News From Around the Web
> The Louisiana House of Representatives has issued a budget that includes deep cuts in hospital funding to close a $600 million deficit, the News-Star has reported. Article
> Three hospitals operated by Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare in the Milwaukee area have decided to raise their prices on semi-private rooms by 6 percent, to $1,325, not including any other charges, according to the Milwaukee Business Journal. Article
> Hospitals keep on getting hit by malicious attacks of ransomware because they are more willing to pay up than other businesses, the Tech Insider reported. Article
Provider News
> Although the current risk to the public is low, a top U.S. health official believes more people will be found carrying a superbug resistant to antibiotics of last resort, according to an article published by The Washington Post. The bacteria, first found in a small number of people in China in November 2015, has a gene that makes it resistant to colistin, the drug of last resort to fight the deadliest of superbugs. Article
Healthcare IT News
> The national patient ID challenge is moving into its final round after the College of Healthcare Information Executives named two "Concept Blitz Round" winners. Those winners, Michael Braithwaite and Mark Schroeder, offered up concepts "well positioned to meet criteria for a national patient ID solution," according to a CHIME announcement. They each will get a $30,000 prize; Braithwaite's idea would tap into biometric tech to create a solution and Schroeder's would use HL7 standards for data exchange to enable biometric data for an ID. Article
And Finally... Drinking and driving--while also connected to an IV drip. Article