The pandemic amplified the need for advanced data analytics, virtual care and remote work in healthcare, which many consider positive trends to improve clinical quality and care access.

Charlotte, N.C.-based Atrium Health is expanding its virtual hospital services to help Navicent Health in Macon, Ga., care for COVID-19 patients in their own homes, according to an Aug. 10 news release. 

Ashley County Medical Center in Crossett, Ark., has terminated a former nurse for viewing 772 patients' records for reasons unrelated to medical care and treatment, according to an Aug. 7 KTVE report. 

As the next generation of internet speed races full force ahead, the healthcare industry must embrace 5G and the value it brings to wireless clinical applications — such as telehealth — that are transforming the way healthcare is delivered.

University of Maryland Medical Center recently began notifying 33,896 patients that their protected health information may have been exposed after an unauthorized user hacked into one of the health system's faculty physician plan member's email accounts. 

More than three quarters of the Department of Veterans Affairs' facilities do not use its healthcare information exchange program, according to an Aug. 6 VA Office of the Inspector General report.

Hospitals and health systems across the U.S. are pushing digital transformation efforts forward by creating new tools and launching innovative programs. 

U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and John Cornyn, R-Texas, introduced a bill Aug. 6 that would allocate $400 million to restart the FCC's COVID-19 telehealth program.

Stanford (Calif.) University’s Center for Health Education recently launched a four-course online program on artificial intelligence in healthcare for IT professionals and healthcare providers.

Salesforce and CVS Health partnered to combine their COVID-19 return-to-work solutions for wellness monitoring, contact tracing and testing in a single platform for customers, according to an Aug. 10 news release.