Here are a few I have come across the last week or so. Note: Each link is followed by a title and a few paragraphs. For the full article click on the link above title of the article. Note also that full access to some links may require site registration or subscription payment.
General Comment
-----
Again a little more active as we move into February.
Boring though it may be I find it interesting how many different entities are lining up to challenge the NBN monopoly!
-----
https://www.innovationaus.com/australias-international-vaccination-certificate-the-gold-standard/
Australia’s international vax certificate is the ‘gold standard’
Denham Sadler
National Affairs Editor
4 February 2022
Australia’s international vaccination certificate is the “gold standard” in security and sets a benchmark for digital government services going forward, according to Verizon Asia-Pacific regional vice-president Robert Le Busque.
More than 1.3 million people have downloaded a Covid-19 vaccination certificate to their passport in the first month since the service was launched by the federal government.
This is done through a QR code linked to an individual’s Australian Immunisation Register Covid-19 vaccination status, which can then be validated by Immigration authorities around the world.
Australia’s certificate adheres to the International Air Transport Association Travel Pass and meets the new global standard specified by the International Civil Aviation Organisation and World Health Organisation guidance, making it recognised in most countries.
Verizon Business was brought in by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Australian Passport Office to help roll out the secure digital signature platform underpinning the passport certificate last year through the whole-of-government telecommunications marketplace.
-----
https://7news.com.au/business/ready-for-take-off-with-global-vaccine-doc-c-5562331
Ready for take-off with global vaccine doc
Published: Friday, 4 February 2022 9:02 AM AEDTExperts have developed a COVID-19 vaccine status document for Australians going overseas, after a domestic version was slammed for being so flawed it could be forged within minutes.
Verizon Business Australia said on Friday it worked with the Australian Passport Office in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to develop the International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate.
More than 1.3 million certificates have been downloaded in the first month as people look forward to travelling.
The international certificate features a QR (Quick Response) code, which is generated from vaccination information in the Australian Immunisation Register and the traveller's passport details.
-----
https://www.ausdoc.com.au/opinion/4-calculators-work-out-patients-covid19-risk
4 calculators to work out a patient’s COVID-19 risk
Dr Newcombe is an infectious diseases physician and clinical microbiologist at Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology, Sydney.
2nd February 2022
With lockdowns a thing of the past, the onus is now on individuals to make decisions about how much COVID-19 risk they are willing to take on.
But how can people make such choices without a clear understanding of how risky certain activities are, plus their own risk of severe disease if they get infected?
Fortunately, there are online tools which can greatly help doctors to educate their patients about the risks they face from COVID-19 and to determine their own risk appetite.
The first step is to quantify the risk of severe disease for an individual. This calculator contains a short health questionnaire which then calculates an individualised assessment of the risk of severe COVID-19.
The main use of this calculator in an Australian context is a personalised calculation of the risk of dying from coronavirus following a positive test.
-----
https://medicalrepublic.com.au/the-dangers-of-connected-healthcare/61732
31 January 2022
The dangers of connected healthcare
Despite the best efforts of medical institutions and information security companies, the healthcare industry remains insufficiently protected and vulnerable to cyberattacks.
This time last year, we forecast a significant increase in the number and size of medical data leaks, and a report by Constella Intelligence found this to be true. In fact, the number of leaks grew one-and-a-half times compared with the previous year.
Several factors contributed to this. First, the digitalisation of healthcare has significantly increased over the past couple of years and thus, because there was more data to leak, the volume of such leaks grew. Second, cybercriminals had already started paying more attention to this sphere and they certainly did not lose interest in 2021. They actively continued to use the medical theme as bait and, as a result, their victims were frequently medical professionals.
The beginning of the mass vaccination campaign also led to many fraudulent scams last year. After the first vaccines appeared on the internet – and especially dark web forums – an active vaccine trade began online, a trade where no one could verify the authenticity of the vaccines being sold. Nevertheless, such scammers found buyers who wished to obtain the vaccines as quickly as possible, and soon offers for fake vaccine certificates and various QR-codes appeared.
-----
https://itwire.com/health/researchers-create-new-file-format-that-samples-dna-30-times-faster.html
Wednesday, 02 February 2022 11:37
Researchers create new file format that samples DNA 30 times faster
Teams at UNSW Sydney and the Garvan Institute of Medical Research have developed Slow5, a new format that helps process DNA samples 30 times faster than existing systems.
It analyses nanopore sequences to provide a more complete view of genetic variations. It also allows more sampling in any given period.
The research behind the development has been published in Nature Biotechnology, but the software has already been released through open source and has been downloaded more than 1000 times in just a few weeks.
Fast5 to Slow5
Huge amounts of data are created when the nanopore is sequenced. Then, it
needs to be stored and analysed.
This data has routinely been recorded in a file format called Fast5, with such complex information often producing files around 1.3 terabyte in size – roughly the equivalent of 650 hours of HD video.
-----
https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/professional/gps-set-to-double-down-on-digital-transformation-i
GPs set to double down on digital transformation in 2022
SPONSORED: Telehealth becoming a permanent part of the healthcare system is the latest example of lasting digital shifts brought on by the pandemic.
Commonwealth Bank
31 Jan 2022
For GPs, the digitisation of practice operations and the
patient experience picked up significantly in 2021 and is expected to continue
apace in the year ahead.
According to the latest CommBank
GP Insights report, released
in August 2021, investing in new technology ranked among practices’ top
three growth strategies. Most practices intend to lift associated budgets in
the next 12 months to support this approach.
This is despite more than one in two practices already spending more on
technology than initially planned during 2021, as practices sought to keep pace
with patients’ heightened expectations for digitally assisted interactions.
For CommBank Health Chief Executive Officer, Albert Naffah, 2021 was another
watershed year for the digital transformation of general practice and
Australia’s healthcare system more broadly.
‘We saw GPs respond rapidly to changing conditions and implement digital
solutions to ensure continuity of care for Australians, all while managing the
enormity of the vaccination rollout,’ Mr Naffah said.
-----
https://www.itnews.com.au/news/deloitte-sap-win-220m-wa-health-hr-system-deal-575585
Deloitte, SAP win $220m WA Health HR system deal
By Justin Hendry on Feb 4, 2022 10:46AM
System expected to go live in 2025.
Western Australia’s health department has settled on SAP's SuccessFactors for its new $220 million state-wide HR, payroll and rostering system, with Deloitte to build out the solution by June 2025.
WA Health revealed the contract for the integrated HR management information system (HMRIS) on Thursday following a proof-of-concept last year.
The proof-of-concept saw Deloitte trial software from both SAP and UKG (formerly Kronos) at three of the state’s metropolitan and regional public hospitals.
It followed an initial procurement for a single workforce system to serve WA Health’s 54,000-strong workforce in September 2020, funded with $8.5 million in the 2021-22 state budget.
-----
Clinical study finds that offering digital health platform Cardihab increases participation in cardiac rehabilitation
18th January, 2022
A clinical study of patients with cardiovascular disease by Queensland Cardiovascular Group has found that offering a digital health platform, Cardihab, substantially improved participation rates in cardiac rehabilitation.
The findings were published in cardiovascular medicine journal JMIR Cardio and revealed that participation in cardiac rehabilitation improved from 21% to 63% when app-based cardiac rehabilitation (SmartCR) was offered as an alternative in addition to a conventional in-person program.
Cardihab provides a digital platform and patient apps (SmartCR) that facilitate the virtual delivery of cardiac rehabilitation and chronic disease management programs for patients recovering from cardiac events and living with heart disease.
The study involved 204 patients who were offered cardiac rehabilitation post angioplasty.
Cohort 1 comprised 99 patients who were offered conventional cardiac rehabilitation only. Cohort 2 comprised 105 patients who were offered Cardihab as an alternative if they declined conventional cardiac rehabilitation.
Patients in each cohort were monitored throughout a 6-week cardiac rehabilitation program, and participation rates were compared for both groups.
-----
DTA Releases & Statements
DTA publishes international DTx regulatory and reimbursement pathways
January 24, 2022
Critical step towards establishing consistent and scalable pathways to support the integration of DTx products across the global healthcare ecosystem
Monday, January 24, 2022– Arlington, VA– The Digital Therapeutics Alliance (DTA) is leading the next phase of industry growth and impact by convening leaders and stakeholders to establish consistent and scalable frameworks for the assessment, integration, and adoption of digital therapeutic (DTx) products.
As a part of this work, DTA published overviews for DTx regulatory and reimbursement pathways in eight countries: Australia, China, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, United Kingdom, and United States. These publications provide a snapshot of currently available pathways within each market. Recognizing the significant progress these countries have made to develop DTx frameworks, DTA looks forward to the continued maturation of these pathways and will regularly update each document to reflect ongoing changes within national systems.
“Digital therapeutics are increasingly being recognized and adopted into national frameworks around the world to improve patient care. Yet, there is still much to be done to ensure consistency in how these products are defined, regulated, evaluated, and funded,” explains Megan Coder, DTA Chief Policy Officer. “Understanding the current landscape is a first step towards establishing clear and consistent patient access pathways. This year, DTA is taking critical steps to build on this important foundation.”
-----
https://www.hinz.org.nz/news/594478/RAT-results-available-on-My-Covid-Record.htm
RAT results available on My Covid Record
Wednesday, 2 February 2022
NEWS - eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth
Results from Rapid Antigen Tests
(RATs) are being reported electronically and made available to view on My Covid
Record.
On 6 December 2021, Covid-19 lab test results were added to My Covid Record
using a FHIR-based API developed by Sysmex. The API queries the Environmental
Science and Research (ESR) Eclair database, a Sysmex solution which holds all
Covid testing data from around the country.
Following the roll out of RATs in pharmacies, pharmacy staff members must now
report all results to the Ministry of Health using the RAT Reporting Solution
in ESR Eclair.
These tests are currently free for asymptomatic unvaccinated travellers aged
over 12 years and their use is due to expand under the government’s new
three-phase approach to Omicron.
Sysmex head of software development, Graeme Hibbert, says the company was
already in the process of developing FHIR-based APIs to allow third parties to
query its lab test databases.
-----
https://nbmphn.com.au/Resources/Programs-Services/digitalhealth/School-Newsletter-Material.aspx
Suggested School Propaganda From A PHN.
Your Child’s Important Health History All In One Place
Full Paragraph
Your Child’s Important Health History –In The One Place
The Australian Government is giving everyone in the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Lithgow and Penrith area a My Health Record – a secure, online digital health record.
My Health Record allows parents to keep track of their children’s immunisations, developmental milestones, healthcare provider or hospital visits and other important medical information.
By choosing to have a My Health Record for you and your family, you will record your child’s health story as it happens. You can be sure it’s exactly where it needs to be, when it’s needed in the future.
Healthcare providers such as doctors, specialists, and hospital staff will be able to access it when they need to, like in the case of an accident or emergency.
The My Health Records will be created in mid-June and from mid-July healthcare professionals will be able to start uploading information into them. People are able to opt-out of having a My Health Record if they wish.
As a parent, you can apply to access and manage your child’s My Health Record online. The Child Development section of your child’s My Health Record is a place where parents can add information about their child’s early health, growth and development. When your child is over the age of 14 years old, they can apply to manage their own record.
To find out more information about My Health Record, visit myhealthrecord.gov.au or call 1800 723 471.
-----
https://www.hospitalhealth.com.au/content/technology/article/health-care-s-silver-lining-4476810
Health care's silver lining
Wednesday, 02 February, 2022
Health care’s digital transformation was well underway when the pandemic first hit, but the crisis led to a massive increase in adoption and acceptance of technology by healthcare professionals as well as consumers, patients and carers.
The pandemic has also exacerbated health care’s myriad challenges including staffing issues, surgery backlogs, burnout and poor mental health. “One very small silver lining has been the increasing focus on digital technologies,” said Kartik Natarajan, Managing Director, ANZ at Getinge, a global medical technology company providing healthcare and life sciences equipment and services.
Natarajan sees huge potential for technological innovations, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and big data to transform healthcare delivery and help ease the burden on our already overloaded health system. As hospitals begin clearing the surgery backlog, maximising efficiency of operating theatres will be critical. “That is something that continues to be a challenge for both public as well as private hospitals in Australia and New Zealand,” he said noting that the other problem that is still quite rampant is the ambulance ramping problem at hospitals. Technological innovations could play a key role in addressing these challenges, improving patient outcomes as well as achieving operational, logistical and cost efficiencies, Natarajan said.
-----
https://www.itnews.com.au/news/accc-pushes-for-upload-speed-advertising-by-internet-providers-575349
ACCC pushes for upload speed advertising by internet providers
By Ry Crozier on Jan 31, 2022 12:57PM
To help remote workers choose more suitable services.
Australian internet providers may soon need to clearly state typical upload speeds in their advertising, a move that could help remote workers choose broadband services suited to videoconferencing and corporate VPN needs.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is reviewing the marketing guidelines for retail service providers (RSPs) that offer fixed line and fixed wireless broadband services.
The ACCC said it had become concerned at the lack of advertising of upload speeds, for NBN and non-NBN services.
It had also become a potential source of confusion for NBN users in the 100Mbps tier, where uploads were now offered as either 20Mbps or 40Mbps.
-----
https://exchange.telstra.com.au/how-were-building-the-fibre-network-of-the-future/
How we’re building the fibre network of the future
By Brendon Riley February 2, 2022
As we edge further into a digital century, it’s clear that data is king. How much data you have; how fast it moves, and how much you can send are the currency of the digital realm.
There’s more demand than ever for fast and capable networks to shuttle around huge amounts of data as the world digitises at an astronomical pace.
Our hyper-connected age now needs a hyper-connected network so Aussies can stay on the cutting edge of the global digital economy. That’s why we’re spending up big on a new state-of-the-art fibre network.
We’ll be building all new inter-city dual fibre paths to make sure Australia has the network it deserves.
Here’s what it all means.
-----
https://www.afr.com/chanticleer/telstra-s-satellite-hit-to-nbn-20220202-p59t7q
Telstra’s satellite hit to NBN
The telecommunications giant is stepping up its investment in satellite and fibre optic networks in a move that puts more pressure on the government-owned National Broadband Network.
Feb 2, 2022 – 6.47pm
Telstra and its new satellite partner, Viasat, delivered two blows to the government-owned NBN Co on Wednesday with the release of plans to invest up to $1.6 billion in new telco infrastructure over the next five years.
NBN has every reason to be worried about Telstra upgrading 20,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable on the east coast, and United States satellite company Viasat revealing plans to offer satellite broadband services to business and consumers.
Viasat, which provides Wi-Fi on Qantas planes in Australia, is about to launch the first of three geostationary satellites that will have a footprint covering the entire globe.
The first ViaSat-3 terabit-class satellite will be launched late this year, followed six months later by another one covering Europe, and a third one covering Australia.
-----
https://www.itnews.com.au/news/telstra-to-put-16-billion-into-fibre-projects-575457
Telstra to put $1.6 billion into fibre projects
By Ry Crozier on Feb 2, 2022 10:37AM
Months after HyperOne starts building its own national fibre backbone.
Telstra is set to invest up to $1.6 billion into a pair of fibre infrastructure projects, one for extra capacity and route diversity between capital cities, and the other to support a Viasat satellite system.
The telco said it expected to invest between $1.4 billion and $1.6 billion outside of its business-as-usual capital expenditure over the next five years.
About 70 percent of the commitment will coincide with the telco’s T25 transformation.
Telstra said one of the projects will see it build a new “state-of-the-art inter-city dual fibre paths” that add up to 20,000km of new terrestrial cable.
CEO Andrew Penn said the investment would boost inter-capital capacity, as well as capacity for regional areas.
“This will support remote working and education needs, health services, high-definition entertainment consumption and online gaming, and IoT use cases such as mining and agriculture,” Penn said.
-----
https://www.itnews.com.au/news/aussie-broadband-presses-for-cvc-free-50mbps-nbn-services-575423
Aussie Broadband presses for CVC-free 50Mbps NBN services
By Ry Crozier on Feb 1, 2022 5:28PM
Dissecting NBN Co's flat-price proposal.
Aussie Broadband is pushing NBN Co to widen a pricing restructure by offering a single flat price for 50Mbps tier services, which account for 58 percent of all active fixed-line connections.
Managing director Phillip Britt provided the first substantive comments on NBN Co’s revised pricing proposal released just before Christmas following months of industry discussions.
NBN Co is proposing to scrap variable connectivity virtual circuit (CVC) charging on plans of 100Mbps and above, but to retain the charges on 25Mbps and 50Mbps services.
Not having to deal with CVC would greatly simplify the way internet providers manage NBN customers and usage, and reduce unpredictable costs.
-----
Enjoy!
David.
No comments:
Post a Comment