Dear AuntMinnie Member,
Cyberattacks are a growing problem in healthcare. In fact, of the 14 biggest healthcare data breaches, five occurred in 2015 -- and there are still four months left in the year.
Fortunately, there are a variety of things you can do to reduce your facility's exposure to cyberattacks and data breaches, according to a new article we're highlighting in our Imaging Informatics Community. Senior Editor Erik L. Ridley sat in on a recent webinar hosted by the Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine (SIIM) that included a number of great ideas for reducing your risk.
For example, getting your HIPAA compliance program in order is a key objective, according to the webinar. Encryption is another tool that's underutilized by many healthcare institutions. Finally, many healthcare facilities aren't paying close enough attention to the biggest threat to their security. Find out what it is by clicking here.
While you're in the community, make sure to read a new article on how to handle critical test results management (CTRM). Relying on old methods such as picking up the phone to talk to referring physicians can be a hassle and is unreliable, according to Dr. David Hirschorn from Staten Island University Hospital, who believes there has to be a better way. Fortunately, there is -- learn more by clicking here, or visit the community at informatics.auntminnie.com.
Reducing malpractice risk
While we're on the subject of CTRM, visit our Imaging Leaders Community to learn about a start-up called SaferMD that wants to help imaging facilities reduce their malpractice risk by better managing their CTRM software.
Just having a CTRM system installed is only half the battle, according to the firm; it's how CTRM software is used that's key. The company can monitor a site's CTRM usage, helping it improve patient safety and reduce liability exposure -- as well as malpractice premiums.
Learn more about how it works by clicking here, or visit the community at leaders.auntminnie.com.
PET/MRI update
How quickly is PET/MRI making the transition from research toy to clinical tool? That question is the subject of a new article in our Molecular Imaging Community.
The story profiles several sites that recently began performing PET/MRI scans for clinical applications, describing the strengths -- and weaknesses -- of the new modality. Find out what they are by clicking here, or go to molecular.auntminnie.com.
