Business Intelligence

Providers utilize business intelligence to monitor referral patterns and collaborate with clinicians who order their services. Such analytics tools have also been deployed in the specialty to improve productivity, track patient satisfaction and bolster quality.

Healthcare systems set up at the ACC.24 career fair in hopes of filling open positions, including a large and growing number of general cardiologist positions. Photo by Dave Fornell #ACC24 #ACC2024

Healthcare job growth slowing, down nearly 50% on the year

There were 31,000 new healthcare jobs added in August, a downward trend from the 60,000 average over the last 12 months.

Vintage neon drug sign at the Walgreens pharmacy on Canal Street in downtown New Orleans.

Walgreens settles opioid case with Baltimore; three lawsuits still pending

Baltimore sued eight companies that it claimed profited off the city’s opioid epidemic. To date, the government has received $402.5 million in settlements. 

ai in healthcare

Industry Watcher’s Digest

The U.S. Commerce Department wants proof of strong safety and security measures from AI developers and cloud suppliers. 

Generative AI LLM SLM

AI technical trends to watch for (and not just in healthcare)

Many gen AI end users are finding that large language models (LLMs) defy easy infrastructure setup and affordable management costs. One budding option may be to go with small language models (SMLs) instead. 

Biden administration aims to improve prior authorizations for mental health services

Announced Monday, modifications to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act would close loopholes that limit patient access to mental health and addiction treatments.

Stock image of an illegal bribe.

Whistleblower claims executives at Steward Health Care bragged about illegal bribes

In a complaint submitted to Congress, a healthcare executive in Malta is making serious accusations against Steward CEO Ralph de la Torre.

artificial intelligence in cardiology

Industry Watcher’s Digest

If there’s an economic sector whose workforce is largely AI-proof, healthcare is it. 

healthcare AI return on investment ROI

Number-cruncher quantifies return on investment in healthcare AI

Just by taking notes during patient visits, generative AI could save a five-physician primary care practice $291,200 in one year. The practice would see a return on its AI investment of 94.13% and reach the breakeven point in a bit more than six months.