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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Lots of stuff happening – some good – some not so good… Browse on!
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https://www.innovationaus.com/deloitte-gets-another-5m-for-health-data-super-highway/
Deloitte gets another $5m for health data ‘super-highway’
Justin Hendry
Editor
17 January 2023
US consulting giant Deloitte has landed a $5 million pay rise from the Australian Digital Health Agency for its work on a new platform for clinicians to exchange and access health information.
Deloitte has spent the last 18 months developing the Health API Gateway, having won an initial $18 million deal in July 2021 to replace the decade-old Oracle API gateway that served the controversial My Health Record.
Last month, the contract with Deloitte climbed $5.1 million, bringing the total bill to $25.1 million over three years. Another contract amendment in October also added $2.8 million to the contract’s total cost.
A spokesperson for the Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) put the most recent increase down to “changes in scope due to additional services relating to the national response to COVID-19 and further scaling of the platform to accommodate an increase in consumer access to the My Health Record”.
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Artificial pancreas effective in type 2 diabetes: trial
Friday, 13 January, 2023
An artificial pancreas that combines an off-the-shelf glucose monitor and insulin pump with an app developed by Cambridge scientists has been successfully trialled by patients living with type 2 diabetes.
The device doubled the amount of time patients were in the target glucose range and and halved the time patients spent experiencing high glucose levels, as reported in Nature Medicine.
The app, known as CamAPS HX, utilises an algorithm that predicts how much insulin is required to keep a patient’s glucose levels within the target range.
The team has already demonstrated that an artificial pancreas run by a similar algorithm is effective for patients living with type 1 diabetes, from adults through to very young children. They have also successfully trialled the device in patients with type 2 diabetes who require kidney dialysis.
This new version, trialled for the first time in a wider population living with type 2 diabetes (not requiring kidney dialysis) is a fully closed loop system. The version for patients with type 1 diabetes requires patients to report that they are about to eat so that the artificial pancreas can adjust insulin levels accordingly, but the latest iteration functions automatically.
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https://medicalrepublic.com.au/do-you-know-where-your-cyber-vulnerabilities-are/83951
16 January 2023
Do you know where your cyber vulnerabilities are?
By Dave Patnaik
Here are three key things healthcare organisations can do to mitigate their risk.
In 2022, healthcare organisations have continued to be plagued by cyberattacks.
It was recently revealed by OAIC that health service providers have suffered more data breaches than any other sector in Australia, with 51% more breaches hitting them in the first half of 2022 than the second-placed finance sector. However, data breaches are not the only cyber threat facing the healthcare sector.
Digital transformation trends, including the internet of things (IoT), the internet of medical things (IoMT) and IT/OT convergence (the merging of information technology and operational technology) have enabled healthcare providers to deliver more efficient and effective services and care to their patients.
However, these technologies have also dramatically increased the attack surface in healthcare providers, opening them up to a variety of ransomware, malware and DDoS attacks. As technology continues to transform the healthcare industry, real-world threats will become more pronounced in the cybersecurity space.
Supply chain vulnerabilities are a piece of the vulnerability puzzle
In March 2022, Forescout’s Vedere Labs published Access:7 a cybersecurity research report that identified more than half a dozen vulnerabilities that affected more than 100 device manufacturers. These vulnerabilities were related to Axeda, a remote access and management solution for connected devices, which had been integrated into more than 150 different medical and IoT devices – predominantly impacting healthcare organisations.
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Digital platforms warned: tackle disinformation or face regulation
By Richard Chirgwin on Jan 20, 2023 12:40PM
ACMA to receive code-making powers.
If major digital platforms don’t deal with harmful online disinformation, they will be made subject to regulation and a mandatory industry code, the federal government has warned.
The government said an exposure draft of legislation giving the Australian Communications and Media Authority regulatory power over platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok will be released during the first half of this year.
Authorised electoral content and what the government calls “professional news” will be exempt from the code.
The ACMA will be given the power to gather information and keep records of platforms’ efforts to combat disinformation, to make the platforms’ response to disinformation more transparent.
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Government introduces laws to protect Australians from online misinformation
By Zoe Samios
January 20, 2023 — 12.01am
The federal government will give the media regulator new legislative powers in an attempt to reduce the spread of misinformation and disinformation on global technology platforms such as Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland is planning to introduce laws that will give Australia’s media watchdog the ability to retract information from the world’s most powerful tech companies if they fail to meet standards of a voluntary misinformation and disinformation code of practice.
The previous government, under then communications minister Paul Fletcher, attempted to introduce the same laws but did not do so before the 2022 federal election.
“Misinformation and disinformation poses a threat to the safety and wellbeing of Australians, as well as to our democracy, society and economy,” Rowland said. “A new and graduated set of powers will enable the [Australian Communications and Media Authority] to monitor efforts and compel digital platforms to do more, placing Australia at the forefront in tackling harmful online misinformation and disinformation.”
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Tuesday, 17 January 2023 10:36
ACMA alerts the public to be vigilant against myGov SMS and email scams
The ACMA has warned the public to be vigilant of fake emails and SMS claiming to be from myGov, an Australian government services portal, which may possibly be a scam.
The ACMA said the SMS and emails suggest that users are owed a refund. The email will lure users to click on a malicious link or visit a fake website in order to receive a tax refund.
Other emails may ask users to update personal details through a link or attachment.
These messages will also often reference other government agencies or services such as the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) or programs like Medicare.
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Care homes offer virtual walks down memory lane
By Keiran Southern
11:00AM January 21, 2023
Communal areas in care homes are usually the setting for bingo games or hours of daytime television.
Now visitors to retirement homes across America may be surprised to find the residents wearing virtual reality (VR) headsets as experts use the technology to fight loneliness and alleviate anxiety for people with dementia.
Studies have shown that “reminiscence therapy”, which includes viewing childhood pictures or listening to one’s favourite music, can boost mood and it is hoped that VR will provide a more immersive experience.
Alone or in group sessions, elderly users can take a virtual stroll down the street on which they lived as a child, or visit a favourite holiday destination.
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Review of digital industry code on misinformation fails to address public health concerns
Editor - Jennifer Doggett
Author Jennifer Doggett
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
International organisations, including the World Health Organization and UNICEF, have identified online misinformation and disinformation as one of the most significant current threats to the health and wellbeing of the global community.
Yet in Australia we do not have a national strategy to tackle misinformation and instead rely on a voluntary code of practice, developed by an industry association, to address the explosion of false and misleading information online.
A recent review by this industry body of its code of practice highlights the inadequacies of this approach, in particular through its ongoing failure to engage with the public health sector and communities most impacted by health-related misinformation and disinformation.
Jennifer Doggett writes:
On the 22 December, the Digital Industry Group Inc (DIGI) released a report responding to submissions received during the public consultation on the 2022 Review of The Australian Code of Practice on Disinformation and Misinformation.
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Roundup: Sunrise EMR goes live at Lyell McEwin Hospital and more briefs
Also, the Victorian government is providing new medical equipment and upgrades to 23 health services.
By Adam Ang
January 19, 2023 09:27 PM
Latest Sunrise EMR implementation in South Australia
Lyell McEwin Hospital, a major tertiary hospital in Adelaide, has gone live with the Sunrise EMR and PAS by Altera Digital Health.
LMH, a part of the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network, provides medical, surgical, diagnostic, emergency and support services to a population of more than 400,000 people.
The Sunrise PAS first went live with key clinical functionality at LMH's emergency department in October last year.
Over the next two years, the Sunrise EMR will be implemented across SA's regional hospitals and local health networks, following the government's A$31.1 million ($21.5 million) investment in the project.
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https://www.innovationaus.com/advisory-group-to-help-govt-close-digital-inclusion-gap/
Advisory group to help govt close digital inclusion gap
Justin Hendry
Editor
18 January 2023
An advisory group chaired by accomplished indigenous screenwriter and Order of Australia recipient Dorothy ‘Dot’ West has been created by the federal government to work towards closing the digital inclusion gap for First Nations Australians by 2026.
Cultural heritage expert Dr Lyndon Ormond-Parker, Macquarie University Professor Bronwyn Carlson, digital inclusion community advocate Talei Elu and First Nations Media Australia chair Naomi Moran will also sit on the advisory.
Communications minister Michelle Rowland revealed the members of the First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group ahead of its first meeting in Adelaide on Wednesday, reigniting efforts to address systemic connectivity issues in “true partnership”.
“Boosting digital inclusion is a key focus of the Albanese Government – especially when it comes to supporting greater connectivity for First Nations Australians,” she said, adding that digital inclusion is “more than just a nice to have, it’s a necessity”.
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https://www.innovationaus.com/law-firms-press-watchdog-for-medibank-data-breach-compensation/
Law firms press watchdog for Medibank data breach compensation
Joseph Brookes
Senior Reporter
16 January 2023
Three law firms are pursuing compensation potentially worth billions of dollars for the Medibank customers affected by a massive data breach at the health insurer, while an investigation into a potential class action against Optus for its data breach is progressing.
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, Bannister Law Class Actions and Centennial Lawyers on Monday confirmed they are pursuing Medibank on behalf of customers, by running a joint data breach complaint with the privacy regulator.
Based on the watchdog’s previous compensation determinations for data breaches, the payout could cost the insurer up to between $4.84 billion and $194 billion because of the number of customers involved.
Around 9.7 million current and former customers of Medibank and budget subsidiary ahm had their personal information, including names, dates of birth, address, phone numbers and email addresses, as well as sensitive data about claims, compromised in the data breach in September. Some of the data was then released to the dark web, according to the company.
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https://www.countrysaphn.com.au/provider-connect-australia/
Provider Connect Australia
Provider Connect Australia - helping healthcare providers stay connected
Provider Connect Australia is a new service operated by the Australian Digital Health Agency to streamline the process of healthcare organisations keeping their business partners up to date with details of the services they provide and the practitioners that provide them.
Benefits of Provider Connect Australia
When healthcare provider organisations update their contact details in the Provider Connect Australia service, this automatically sends their new details to nominated hospitals, pathology and radiology services, public service directories, secure messaging providers and more.
This service will be launched to all Australian healthcare provider organisations in early 2023. The benefits to you and your team include:
· Significantly reduces the time spent to manually notify each business partner whenever healthcare provider organisation details change.
· Reduces and/or eliminates potential errors from manually transcribing information
· It is a secure, reliable and efficient way to help healthcare providers stay connected on a national scale.
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SA Health to roll out EMR in regional hospitals
Wednesday, 18 January, 2023
South Australia is set to roll out an electronic medical record (EMR) system to all regional hospitals and Local Health Networks.
The system is already in place in most metropolitan hospitals and now the state government has approved an additional $31.1 million for a statewide regional rollout expected to be complete by late 2024.
Regional hospitals are currently using an outdated software system that is no longer supported or fit for purpose.
The EMR system, developed by global clinical software vendor Altera Digital Health, will deliver integrated, patient-centred care across the SA Health system and will also streamline processes for healthcare workers.
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Product Performance Lead
Australian Digital Health Agency Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia On-site 1 day ago 4 applicants
Full-time · Mid-Senior level
501-1,000 employees · Hospitals and Health Care
About the job
The Australian Digital Health 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.
The Product Performance Lead operates from within the Digital Strategy Division and works closely with Agency analytics, operations, research, and partnerships teams, as well as external stakeholders, to generate insights for developing effective product roadmaps, roll-out plans, and post-launch service operations.
The Product Performance Lead exercises initiative and judgment in the applying product, service, and operations management practices and procedures to ensure that technical, professional, or policy advice received is relevant to the Agency’s products.
The Product Performance Lead applies strong stakeholder engagement skills and is responsible for working with key internal and external stakeholders to understand, negotiate and resolve complex, difficult, or sensitive issues arising in the context of the Agency’s products.
Director Enterprise Architecture
Australian Digital Health Agency Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia On-site 1 day ago 6 applicants
Full-time · Director
501-1,000 employees · Hospitals and Health Care
About the job
The Australian Digital Health 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.
As the Director Enterprise Architecture, you will have strong leadership qualities, in proactively and purposefully championing the nationwide development, implementation and maintenance of Enterprise Architecture functions within the Agency, and in so doing making a difference in the lives of all Australian citizens.
The Director Enterprise Architecture will advocate for Enterprise Architecture through, for example:
- Uplifting the maturity and effectiveness of architectural capabilities, and practices; and building an understanding of Enterprise Architecture within the Agency.
- Working consultatively with stakeholders in providing expert advice and defining a future state technology blueprint to support Agency imperatives.
In addition, the Director Enterprise Architecture will be adept at formulating, leading, and developing teams of specialists in delivering complex and time-sensitive outcomes in a dynamic and changing environment, using active planning and optimisation of resources.
The role will be expected work under broad direction in successfully executing work of high complexity and/or sensitivity.
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Data Design Lead (Non-ongoing)
Australian Digital Health Agency Sydney, New South Wales, Australia On-site 1 day ago 5 applicants
· Full-time · Mid-Senior level
· 501-1,000 employees · Hospitals and Health Care
About the job
As the EL1 Data Design Lead, you focus on bringing analytics and data to life across the organisation. You will do this by being hands-on and working with the Data and Reporting team to develop simple, highly engaging dashboards and designs. This will involve leading the transformation of the Agency towards a consistent and effective approach to storytelling through data while supporting the data-driven decision-making process across the Agency. As the EL1 Data Design Lead, you will be required to:
- Apply data design and visualisation principles and techniques to raise the bar on all dashboards and reports being produced and maintained.
- Establish data guidelines and dashboard templates to support other analysts.
- Mentor other analysts tasked with designing data through dashboards.
- Develop a deep understanding of existing data sources, the relationships between each dataset and their limitations to support the ability to support the end-to-end process of developing dashboards.
- Analyse, interpret and present complex concepts and information succinctly to varied and frequently non-data specialist audiences.
- Provide strategic support to the section to deliver quality reporting and analytics services that are efficient, effective and in line with Agency objectives.
- Undertaking a review of existing reporting and systems as part of continuous improvement.
- Provide analytic assistance and training to the Agency and data presentation advice to stakeholders.
- Develop and maintain strong, effective working relationships and communications with key internal and external stakeholders to facilitate data collection, review, analysis, and reporting.
The Australian Digital Health 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.
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https://cesphn.org.au/news/nsw-health-pathology-results-delivered-into-your-software
NSW Health Pathology results delivered into your software
16 January 2023
Last year, we updated you with the news that NSW Health Pathology was in the process of setting up electronic results delivery via HealthLink.
This has now been set up and you can receive results electronically into your practice Software –Best Practice, Medical Director and Genie.
To register for the electronic pathology results from NSW Health Pathology please complete the enclosed NSW Health Pathology medical practitioner form below and email to NSWPATH-BusinessDevelopmentEast@health.nsw.gov.au
If you do not have HealthLink, first visit the HealthLink website to register for a free account https://au.healthlink.net/au_registration/
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https://www.itnews.com.au/news/nbn-co-shows-upgrade-trajectory-for-50-to-100mbps-migration-589813
NBN Co shows upgrade trajectory for 50-to-100Mbps migration
By Ry Crozier on Jan 17, 2023 11:47AM
Lays out forecast for next three years.
NBN Co is hoping to almost double the number of subscribers it has on 100Mbps-plus plans in the next three years.
Much of this movement relies on narrowing the gap in price between its 50Mbps plans - currently the most popular - and 100Mbps services, in particular.
The proposed way of achieving this is by raising the cost of 50Mbps services, while simultaneously reducing the cost of 100Mbps plans and above - but it will require ACCC approval, which is far from guaranteed.
The net effect of the planned price changes, according to an analysis by TPG Telecom, would be convergence of 50Mbps and 100Mbps prices, potentially within a year.
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Telstra joins chorus of critics over NBN pricing
By David Swan
5:34PM January 16, 2023
Telco giant Telstra has weighed in on the latest pricing proposals from NBN Co, describing them as “steps in the right direction” but echoing the competition watchdog’s concerns with planned price rises, including to the most popular 50Mbps plans.
The ACCC on Friday published a consultation paper in response to NBN Co’s latest pricing proposal – known as the Special Access Undertaking – that would lift the prices of some plans and lock in terms until 2040.
The watchdog flagged multiple concerns and has taken issue with planned price rises to NBN’s 50Mbps plans, concerns shared on Monday by Telstra.
“While the SAU has made some steps in the right direction, there is still some work to be done to ensure the regulatory framework delivers the right wholesale prices and service quality for customers over the next 10-20 years. Given the long-term nature of this SAU, it’s critical for our customers that we get it right,” a Telstra spokeswoman said.
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https://www.itnews.com.au/news/future-nbn-price-shock-weighs-on-accc-589783
Future NBN 'price shock' weighs on ACCC
By Ry Crozier on Jan 16, 2023 12:30PM
As regulator looks beyond mid-2032.
NBN Co must convince regulators that its broadband pricing won’t become “inefficiently high” from mid-2032 for its latest special access undertaking (SAU) variation to pass.
Late last week, the ACCC raised substantial concerns [pdf] with the latest redraft of the SAU, which sets price and non-price terms for NBN Co’s operation between now and 2040.
One of the key issues is what happens to NBN pricing from mid-2032.
NBN Co is proposing two regulated periods either side of June 30 2032.
The main differences are:
- The amount of historically incurred costs that can be claimed in each period - $1 billion in the first bit, and up to $11.5 billion post mid-2032;
- Price controls that apply up to mid-2032 don’t necessarily carry over; and
- After mid-2032, NBN Co wants a “stand-alone credit rating with a stable outlook”.
The ACCC is concerned the pursuit of the credit rating could mean large price increases immediately beyond mid-2032, with little regulatory recourse.
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Enjoy!
David.
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