5 can’t-miss HIMSS22 panels
For those with boots on the ground in Orlando next week, here are panels you won’t want to miss, touching on some of the hottest topics in healthcare today from health equity to cybersecurity.
FDA warns of cyber vulnerabilities in medical device software components
An agency alert warned that flaws in PTC’s Axeda agent and desktop server, used in devices from several manufacturers, could allow an unauthorized attacker to take full control of the host operating system.
Providence operating loss more than doubled in 2021 as nurse shortage spurred higher labor costs
Providers are seeing expenses tied to salaries and benefits accelerate due to staffing shortages exacerbated by COVID-19.
Anthem plans to change name to Elevance
It’s the second name change for Anthem in the past decade. Prior to 2014, the company was known as WellPoint.
Akili plans to go public as it prepares to market video game treatment
“We’ve proven that foundation and now it’s time to run and scale,” CEO Eddie Martucci told MedTech Dive. The company is going public through a $1 billion SPAC, rather than a traditional IPO, expected to close in mid-2022.
Amwell partners with electronics giant LG to develop digital health tools
The new partnership may be a bid to rejuvenate Amwell’s hospital revenue, which saw tepid growth last year as major health systems have delayed new hardware deployments during COVID-19.
OSHA stepping up hospital inspections for COVID-19 mitigation efforts
The agency will ramp up investigations at healthcare facilities that previously received pandemic-related citations or complaints to make sure they’re effectively prepared and able to prevent the rise of potential variants.
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.
Moderna extends patent waiver for COVID vaccine, but only for lower-income countries
Health advocates say Moderna is narrowing its pledge not to enforce patents worldwide for the duration of the pandemic, while the company argues that, in higher-income countries, vaccine supply isn’t a barrier to access anymore.
Medical groups say prior authorization burdens persisted during pandemic
A new survey of doctor practices from the Medical Group Management Association found 98% of respondents wrestled with an increased or steady level of prior authorization requirements over the past year.