Experts say edge computing's capacity for processing and analyzing large data sets from disparate sources nearly instantaneously will be transformative in health care. John Henderson, CIO and vice president of Children's Health of Orange County, believes edge computing could advance a project to develop diagnostic algorithms, UCHealth CIO Steve Hess notes that medical equipment like cardiac monitors already function like edge computing devices, and Geisinger CTO Mike Angelakos says patients' smartphones are also starting to function in the same capacity.

Health care organizations can improve their resilience and prevent cyberattacks by implementing risk management strategies, developing an incident response plan, requiring multifactor authentication and investing in cybersecurity tools, according to CynergisTek CEO Mac McMillan. Organizations should not underestimate third-party risks and should scrutinize business associates' cybersecurity practices before doing business with them, McMillan says.

UPMC Health Plan used a data-driven whole-person care strategy to improve health outcomes and quality of life of subscribers eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid as well as people with physical limitations who need long-term services and supports. To ensure success of a data-driven holistic care program, health care organizations must invest in technology that improves staff efficiency, take steps to boost member engagement and educate members about available community-based services, write Brendan Harris, vice president of UPMC Community HealthChoices, and Sheela Datta, chief client officer at VirtualHealth.

GE Healthcare will implement the country's first automated statewide hospital bed management tool at every hospital in Oregon starting next year. The tool, which offers hospital occupancy data in real time, is currently being used in 60 hospitals in the state and has saved $3 million in labor costs and 45,000 hours of labor by eliminating the need for manual data entry.

Reports from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and Ponemon Institute show ransomware attacks may directly affect patient safety, and some hospital IT leaders and experts fear that cyberattacks linked to patient deaths could become more common. Tejal Gandhi, Press Ganey's chief safety and transformation officer, says hospital leaders can minimize potential patient harm from cyberattacks by setting safety standards, offering resources with messaging that highlights the direct link between cybersecurity and patient safety, and creating "red rules for safety absolutes to communicate procedures that require verbatim, exact compliance."

It's important for cybersecurity teams to be on the same page with the senior management team, which is easier said than done, writes Evan Morris, who outlines ways to foster the relationship. Restrictions imposed on the organization by cybersecurity teams may cause friction, especially "if the IT department does not provide adequate information behind the policies or does not take the time to explain why it's being implemented," Morris writes.

The CMS is extending the add-on payment period through fiscal 2022 for 13 new technologies for which add-on payments would otherwise be discontinued, and the new COVID-19 treatment add-on payment period will be extended through the end of the fiscal year in which the COVID-19 public health emergency ends, writes AHIMA-approved ICD-10 trainer Susan Gatehouse. Some discontinued NCTAP add-ons may be eligible for new technology add-on payments, and accurately capturing treatments and payments is imperative, Gatehouse writes.

The FDA cleared Withings' ScanWatch electrocardiogram feature for detecting signs of atrial fibrillation and blood oxygen saturation monitor for detecting signs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder or COVID-19. The watch also has an algorithm that analyzes changes in blood oxygen levels, heart rate, movement and respiratory rate while sleeping to detect signs of sleep apnea.