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
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We seem to have an epidemic of cyber leaks this week.
Otherwise a few fun bits as usual and a few new apps.
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Thursday, 13 October 2022 11:15
A free mobile app helps people track early dementia diagnosis
Health organisation Dementia Australia has launched a free mobile app named BrainTrack to help people to privately monitor and better understand suspected changes in their cognition over time.
When they have a concern, they can share the results with their general practitioner (GP) and use it as a conversation starter to support an earlier dementia diagnosis, Dementia Australia said.
Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said BrainTrack helps individuals explore common cognitive concerns and provides brain health information through fun, travel-themed games that have been adapted from validated cognitive testing.
“Users are prompted to log-in monthly to play the games and within the app can easily generate a pdf report of the results that can be emailed to their GP,” McCabe said.
“While not intended to replace a formal cognitive assessment, BrainTrack supports the early identification of cognitive changes over time that may warrant further testing.”
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New app to connect people with CPR training to emergencies
By Mary Ward
October 15, 2022 — 4.44pm
People trained in CPR will soon be able to receive phone notifications about emergency situations near them, with the state’s ambulance service hoping a new app will increase survival rates of people in cardiac arrest.
The GoodSAM app, which has been used in Victoria since 2018 and the UK since 2013, will be rolled out in NSW over the coming months as part of a $2.5 million partnership with NSW Ambulance, Health Minister Brad Hazzard announced on Saturday.
Triple Zero call-takers will upload incidents to the app, notifying people trained in CPR nearby to a person in cardiac arrest. The app will also contain information about the location of every defibrillator in the state, a centralised list previously never collated.
“If you have a cardiac arrest outside of hospital, there’s a nine in 10 chance that you will die. We have to do everything we possibly can to try and increase the chances of survival,” Hazzard said.
A review of the app’s use in London and East Midlands, conducted by Warwick Medical School, found attendance of a bystander alerted by the app was associated with a higher chance of survival for the person in cardiac arrest.
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https://www.itnews.com.au/news/oaic-opens-optus-investigation-586299
OAIC opens Optus investigation
By Kate Weber on Oct 11, 2022 11:46AM
The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) and the Australian Communications and Media Authority have today launched investigations into Optus’ massive data breach.
It's thought roughly 2.8 million Optus customers had their personal data information exposed this past September, but the number could be as high as 9.8 million.
The OAIC said its investigation will concentrate on whether Optus took reasonable steps to protect the personal information from “misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure”.
It will also look into if the telco’s data collection practices were necessary to carry out its business, and if it implemented best practices in line with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), which provide standards collecting and storing personal data to collected.
Once the investigation has been finalised, information and privacy commissioner Angelene Falk may determine whether Optus will need to take steps to reimburse any damage.
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About 80% of emergency patients avoided hospital admission in SA Virtual Care Service trial
The service is now being rolled out in more than 120 residential aged care facilities.
By Adam Ang
October 11, 2022 04:00 AM
SA Health has started rolling out its virtual care programme to over 120 residential care facilities in the state.
This follows a trial in 11 aged care homes operated by Eldercare since early last year.
In partnership with SA Ambulance Service, regional hospitals and aged care facilities, the SA Virtual Care Service (SAVCS) provides an individualised assessment service via video link for urgent patients on scene with responders.
Responders can turn to senior and specialist medical clinicians for help via video on an electronic tablet to assess, monitor, and determine the most appropriate and safe options for emergency patients.
WHY IT MATTERS
The SAVCS pathway brings the expertise of clinical teams that is normally only available in the ED to the patient's home.
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Medibank suffers ‘cyber incident’, crashes systems
October 13, 2022
Medibank Private will isolate and remove access to some customer-facing systems as it reports a major cyber security breach.
The company says the incident happened on Wednesday, and at this stage there is no evidence that any sensitive data, including customer data, has been accessed.
The isolation of several customer-facing systems would reduce the likelihood of damage to systems or data loss.
“As a result our ahm and international student policy management systems have been taken offline. We expect these systems to be offline for most of the day,” Medibank says in a statement.
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https://www.afr.com/companies/financial-services/medibank-private-hit-by-cyberattack-20221013-p5bpi6
Medibank Private hit by cyberattack
Ayesha de Kretser Senior Reporter
Oct 13, 2022 – 11.54am
Health insurer Medibank Private says it has been the latest target of a cyberattack, causing it to take some of its customer-facing systems offline and disrupting some services to its 3.7 million members.
Medibank said it detected unusual activity and took “immediate steps to contain the incident”, working with cybersecurity firms.
It has not found any customer data that has been compromised, but it is still seeking to confirm that no sensitive information has been disclosed.
“At this stage there is no evidence that any sensitive data, including customer data, has been accessed,” Medibank said in a statement to the ASX.
The attack comes after telecommunications company Optus said as many as 9.8 million Australians’ passport, licence and home addresses could have been accessed by hackers in a cyberattack, leaving victims vulnerable to identity fraud.
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https://www.afr.com/companies/financial-services/medibank-private-hit-by-cyberattack-20221013-p5bpi6
Medibank doesn’t know if your data is private after ‘incident’
Ayesha de Kretser Senior Reporter
Oct 13, 2022 – 11.54am
Australia’s biggest health insurance company Medibank confirmed it is the latest corporate target of a cyberattack, but the insurer is unable to say whether its members’ sensitive health information might have been compromised.
In a statement to the ASX on Thursday, Medibank said it had detected “unusual activity” and a spokeswoman did not answer questions regarding the nature of the attack.
The issue prompted Medibank to take some of its customer-facing systems offline and is disrupting some services to its 3.7 million members, while its shares were placed in a trading halt until Monday.
Jefferies analyst Vanessa Thomson said while it remained unclear whether “policyholder accounts have been compromised nor if any sensitive data has been accessed”, Medibank had access to highly personal data.
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https://www.itnews.com.au/news/medibank-takes-systems-offline-after-cyber-incident-586417
Medibank takes systems offline after 'cyber incident'
By Ry Crozier on Oct 13, 2022 12:57PM
Investigates extent of unauthorised access.
Medibank has taken two customer-facing systems offline “to reduce the likelihood of damage to systems or data loss” stemming from a cyber security incident.
The insurer said that policy management systems covering its ahm brand as well as international students are now offline, and would remain that way “for most of the day”.
It did not detail what had exactly occurred, aside from the detection of “unusual activity on its network.”
"We are working around the clock to understand the full nature of the incident, and any additional impact this incident may have on our customers, our people and our broader ecosystem,” Medibank CEO David Koczkar said in a statement.
“We will continue to take decisive action to protect Medibank Group customers and our people.”
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Medibank says no customer data was compromised but its shares were placed in a trading halt
5:01PM October 13, 2022
Medibank says it has held discussions with cyber security agencies and the prudential regulator after it detected “unusual activity” on its network late on Wednesday.
The ASX-listed insurer said it had taken down several systems – causing significant disruption to some customers – but added that there was no evidence that sensitive data, including personal information, had been accessed.
Medibank disclosed the attack on Thursday morning, and placed its shares in trading halt. Its AHM and international student policy systems were taken offline to reduce the likelihood of data loss.
David Koczkar, Medibank’s chief executive, said on Thursday that this would “cause regrettable disruptions for some of our customers” and investigations into the incident were “ongoing”.
“I apologise and acknowledge that in the current environment this news may make people concerned,” Mr Koczkar said.
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Medibank systems back online after cyber attack, will share ‘technical information’ with rivals
October 14, 2022
Australia’s biggest health insurer, Medibank, has told its customers it does not have “all the answers yet” after it detected “unusual activity” that crashed its network this week and engages cyber security experts to complete a forensic investigation.
The company has restored access to its AHM and international student policy systems, which were taken offline on Thursday after the attack.
In a letter to customers, chief executive David Koczkar said there was “no evidence that any customer data has been accessed”, unlike the Optus hack, which stole the personal details of 10 million Australians.
Mr Koczkar said Medibank had engaged external cyber security experts to assist with an investigation and was in “frequent contact” with the Australian Cyber Security Centre, the prudential regulator and other government departments.
Medibank will also share technical information with rival health funds to “help others understand how this incident transpired and to allow our industry peers to bolster their own defences.”
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https://www.afr.com/technology/woolworths-says-2-2m-mydeal-customers-data-hacked-20221015-p5bpzo
Woolworths says 2.2m MyDeal customers’ data hacked
Oct 15, 2022 – 9.40am
In the third major corporate security breach in as many weeks, Woolworths is scrambling to contact 2.2 million customers of its MyDeal online marketplace arm whose data has been accessed by an unauthorised user using “compromised” credentials, the supermarkets giant said on Friday evening.
Woolworths, which follows health insurer Medibank Private and telecoms group Optus in owning up to data breaches affecting millions of consumers, said it had contacted relevant regulatory authorities and government agencies about the breach.
MyDeal customers that are not contacted have not been affected, the company said. Of the 2.2 million estimated to have been affected, 1.2 million have only had their email addresses exposed.
The exposed data also includes names, phone numbers, delivery addresses and some customers’ birthdates. MyDeal does not store payment, drivers’ licence or passport details and Woolworths said no customer account passwords or payment details had been compromised.
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Patients' private details published after cyber attackers stole data on up to 450,000 people
2:03 pm on 10 October 2022
As many as 450,000 people could have had their private details compromised after attackers stole private health data from Pinnacle Midlands Health Network. Photo: 123rf
A North Island health network that has been targeted in a cyber attack says private patient information has now been publicly uploaded to the internet.
Hackers stole data on up to 450,000 people from Pinnacle Midlands Health Network about a fortnight ago.
The company's chief executive Justin Butcher said it was notified within the last 24 hours that the stolen information had been made public by what he called malicious actors.
More information had also come to light about the type of information taken - it involved data about past and present patients, including hospital services used, and immunisation and screening statuses.
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https://www.hinz.org.nz/news/619050/National-dashboard-monitors-health-system-pressures.htm
National dashboard monitors health system pressures
Tuesday, 11 October 2022
NEWS - eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth
Te Whatu Ora – Health New
Zealand has created a national dashboard for monitoring health system pressures
across the motu.
A Te Whatu Ora spokesperson says a suite of tools, including the 'up-to-date
dashboard', is used for monitoring health system pressures and coordinating
responses at a national, regional, and local level.
Built on Microsoft Power BI and supported by SQL databases, the dashboard is
updated weekly, however some components can be updated daily.
Health NZ is also working on a Rapid National Data Automation Project, to
provide real-time access to hospital information.
Data included in the health system pressures dashboard covers a range of
sectors, such as primary, community, ambulance and hospital services.
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Western Australia hospitals shift to electronic medication register by Modeus
The system will be rolled out first at King Edward Memorial Hospital in Perth.
By Adam Ang
October 14, 2022 12:36 AM
Hospitals and health facilities across Western Australia will implement an electronic medication register by local healthcare software provider Modeus.
According to a media release, the HS8 Controlled Medication Register will be rolled out first at King Edward Memorial Hospital in Perth before its gradual implementation across the WA Health system, which includes about 80 hospitals and health facilities.
WHAT IT'S ABOUT
HS8 allows hospitals to transition from a manual, paper-based system to an intelligent platform that allows nurses and pharmacists to save time spent on record keeping. Based on an analysis of its usage, the system can help quicken the time to complete a 5-item distribution by 40% compared to using paper registers and hasten stock checks by up to 30%.
This system has safety features that help prevent medication errors, as well as closed-loop governance and security that ensure the controlled medications are tracked and accounted for.
Moreover, it can integrate with many hospital systems, including iPharmacy, PAS, and Active Directory.
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Roundup: Online resources for cancer care, early dementia diagnosis launched in Australia
Also, Shaun Drummond has formally taken on the role of director-general at Queensland Health.
By Adam Ang
October 14, 2022 03:26 AM
Cancer care website for indigenous Australians now live
A comprehensive cancer website developed by and for indigenous people has been launched in Australia.
The online portal called Our Mob and Cancer provides culturally-safe support and information for patients, their families, communities and health professionals.
It includes information on how cancer affects indigenous people; ways to protect against cancer; types of cancer, diagnosis, treatment and living with cancer; how cancer spreads; and where to get help and support.
"More culturally appropriate and safe information about prevention, early detection, screening, treatment and support can directly translate into better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people," Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health and senator Malarndirri McCarthy commented on the website launch.
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https://wildhealth.net.au/wild-healths-ambitious-plan/
3 October 2022
Wild Health’s ambitious plan
As technology disrupts globally, fuelled by data driven innovation, Australia seems to find itself paralysed and unable to leverage the innovation sweeping the globe.?
Outdated funding models and siloed fragmented legacy technology are creating communication road blocks everywhere.?
Our politicians have responded to the crisis in our health system with meeting after crisis meeting, with peak bodies from across the sector all scrambling for more funding to address shortfalls.?
So, Wild Health came up with an ambitious plan to bring together stakeholders from across the health system, for a conversation about what we need to do to connect the system and fund innovation.
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https://www.seek.com.au/job/58761201?type=standout
EL1 Product Manager & EL1 Project Manager
Australian Digital Health Agency
Brisbane QLD
Government - Federal (Government & Defence)
$125,047 - $142,618 TRP incl superannuation
Full time
9 October, 2022
About the Agency
The Australian Digital Health Agency (the Agency) is responsible for national digital health services and systems, with a focus on engagement, innovation and clinical quality and safety. Our focus is on putting data and technology safely to work for patients, consumers and the healthcare professionals who look after them.
About the Roles
EL1 Product Manager
The Product Manager is accountable under broad direction to undertake very complex work to develop, drive, and implement the product strategy and roadmap for strategically significant products to meet the Agency’s business objectives and interoperability needs of the Australian healthcare sector.
The Product Manager will work closely with all branches and business units across the Agency, other government agencies, jurisdictions, clinical peak bodies and medical software developers to gain an in- depth understanding of the strategic workplan, government initiatives, technical infrastructure and services, roadmap, and the context in which the Agency operates and maintains the relevant products.
They will manage the prioritisation, definition and delivery of fit-for-purpose end products and ensure the team works on the right priorities based on business value and customer needs, balancing this with any associated risks to maximise value.
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Wednesday, 12 October 2022 09:36
E-pharmacy users to reach one billion by 2027, Juniper Research finds
E-pharmacy users will reach one billion globally by 2027 increasing from 795 million in 2022 accounting a growth of 28%, driven by the pandemic.
The surging adoption resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic as consumers were unable to leave their homes and turned to receiving through e-pharmacies, according to Juniper Research.
The firm expects growth to continue as vendors focus on retaining and expanding their customer bases by refining the efficiency e-pharmacy provides.
E-pharmacy is where online pharmacies sell medication, including prescriptions, over the Internet, with the ability to deliver straight to the consumer, according to Juniper Research.
Increase in accessibility of e-commerce driving growth
Consumers will continue to use e-pharmacy due to its efficiency including the
affordability of medication and a wider range of choice compared to
brick-and-mortar pharmacies, Juniper Research predicts.
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Beamtree (ASX:BMT) partners with Lean to support health services in Saudi Arabia
ASX:BMT MCAP $62.35M
Desiree Durrani Markets Reporter desiree.durrani@themarketherald.com.au 11 October 2022 18:13 (AEDT)
· Beamtree (BMT) signs a key strategic partnership with Lean following the successful completion of the company’s first major contract in Saudi Arabia
· This new partnership will support the proposed implementation of PICQ and related data products in Saudi Arabia if selected by health authorities or hospitals
· According to the company, the partnership with Lean is expected to support Beamtree’s goal of achieving annual recurring revenue of $60 million by 2026
· Shares in Beamtree end the day 10.9 per cent in the red to close at 25.5 cents
Beamtree (BMT) has signed a key strategic partnership with Lean following the successful completion of the company’s first major contract in Saudi Arabia.
Lean is the country’s leading provider of innovative health solutions and contributes to digitalising the health ecosystem in Saudi Arabia.
Overall, the partnership aims to support health services, improve the quality of hospital data and analytic insight through the audit and automation of clinical record classification.
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Monday, 10 October 2022 16:28
Innovate with nbn Grants Program applications now open
By Staff Writer
Up to $125,000 in grants are available to regional Australian businesses who have an innovative idea they need help to bring to life.
Now in its third year, the Innovate with nbn Grants Program is looking for businesses harnessing the benefits of the nbn network to develop products or solutions that improve digital participation, productivity or social outcomes for people living in regional and remote Australia.
Innovate says businesses can apply across seven categories including Health, Agriculture, Tourism, Arts, Education, Indigenous Business and Women in Regional Business.
Innovate has announced that the winner of each category will receive a $15,000 grant, and each of the category winners will go into the pool to become the overall winner and receive an additional $20,000.
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NBN costs: consumers consider wireless and mobile alternatives
October 10, 2022
Cost-conscious consumers are considering switching off their NBN internet plans in favour of cheaper mobile and wireless broadband options.
It’s a popular suggestion on online budgeting forums as technology improves the speed of lower-cost alternatives, and internet companies themselves promote 4G and 5G alternatives because this earns them bigger profits.
However, it’s wise to understand the costs and limitations before turning off your NBN service.
Telco comparison website Whistleout.com says there are two key types of mobile broadband: 4G or 5G wireless home internet that comes with a traditional – and usually free – modem, and plans with a portable modem that are generally cheaper still but have data and speed restrictions.
Whistleout spokesman Alex Choros says interest in home wireless started spiking at the end of 2021, helped by the wider availability of 5G, particularly from the biggest 5G provider Telstra.
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NASA’s asteroid-smashing DART mission deemed a success
By Aylin Woodward
Dow Jones
8:08AM October 12, 2022
The first mission to test a technology that one day might protect Earth from a catastrophic asteroid impact achieved its goal on Sept. 26, when a fast-moving spacecraft smashed into and changed the trajectory of a distant space rock, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration said Tuesday.
NASA said the intentional collision between its uncrewed spacecraft and the 525-foot-wide asteroid, called Dimorphos, successfully shifted the asteroid’s orbit around a larger asteroid called Didymos.
“This is a watershed moment for planetary defence and a watershed moment for humanity,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said Tuesday at a press briefing, adding that the mission “shows NASA is trying to be ready for whatever the universe throws at us.” The spacecraft was moving more than 14,000 miles an hour when it struck Dimorphos, which was about 7 million miles from Earth at the time of impact and doesn’t pose a threat to our planet.
“The impact was perfectly executed,” said Megan Bruck Syal, the planetary defence project lead at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California and a co-investigator of the $325 million mission, known as the Double Asteroid Redirection Test, or DART. She called the mission a great success.
Since the collision, DART team members have been working to quantify the shift in Dimorphos’ orbit. Before impact, it took Dimorphos 11 hours and 55 minutes to complete one orbit around Didymos. Now that time has been shortened to 11 hours and 23 minutes, Mr. Nelson said.
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Enjoy!
David.
Many data breaches and, yet again, the churn rate at ADHA is exposed. It seems to be a revolving door. All tough questions to be answered - maybe it’s time for doctor bashing after all those pesky GPs made life difficult for the MyHR folks who have long memories and need to distract the public from the actual theft from the public purse
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