Healthcare Data Archives - gettectonic.com
HIPAA
21Jan

Salesforce HIPAA Compliance

Compliance plays a critical role in managing sensitive information, especially under regulations like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Salesforce HIPAA Compliance. Enacted in 1996, HIPAA establishes national standards for safeguarding sensitive health information. Organizations and individuals who store, manage, or transmit healthcare data are subject to these regulations, which prioritize the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of patient information. While Salesforce provides tools to support HIPAA compliance, the responsibility for ensuring compliance ultimately lies with the data-processing organization or individual—not solely the platform itself. This insight explores Salesforce’s role in HIPAA compliance, key features for safeguarding electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI), and best practices for adhering to regulatory requirements. Understanding HIPAA Salesforce’s flexibility as a CRM platform allows it to serve industries that require HIPAA compliance, particularly healthcare and life sciences. At its core, HIPAA protects Protected Health Information (PHI)—any patient-identifiable information in medical records. PHI extends beyond traditional medical data to include names, addresses, birth dates, Social Security numbers, and more. When PHI is managed or transmitted electronically, it’s classified as electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI), which is subject to additional safeguards. Entities Covered by HIPAA HIPAA applies to several types of entities: While Salesforce is classified as a Business Associate, organizations using the platform remain responsible for adhering to HIPAA’s security requirements. Salesforce and the Business Associate Agreement (BAA) As a Business Associate, Salesforce must enter into a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with healthcare organizations and other Covered Entities to define responsibilities and security measures for handling ePHI. The BAA outlines the Salesforce features and services eligible for HIPAA compliance. Notably: Without a signed BAA, organizations face significant penalties for HIPAA violations, even in the absence of a data breach. HIPAA-Compliant Salesforce Solutions Salesforce offers various solutions and features to support HIPAA compliance. These are categorized into platform security measures and specific compliant services: Key Security Features HIPAA-Compliant Services It’s important to note that not all Salesforce features are HIPAA-compliant, and proper configuration is critical to ensure compliance. Restrictions and Challenges While Salesforce offers robust security tools, some limitations and risks exist: Additionally, some Salesforce services, like certain social or mobile features in Health Cloud, are not compliant by default and require explicit mention in the BAA to be used with ePHI. Best Practices for HIPAA Compliance To maximize HIPAA compliance with Salesforce, organizations should: HIPAA Compliance Checklist Here’s a concise checklist to guide your HIPAA compliance efforts: Leveraging Third-Party Tools Solutions like GRAX can enhance HIPAA compliance in Salesforce by adding capabilities such as data backup, archiving, and recovery. GRAX’s security features include: However, integrating third-party solutions requires careful vetting to avoid compliance risks. Salesforce HIPAA Compliance Salesforce is a powerful tool for healthcare organizations, but achieving HIPAA compliance requires understanding its capabilities and limitations. A well-configured Salesforce environment, combined with diligent user management and third-party tools, can help organizations meet regulatory requirements while safeguarding patient data. By embracing best practices and staying informed about shared responsibilities, organizations can ensure HIPAA compliance, avoid penalties, and build trust with patients and stakeholders. 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

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January 21, 2025in Data, Hyperforce, Salesforce, Salesforce Health Cloud, Salesforce Shield0 Comments
AI-Powered Smarter Media
23Dec

AI Transforming Precision Medicine

How AI-Driven Data Curation is Transforming Precision Medicine Precision medicine—a healthcare approach that personalizes disease prevention and treatment based on insights into a patient’s genes, environment, and behavior—holds incredible promise. However, its success depends on high-quality, curated data from sources like electronic health records (EHRs). This reliance creates significant challenges for healthcare providers and researchers. Can artificial intelligence (AI) help address these hurdles? AI-enabled data curation is already making strides in advancing precision medicine, particularly in oncology. By analyzing vast datasets, including structured and unstructured information, AI is helping healthcare organizations accelerate research and improve patient outcomes. Data Curation Challenges in Precision Medicine Real-world data (RWD) is a key driver of precision medicine, but processing this data is fraught with challenges. According to Dr. C.K. Wang, Chief Medical Officer at COTA, Inc., EHRs provide unprecedented access to detailed patient information, enabling deeper insights into care patterns. However, much of this data resides in unstructured formats, such as clinicians’ notes, making it difficult to extract and analyze. “To transform this unstructured data into actionable insights, significant human expertise and resources are required,” Wang explained. While AI tools like COTA’s CAILIN, which uses advanced search capabilities, streamline this process, human involvement remains essential. Wang emphasized that even with the rapid advancements in AI, healthcare data curation requires expert oversight to ensure quality and reliability. “The adage ‘junk in, junk out’ applies here—without high-quality training data, AI cannot generate meaningful insights,” he noted. PHI and COTA: A Collaborative Approach to AI-Driven Curation To overcome these challenges, Precision Health Informatics (PHI), a subsidiary of Texas Oncology, partnered with COTA to enhance their data curation capabilities. The collaboration aims to integrate structured and unstructured data, including clinician notes and patient-reported outcomes, into a unified resource for precision medicine. PHI’s database, which represents 1.6 million patient journeys, provides a rich resource for hypothesis-driven studies and clinical trial enrichment. However, much of this data was siloed or unstructured, requiring advanced tools and expert intervention. Lori Brisbin, Chief Operating Officer at PHI, highlighted the importance of partnering with a data analytics leader. “COTA’s strong clinical knowledge in oncology allowed them to identify data gaps and recommend improvements,” she said. This partnership is yielding significant results, including a high data attrition rate of 87%—far surpassing the industry average of 50% for similar projects. The Role of AI in Cancer Care AI tools like CAILIN are helping PHI and COTA refine data curation processes by: Brisbin likened the role of AI to sorting images: “If you’re looking for German shepherds, AI will narrow the search but might include similar images, like wolves or huskies. Experts are still needed to validate and refine the results.” Building the Foundation for Better Outcomes The integration of high-quality RWD into analytics efforts is reshaping precision medicine. While clinical trial data offers valuable insights, it often lacks the variability seen in real-world scenarios. Adding RWD to these datasets helps expand the scope of research and ensure broader applicability. For instance, cancer care guidelines developed with RWD can account for diverse patient populations and treatment approaches. COTA’s work with PHI underscores the value of collaborative data curation, with AI streamlining processes and human experts ensuring accuracy. The Future of AI in Precision Medicine As healthcare organizations invest in data-driven innovation, AI will play an increasingly pivotal role in enabling precision medicine. However, challenges remain. Wang noted that gaps in EHR data, such as missing survival metrics, can undermine oncological outcomes research. Advances in interoperability and external data sources will be key to addressing these issues. “The foundation of our partnership is built on leveraging data insights to enhance care quality and improve operational efficiency,” Wang said. Through AI-powered tools and meaningful partnerships, precision medicine is poised to deliver transformative results, empowering providers to offer tailored treatments that improve patient outcomes at scale. 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 Alphabet Soup of Cloud Terminology As with any technology, the cloud brings its own alphabet soup of terms. This insight will hopefully help you navigate Read more

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December 23, 2024in AI Tools, Artificial Intelligence, Data0 Comments
Value-Based Care Technologies
22Nov

Value-Based Care Technologies

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

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November 22, 2024in AI Tools, Artificial Intelligence, Data, Life Sciences Cloud, Salesforce, Salesforce Development Services, Salesforce Foundations, Salesforce Health and Life Sciences Solutions, Salesforce Health Cloud, Salesforce Implementation Services, Salesforce Optimization, Technology
Bipartisan BIOSECURE Act
17Sep

Bipartisan BIOSECURE Act

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the bipartisan BIOSECURE Act, targeting Chinese biotech firms such as WuXi AppTec and WuXi Biologics as national security risks. The legislation restricts American companies from partnering with these firms, potentially disrupting the drug supply chain. Bipartisan SupportThe bill passed with a strong majority of 306-81, garnering support from 111 Democrats. Representative James Comer (R-Ky.) highlighted the bill’s goal to “protect U.S. taxpayer dollars from flowing to biotechnology companies that are owned, operated, or controlled by China or other foreign adversaries.” He emphasized the importance of safeguarding sensitive healthcare data from foreign influence before these companies become more entrenched in the U.S. economy. National Security ConcernsRep. Comer and other supporters, including Representatives John Moolenaar (R-Mich.) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), underscored the bill’s significance for national security and the integrity of the U.S. healthcare system. Senate ProspectsThe Bipartisan BIOSECURE Act now moves to the Senate, where it is anticipated to receive robust bipartisan support. A similar measure previously passed the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs with overwhelming approval, suggesting a favorable outcome in the full Senate. Key ProvisionsIntroduced in January 2024, the Act prohibits U.S. biopharma companies from working with certain Chinese contractors. Currently, five companies, including WuXi AppTec and WuXi Biologics, are blacklisted. An amendment allows existing contracts to remain in effect until January 1, 2032, offering some flexibility for ongoing projects. Industry ImpactAnalysts caution that the Act could disrupt the U.S. drug supply and impede clinical trials, adding strain to an already pressured supply chain. Jaxon Tan and Ivy Yang, in a BioSpace opinion piece, warned that these restrictions might significantly affect industry progress and innovation. Domestic Manufacturing ChallengesThe Act also highlights vulnerabilities in U.S. manufacturing capabilities. Fernando Muzzio, a Rutgers University professor, pointed out that the U.S. has become overly dependent on foreign manufacturing, particularly from China and India, neglecting the development of domestic production capacities. This dependence underscores the need to bolster homegrown manufacturing infrastructure. Preparing for ChangeAs the BIOSECURE Act advances, healthcare technology companies will need to prepare for potential operational changes and supply chain disruptions. Firms may need to seek alternative partnerships and invest in domestic resources to navigate these challenges effectively. While the Bipartisan BIOSECURE Act aims to enhance national security, it also presents both challenges and opportunities for the healthcare industry. Companies will need to adapt to these changes to maintain stability and continue advancing medical innovation. 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

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September 17, 2024in Salesforce
Challenges for Rural Healthcare Providers
12Sep

Challenges for Rural Healthcare Providers

Rural healthcare providers have long grappled with challenges due to their geographic isolation and limited financial resources. The advent of digital health transformation, however, has introduced a new set of IT-related obstacles for these providers. EHR Adoption and New IT Challenges While federal legislation has successfully promoted Electronic Health Record (EHR) adoption across both rural and urban healthcare organizations, implementing an EHR system is only one component of a comprehensive health IT strategy. Rural healthcare facilities encounter numerous IT barriers, including inadequate infrastructure, interoperability issues, constrained resources, workforce shortages, and data security concerns. Limited Broadband Access Broadband connectivity is essential for leveraging health IT effectively. However, there is a significant disparity in broadband access between rural and urban areas. According to a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) report, approximately 96% of the U.S. population had access to broadband at the FCC’s minimum speed benchmark in 2019, compared to just 73.6% of rural Americans. The lack of broadband infrastructure hampers rural organizations’ ability to utilize IT features that enhance care delivery, such as electronic health information exchange (HIE) and virtual care. Rural facilities, in particular, rely heavily on HIE and telehealth to bridge gaps in their services. For instance, HIE facilitates data sharing between smaller ambulatory centers and larger academic medical centers, while telehealth allows rural clinicians to consult with specialists in urban centers. Additionally, telehealth can help patients in rural areas avoid long travel distances for care. However, without adequate broadband access, these services remain impractical. Despite persistent disparities, the rural-urban broadband gap has narrowed in recent years. Data from the FCC indicates that since 2016, the number of people in rural areas without access to 25/3 Mbps service has decreased by more than 46%. Various programs, including the FCC’s Rural Health Care Program and USDA funding initiatives, aim to expand broadband access in rural regions. Interoperability Challenges While HIE adoption is rising nationally, rural healthcare organizations lag behind their urban counterparts in terms of interoperability capabilities, as noted in a 2023 GAO report. Data from a 2021 American Hospital Association survey revealed that rural hospitals are less likely to engage in national or regional HIE networks compared to medium and large hospitals. Rural providers often lack the economic and technological resources to participate in electronic HIE networks, leading them to rely on manual data exchange methods such as fax or mail. Additionally, rural providers are less likely to join EHR vendor networks for data exchange, partly due to the fact that they often use different systems from those in other local settings, complicating health data exchange. Federal initiatives like TEFCA aim to improve interoperability through a network of networks approach, allowing organizations to connect to multiple HIEs through a single connection. However, TEFCA’s voluntary participation model and persistent barriers such as IT staffing shortages and broadband gaps still pose challenges for rural providers. Financial Constraints Rural hospitals often operate with slim profit margins due to lower patient volumes and higher rates of uninsured or underinsured patients. The financial strain is exacerbated by declining Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements. According to KFF, the median operating margin for rural hospitals was 1.5% in 2019, compared to 5.2% for other hospitals. With limited budgets, rural healthcare organizations struggle to invest in advanced health IT systems and the necessary training and maintenance. Many small rural hospitals are turning to cloud-based EHR platforms as a cost-effective solution. Cloud-based EHRs reduce the need for substantial upfront hardware investments and offer monthly subscription fees, some as low as $100 per month. Workforce Challenges The healthcare sector is facing widespread staff shortages, including a lack of skilled health IT professionals. Rural areas are disproportionately affected by these shortages. An insufficient number of IT specialists can impede the adoption and effective use of health IT in these regions. To address workforce gaps, the ONC suggests strategies such as cross-training multiple staff members in health IT functions and offering additional training opportunities. Some networks, like OCHIN, have secured grants to develop workforce programs, but limited broadband access can hinder participation in virtual training programs, highlighting the need for expanded broadband infrastructure. Data Security Concerns Healthcare data breaches have surged, with a 256% increase in large breaches reported to the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) over the past five years. Rural healthcare organizations, often operating with constrained budgets, may lack the resources and staff to implement robust data security measures, leaving them vulnerable to cyber threats. A cyberattack on a rural healthcare organization can disrupt patient care, as patients may need to travel significant distances to reach alternative facilities. To address cybersecurity challenges, recent legislative efforts like the Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Enhancement Act aim to develop comprehensive strategies for rural hospital cybersecurity and provide educational resources for staff training. In the interim, rural healthcare organizations can use free resources such as the Health Industry Cybersecurity Practices (HICP) publication to guide their cybersecurity strategies, including recommendations for managing vulnerabilities and protecting email systems. Does your practice need help meeting these challenges? Contact Tectonic today. 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

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September 12, 2024in Salesforce Health and Life Sciences Solutions, Salesforce Managed Services, Salesforce Optimization
Healthcare Cybersecurity Act
27Aug

Healthcare Cybersecurity Act

Lawmakers have introduced the Healthcare Cybersecurity Act in the House of Representatives, aiming to enhance protections for healthcare data amid a surge of cyberattacks targeting the industry. The bipartisan bill is spearheaded by Representatives Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), and Andy Kim (D-N.J.). A Senate companion bill was introduced in July 2024 by Senators Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), and Angus King (I-Me.). The legislation mandates a collaboration between the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to strengthen cybersecurity within the healthcare sector. It also seeks to make cyber defense resources available to nonfederal healthcare entities. Lawmakers cited a 2022 HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) report showing a 107% rise in data breaches involving unsecured protected health information since 2018. “Hospitals and health centers are critical parts of our nation’s infrastructure,” said Fitzpatrick. “With the alarming increase in cyberattacks, we must act swiftly to prevent data breaches, rising healthcare costs, and compromised patient care.” The bill calls for more coordination between CISA and HHS to manage cybersecurity risks. It proposes the appointment of a special liaison within CISA to act as a point of contact with HHS, ensuring better communication and threat sharing during cybersecurity incidents. If passed, the Healthcare Cybersecurity Act would also require HHS and CISA to submit a report detailing their efforts to improve cybersecurity coordination. Past collaborations between HHS and CISA include the October 2023 release of a healthcare cybersecurity toolkit, which provides industry-specific resources for managing and mitigating cyber threats. The toolkit combines materials like CISA’s cyber hygiene services and HHS’s Health Industry Cybersecurity Practices. “The bipartisan Healthcare Cybersecurity Act will play a vital role in protecting patient data, healthcare provider capabilities, and our broader cybersecurity infrastructure,” said King, stressing the need for decisive action in this area. 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 Alphabet Soup of Cloud Terminology As with any technology, the cloud brings its own alphabet soup of terms. This insight will hopefully help you navigate Read more

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August 27, 2024in Salesforce Health and Life Sciences Solutions
Confidential AI Computing in Health
15Jul

Confidential AI Computing in Health

Accelerating Healthcare AI Development with Confidential Computing Can confidential computing accelerate the development of clinical algorithms by creating a secure, collaborative environment for data stewards and AI developers? The potential of AI to transform healthcare is immense. However, data privacy concerns and high costs often slow down AI advancements in this sector, even as other industries experience rapid progress in algorithm development. Confidential computing has emerged as a promising solution to address these challenges, offering secure data handling during AI projects. Although its use in healthcare was previously limited to research, recent collaborations are bringing it to the forefront of clinical AI development. In 2020, the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Center for Digital Health Innovation (CDHI), along with Fortanix, Intel, and Microsoft Azure, formed a partnership to create a privacy-preserving confidential computing platform. This collaboration, which later evolved into BeeKeeperAI, aimed to accelerate clinical algorithm development by providing a secure, zero-trust environment for healthcare data and intellectual property (IP), while facilitating streamlined workflows and collaboration. Mary Beth Chalk, co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of BeeKeeperAI, shared insights with Healthtech Analytics on how confidential computing can address common hurdles in clinical AI development and how stakeholders can leverage this technology in real-world applications. Overcoming Challenges in Clinical AI Development Chalk highlighted the significant barriers that hinder AI development in healthcare: privacy, security, time, and cost. These challenges often prevent effective collaboration between the two key parties involved: data stewards, who manage patient data and privacy, and algorithm developers, who work to create healthcare AI solutions. Even when these parties belong to the same organization, workflows often remain inefficient and fragmented. Before BeeKeeperAI spun out of UCSF, the team realized how time-consuming and costly the process of algorithm development was. Regulatory approvals, data access agreements, and other administrative tasks could take months to complete, delaying projects that could be finished in a matter of weeks. Chalk noted, “It was taking nine months to 18 months just to get approvals for what was essentially a two-month computing project.” This delay and inefficiency are unsustainable in a fast-moving technology environment, especially given that software innovation outpaces the development of medical devices or drugs. Confidential computing can address this challenge by helping clinical algorithm developers “move at the speed of software.” By offering encryption protection for data and IP during computation, confidential computing ensures privacy and security at every stage of the development process. Confidential Computing: A New Frontier in Healthcare AI Confidential computing protects sensitive data not only at rest and in transit but also during computation, which sets it apart from other privacy technologies like federated learning. With federated learning, data and IP are protected during storage and transmission but remain exposed during computation. This exposure raises significant privacy concerns during AI development. In contrast, confidential computing ensures end-to-end encrypted protection, safeguarding both data and intellectual property throughout the entire process. This enables stakeholders to collaborate securely while maintaining privacy and data sovereignty. Chalk emphasized that with confidential computing, stakeholders can ensure that patient privacy is protected and intellectual property remains secure, even when multiple parties are involved in the development process. As a result, confidential computing becomes an enabling core competency that facilitates faster and more efficient clinical AI development. Streamlining Clinical AI Development with Confidential Computing Confidential computing environments provide a secure, automated platform that facilitates the development process, reducing the need for manual intervention. Chalk described healthcare AI development as a “well-worn goat path,” where multiple stakeholders know the steps required but are often bogged down by time-consuming administrative tasks. BeeKeeperAI’s platform streamlines this process by allowing AI developers to upload project protocols, which are then shared with data stewards. The data steward can determine if they have the necessary clinical data and curate it according to the AI developer’s specifications. This secure collaboration is built on automated workflows, but because the data and algorithms remain encrypted, privacy is never compromised. The BeeKeeperAI platform enables a collaborative, familiar interface for developers and data stewards, allowing them to work together in a secure environment. The software does not require extensive expertise in confidential computing, as BeeKeeperAI manages the infrastructure and ensures that the data never leaves the control of the data steward. Real-World Applications of Confidential Computing Confidential computing has the potential to revolutionize healthcare AI development, particularly by improving the precision of disease detection, predicting disease trajectories, and enabling personalized treatment recommendations. Chalk emphasized that the real promise of AI in healthcare lies in precision medicine—the ability to tailor interventions to individual patients, especially those on the “tails” of the bell curve who may respond differently to treatment. For instance, confidential computing can facilitate research into precision medicine by enabling AI developers to analyze patient data securely, without risking exposure of sensitive personal information. Chalk explained, “With confidential computing, I can drill into those tails and see what was unique about those patients without exposing their identities.” Currently, real-world data access remains a significant challenge for clinical AI development, especially as research moves from synthetic or de-identified data to high-quality, real-world clinical data. Chalk noted that for clinical AI to demonstrate efficacy, improve outcomes, or enhance safety, it must operate on real-world data. However, accessing this data while ensuring privacy has been a major obstacle for AI teams. Confidential computing can help bridge this “data cliff” by providing a secure environment for researchers to access and utilize real-world data without compromising privacy. Conclusion While the use of confidential computing in healthcare is still evolving, its potential is vast. By offering secure data handling throughout the development process, confidential computing enables AI developers and data stewards to collaborate more efficiently, overcome regulatory hurdles, and accelerate clinical AI advancements. This technology could help realize the promise of precision medicine, making personalized healthcare interventions safer, more effective, and more widely available. Chalk highlighted that many healthcare and life sciences organizations are exploring confidential computing use cases, particularly in neurology, oncology, mental health, and rare diseases—fields that require the use of

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July 15, 2024in Data, Technology
What is Salesforce Health Cloud
11Jul

Explore Salesforce Health Cloud

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

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July 11, 2024in Mulesoft, Salesforce Health Cloud, Salesforce Marketing Cloud, Salesforce Shield
Improve Patient Care and Trust
09Jun

Improve Patient Care and Trust

A recent survey conducted by Kyruus Health and shared with HealthPayerIntelligence reveals that consumers are demanding more accurate online provider data from payers to enhance access to care. Healthcare solutions from Tectonic and Salesforce improve patient care and trust by improving data accuracy. The survey, fielded by Wakefield Research in April 2024, involved 1,000 healthcare consumers. Nearly three-quarters of respondents (72%) had private health insurance, with Medicare being the second most common form of coverage (18%). The participants represented an even distribution across U.S. regions and age groups, with 57% identifying as women. Payers have historically struggled to maintain up-to-date provider directories, and this survey highlights the significant impact of these challenges. About 30% of consumers reported skipping care due to inaccurate provider information, with 70% of them seeking this data online. Consumers primarily rely on health plan websites or apps for provider information, with 32% naming these platforms as their first resource. Medicaid enrollees were particularly dependent on their plan’s digital resources, with 64% turning to these tools first. Besides health plan websites and apps, consumers also used general internet searches, provider or clinic websites, and healthcare information sites like WebMD. Social media platforms were also popular for care searches, with 77% of users turning to Facebook and 61% to YouTube. The survey also revealed that payers often fail to provide accurate cost predictions. Only 32% of respondents said their health plans offered accurate cost information. Price transparency tools are particularly important to younger generations, with 76% of Millennials and 80% of Gen Z respondents using these tools. However, 40% of Baby Boomers were unsure if their plans even offered such tools. Among those who did use them, 34% found that the tools presented incorrect provider data, with 45% of Gen Z reporting this issue. Inaccurate provider information can lead to significant negative consequences for consumers, including delays in accessing care, difficulties contacting preferred providers, and higher costs. Some consumers even reported accidentally receiving out-of-network care or forgoing care altogether due to these inaccuracies. These experiences not only hinder access to care but also damage consumer trust in their healthcare providers and payers. Overall, 80% of respondents said that inaccurate provider data affected their trust, with 27% losing trust in their health plans and 22% losing trust in their providers. The survey results underscore a clear call to action. Over 60% of consumers, and nearly 75% of Gen Z specifically, want their health plans to provide more accurate data. Tectonic has decades of experience applying Salesforce solutions to health care providers and payers. To address these concerns, the report recommends that health plans take three key steps: First, engage with members through appropriate channels, including social media. Second, unify and validate their provider data to ensure accuracy. Third, introduce self-service capabilities within their digital platforms to empower consumers. Reach out to Tectonic today if your organization needs help applying these three steps. 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

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June 9, 2024in Mulesoft, Salesforce Health and Life Sciences Solutions, Salesforce Health Cloud, Salesforce Implementation Services, Salesforce Managed Services, Salesforce Optimization
What is Health Cloud
04May

What is Health Cloud?

Salesforce Health Cloud, a specialized platform designed for healthcare organizations, aims to streamline operations and provide personalized care. By leveraging cloud technology, mobile capabilities, and social integration, Health Care Cloud enhances productivity, reduces costs, and offers a comprehensive view of patient data. Salesforce keeps electronic personal health information (ephi) safe and secure. Since its inception, Salesforce Health Cloud has evolved significantly to meet the unique and challenging needs of the healthcare sector. The introduction of Customer 360 for Health marks a milestone in fostering empathetic care and promoting collaboration among healthcare teams. What is Salesforce Health Cloud? At its core, Health Cloud facilitates seamless collaboration among healthcare teams to ensure optimal patient care. With robust security measures in place, patient data remains secure and accessible only to authorized personnel. Salesforce Health provides care teams with convenient access to both clinical and non-clinical patient information, including health conditions, medications, appointment history, communication preferences, and data from Electronic Health Records (EHRs). Categorized under Salesforce Industry Clouds, Health Cloud combines CRM capabilities with specialized features tailored for healthcare providers, payers, medical device companies, and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Its goal is to deliver personalized, connected care across the entire, sometimes disjointed healthcare ecosystem. Why Use Salesforce Health Cloud? Salesforce Health offers benefits to various stakeholders within the healthcare industry, including providers, payers, manufacturers, and research organizations. In a challenging healthcare landscape, Health Cloud addresses concerns such as managing complex patient data and enhancing patient experiences effectively. Success stories from organizations like New England Biolabs and John Muir Health highlight the impact of Health Salesforce in streamlining operations, improving customer satisfaction, and enhancing care coordination. Despite its transformative potential, widespread adoption and success require rebuilding patient trust, delivering empathetic care, and prioritizing data security. Tools like Health Cloud play a crucial role in achieving these goals. The Health Cloud Data Model Central to Salesforce Health is the flexible Health Cloud Data Model, built atop the Salesforce Platform. This model organizes diverse healthcare data sources, leveraging standard objects like Accounts and Contacts alongside custom objects tailored for healthcare applications. The data model revolves around organizing data around the patient, providing care teams with a holistic view for informed decision-making and personalized care. It supports interoperability and adheres to healthcare data standards like HL7 and FHIR, enabling seamless integration with EHRs and other healthcare applications. Key Features of Salesforce Health Salesforce Health Cloud offers a suite of robust features, including: Patient 360: Provides a unified view of the patient, consolidating demographics, clinical data, and interactions for informed decision-making and personalized care. Care Plans: Enables care teams to create, track, and manage personalized care plans, incorporating goals, tasks, and milestones to monitor patient progress. Care Coordination: Facilitates collaboration among care teams, supporting secure messaging and information sharing across providers. Health Timeline: Offers an interactive visualization of a patient’s medical history, including encounters, lab results, and medications, aiding in understanding and decision-making. Einstein Analytics for Healthcare: Utilizes AI to deliver advanced insights and predictions, empowering organizations to enhance patient outcomes and operational efficiency. Patient 360 for Health In addition to existing features, Salesforce introduces new innovations under Patient 360 for Health, powered by AI. These updates include: Advanced Therapy Management: Streamlines treatment processes for pharmaceutical companies, offering full visibility into patient treatment. Salesforce Genie for Healthcare: Integrates real-time clinical and non-clinical data to create comprehensive patient profiles. AI-Supported Health Timeline: Enhances navigation and accessibility of patient records and journeys through AI. Home Health: Automates intake and scheduling for in-home treatment, optimizing patient preferences. Data Cloud for Healthcare: Connects clinical and non-clinical patient data from multiple sources into a real-time patient profile. MuleSoft Direct for Health Cloud: Provides out-of-the-box connectors to access EHR data, facilitating smoother integration. Tableau Accelerators for Health Cloud: Offers ready-to-use dashboards for various use cases, empowering teams with data-driven insights. Integration With MuleSoft Salesforce Health seamlessly integrates with MuleSoft, enabling organizations to connect with existing EHRs, billing systems, and healthcare applications. MuleSoft’s Anypoint Platform provides pre-built connectors and APIs to simplify integration and unlock the full potential of healthcare data. Salesforce Health Cloud is not only a powerful platform for healthcare organizations but also a catalyst for positive change in patient care and operational efficiency. By leveraging HC’s capabilities, healthcare organizations can deliver exceptional patient experiences, streamline processes, and ensure data security and compliance. With continuous integration and innovation within the Salesforce ecosystem, Health Cloud remains positioned to drive transformative change in the healthcare industry, addressing challenges and paving the way for a brighter future in healthcare. Considering Salesforce Health Cloud for your practice? Contact Tectonic today. 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

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May 4, 2023in Data, Mulesoft, Salesforce, Salesforce Health Cloud, Technology

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