Modernization

Over 20,000 Veterans Received VHA iPads but Never Used Them for Virtual Care

An inspector general review found that the agency was also slow to get devices back so they could be redistributed.

Cybersecurity

Diabetes Patients Flood FDA with Comments on Cybersecurity for Medical Devices

As the agency finalizes guidance for approving the sale of devices such as those used to monitor and control glucose levels, the comments highlight competition and consumer protection issues associated with a grassroots movement for the “right-to-repair.”

Modernization

GAO dismisses final CIO-SP4 protests

Awards will be announced by Nov. 1, and the ordering period of CIO-SP3 and CIO-SP3 small business will be extended.

Emerging Tech

VA Continues Healthcare Modernization With Simulated Employee Training

Officials are seeking industry input for SIMPLE, a pending platform to help train VA employees virtually.

Artificial Intelligence

AI Teaches Brain Tumor Surgery Better Than Human Experts

Artificial intelligence tutors are outperforming human instructors.

Policy

Lawmakers Request Continued Telehealth Expansion for Medicare

A letter signed by 45 members of Congress asked for continued federal funding for Medicare telehealth access as pending legislation aims to make it permanent. 

Emerging Tech

Extended Reality Sees Potential, Challenges Across Multiple Industries

A new GAO report itemizes how extended reality technologies can be used, and what other emerging tech needs to be bolstered to support its implementation.

Digital Government

VA Delays Electronic Health Records Deployment Due To COVID Cases

The VA Central Ohio Healthcare System was supposed to receive a new EHR system deployment in March, but COVID spikes overwhelmed the workforce.

Modernization

Public Health Admins Are Prioritizing Interoperability with EHR Modernization

Federal agencies using electronic health records systems are hoping standardizing EHR interfaces will lead to greater cross-departmental and patient access.

Podcasts

Critical Update: Veterans Affairs Applies Mixed Reality Tech to Solve Real-World Health Issues

Department officials are exploring virtual worlds and using artificial intelligence to transform medical treatments.

Digital Government

Republican Senators Question the Security of Collecting Health Information from Airline Passengers

A group of Republican senators raised concerns over the CDC’s new order requesting select data from airline passengers to track the spread of COVID-19.

Modernization

Two-Thirds of Staff at VA Medical Center Considering Quitting After One Year With New EHR

A survey of staff at Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center shows plummeting morale tied directly to the Cerner Millennium electronic health record platform.

Emerging Tech

Health Agency Seeks Feedback on Personal Protective Technology Hub

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is looking for innovative ideas to maximize the protection different types of gear offers in different industry sectors. 

Ideas

How a National Health Care Database Could Address Mission-Critical Health Data Gaps

It’s time to consider a cloud-based national health care database to make better public health decisions and prepare for any future health crises.

Cybersecurity

5 Ways to Keep Vaccine 'Cold Chain' Safe from Hackers

Health systems can prevent outsiders from tampering with the equipment that keeps vaccines ultra cold.

Ideas

Federal Health Care Organizations Seek New Prescription for Managing Device Vulnerability 

The threat landscape in the medical sector is massive and expanding daily with exponential growth in connected medical devices.

Emerging Tech

DHS Wants Wearables to Track Employee Health at Work and at Home

The biometric tech will be used to help employees manage physical and mental health in high-stress mission areas.