Health Information Technology Commons^™

Ransomware In Healthcare: Threats, Impacts, And Mitigation Strategies, Mackenzie Dotson, Kasi Gorli, Alberto Coustasse

Management Faculty Research

Excerpt: The growing digitalization of healthcare has exposed hospitals to significant cybersecurity threats, particularly ransomware attacks. The Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center (HC3) reported that as of mid-2024, there were 730 cyber-attacks worldwide against healthcare institutions, with 530 targeting the U.S. (AHA, 2024). Half of these incidents involved ransomware, a type of malware that restricts access to critical data until a ransom is paid (HHS, 2021). Hospitals are attractive targets for cybercriminals due to their essential role in patient care. Cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities in hospital networks, often causing severe operational and financial damage. Factors such as understaffed IT teams, outdated …

Smart Radiology: Using Artificial Intelligence For Better Imaging Outcomes, Jordan Watts, Jeffrey Larson, Kasi Gorli, Alberto Coustasse

Management Faculty Research

We hypothesize that the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in radiology improves the quality of care by increasing diagnostic accuracy, reducing interpretation time, and enhancing clinical workflow efficiency by minimizing imaging acquisition errors.

Navigating The Future Of Healthcare: Big Data's Impetus For Inpatient Quality Enhancement, Lakyn Hyre, Brian Cox, Alberto Coustasse

Management Faculty Research

This study aims to explore the impact of big data utilization on quality improvement in inpatient facilities, specifically assessing its influence on readmission rates, patient outcomes, and potential cost savings. This study utilized mixed methodologies with a literature review complemented by semi-structured interviews to gain perspectives about big data utilization on quality improvement in inpatient facilities. The Marshall University Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved the interview. This study’s conceptual framework (Figure 1) was adapted from the research framework of Yao, Chu, and Li (Yao et al., 2010). The framework displays the reasoning of and approach to big data and machine …

Revolutionizing Revenue Cycle Management: Ai's Impact On Healthcare Organizations, Rachel Pennington, Alberto Coustasse

Management Faculty Research

Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) stands as a cornerstone in healthcare, overseeing the intricate processes involved in capturing, managing, and collecting revenue generated from patient services. However, the landscape of RCM has long been plagued by inefficiencies. These inefficiencies underscore the urgency for innovative approaches, and the integration of AI emerges as a promising solution to streamline processes and optimize revenue capture.

Ai-Driven Solutions Promote Medication Adherence, Eric Pulice, Alberto Coustasse

Management Faculty Research

A study conducted in 2019 showed that approximately 50% of the 187 million patients in the US health care system did not follow their medication plan as prescribed. This means they failed to adhere to the drug regimen or to take the medication for the entire prescribed duration. Adherence rates for most medications used to treat chronic conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension, usually fall in the range of 50% to 60%, even with patients who have good insurance and drug benefits. This rate of adherence leads to an estimated 125,000 avoidable deaths each year and $100 billion annually in …

Artificial Intelligence Is Revolutionizing Controlled Substance Diversion Detection, Brian Cox, Alberto Coustasse, Craig Kimble

Management Faculty Research

In community and institutional health care sectors, artificial intelligence (AI) use is expanding. AI is being tapped broadly in operations, customer service, and scheduling, with major pharmacy chains such as Kroger, CVS, and Walgreens, already starting to implement AI applications in their pharmacies. So far, Kroger has begun to use AI for employee onboarding and training processes, CVS is applying AI in negotiations with suppliers, and Walgreens is using it to streamline vaccine scheduling. With these advances in major pharmacy chains, the next extensive application for AI has become clearer: diversion monitoring. Diversion occurs in health care settings when a …

Tele-Icu In The Unites States: Is A Cost-Effective Model?, Michael Robie, Stephanie Cole, Archana Suwal, Alberto Coustasse

Management Faculty Research

Introduction: The United States Society of Critical Care Medicine has announced a shortage of all critical care intensivists due to the increased need for critical care for the aging population with comorbidities and improved life expectancy. This shortage has led to tele-ICU programs that have allowed intensivists to care for patients simultaneously remotely.

Methods: This study aimed to assess the potential for the hospital implementation of tele-ICU to determine its overall healthcare cost-effectiveness. The methodology was a review that followed a systematic search approach utilizing 42 sources.

Results: The study findings showed that tele-ICU contributed to reduced hospital LOS by …

Charge Masters And The Effects On Hospitals, Whitney Layton, Katie Lemmon, Alberto Coustasse

Management Faculty Research

The hospital chargemaster has been the heart of the healthcare revenue cycle, as it has served as the hospitals’ starting point for billing patients and payers. The CDM was made as an extensive breakdown of the cost of the care provided and in order for a hospital to correctly bill a patient for care received as every chargeable item in the hospital must be included in the master. The methodology for this study utilized a literature review. It consisted of academic sources, electronic databases, academic journals, and government websites. Thirty-eight sources were referenced for this literature review. The literature review …

Telepsychiatry Use In Rural Areas In The United States: A Literature Review Of The Benefits, Alberto Coustasse, Morgan Ruley, Tonnie C. Mike, Briana M. Washington, Anna Robinson

Management Faculty Research

Rural areas have experienced a higher than average shortage of healthcare professionals. Numerous challenges have limited access to mental health services. Some of these barriers have included transportation, number of providers, poverty, and lack of insurance. Recently, the utilization of telepsychiatry has increased in rural areas. The purpose of this review was to identify and coalesce the benefits of telepsychiatry for adults living in rural communities in the United States to determine if telepsychiatry has improved access and quality of care. The methodology for this study was a literature review that followed a systematic approach. References and sources were written …

Telehealth In Critical Care: Quality And Cost Outcomes, Stephanie Cole, Michael Robie, Bukola Abodunde, Alberto Coustasse

Management Faculty Research

As the population of the United States has continued to age, there has been an increase in usage and Hospital Length of Stay (LOS) costs of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds. In the early 2000s, it was determined there would be a shortage of all ICU providers within the next decade due to the increased need for critical care for the aging generation. Around this time, the Leapfrog Group was formed to demand that hospitals improve quality and decrease cost. Utilization of telehealth in the ICU was a possible alternative, which had a positive impact on both clinical and financial …

Personal Health Record Interoperability, Manal Alghamdi, Courtney Stanley, William K. Willis, Alberto Coustasse

Management Faculty Research

Personal Health Records (PHRs) is a software application that allows patients to review their medical information remotely through a secure domain. There are four forms of PHRs which are; 1) self-contained Electronic Health Record (EHR), 2) self-contained EHR, 3) PHRs integrated care EHR controlled by health provider and partially by the patient/consumer, 4) PHRs integrated care EHR controlled by the patient/consumer. The methodology for this study was a literature review and semi-structure interview with a specialist in health information technology. Electronic databases used included PubMed, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, LexisNexis and Google Scholar. A total of 38 sources were referenced. …

The Nationwide Health Information Network: The Case Of The Expansion Of Health Information Exchanges In The United States, Morgan Ruley, Victoria Walker, Jana Studeny, Alberto Coustasse

Management Faculty Research

The Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN) implemented secure exchange of health records through utilization of the Internet. NHIN has greatly assisted in achieving the goals of the HITECH Act by promoting the adoption of Meaningful Use. Epic introduced a Health Information Exchange (HIE) platform, Care Everywhere (CE), which has facilitated HIE availability. The purpose of this research was to determine the impact of NHIN and Epic Care’s CE on healthcare to determine whether their use in the ED has increased. The methodology for this study utilized a literature review. Twenty-nine sources were referenced for this study. With the NHIN implementation, …

Telepharmacy And Access To Pharmaceutical Services In Rural Areas, Raghav Sarkar, Brandon J. Metzger, Hannah M. Sayre, Chelsea M. Slater, Sruthi Katamneni, Alberto Coustasse

Management Faculty Research

Access to pharmaceutical services in rural areas has been affected by a national shortage of pharmacists. Telepharmacy, a subspecialty of telemedicine, has involved the utilization of telecommunications to deliver pharmaceutical services to consumers located at a distance. The number of telepharmacy programs in the United States and worldwide has been progressively increasing. The purpose of this research project was to examine the effect of the utilization of telepharmacy on rural hospitals’ access to pharmaceutical services. The methodology of this qualitative study was a literature review. Four electronic databases were employed to retrieve peer-reviewed journal articles, and three websites were accessed …

Healthcare Facilities: Another Target For Ransomware Attacks, David P. Paul Iii, Nikki Spence, Niharika Bhardwa, Alberto Coustasse Dr.Ph, Md, Mba, Mph

Management Faculty Research

Ransomware is a type of malware used by cyber criminals who encrypt files and then extort money in return for unlocking those files. Without adequate disaster recovery and backup plans, many businesses are forced to pay the ransom. We examine recent ransomware infections in healthcare settings, the liabilities and cost associated with such infections, and discuss possible risk mitigation tactics. Risks associated with ransomware attacks on healthcare facilities include financial, future business loss and damage to reputation. Healthcare facilities should have a disaster plan with adequate data backups and educate employees who are the usual sources of ransomware attacks.

The 340b Program: Benefits And Limitations, Craig Kimble Pharmd, Mba, Ms, Bcacp, Alberto Coustasse Dr.Ph. Md, Mba, Mph

Management Faculty Research

This in progress study reviews challenges and successes associated with implementing a 340B program at Marshall Health and Cabell Huntington Hospital (CHH) in Huntington, West Virginia. CHH qualified as a participant in the 340B program because it has met qualification as a disproportionate share hospital (DSH). The site has also been able to open two outpatient pharmacies to serve the targeted patient population. The pharmacies have also been able to use savings from the program to embed clinical pharmacists into the physician care areas to provide medication therapy management services including discharge counselling, disease state management services, patient financial assistance …

Burnout Syndrome In Hospital's Nurses: Causes And Consequences, Lama Bakhamis, Harlan M. Smith Ii, Alberto Coustasse, David P. Paul Iii

Management Faculty Research

PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to examine the causes and consequences of Burnout Syndrome among RNs in U.S. hospitals to identify solutions to this problem.

METHODS: The methodology was the review of the literature and a semi-structured interview. There were seven primary databases and two websites used in this research, and 35 articles were used for this literature review.

RESULTS: Causes and risk factors of burnout syndrome among RNs have been categorized into four major areas: individual, management, organizational, and work characteristics. Burnout syndrome rate among RNs with age under 30 years was 43.6% higher …

Ransomware In Healthcare Facilities: The Future Is Now, Nikki Spence, David P. Paul Iii, Alberto Coustasse

Management Faculty Research

Cybercriminals have begun to target the healthcare industry with a type of malware called ransomware, malware that encrypts an infected device and any attached devices or network drives. After encryption, cybercriminals demand a sum of money, also known as a “ransom,” to release the devices from encryption. Without adequate disaster recovery and backup plans, many businesses are forced to pay the ransom. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of recent ransomware infections in healthcare settings, the risk liabilities and cost associated with such infections, and to determine possible risk mitigation tactics. Financial costs associated with business …

Why Physicians Switch Electronic Health Record Vendors, Pete Andresen, Michelle Shussler, Kyle Sowards, Alberto Coustasse Dr.Ph. Md

Management Faculty Research

There are many factors involved when a physician chooses to switch Electronic Health Record [EHR.] vendors including system functionality, cost, poor customer service, company reputation, platform of software, meaningful use certification, and various others. The purpose of this research study was to locate the various reasons that lead to switching vendors and the barriers and benefits associated with doing so. System functionality and cost were the two largest deciding factors in switching vendors. Shifting regulatory standards require additional functionality to fulfill quality reporting measures including the Meaningful Use and Physician Quality Reporting Systems standards and many physicians and health systems …

Big Data: Harnessing The Beast!!, Rebecca Hovemeyer, Debra Stinson, Beteseb Gebremariam, Alberto Coustasse Dr. Ph, Md, Mba

Management Faculty Research

The healthcare industry’s growing use of health information technology has contributed to the enormous accumulation of health care data, leading to active use of the term big data. Although there has been large amounts and varieties of complex data captured during patient care, this data has remained vastly underutilized. The purpose of this study was to assess the variety of benefits and barriers of obtaining meaningful information from big data in healthcare.

The methodology utilized was a qualitative literature review that referenced 17 sources published between 2005 and 2016.Findings suggest that applied big data analytics within the healthcare arena can …

Icd-10 Implementation: Is The Workforce Ready?, David P. Paul Iii, D.D.S., M.B.A., Ph.D, Patricia A. Sacconi, Pamela Ann Glover, Robert Marriot, Alberto Coustasse Dr. Ph, Md, Mba

Management Faculty Research

After many delays, the U.S. finally implemented ICD-10-CM/PCS on October 1, 2015, bringing the U.S. into line with other industrialized nations, most of which have been using ICD-10 for many years. We outline the benefits and challenges to the preparatory activities of the ICD-10-CM/PCS implementation for the U.S. healthcare industry. To ease the transition, CMS allowed healthcare facilities to submit test claims prior to the implementation date, and delivered feedback on the acceptability of those claims. Early results indicated a relatively smooth transition, although some questions regarding the available data remain. Additional data, especially data concerning outcomes, is required.

The Trends In Dtca And Effects Of Dtca By Pharmaceutical Firms In The United States, Sathorn Preechavuthinant, William K. Willis Drph, Alberto Coustasse Drph, Md, Mba

Management Faculty Research

The Direct-to-Consumer Advertising (DTCA) of pharmaceutical firms has been defined as an attempt of pharmaceutical companies to advertise products directly to patients (comsumers). Pharmaceutical DTCA has been criticized due to its inappropriateness and some urged the need to strengthen regulations. The DTCA has an impact on the public from both a benefit and harm concern. The purpose of this study is to investigate the current trend of pharmaceutical DTCA in the US and its effect on patients, physicians, and drug utilization. The methodology used in the research is literature review and semi-structured interview. The pharmaceutical DTCA showed reduction in total …

Provider Reimbursement Following The Affordable Care Act, Brandon Bowling, David Newman, Craig White, Ashley Wood, Alberto Coustasse Dr. Ph, Md, Mba

Management Faculty Research

Decreasing healthcare expenditure has been one of the main objectives of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). To achieve this goal, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has been tasked with experimenting with provider reimbursement methods in an attempt to increase quality, while decreasing costs. The purpose of this research was to study the effects of the ACA on physician reimbursement rates from CMS to determine the most cost effective method of delivering healthcare services. CMS has experimented with payment methods in an attempt to increase cost effectiveness. Medicare has offered shared cost savings incentives to reward quality care …

Macra And Rural Hospitals, Erica Kelley, Rhea Lipscomb, Jennifer Valdez, Nitesh Patil, Alberto Coustasse Dr.Ph, Md, Mba

Management Faculty Research

Introduction: Every year, the cost of healthcare within the United States has continued to increase while the quality of patient care has decreased. To reconstruct the delivery of care, Congress has introduced the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 which has reinvented Medicare physician reimbursement systems. The purpose of this research was to study the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act and its implementation to determine how it would financially impact rural hospitals.

Methodology: The methodology for this study consisted of a qualitative literature review. Twenty-seven research publications were utilized throughout the study. Data limited to the English …

Continuing Development Of An All Payer Health Care System In Maryland, David P. Paul Iii, Taeko Matsumoto, Alberto Coustasse, Lama Mohammed Bakhamis, Mary Lynn Harshbarger

Management Faculty Research

The state of Maryland, in collaboration with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, developed the first all-payer system model in the U.S. in 1971, and some 35 years later in response to financial pressures, modernized this program. The focus of the modernized program was to improve overall per capita expenditure, quality of care, and the outcome of Marylanders’ health.

This study showed positive change in moving its healthcare delivery model from volume-driven care to value-driven coordinated care. Maryland hospitals have changed their mindsets to achieve the Triple Aim of cost reduction, health improvement, and quality of care improvement for the …

Mobile Health Interventions For Adult Obesity In The United States: Analysis Of Effectiveness And Efficacy, David P. Paul Iii, Keerthi Gochipathala, Alberto Coustasse, Bezawit Wodajo, Niharika Bhardwaj

Management Faculty Research

The Unites States continues to struggle with the negative health effects associated with increasing population obesity, a problem which has been historically difficult, if not impossible, to solve. Mobile health applications represent a potential partial solution to this problem. We examine the existing literature on the effects of mobile health applications on body weight, waist circumference, BMI, and lifestyle, examining both physical findings as well as adherence, satisfaction and cost effectiveness. The use of mobile for weight reduction looks promising, but evidence is mixed, which is not surprising given the rapidly evolving nature of the mobile application field.

The Qualitative And Quantitative Effects Of Patient Centered Medical Home In The Veterans Health Administration, Samuel N. Lovejoy, Eric Stalnaker, William K. Willis, Alberto Coustasse

Management Faculty Research

Since the 1990’s, the Veteran’s Health Administration (VHA) has implemented a system of primary care that has been considered some of the best care that can be offered (Klein, 2011). The Patient Center Medical Home (PCMH) Model, also called “Patient Aligned Care Team” (PACT) in the VHA, has been coordinating and integrating services which ensure optimal health outcomes at an acceptable value (Bidassie, Davies, Stark, & Boushon, 2014).

PACT was created in 2010, building on 20 years of the VHA transforming from a loosely based system of inpatient services to a provider of outpatient primary care for veterans. From 2010 …

Big Data Management In United States Hospitals: Benefits And Barriers, Chad Schaeffer, Ariful Haque, Lawrence Booton, Jamey Halleck, Alberto Coustasse

Management Faculty Research

Big Data has been considered as an effective tool to reduce healthcare costs by eliminating adverse events and reducing readmissions in hospitals. The purpose of this study was to examine the emergence of Big Data in the United Sates healthcare industry, to evaluate hospital’s ability to effectively make use of complex information, and to predict the potential benefits hospitals might realize if they are successful. The findings of the research suggest that there were a number of benefits expected by hospitals when using Big Data analytics, including cost savings and business intelligence. In addition, hospitals have recognized that there have …

Tweeting And Treating: How Hospitals Use Twitter To Improve Care, Christian Gomes, Alberto Coustasse

Management Faculty Research

Introduction: Hospitals that have adopted Twitter primarily use it to share organizational news, provide general healthcare information, advertise upcoming community events, and foster networking. The purpose of this study was to explore the benefits that Twitter utilization has had in improving quality of care, access to care, patient satisfaction, and community footprint while assessing the barriers to its implementation.

Methodology: The methodology used in this study was a qualitative study with a semi structure interview combined with a literature review which followed the basic principles of a systematic review.

Results: The utilization of Twitter by hospitals suggest that it leads …

Robotic Joint Replacement Surgery: Does Technology Improve Outcomes, Chelsea Hill, Reem El-Bash, Leslie Johnson, Alberto Coustasse

Management Faculty Research

Introduction: Osteoarthritis is a common disease that leads patients to seek Total Joint Replacement (TJR). Component misalignments leads to failure of TJR. Computer navigation enhances the precision of component alignment, but the addition of robotic guidance, can boost TJR to a higher level of accuracy.

Methodology: This literature reviewed 29 English language peer reviewed articles from 2002 – 2013 and one website. A conceptual framework was adapted to explain benefits and barriers of adoption of robotic TJR.

Results: A total of ten studies were reviewed with focus on more precise alignment, outcomes, length of stay, and costs. Cost to obtain …

Management Of Rfid Systems In Hospital Transfusion Services, Alberto Coustasse, Brian Cunningham, Stacie Deslich, Eric Wilson, Pamela Meadows

Management Faculty Research

Radio Frequency Identification Devices (RFID) technology is used by hospital supply chains to track various medical products and monitor inventories. To improve overall operations, hospitals have implemented RFID as part of their supply chain processes. Hospitals have also have begun incorporating RFID technology as part of their transfusion services processes. The purpose of this review was to analyze how healthcare organization supply chains can benefit from the utilization of RFID systems in transfusion services departments. The methodology for this study was a literature review following the steps of a systematic review with a total of 51 sources referenced.

RFID technology …