Digital Health Space

The digital health space refers to the integration of technology and health care services to improve the overall quality of health care delivery. It encompasses a wide range of innovative and emerging technologies such as wearables, telehealth, artificial intelligence, mobile health, and electronic health records (EHRs). The digital health space offers numerous benefits such as improved patient outcomes, increased access to health care, reduced costs, and improved communication and collaboration between patients and health care providers. For example, patients can now monitor their vital signs such as blood pressure and glucose levels from home using wearable devices and share the data with their doctors in real-time. Telehealth technology allows patients to consult with their health care providers remotely without having to travel to the hospital, making health care more accessible, particularly in remote or rural areas. Artificial intelligence can be used to analyze vast amounts of patient data to identify patterns, predict outcomes, and provide personalized treatment recommendations. Overall, the digital health space is rapidly evolving, and the integration of technology in health

Monday, November 13, 2023

The Tsunami of Artificial Intelligence

There are those who predict that A.I. will revolutionize the digital world. Progress has been evident with the discovery of electricity....radio, television, transistors, microprocessors, computer language, affordable computers, smartphones, and now artificial intelligence.

The development of LLM built upon all of its predecessors. Today computer coding is taught in elementary schools much like the alphabet and reading. Machine language has become essential.

Health care is not immune to this evolution but has been a key factor in stimulating new tools to discover the human genome, precision medicine, and much more.

Our research into Artificial Intelligence discovers these coming attractions in Product Hunt

The list is somewhat overwhelmoing. By clicking above on the blue tab you can sign up to be notified when these products become available.

Monday, November 6, 2023

Cybersecurity Transformation in Healthcare

Despite advances in Health IT. cybersecurity health data provides a rich source of data for sale on the dark web.

Cybersecurity in Health Care

Imagine sitting in an exam room at a hospital, waiting to find out the result of an important test, but your doctor can’t access it because the electronic medical records system has been corrupted with malware. It’s a nightmarish scenario.

Imagine this scenario

Optum Medical Group in New York hit by cyberattack. Crystal Run Healthcare in Middletown, N.Y., told patients to expect longer wait times than usual amid a system interruption affecting some services, according to the medical group's website.

"We are working diligently to resolve these issues," the medical group wrote on its website Nov. 3. The announcement was still on the website on Nov. 6 and recommended patients call 911 with an emergency.

Norton Healthcare still feeling the effects of cyber events. In May, hackers targeting Louisville, Ky.-based Norton Healthcare posted personal health information on the dark web; local news outlet WDRB reported on Nov. 6 that the health system is still dealing with the fallout. The hacking group BlackCat claimed responsibility for the event and included Social Security numbers, birth dates, credit card numbers, and patients' medical history. A Norton employee told the local news outlet that several credit cards had been fraudulently opened in her name. Employees said that while internal systems are functioning, there has been some backlog.

Data breach affects 1.2 million patients at Illinois system. Millions of patients at Chicago-based Cook County Health could have had their protected health information stolen as the health system's former medical transportation services firm, Perry Johnson & Associates, suffered a data breach, CBS News reported Nov. 3. Upon learning of this, Cook County Health ended its contract with the company and ceased data sharing. On Oct. 9, Perry Johnson & Associates told Cook County Health that 1.2 million of its patients had protected health information compromised as a result of the incident. The following patient information may have been exposed in the breach — names, birthdates, addresses, medical record numbers, encounter numbers, medical details, and dates and times of service. Additionally, the records of approximately 2,600 patients may have included Social Security numbers.

Advocate Aurora pixel settlement. People who used the health systems' websites, LiveWell app, or MyChart patient portal between Oct. 24, 2017, and Oct. 22, 2022, may be able to claim up to $50 each, according to the settlement website. The deadline to apply is Jan. 18. The health systems agreed to the settlement in August as part of a class-action lawsuit claiming those digital tools were embedded with "pixels," or consumer-behavior trackers, that sent their personal and medical information to third-party tech companies. The health system, dually headquartered in Downers Grove, Ill., and Milwaukee, said it implemented the tracking tools to better understand patient behaviors but that the data may have been sent to Google or Facebook parent company Meta.

Pixels and third-party tracking tools can be used to thwart cyber-security safeguards.

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

The Revolutionary Impact of AI on the Metaverse

Regardless of your interest or niche, the onslaught of new technology is mind-boggling.

by Mitch Jackson esq

Have you ever paused to consider the powerful force that is reshaping the world we live in? A force that combines the virtual and the real, propelling us into a new dimension of existence – the metaverse. With AI at the helm, the metaverse isn't just an abstract concept, it's a reality that's growing by the minute, and it's set to redefine how we live and conduct business.

But don't just take my word for it; the numbers speak for themselves. According to Gartner Research, by 2026, which is merely three years away, a quarter of the global population will be spending at least an hour daily in the metaverse. And if that's not enough to make you sit up and take notice, Grand View Research and others project that the global metaverse market will balloon to over $900 billion by 2030.

The fusion of AI and the metaverse has opened the doors to a new realm of possibilities, prompting companies from various sectors to delve into the potential that this virtual world holds. So, what does all this mean for you? It means that whether you're a business owner, a student, or simply an individual curious about the future, it's time to take action.

Five Ways AI Will Transform the Metaverse

How will AI revolutionize the metaverse to change history? Let's explore five key areas where AI is set to transform the virtual landscape, creating an immersive, safe, and inclusive world that caters to the unique needs and desires of each individual.

#1: Customized Virtual Realms

Have you ever dreamed of a world created just for you? AI is here to turn that dream into reality. Through meticulous analysis of user data, AI algorithms can shape virtual environments to align perfectly with your interests and needs. The result? A tailored metaverse that boosts user satisfaction and engagement, providing you with an experience that feels like it was made just for you.

#2: Intelligent Virtual Companions

Picture this: virtual worlds filled with smart assistants that not only help you navigate the metaverse but also engage in realistic, human-like conversations. These intelligent entities add depth and realism to the virtual environment, making your experience more immersive and interactive. Have you ever imagined having a personal guide in the virtual world? AI makes it possible.

#3: Creative World Shapers

Do you have a vision for your own virtual space, objects, or characters? AI is your perfect partner in crime. Through a simple tap or swipe of your hand in the air, or more traditional text or voice command, these powerful tools assist users in bringing their creative visions to life, democratizing the process of world-building. By automating complex tasks and offering creative suggestions, AI empowers more people to contribute to the metaverse, expanding this virtual universe in exciting new ways.

#4: Guardians of the Virtual Realm

What if we could ensure that the metaverse is a safe and respectful environment for everyone? Enter AI, the guardian of the virtual realm. By monitoring user interactions, pinpointing harmful content, and enforcing community guidelines, AI acts as a shield, protecting users and fostering positive social interactions. It's time to say goodbye to harmful behavior and hello to a welcoming, safe virtual space.

#5: Breaking Down Barriers

Ever wished you could connect with people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds in the metaverse? AI is here to grant your wish. Technologies such as natural language processing, speech recognition, and real-time translation break down language barriers, making the metaverse a melting pot of cultures and languages. This inclusivity is vital to fostering a global community where everyone has the chance to learn, connect, and collaborate.

Ease of Use

Have you ever thought about how awkward it is to wear a hefty headset just to experience the metaverse? It's like putting on a helmet before diving into a virtual world. But what if I told you that, soon, because of advancements in technology powered by AI, all you will need are light-as-a-feather glasses, or even better, contact lenses, to leap into the vast ocean of the metaverse?

Think about it. These aren't just ordinary glasses or contacts. They are equipped with the magic of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) to transport you to the metaverse—a place where you can explore, learn, and connect in ways that were once just figments of our imagination.

But here's the catch: these futuristic gadgets have the power to monitor your physical cues. How does that work? They collect data from your body and eye movements, heart rate, facial expressions, and even your sweat! This data is then processed by AI algorithms to influence how you interact with the metaverse. It sounds like science fiction, but it's closer to reality than you think.

Privacy Protection. REMEMBER HIPAA

Now, you might be wondering, "What happens to all that data?" Great question! This information can be used in various ways. For example, it can be analyzed to improve your experience in the metaverse, making it more immersive and tailored to your preferences. But here's where things get tricky. This data can also be utilized in the real world to make money. Companies can use it to create targeted advertising, influencing what you buy and how you live your life.

So, what can we do about it? First, we need to be aware of the potential risks and benefits. Second, we must demand transparency from companies that create these devices.

AI will allow all of the above to happen better and faster. Consumer expectations will require platforms to clearly offer protective solutions powered by new AI safety bots.

Whether you are a patient, provider or business your private data must be protected by any metaverse or AI application.

Friday, September 22, 2023

Flurry of AI, Partnerships, ChatGPT and HealthCare

The recent public announcement of ChatGPT catalyzed hundreds of new applications for electronic health records. Now well-established for more than twenty years this technology is maturing. The expectation is to streamline the use of electronic health records to include many use cases.

EPIC, a world-class enterprise EHR solution has announced a plethora of add-ons.

A flurry of AI, Partnerships, and New Features Announced at Epic

Sprinkled through Faulkner’s opening address were several announcements related to generative AI, the technology that has captivated the world. Epic has or will deploy generative AI capabilities in the following areas:

In-Baskets. AI will generate drafts of responses to in-basket items for clinicians so instead of having to hand-craft responses from scratch, they can simply modify what the AI creates. Early response has been positive with some patients commenting how the generated responses are more empathetic than prior communications.

Ambient Clinical Notes. Powered by Microsoft/Nuance’s DAX solution.

This use of AI eliminates the task of recording and transcribing clinical notes, a key cause of physician burnout

Explaining Medical Bills. An AI-powered chatbot will be available in the future through Epic’s Hello World platform that will help explain complex medical bills to patients.

Note Summaries. For both clinicians and researchers, AI will be used to create summaries of notes.

Coding and Billing. AI will be used to make suggestions to coders based on what it finds in the medical record.

Rare Disease research. AI embedded within Epic will one day be able to more quickly identify patients who have similar symptoms and other characteristics which will accelerate research of rare diseases.

Additional partnerships were also announced. Epic’s new partnership program, dubbed “Showroom”

Within Showroom are four distinct partnership categories (note: not levels) for third-party vendors:

Pals for companies with new products in new key areas (read: companies with promising technologies in areas where Epic does not currently have a solution). There are currently two companies in this category. Abridge offers generative AI for clinical documentation and was the first company named to the “Pals” category. Talkdesk, makers of a contact-center-as-a-service platform is the other company.

Partners for established market leaders in specific areas. Nuance is a company in this category. They have been working to integrate their ambient clinical voice solution, DAX, with Epic for a number of years. PressGaney is also in this category as a solution provider for consumer satisfaction surveys.

Cornerstone Partners for products Epic uses in key ways in their software. Two long-time Epic partners are in this category – InterSystems and Microsoft

Most physicians will enthusiastically adopt these additions to their toolbox.

Flurry of AI, Partnerships, and New Features Announced at Epic UGM | Healthcare IT Today