational AI to power self-service options, making it simpler for patients to manage their care. Patients get fast, effective service within a natural conversation with an Interactive Voice Assistant (IVA), enabling them to get answers to common questions, complete routine tasks, and access their health information.
One example of how these IVAs deliver value is by helping patients prepare for telehealth appointments. Too often, appointments start late, or clinicians end up providing technical support during consultations. By sending reminders beforehand that check for preparedness, patients can ensure everything is in working order. And, if not, they can interact naturally with an IVA to get answers to technical questions. Then, telehealth consultations can focus on care, not technology.
Patient Engagement Is Just The Beginning
AI-powered patient engagement solutions help health systems meet patients’ growing expectations. Proactive, personalized interactions throughout the care journey increase patient trust, making them more likely to follow clinical advice and engage fully with their treatment plan.
Better patient engagement has a direct link to better patient outcomes, but there’s a commercial impact too. With simple, convenient, and intelligent experiences, health systems can foster stronger patient relationships and build a reputation as a modern healthcare organization, helping attract and retain more patients.
In the end, patient engagement powered by AI is a win-win-win. Patients get better experiences and can manage their care more easily. Clinicians and those who support them can focus on care delivery. And health systems can gain efficiencies and reduce operational costs.
Welcome to this three-part series examining healthcare interoperability in the United States and the reasons for its slow progress. In Part 1, we delve into the fragmented healthcare landscape and the technical challenges that impede seamless data exchange.
The Fragmented Healthcare Landscape
The need for interoperability in healthcare can be attributed to the fragmented landscape of the industry. In the United States, the healthcare ecosystem comprises a wide range of organizations, including hospitals, clinics, and specialty practices. Each operates with different electronic health record (EHR) systems, infrastructure, and data models, creating significant interoperability gaps.
The fragmented landscape hinders the seamless exchange of patient data and poses a barrier to efficient care delivery.
Technical Challenges
Technical challenges play a crucial role in impeding healthcare interoperability. One of the major obstacles is the diversity of data formats and standards used by different healthcare systems and EHR vendors. Historically, proprietary data formats were implemented by vendors, resulting in compatibility issues and difficulties in exchanging information between systems.
We have made strides in improving interoperability but are not where we need to be. It’s a complex issue that requires collaborative efforts among stakeholders to overcome technical and policy challenges. These technical challenges include data standardization, data exchange protocols, and semantic interoperability.
Legacy systems also contribute to the lack of interoperability. Many healthcare organizations still rely on outdated systems not designed with interoperability in mind. These legacy systems may need more capabilities or face compatibility issues with newer technologies, making sharing and exchanging patient data challenging.
The impact of legacy systems on interoperability remains a significant hurdle in healthcare. The lack of standardized data exchange and the presence of proprietary systems hinder the seamless flow of information, impacting care coordination and patient outcomes.
In the previous articles, we discussed the importance of healthcare interoperability and the factors hindering its progress. In this final part, we will explore potential solutions and future directions to accelerate the advancement of interoperability in healthcare.
Scaling up is a crucial step in the development of biotechnology processes, particularly in upstream biotech development. It involves transitioning from laboratory-scale production to larger volumes, enabling the efficient production of biopharmaceuticals and other biotech products. However, scaling up is not without its challenges. In this article, we will explore the key obstacles faced during the scaling-up process and provide practical solutions to overcome them, ensuring successful outcomes in upstream biotech development.
There’s nothing wrong with carrying devices that help you in your tasks better, be it hearing aids or walking canes; however, they make many individuals feel self-conscious. Consequently, gadgets like hearing aids have undergone a remarkable transformation, combining fashion, convenience, and functionality to create devices with innovative designs. In this article, we’ll discuss these in detail.
