As the holidays approach, CAST is looking back on a productive year and forward to further advancing technology in 2018. This month, we share a new CAST Cybersecurity White Paper and two new case studies, learnings from the CAST Technology Deep Dive Workshop, information from the CAST Commissioners Meeting, information from one study of electronic health record (EHR) adoption rates and one of virtual reality as a therapy tool, plus news from our members.
New CAST Cybersecurity White Paper
CAST has released a new Cybersecurity White Paper and Benchmarking Questionnaire to help LeadingAge members and other aging services organizations understand what cybersecurity threats are, how to mitigate risks, and how to respond if attacked. The Benchmarking Questionnaire will help providers identify where they may be at risk, so that they can work to plug those vulnerabilities.
This topic is especially pertinent to the industry, as health care providers are prime targets for cyberattacks—and the average cost of a breach is over $2.4 million.
CAST Technology Deep Dive
As part of the recent LeadingAge Annual Meeting & EXPO, CAST held a workshop, “Technology Deep Dive: Technology Shaping the New Health Care Ecosystem: Part 1, Part 2,” on Oct. 29, 2017, in New Orleans. Workshop learnings include significant insight on health care’s transition to value-based payment models and how to accomplish that within your organization, as well as new technology developments such as self-driving cars, blockchains, cognitive computing, and the value of advanced data analytics.
CAST Commissioners’ Meeting
After the Deep Dive, the CAST Commission gathered at a luncheon, with each Commissioner sharing with the group their most exciting aging-services initiative, biggest challenge, and feedback for CAST.
There we announced our next major initiative, which will be on safety—emergency response and nurse call systems, real-time location tracking, and the like. We also asked everyone to give us feedback on our social connectedness technologies initiative, and let us know if you agree on safety, or have any higher-priority technology.
New CAST Case Studies
This month, CAST releases two new case studies.
“Care Coordination Solution Cuts Blood Sugar and Costs” presents the impressive health gains that patients in Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) Healthcare Homes have made over the past two years, thanks to a care coordination and population health management solution from CAST Supporter Netsmart. The Missouri Coalition for Community Behavioral Healthcare, which runs the homes and related programs, has saved many millions of dollars, including cost reductions of up to $395 per member per month.
“Creating a Real-Life Video Experience for Individuals Facing Memory Loss” describes an innovative partnership that joined a memory support center, technology company, and high school students to foster intergenerational relationships and use technology to aid in memory recall. This video project with iN2L and Evangelical Homes of Michigan Senior Solutions fosters positive relationships designed to break through cross-generational and intellectual barriers—and introduce students to career choices in the aging field.
LeadingAge and CAST Oppose the Repeal of Net Neutrality
On Dec. 14, 2017, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted 3-2 to end net neutrality. LeadingAge had urged the FCC to retain net neutrality rules, to protect internet access for rural and low-income seniors and the providers who serve them. LeadingAge, seniors, and providers were disappointed with the FCC’s decision. With the repeal, telemedicine, remote patient monitoring, and similar critical content may become substantially more difficult and costly to access.
Study of EHR Adoption Rates Echoes CAST Findings
Recent research found that adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) and health data exchange among inpatient post-acute providers is tracking far behind other health care settings—with some LeadingAge members leading the way. The findings align with a survey conducted earlier this year by LeadingAge CAST and LeadingAge Gold Partner with CAST Focus Ziegler, which found that larger LTPAC nonprofit organizations are leading their smaller peers in EHR adoption and EHR sophistication, advanced functionalities, and health information exchange capabilities.
Member News
In this month’s member news, LeadingAge Silver Partner and CAST Supporter Philips has acquired VitalHealth, as part of a continuing effort to expand its population health business. LeadingAge CAST Patron C. C. Young has selected Intercom and Greystone to assist with future technology and strategic planning.
Three organizations were named as top-performing post-acute care technology vendors in the Black Book 2017 health IT user satisfaction survey: LeadingAge CAST Supporter Netsmart, LeadingAge Gold Partner with CAST Focus PointClickCare, and LeadingAge Silver Partner with CAST Focus MatrixCare.
LeadingAge CAST Business Associate K4Connect has announced its largest multi-community deployment to date, and LeadingAge CAST Business Associate HCS named Mitchell Morgan as director of sales.
Virtual Reality Study Raises Questions
A recent study that found virtual reality to be equally good at improving stroke patients’ arm and hand function as conventional therapy has also raised some debate about virtual reality’s effectiveness.
Please Contact Me
If you have news to share with CAST or if I can be of assistance in any way, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I look forward to reconnecting with you in the New Year, but in the meantime, enjoy the holiday season. Happy holidays!