News from other sources

Information technology

Castlight Health partners with Big Health to roll out new sleep improvement app | Mobihealthnews

Big Health's Sleepio offers users cognitive behavioral therapy techniques for better sleep. Through the partnership, Castlight will give its employees access to the platform.

New HIPAA guidance clarifies data sharing for mental health and substance abuse patients | Fierce Healthcare

The guidance, required by the 21st Century Cures Act, explains when providers can share information about patients with mental health or substance use disorders.

ONC plans to release rule to tackle information blocking in early 2018 | Health Data Management

In more 21st Century Cures Act news, the ONC is working on a proposed rule to define information blocking. The rules, which the agency will release in the spring of 2018, will guide HHS' OIG in investigating providers and vendors that make sharing data between organizations difficult.

Safety, quality and clinical practice

Doing more harm than good? Epidemic of screening burdens nation's older patients | Kaiser Health News

Screening elderly patients for disease is expensive and potentially harmful, since it could reveal conditions whose treatments are invasive. But doctors in the U.S. screen nevertheless, giving into financial pressures (i.e. incentives) and so-called awareness campaigns.

Envision Healthcare pays $31 million to settle ER fraud claims | Axios

EmCare, Envision's ER staffing subsidiary, allegedly worked with the former Health Management Associates hospital chain to admit patients to the ER even when it wasn't necessary.

In other news

EPA delays bans on uses of hazardous chemicals | The New York Times

For the indefinite future, the EPA won't ban certain toxic chemicals found in paint strippers, dry cleaning products, and degreasers. The move fits in with the EPA's deregulatory mood as of late.