Information technology
Telemedicine companies may have found new leverage in SCOTUS case | PoliticoA section of last year’s North Carolina Dental Board vs. FTC case may open a window for telemedicine companies to sue healthcare licensing boards for antitrust violations. Telemedicine company Teladoc found this facet during its ongoing legal battle with the Texas Medical Board, which is trying to prevent the company from operating in the state.
Kansas hospital asked to pay ransomware amount twice by hackers | Network World
Kansas Heart Hospital in Witchita last week paid hackers an undisclosed amount after it gained access to the hospital’s server. But the hackers refused to return full access until they were paid again. The hospital refused and has since been working with its IT team and security experts to restore the rest of the files. Patient medical information is not at risk, the hospital’s president said.
Pharmaceuticals
Novartis funds app to boost hives drug sales | Fierce PharmaThe Switzerland-based pharmaceutical giant is funding a new mobile app for its hives drug Xoliar. The app, called Target My Hives, allows users to digitally connect with each other and physicians to register their contact information so patients can easily find them.
Safety, quality and clinical practice
CMS encourages house calls for savings | USA TodayThe CMS has launched a pilot program called Independence at Home, which helps medical practices test the effectiveness of providing primary care services at home. One participant, Housecall Providers in Portland, Ore., saved Medicare an average of nearly $13,600 per patient. There are 14 practices participating in the project.
Opioid prescriptions drop for first time in 20 years | The New York Times
The number of opioids prescribed has dropped by 12% since its peak in 2012, according to IMS Health, a data firm. Opioid prescriptions have fallen in 49 states since 2013, the firm reports, with the sharpest declines in West Virginia, Texas and Oklahoma.
