Here are five disruptions shaking up health systems this year:
1. In July, a global IT outage caused by an update released by CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity firm, impacted health systems across the nation. Becker's covered a list of health systems that were impacted specifically.
2. In May, Dallas-based Steward Health Care filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, agreeing to receive millions in financing from Medical Properties Trust to continue operating 30 hospitals within the Steward network. The bankruptcy filing has ushered in a slew of negotiations regarding the system's hospitals and physician group, Stewardship Health.
3. There have been at least 14 other hospital closures across 11 states this year, as reported by Becker's.
4. Robotics and AI use is on the rise for health systems, particularly as facilities seek to optimize efficiency and quality of care ahead of staffing shortages, inflation and declining reimbursements. At least eight ASCs started robotics programs this year, as reported by Becker's. The response to the rise of robotics in healthcare is mixed –– while the potential of increased precision and accuracy is promising for some, 65% of physicians reported in a Medscape survey that they feel at least somewhat concerned about AI driving patient diagnostic and treatment decisions.
5. Walmart, Walgreens, Amazon and CVS have all struggled to break into healthcare this year. In April, Walmart announced plans to shutter all 51 health center locations and discontinue its virtual care services. In June, Walgreens Boots Alliance said it plans to reduce its stake in primary care provider VillageMD. Acquisitions by CVS have been met with disappointment by investors, speaking to the challenges of applying "big-box" savings practices to healthcare.