Bonus Features – August 28, 2022 – Epic data shows only 5% of OD patients get tested for fentanyl, 40% of clinicians plan to add AI to their day-to-day work, and more

Welcome to the weekly edition of Healthcare IT Today Bonus Features. This article will be a weekly roundup of interesting stories, product announcements, new hires, partnerships, research studies, awards, sales, and more. Because there’s so much happening out there in healthcare IT we aren’t able to cover in our full articles, we still want to make sure you’re informed of all the latest news, announcements, and stories happening to help you better do your job.

News and Studies 

A report from Epic Research and the University of Maryland’s Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR) found that just 5% of overdose patients are tested for fentanyl in the ED, compared to an opiate testing rate of roughly 50%. The positivity rate for fentanyl tests exceeds 40%, more than three times the positivity rate for opiate testing. The findings suggest that standards for testing panels may need to be amended to include synthetic opioids like fentanyl, which accounts for more than 80% of opioid-related overdose deaths.

The latest survey from Definitive Healthcare found that about 40% of healthcare professionals plan to incorporate AI and machine learning into their daily operations in the next two years, while 73% of organizations already using AI plan to expand their use. Those surveyed said improved diagnostic accuracy is where AI/ML will have the greatest impact on patients.

More than 60% of the 1,700 doctors, nurses, and therapists surveyed by telehealth infrastructure firm SteadyMD are interested in full-time telehealth work. Another 85% of clinicians said they were open to practicing on weekends using telehealth, especially therapists, and 64% were interested in working night shifts.

ONC released a framework to improve integration of health IT tools used to treat drug overdose patients. The aptly named Integration Framework covers how to integrate state Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs) with clinical systems such as EHRs, HIEs, and pharmacy systems in hospital, primary care, and outpatient settings. Eight health systems across five states assisted ONC and CDC in developing the framework.

Partnerships

Sales

Products

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About the author

Brian Eastwood

Brian Eastwood is a Boston-based writer with more than 10 years of experience covering healthcare IT and healthcare delivery. Brian also writes about enterprise IT, consumer technology, corporate leadership, and higher education for a range of publications and clients. He got his start as a professional writer as a community newspaper reporter in 2003.

When he's not writing, Brian is most likely running, hiking, or cross-country skiing in Northern New England. When he needs a break from cardio, he's usually reading a history book.

   

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