Question

Three threads in the health care industry

Answer 1

1. The health industry tackles the opioid crisis

Opioids are the leading cause of death for US adults younger than 50, with roughly 64,000 overdose deaths in 2016, up from 52,000 in 2015. Nearly half of those deaths involved a prescription opioid. Despite the ongoing drumbeat of concern— from policymakers, healthcare organizations and consumer advocates—the crisis has proven complex, with no quick fixes.

Annually 19% death rates are increased in 2017-2018 due to over dose of opioid

2. Securing the internet of things

Internet-connected medical devices are holding the health system together—playing critical roles in such tasks as patient care, medical records and billing—but each connected device is a potential door for cybercriminals

3. Patient experience as a priority and not just a portal

Healthcare providers have succeeded in making administrative tasks easier and more convenient for patients. Patients can pay bills online, and they get appointment reminders by email or text. But 2018 will be about redesigning patient experience so it changes behavior and improves outcomes—a critical goal as the industry turns toward paying more for value, not volume. Some healthcare organizations also will begin to use patient experience to differentiate markets