Understanding your organization’s goals is critical to selecting the right platform. Whether it’s improving patient outcomes or bringing groundbreaking therapies to market, Salesforce offers the tools you need to succeed.
Essential Technologies for Value-Based Care Success As healthcare providers increasingly adopt value-based care, they must invest in the right technologies and resources to succeed in this model, which incentivizes high-quality, cost-effective care. Value-Based Care Technologies tie reimbursement to care quality, making providers accountable for patient outcomes while providing resources to enhance care. As of 2021, nearly 60% of healthcare payments were already tied to value-based models, according to the Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network (HCP LAN). While partnerships can initiate value-based care, providers must invest in the right technology to fully achieve the intended outcomes. Health Information Exchange (HIE) A robust health information exchange (HIE) is fundamental to value-based care, as it enables providers and payers to access high-quality data seamlessly. HIE allows healthcare professionals to share patients’ medical information electronically across organizations, promoting care coordination by giving providers a comprehensive view of patient needs. For patients, HIE enables more informed involvement in their care by making their health data accessible across specialists, labs, and pharmacies. While joining an HIE may involve new technology investments and workflow adjustments, it ultimately enhances provider access to critical health data. Population Health Management Tools Population health management tools help providers assess health outcomes within groups rather than focusing on individuals alone. These tools aggregate and analyze data, allowing practices to identify high-risk patients and create targeted interventions. This not only enhances health outcomes but can also reduce costs by avoiding expensive treatments. Patient engagement tools, such as telehealth and remote patient monitoring, are essential in population health management, especially for monitoring high-risk patients when in-person care is not feasible. Digital surveys integrated within patient portals can provide insights into social determinants of health, adding a broader context to patient needs. Data Analytics Data analytics transform healthcare data into actionable insights across four types: descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive. Providers can use these analytics to reduce hospital readmissions, predict diseases, and identify chronic illnesses. Data integration and risk stratification capabilities are especially valuable in value-based care, enabling providers to track patient health outcomes effectively and prioritize high-risk cases. Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning AI and machine learning support many data analytics functions, helping identify patient needs and easing administrative burdens. Given staffing shortages and burnout—reported by 63% of physicians in 2021, according to the American Medical Association (AMA)—AI can automate tasks like documentation, charting, and scheduling, allowing providers to focus more on patient care. Additionally, AI-driven automation in revenue cycle management tasks, such as billing and coding, can reduce the administrative workload associated with value-based care. Price Transparency Technology Price transparency empowers patients to seek cost-effective care, a core principle of value-based models. When providers comply with transparency regulations, patients can better understand their costs and make informed decisions. For providers, leveraging price transparency tools ensures compliance and facilitates partnerships with payers by enabling more effective negotiation, which supports the overall goals of value-based care. As healthcare continues shifting to value-based models, investing in these technologies is critical for providers aiming for long-term success. While these tools rdo equire substantial investment, they are essential for improving patient outcomes, optimizing care quality, and ensuring sustainability in value-based care. When evaluating and choosing healthcare technology tools, contact Tectonic for help. Like1 Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more
As artificial intelligence gains momentum in healthcare, it’s critical for health systems and related stakeholders to develop robust AI governance programs. AI’s potential to address challenges in administration, operations, and clinical care is drawing interest across the sector. As this technology evolves, the range of applications in healthcare will only broaden.
Beyond the 72-hour reporting requirement, which took effect on October 2, 2024, hospitals must implement key cybersecurity measures, such as multifactor authentication and a robust incident response plan, by October 2025. These regulations currently apply only to general hospitals, excluding other healthcare facilities like nursing homes and diagnostic centers.
In need of help to implement requisite configuration updates to establish a usable data model for data segmentation that supports best practices utilization of Marketing Cloud features including Contact Builder, Email Studio and Journey Builder.
Einstein Copilot for Healthcare – Salesforce has introduced a new AI-powered healthcare assistant within its CRM system, marking its latest move to expand into the healthcare industry. As AI development accelerates, tech giants like Microsoft, Google, Amazon Web Services, and Salesforce are capitalizing on the opportunity to integrate AI and cloud technologies into healthcare to streamline administrative and operational tasks. Salesforce’s healthcare-specific AI tool, Einstein Copilot, is a conversational assistant that leverages an organization’s private data to provide relevant responses. Einstein Copilot enables healthcare providers and care teams to digitally capture and summarize information from both clinical and nonclinical sources, update patient records, and automate manual workflows. Key Features of Einstein Copilot Providers can use Einstein Copilot to generate patient summaries that include medications, diagnoses, social determinants, assessments, clinical service requests, and care gaps. A care manager can also ask the assistant to find an in-network provider based on location, specialty, and insurance coverage, and auto-fill referral forms using natural language prompts. The AI assistant can also trigger workflows for tasks such as sending referrals, scheduling appointments, and updating care plans. Salesforce expects Einstein Copilot to be HIPAA-compliant by summer 2024, with Copilot: Health Actions slated for general availability in winter 2024. Digitizing Health Assessments Salesforce is adding a feature called Assessment Generation that allows healthcare organizations to digitize standardized health assessments. These can be automatically populated into Salesforce Health Cloud, filled out electronically, and tracked for progress over time. Reducing Administrative Waste Salesforce cites research from McKinsey & Co. showing that administrative costs account for nearly a quarter of U.S. healthcare spending, with a potential savings of up to $320 billion. By integrating AI and CRM tools, Salesforce aims to reduce the operational burden on healthcare providers and improve patient outcomes. Amit Khanna, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Health at Salesforce, highlighted the value of these innovations: “These new data, AI, and CRM features reduce the administrative and operational burden for healthcare providers, leading to better outcomes for patients. With Salesforce’s trusted AI, healthcare organizations excited about generative AI—but wary of clinical and security concerns—can confidently integrate these innovations into their workflows.” Early Adopters and Impact Healthcare providers including Baptist Health South Florida and HarmonyCares are already leveraging Salesforce to personalize patient interactions and create unified patient views. HarmonyCares, which operates across 14 states with over 150 primary care providers, has used Salesforce’s AI-driven field service platform to streamline patient scheduling. The company reported a 50% increase in self-scheduling efficiency since adopting the platform and plans to expand its use of Salesforce Health Cloud for care management and engagement. Kristin Darby, Chief Information Officer at HarmonyCares, emphasized the benefits of AI in healthcare: “AI will dramatically improve our ability to quickly synthesize patient needs and preferences, enabling us to offer a more personalized experience with greater accuracy.” However, the integration of AI in healthcare is not without skepticism. A recent survey revealed that 69% of individuals are uncomfortable with AI being used to diagnose them, though more than half are open to its use in nonclinical tasks like scheduling and billing. Salesforce’s Healthcare Journey Salesforce first launched Health Cloud in 2015 to help providers manage patients by aggregating data from electronic medical records, devices, and wearables. In 2022, the company expanded this offering with Customer 360 for Health, a unified platform that combines real-time data from Data Cloud, Einstein AI, and automation tools like Flow to streamline processes such as prior authorizations, intake, and patient scheduling. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more
Promising Patient Engagement Use Cases for GenAI and Chatbots Generative AI (GenAI) is showing great potential in enhancing patient engagement by easing the burden on healthcare staff and clinicians while streamlining the overall patient experience. As healthcare undergoes its digital transformation, various patient engagement applications for GenAI and chatbots are emerging as promising tools. Let’s look at Promising Patient Engagement Use Cases for GenAI and Chatbots. Key applications of GenAI and patient-facing chatbots include online symptom checkers, appointment scheduling, patient navigation, medical search engines, and even patient portal messaging. These technologies aim to alleviate staff workloads while improving the patient journey, according to some experts. However, patient-facing AI applications are not without challenges, such as the risk of generating medical misinformation or exacerbating healthcare disparities through biased algorithms. As healthcare professionals explore the potential of GenAI and chatbots for patient engagement, they must also ensure safeguards are in place to prevent the spread of inaccuracies and avoid creating health inequities. Online Symptom Checkers Online symptom checkers allow healthcare organizations to assess patients’ medical concerns without requiring an in-person visit. Patients can input their symptoms, and the AI-powered chatbot will generate a list of possible diagnoses, helping them decide whether to seek urgent care, visit the emergency department, or manage symptoms at home. These tools promise to improve both patient experience and operational efficiency by directing patients to the right care setting, thus reducing unnecessary visits. For healthcare providers, symptom checkers can help triage patients and ensure high-acuity areas are available for those needing critical care. Despite their potential, studies show mixed results regarding the diagnostic accuracy of online symptom checkers. A 2022 literature review found that diagnostic accuracy for these tools ranged from 19% to 37.9%. However, triage accuracy—referring patients to the correct care setting—was better, ranging between 48.9% and 90%. Patient reception to symptom checkers has also been varied. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, symptom checkers were designed to help patients assess whether their symptoms were virus-related. While patients appreciated the tools, they preferred chatbots that displayed human-like qualities and competence. Tools perceived as similar in quality to human interactions were favored. Furthermore, some studies indicate that online symptom checkers could deepen health inequities, as users tend to be younger, female, and more digitally literate. To mitigate this, AI developers must create chatbots that can communicate in multiple languages, mimic human interaction, and easily escalate issues to human professionals when needed. Self-Scheduling and Patient Navigation GenAI and conversational AI are proving valuable in addressing routine patient queries, like appointment scheduling and patient navigation, tasks that typically fall on healthcare staff. With a strained medical workforce, using AI for lower-level inquiries allows clinicians to focus on more complex tasks. AI-enhanced appointment scheduling systems, for example, not only help patients book visits but also answer logistical questions like parking directions or department locations within a clinic. A December 2023 literature review highlighted that AI-optimized scheduling could reduce provider workload, increase patient satisfaction, and make healthcare more patient-centered. However, key considerations for AI integration include ensuring health equity, broadband access, and patient trust. While AI can manage routine requests, healthcare organizations need to ensure their tools are accessible and functional for diverse populations. Online Medical Research GenAI tools like ChatGPT are contributing to the “Dr. Google” phenomenon, where patients search online for medical information before seeing a healthcare provider. While some clinicians have been cautious about these tools, research suggests they can effectively provide accurate medical information. For instance, an April 2023 study showed that ChatGPT answered 88% of breast cancer screening questions correctly. Another study in May 2023 demonstrated that the tool could adequately educate patients on colonoscopy preparation. In both cases, the information was presented in an easy-to-understand format, essential for improving health literacy. However, GenAI is not without flaws. Patients express concern about the reliability of AI-generated information, with a 2023 Wolters Kluwer survey showing that 49% of respondents worry about false information from GenAI. Additionally, many are uneasy about the unknown sources and validation processes behind the information. To build patient trust, AI developers must ensure the accuracy of their source material and provide supplementary authoritative resources like patient education materials. Patient Portal Messaging and Provider Communication Generative AI has also found use in patient portal messaging, where it can draft responses on behalf of healthcare providers. This feature has the potential to reduce clinician burnout by handling routine inquiries. A study conducted at Mass General Brigham in April 2024 revealed that a large language model embedded in a secure messaging tool could generate acceptable responses to patient questions. In 58% of cases, chatbot-generated messages required human editing. Promising Patient Engagement Use Cases for GenAI and Chatbots Interestingly, other research has found that AI-generated responses in patient portals are often more empathetic than those written by overworked healthcare providers. Nevertheless, AI responses should always be reviewed by a clinician to ensure accuracy before being sent to patients. Generative AI is also making strides in clinical decision support and ambient documentation, further boosting healthcare efficiency. However, as healthcare organizations adopt these technologies, they must address concerns around algorithmic bias and ensure patient safety remains a top priority. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more Top Ten Reasons Why Tectonic Loves the Cloud The Cloud is Good for Everyone – Why Tectonic loves the cloud You don’t need to worry about tracking licenses. Read more
Challenges of EHR Implementation and How to Overcome Them Implementing an electronic health record (EHR) system is a monumental task, with complexities that require careful planning and execution. Common challenges—such as resistance to change, data migration hurdles, cost overruns, cybersecurity risks, and patient engagement issues—can impede progress. However, understanding these obstacles and applying targeted strategies can pave the way for a smooth transition. 1. Resistance to Change The adoption of a new EHR system affects nearly every workflow in a healthcare organization, often sparking resistance among staff. Fear of change and attachment to familiar processes can hinder implementation. Solution: 2. Data Migration Issues Accurate migration of patient health records is critical, yet transitioning data between systems often presents technical and logistical challenges. Solution: 3. Cost Overruns EHR implementation costs can quickly escalate, extending beyond software and hardware expenses to include consulting fees, training, and operational adjustments. Solution: 4. Heightened Cybersecurity Risks Transitioning sensitive patient data between EHR systems increases vulnerability to breaches, ransomware, and other cybersecurity threats. Solution: 5. Patient Engagement Challenges Patients are often overlooked during EHR transitions, leading to confusion about changes in medication requests, appointment scheduling, and other interactions. Solution: Conclusion EHR implementation is undoubtedly challenging, but with proactive strategies, healthcare organizations can navigate these complexities effectively. By addressing resistance to change, ensuring seamless data migration, managing costs, bolstering cybersecurity, and engaging patients, organizations can achieve a successful EHR transition that enhances workflows, safeguards data, and improves patient outcomes. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more
Case Study: Salesforce Advanced Forcsting and Streamline Operations Yields Big Change and Bigger Results
The Healthcare Industry’s Digital Transformation: An Opportunity Unveiled – Salesforce Healthcare and AI Historically, the healthcare sector has lagged behind in technology adoption, particularly software. It consistently invests less in IT and software compared to other industries, relying heavily on manual processes and outdated tools like faxes and phone calls. Unlike other sectors where platforms like Salesforce, Slack, JIRA, and Notion dominate, healthcare has yet to see similar technological integration. Salesforce Healthcare and AI Future While this low adoption of software has previously been seen as a drawback, it now presents a significant opportunity. Unlike industries burdened by extensive investments in legacy systems, healthcare is not encumbered by sunk costs. This freedom allows it to embrace cutting-edge AI innovations without the hesitation of overhauling existing, expensive software infrastructures. Addressing the Staffing Crisis The healthcare industry is grappling with a severe staffing crisis, with a shortfall of over 100,000 doctors and nurses projected over the next five years. The increasing complexity of medical care, driven by advancements in diagnostics, continuous monitoring, and new treatments, contributes to an overwhelming amount of information for clinicians. To manage this, healthcare requires new tools capable of processing complex data in real-time to support critical decisions for an aging population with more complex health needs. The most valuable asset in healthcare is clinical judgment, which is currently exclusive to human practitioners. A major challenge is to extend this clinical judgment beyond the existing workforce and physical locations, making it accessible to all who need it. Additionally, ensuring that every clinician performs at the highest level is crucial. The Role of Administrative and Clinical AI Administrative AI is essential for reducing the overhead of healthcare delivery, allowing for better resource management and efficiency. Clinical AI products, though challenging to develop due to their high-stakes nature, are uniquely positioned to address these needs. They must integrate seamlessly into existing environments, adding a layer of sophistication to healthcare processes. Regulatory Advantages for Clinical AI One of healthcare’s advantages in adopting AI is its well-established regulatory framework. The FDA has approved numerous clinical AI products and is developing processes to keep pace with advancements in machine learning and generative AI. This rigorous approval process ensures that only the most reliable and clinically sound products make it to market, creating a higher barrier to entry but also a stronger competitive advantage for those that succeed. The Scale of Opportunity The healthcare industry is a massive $4 trillion+ market, predominantly driven by human labor rather than technology. Historically, enterprise software companies have struggled to penetrate this sector, as IT budgets represent just 3.5% of revenue—less than half of that in financial services. However, with AI tools advancing rapidly, they are increasingly seen as “AI staff” rather than mere software. This shift opens up opportunities not just in software but in transforming service delivery, potentially disrupting a market valued in trillions rather than billions. The scale of this opportunity far exceeds past software ventures, as reflected in the significant capital and valuations flowing into AI-driven healthcare companies. Whether you’re launching a new clinic, developing infrastructure for the healthcare system, or creating innovative payment or insurance models, now is an unprecedented time to enter the healthcare space. The transformative power of AI is poised to redefine how healthcare companies are built, scaled, and brought to market. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more
Independent Publisher of Evidence-Based Guidance Integrates with Salesforce Health Cloud to Enhance Chronic Disease Care SEATTLE, Aug. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — MCG Health, a member of the Hearst Health network and a leader in evidence-based clinical guidance, announces a new integration with Salesforce Health Cloud. This partnership aims to improve the management of patients with chronic conditions and those transitioning to different care settings, such as ambulatory care, recovery facilities, or home care. The integration combines Salesforce Health Cloud, the leading AI-powered CRM, with MCG Health’s trusted, evidence-based guidelines to support better patient outcomes. “This integration deepens our collaboration with MCG and delivers greater return on investment for our Health Cloud customers by emphasizing patient-focused and evidence-based disease management,” said Amit Khanna, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Health at Salesforce. Enhanced Care Planning with Salesforce Health Cloud Salesforce Health Cloud’s Integrated Care Management (ICM) feature now incorporates MCG Health’s industry-leading, evidence-based guidelines for Chronic Care and Transitions of Care. This interactive integration simplifies and optimizes care planning for patients’ post-acute journeys. The solution includes tools for identifying patient needs related to social determinants of health (SDOH) and offers branching logic tailored to individual patient situations. This enhancement significantly reduces administrative burdens for hospital and health plan staff while supporting evidence-based care management for populations with chronic conditions and those needing transition management. Additionally, patient education materials from MCG Health can now be easily distributed from within Salesforce Health Cloud, providing patients with enhanced information on their diagnosis and treatment. “MCG’s collaboration with Salesforce Health Cloud provides a powerful, evidence-based tool for managing chronic disease,” said Jon Shreve, President and CEO of MCG Health. “Through this new integration, we can help Salesforce’s healthcare customers streamline their care planning and disease management programs. This solution enhances hospitals’ and health plans’ ability to adhere to evidence-based practices, improving clinical workflows and benefiting both healthcare organizations and, most importantly, patients.” A Strategic Partnership for Better Patient Outcomes “Salesforce is excited to partner with MCG to integrate their trusted, evidence-based guidance into Health Cloud, advancing the care of patients with chronic and complex diseases,” said Amit Khanna, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Health at Salesforce. “This integration strengthens our ongoing collaboration with MCG and delivers more value to our Health Cloud customers by focusing on patient-centered and evidence-based disease management.” Interested parties can request a demo from MCG via this link: Schedule a Demo. About MCG Health MCG Health, part of the Hearst Health network, provides unbiased clinical guidance that empowers healthcare organizations to deliver patient-centered care with confidence. MCG’s AI-driven technology, combined with clinical expertise, enables clients to prioritize and simplify their work. MCG’s world-class customer service ensures clients maximize the benefits of MCG solutions, resulting in improved clinical and financial outcomes. For more information, visit MCG Health. Salesforce, Health Cloud, and related marks are trademarks of Salesforce, Inc. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more
MCG Health Integrates with Salesforce Health Cloud to Enhance Chronic Care Management SEATTLE, Aug. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — MCG Health, a leading provider of technology-enabled, evidence-based guidance and a member of the Hearst Health network, has announced a new integration with Salesforce Health Cloud. This integration is designed to improve the management of patients with chronic conditions and those transitioning between different care settings, such as ambulatory care, recovery facilities, or home care. By combining the #1 AI-driven customer relationship management (CRM) platform with the healthcare industry’s most trusted evidence-based guidance, this partnership aims to streamline and enhance patient care. Salesforce Health Cloud’s Integrated Care Management (ICM) feature now incorporates MCG’s Chronic Care and Transitions of Care guidelines in an interactive format. This powerful combination of technology and clinical decision support optimizes and simplifies care planning for patients as they move through their post-acute journey. The integration offers tools to identify patient needs related to social determinants of health (SDOH) and includes branching logic to accommodate individual patient situations. This innovation is expected to significantly reduce administrative burdens for hospitals and health plan staff while promoting evidence-based care management for patients with chronic conditions and those requiring transition management. Additionally, patient education materials from MCG Health can now be easily sent to patients directly from within Salesforce Health Cloud, enhancing their understanding of diagnoses and treatment options. “This integration further enhances our ongoing collaboration with MCG and brings greater return-on-investment to our Health Cloud customers by focusing on delivering patient-centered and evidence-based disease management,” said Amit Khanna, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Health at Salesforce. Jon Shreve, President and CEO of MCG, added, “Our collaboration with Salesforce Health Cloud introduces a powerful, evidence-based tool for managing chronic disease. This integration allows MCG to assist Salesforce’s healthcare customers in streamlining their care planning and disease management programs. The solution not only improves adherence to evidence-based practices but also enhances clinical workflows, benefiting healthcare organizations and, most importantly, the patients.” Amit Khanna of Salesforce reiterated, “We are excited to integrate MCG’s trusted, evidence-based guidance into Health Cloud, further advancing the care of patients with chronic and complex diseases. This integration enhances our existing work with MCG, providing more value to our Health Cloud customers by emphasizing patient-focused, evidence-based disease management.” Those interested in learning more about this integration can request a demo from MCG at this link. About MCG HealthMCG, part of the Hearst Health network, offers unbiased clinical guidance that empowers healthcare organizations to deliver patient-centered care with confidence. By combining artificial intelligence and technology with clinical expertise, MCG helps clients prioritize and simplify their work, leading to improved clinical and financial outcomes. MCG also provides world-class customer service, ensuring that clients fully benefit from their solutions. For more information, visit MCG Health. About Hearst HealthHearst Health’s mission is to guide critical care moments by delivering essential information to everyone involved in a patient’s health journey. Hearst Health’s care guidance impacts the majority of people in the U.S. and includes a network of companies such as FDB (First Databank), Zynx Health, MCG, Homecare Homebase, and MHK (formerly MedHOK). Hearst also holds a minority stake in Aster Insights, a precision medicine and oncology analytics company. Follow Hearst Health on X @HearstHealth and LinkedIn @Hearst-Health. Like Related Posts Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more Salesforce Government Cloud: Ensuring Compliance and Security Salesforce Government Cloud public sector solutions offer dedicated instances known as Government Cloud Plus and Government Cloud Plus – Defense. Read more PII Explained Personal Identifiable Information (PII) is defined as: Any representation of information that permits the identity of an individual to whom Read more Case Study: Health Payer/Provider Onboarding/Network Growth After doing their initial Sales Cloud implementation and SAP integration over 12 years ago, this company was only leveraging Salesforce Read more
As of 2022, 96% of hospitals were involved in some form of electronic public health data exchange, according to a blog post by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). Yet Barriers to Healthcare Data Exchange Despite this high engagement, barriers to effective data exchange remain. About three-quarters of hospitals reported facing at least one obstacle to public health reporting. The most frequent challenge was the perception that public health authorities (PHAs) could not receive information electronically. Additionally, hospitals cited technical complexities and exchange costs as significant barriers. ONC data also revealed lower rates of electronic public health reporting among small, rural, independent, and critical access hospitals. Similarly, office-based physicians encounter difficulties in public health data exchange due to limited EHR integration. The 2022 National Physician Health IT Survey indicated that less than half of primary care physicians (41%) used their EHR systems to access immunization data from outside their organizations. Several initiatives are underway to address these public health reporting challenges and improve interoperability between healthcare providers and PHAs: Additionally, a proposed rule from ONC seeks to enhance public health data exchange further. The Health Data, Technology, and Interoperability: Certification Program Updates, Algorithm Transparency, and Information Sharing (HTI-2) proposed rule builds on existing certification criteria by: According to the ONC blog, “Together, these efforts will help address persistent challenges to public health data sharing by investing in public health infrastructure, establishing a governing approach for nationwide health information exchange, and advancing standards to support seamless electronic exchange.” Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more
The Change Healthcare cyberattack was a significant incident with widespread ramifications across the healthcare industry, with effects that are likely to persist for months or even longer. Standards in Healthcare Cybersecurity will change as a result. Since the ransomware attack on UnitedHealth Group’s (UHG) subsidiary, Change Healthcare, providers have faced financial and operational challenges due to disruptions in claims processing and other essential services. Change Healthcare, which processes 15 billion transactions annually and interacts with one in every three patient records in the U.S., is undergoing a complex and lengthy recovery process, with long-term implications for the industry. The attack was first reported on February 21st when Optum, another UHG subsidiary, alerted customers about the unavailability of some applications due to a cybersecurity issue. It was later confirmed that the BlackCat ransomware gang was responsible for the attack, which led to a $22 million ransom payment by UHG. The scale of the attack caused significant operational disruptions across the healthcare system, affecting entities ranging from large pharmacy chains to small, independently owned practices. In the weeks following the attack, UHG began restoring services, but the recovery process remains ongoing. UHG CEO Andrew Witty testified before Congress that the cybercriminals had gained access to Change Healthcare systems nine days before deploying the ransomware, using compromised credentials to access a Citrix portal without multi-factor authentication. The decision to pay the ransom was described as one of the hardest Witty has ever had to make. The incident has highlighted the vulnerabilities in healthcare cybersecurity, particularly for large organizations like UHG that handle vast amounts of sensitive data. It has also fueled the debate over whether ransomware payments should be made illegal, with arguments on both sides regarding the implications for victims and the broader cybersecurity landscape. The attack has prompted a strong response from industry groups and the federal government. The American Hospital Association (AHA) and the American Medical Association (AMA) have been vocal about the impact on providers, with the AHA calling it “the most significant and consequential cyberattack on the U.S. healthcare system in American history.” The federal government, through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has provided guidance to Medicare providers and launched a formal investigation into the breach. As the healthcare industry continues to recover, the long-term impacts of the Change Healthcare cyberattack are expected to shape future cybersecurity strategies. The incident has underscored the importance of robust third-party risk management, the implementation of security measures like multi-factor authentication, and the potential need for more stringent regulatory standards in healthcare cybersecurity. The full extent of the breach, including the number of individuals affected, remains to be seen, but it is already clear that this event will have lasting repercussions for the industry. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more Top Ten Reasons Why Tectonic Loves the Cloud The Cloud is Good for Everyone – Why Tectonic loves the cloud You don’t need to worry about tracking licenses. Read more
Empower Your Healthcare Team with Salesforce Health Cloud Equip your healthcare team with comprehensive 360-degree views that help connect and engage every patient, member, employee, and partner. Explore Salesforce Health Cloud Explore Health Cloud Understanding the capabilities of this platform is the first step to transforming your organization’s patient management. Let’s explore what Health Cloud offers to various types of healthcare organizations. Introducing Salesforce Health Cloud: A CRM Solution for Patient Management Over 600 companies, including industry leaders like Lilly, Pacific Clinics, United Healthcare, Progyny, Stanley Healthcare, and Humana, trust Salesforce Health Cloud for their patient management needs. As the healthcare industry rapidly evolves, effective patient information management is essential. This insight looks into Salesforce Health Cloud’s capabilities, features, integration options, and benefits, including its security architecture. What is Health Cloud? Salesforce Health Cloud is a cloud-based technology designed specifically for the healthcare industry. It centralizes patient information, giving healthcare professionals a complete view of patient records, enabling more effective treatments and better patient care. Key Capabilities of Salesforce Health Cloud Salesforce Health Cloud is a robust platform offering key capabilities such as: Salesforce in the Healthcare Industry Salesforce is increasingly popular among healthcare organizations for several reasons: Salesforce Health Platform Features Salesforce Health Cloud offers three main sets of features: Salesforce Health Cloud Architecture The architecture of Salesforce Health Cloud includes: Salesforce Health Cloud Security Salesforce Health Cloud is designed to securely manage healthcare data, featuring: Revolutionizing Healthcare Delivery with Salesforce Health Cloud Salesforce Health Cloud is designed for healthcare organizations to automate processes and provide personalized patient care. Since its launch in 2016, Health Cloud has evolved to address the complexities of the healthcare industry, including the introduction of Customer 360 for Health, an AI-driven healthcare solution. Why Choose Salesforce Health Cloud? Salesforce Health Cloud connects healthcare teams to ensure that patients receive the right care, supported by multi-layered security to protect sensitive patient data. It integrates clinical and non-clinical patient data, streamlining workflows and enhancing patient satisfaction. Top Features of Salesforce Health Cloud Key features include Patient 360, Care Plans, Care Coordination, Health Timeline, and Einstein Analytics for Healthcare, among others. Salesforce has also introduced AI-powered innovations under the Patient 360 for Health initiative, enhancing patient care and operational efficiency. Integration with MuleSoft Salesforce Health Cloud’s integration with MuleSoft allows organizations to connect with existing healthcare systems, ensuring accurate and up-to-date patient information, unlocking the full potential of their data, and improving decision-making. Conclusion Salesforce Health Cloud is more than just a platform—it’s a comprehensive solution for managing doctor-patient interactions, recordkeeping, and delivering personalized care. By leveraging Health Cloud, healthcare organizations can transform patient experiences, streamline processes, and ensure data security and compliance, positioning themselves for a brighter future in healthcare. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more
