What You Should Know: - Walmart announced today the difficult decision to close all 51 Walmart Health centers and discontinue its virtual care offering. This comes after five years of operation for the health centers. - The company cited a "challenging reimbursement environment and escalating operating costs" as reasons for the closure. This highlights the difficulty of establishing a profitable healthcare business model, especially in the current environment. Priority Shift on
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Nicklaus Children’s Health System and Philips Ink 10-Year Partnership
What You Should Know: - Philips and Nicklaus Children's Health System, a leader in pediatric care, announced a groundbreaking 10-year collaboration focused on enhancing patient and staff experiences, improving outcomes, and driving innovation in pediatric care. - As part of the partnership, Nicklaus Children's will be the first to adopt the virtually helium-free Philips Ambition X MR scanner. This innovative technology eliminates the need for ongoing helium refills, a significant
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GE HealthCare’s Portrait VSM Vital Signs Monitor Receives FDA Clearance
What You Should Know: - GE HealthCare has received FDA 510(k) clearance for its innovative Portrait VSM vital signs monitor. This portable device promises to revolutionize patient care by offering clinicians a more efficient and accurate way to track patients' health. - The Portrait VSM builds upon GE HealthCare's trusted DINAMAP legacy, utilizing the proven SuperSTAT non-invasive blood pressure algorithm for precise and reliable readings. This next-generation monitor goes beyond
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Deloitte Acquires Gryphon Scientific to Enhance Public Health Capabilities
What You Should Know: - Deloitte announced today the acquisition of substantially all assets belonging to Gryphon Scientific, LLC (Gryphon). Gryphon is a leader in biosafety, biosecurity, and all-hazards preparedness and response. - The combined expertise of Gryphon and Deloitte will fuel the development of practical AI applications in healthcare. Together, they will champion multi-sector collaboration and risk management strategies to create trustworthy AI solutions through
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FTC Strengthens Health Data Breach Notification Rule to Protect Consumers
What You Should Know: - The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has finalized significant changes to the Health Breach Notification Rule (HBNR), aiming to improve consumer protection in the digital age. - These updates clarify the rule's application to modern technologies like health apps and expand the information healthcare providers must disclose in the event of a data breach. Key Updates to Health Breach Notification Rule Summary Focus on Health Apps and Emerging Technologies:
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Epic Breaks Ground on “Other Worlds” Campus, Inspired by Narnia and Lord of the Rings
What You Should Know: - Verona, Wisconsin-based EHR leader Epic Systems has begun construction on its sixth campus, aptly named "Other Worlds," The Cap Times first reports. - Following approval this month from the city’s Plan Commission, the whimsical addition continues the company's tradition of drawing inspiration from fantasy literature for its office designs. Inspired by Narnia and Lord of the Rings Other Worlds will take cues from beloved fantasy works like "The
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Walgreens Launches Specialty Pharmacy for Complex Conditions
What You Should Know: - Walgreens, a leading pharmacy chain, is making a significant push into the specialty pharmacy market with the launch of "Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy." - The new $25B initiative expands access to care for patients with complex, chronic conditions while driving profitability for the company. Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy: A Holistic Approach Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy aims to break down barriers within the healthcare system. By leveraging
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Commons Clinic Invests $9.75M in Ambulatory Spine Surgery, Launches “Theater” Platform to Revolutionize MSK Care
What You Should Know: - Commons Clinic, a leader in value-based musculoskeletal (MSK) care, has announced two significant moves to revolutionize the way patients receive orthopedic treatment. - The company invested $9.75M in Marina Orthopedic & Spine Institute (MOSI), a prominent Los Angeles surgery center, and unveiled its novel platform, Theater. Commons Clinic Invests in Ambulatory Center Excellence The investment in MOSI strengthens Commons Clinic's network of
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Medical Informatics Engineering Secures Growth Investment to Bolster Enterprise Health Platform
What You Should Know: - Medical Informatics Engineering (MIE), a leader in occupational health IT solutions, today announced a significant investment from Serent Capital, a growth-focused private equity firm. - The strategic investment fuels MIE's continued innovation and strengthens the company's position in the occupational health software market. MIE Background Founded in 1995, MIE boasts a rich history in healthcare information technology. They were instrumental in
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UnitedHealth Group Shutters Optum Virtual Care Business
What You Should Know: - UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of the Optum health services division, announced the closure of its Optum Virtual Care business, Endpoints News first reports. Optum Virtual Care offered 24/7 access to virtual consultations with board-certified physicians and nurse practitioners across all 50 states. - On April 18th, Optum Virtual Care employees were informed of the shutdown, with some reportedly having last days in July according to a Seeking
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