Drex covers critical election day cybersecurity updates, highlighting disinformation campaigns from Russian and Iranian actors, potential hacking threats targeting networks and news outlets, and the importance of staying vigilant. He also shares insights from the recent Healthcare Cybersecurity Forum, emphasizing key takeaways from industry leaders on maintaining resilience. Remember, Stay a Little Paranoid Subscribe: This Week Health Twitter: This Week Health LinkedIn: Week Health Donate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

Today: Election Day 2024In today’s episode of “This Week Health,” host Bill Russell discusses the significance of Election Day 2024 and reflects on the pervasive fear and dread that accompany the political climate. Drawing from his experience as a former CIO and his observations, Bill addresses the lies that can distort our perceptions of political identity and the consequences of our beliefs. He emphasizes the importance of humility—intellectual, emotional, and political—as a means to foster curiosity, empathy, and civility in discussions about differing viewpoints. While acknowledging the challenges facing democracy, he advocates for respectful engagement and encourages listeners to rise above divisive rhetoric, ultimately aiming to create a more constructive dialogue in a politically charged environment. Bill concludes by reassuring the audience that future episodes will return to the intersection of technology and healthcare, emphasizing the show’s commitment to focusing on issues rather than partisan politics.

November 4, 2024: Drex DeFord, President of the 229 Cyber & Risk Community, and Sarah Richardson, President of the 229 Executive Development Community, of This Week Health join Bill for the news. They delve into the intricate ties between healthcare policy and community impact, touching on issues from rural access to cybersecurity and AI regulation. As cybersecurity and data privacy take center stage, how can hospitals keep pace with ever-evolving threats? And with the complexities of AI integration and interoperability, what responsibilities lie ahead for lawmakers? Key Points:04:14 Cybersecurity and Advocacy11:41 Rural Healthcare Challenges13:58 AI and Future Regulations19:32 Voting and CivilityThis Week Health SubscribeThis Week Health TwitterThis Week Health LinkedinAlex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer Donate

November 1, 2024: Could requiring corporate employees to work frontline shifts be the key to empathy and better decision-making? In today’s episode, we dive into Home Depot’s bold move to get corporate employees working in stores each quarter—and what healthcare leaders might take from it. Sarah Richardson and Kate Gamble explore the power of firsthand experience, from Home Depot’s retail floors to rounding in hospitals. Does witnessing daily challenges up close change how leaders make decisions? Join us to explore the surprising lessons in leadership and empathy from the retail giant.00:36 Home Depot's New Policy and Its Implications06:29 The Reality of Working in the ER08:07 Building Trust Through Genuine InteractionSubscribe: This Week HealthTwitter: This Week HealthLinkedIn: Week HealthDonate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

Drex shares timely updates including potential changes to HIPAA regulations aimed at clarifying security rules, Rapid7's possible sale exploration and its implications, and the importance of updating Apple devices to address critical security vulnerabilities. Remember, Stay a Little Paranoid Subscribe: This Week Health Twitter: This Week Health LinkedIn: Week Health Donate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

October 31, 2024: This Halloween, children’s hospitals are transforming into places of joy, complete with costumes, decorations, and community support that make a difference for kids in treatment. Join Kate Gamble and Sarah Richardson as they share stories of how hospitals are bringing Halloween spirit to young patients, the joy it sparks among staff, and the power of simple acts of kindness to uplift vulnerable families. From behind-the-scenes efforts to the lasting effects of philanthropic projects like Spirit of Children, discover how Halloween creates moments of happiness, even in the most challenging settings.00:35 Spirit Halloween Sotres in Children's Hospitals03:01 Impact on Patients and Staff04:54 Personal Stories and ConclusionSubscribe: This Week HealthTwitter: This Week HealthLinkedIn: Week HealthDonate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

October 30, 2024: Jason Rose, CEO at Clearsense joins Drex for the news. As providers and payers increase tech investments, how do they balance AI innovation with the ever-present threat of cybersecurity risks? Can health systems truly harness the potential of AI without first mastering the essential foundations of data management? And what role does application rationalization play in cutting costs and reducing cyber vulnerabilities? Key Points:04:19 AI and Data Management13:52 Cost Savings and M&A Activities16:58 Ongoing App Rationalization EffortsNews articles:Providers and Payers Are Increasing Their Tech Spend — Where Are They Investing the Most?Don't Overlook IT Integrations During M&A ActivityThis Week Health SubscribeThis Week Health TwitterThis Week Health LinkedinAlex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer Donate

Change Healthcare and UnitedHealth Group are in the process of notifying 100 million people affected by a recent ransomware attack that compromised sensitive information. We also cover Delta Airlines’ lawsuit against CrowdStrike over a software update outage that caused massive flight cancellations. Lastly, find out how the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency is tackling tech debt with a $212 million investment to replace a legacy system still relying on 5.25-inch floppy disks.Remember, Stay a Little Paranoid Subscribe: This Week HealthTwitter: This Week Health LinkedIn: Week Health Donate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

October 29, 2024: Is healthcare drowning in pilot programs? In this episode, we delve into the world of small-scale innovations and the industry’s struggle to transform proof of concept into wide-reaching solutions. Join our hosts as they dissect why many pilot projects never make it beyond a single department and explore the hidden costs of pilot purgatory, including what healthcare leaders need to consider before jumping on the latest shiny tech. Will behavioral economics and patient engagement prove to be the missing links to scaling success, or are they just part of the pilot cycle? Listen in as we uncover the real barriers between promising tech and patient impact. 00:45 Challenges with Pilot Programs in Healthcare 04:25 Scalability and Implementation Challenges 06:44 Behavioral Economics in HealthcareSubscribe: This Week HealthTwitter: This Week HealthLinkedIn: Week HealthDonate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

October 28, 2024: Jacob Hansen, Chief Product Officer at AvaSure, joins Bill for the news. What does it take for AI to move beyond hype and prove real value in healthcare? As they explore the pressing issue of unsustainable healthcare spending and the role AI plays in solving clinical challenges, we’re left to ask: How do we balance innovation with proven ROI? And as AI's demand on energy surges, is our power grid ready to support the future? Key Points:03:48 Future of AI and Virtual Care12:18 The Lagging Metrics of Healthcare15:58 Doctor's Frustrations and Patient Behavior18:02 Energy Demands of AI and Data CentersNews articles:'AI is like tuition': CommonSpirit CIO's approach to AI hypeTrilliant Health Report Reveals Troubling Trends in US Healthcare: Costs Soaring, Health DecliningThis Week Health SubscribeThis Week Health TwitterThis Week Health LinkedinAlex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer Donate