Risk Management

Methodist Hospital in Henderson, Kentucky, said that it has regained control of its computer systems and effectively fended off a ransomware attack without paying the cybercriminals.

Prime Healthcare Services Inc., a fast-growing national hospital chain, said a malware attack disrupted computer servers on Friday at two of its California hospitals, Chino Valley Medical Center in Chino and Desert Valley Hospital in Victorville.

About a month ago, Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center became the face of hospital cybersecurity when a malware attack forced them to pay a $17,000 ransom to regain control of their systems. But experts say this type of attack will only become more prevalent as more hackers target the sector.

While the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is touting the success -- 11 months ahead of schedule -- of tying 30 percent of fee-for-service Medicare payments to alternative payment models such as accountable care organizations and bundled payments, questions still remain over how much money value-based programs will save.

Though more hospitals are reporting infection rates publicly, a new report from The Leapfrog Group shows that more than half of hospitals across the country still grapple with sometimes deadly healthcare-associated infections.

Hospitals are increasingly turning to credit checks to determine both an individual's ability to pay and to mine data on their patient population's health.

While accountable care organizations piloted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services are expanding due to the government's focus on alternative payment models, ACOs run by private insurers are growing as health systems weigh the benefits of joining.

Officials at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center on Wednesday night said they have paid hackers a $17,000 ransom to regain access and control over the hospital's computer systems after a low-tech ransomware attack locked them out of their networks.

The Department of Health and Human Services has proposed new rules on patient record disclosures to ensure substance use disorder patients can participate in new integrated healthcare models without risk of having their records shared inappropriately.

Financial challenges once again ranked as the top concern for hospital chief executive officers in 2015, according to a new study by the American College of Healthcare Executives. Patient safety and quality, and governmental mandates came in as the 2nd and 3rd highest concerns.