POLITICAL:

The FTC recently launched a Health Privacy page to give developers of health-based apps an overview of their obligations under the Health Breach Notification Rule.

SOCIAL:

The Human Rights Campaign reports that most hospitals are doing well on its annual Healthcare Equality Index survey, intended to gauge equity for LGBTQ+ patients. Meanwhile, the American Hospital Association has launched a Health Equity Roadmap aimed at producing more equitable care and reducing structural barriers to health.

ENVIRONMENTAL:

A recent article notes that healthcare is responsible for an estimated 1 to 5 percent of all environmental impacts worldwide, symbolized by the common pandemic-era sight of a discarded surgical mask. The article recommends focusing on certain hotspots, like inhalers and the possibility of administering anesthetic gasses with oxygen rather than nitrous oxygen.

Professional Development:

Are you designing your workplace with neurodiverse employees in mind?

ECONOMIC:

The healthcare sector added 63,500 jobs in February, the largest gain since before the pandemic.

TECHNOLOGY:

A recent review on the use of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in healthcare concludes that the technology has been ‘overhyped.’ For instance, claims from five years ago that machine learning was going to outcompete radiologists in five years have not been borne out.

LEGAL:

The No Surprises Act (NSA), which was passed on January 1st, continues to ripple throughout the industry. The law works to eliminate surprise medical bills and mandates price transparency on the differences between in-network and out-of-network care.