Dear AuntMinnieEurope Member,
It's almost a year since the WannaCry virus crippled healthcare IT networks in the U.K. with ransomware attacks, and a new warning this week from security firm Symantec is bound to set alarm bells ringing again.
Apparently a Trojan virus is targeting healthcare companies and has been detected on x-ray and MRI systems. The Kwampirs virus infiltrates networks via computers that don't have full security protection. Instead of demanding a ransom, the virus collects information about the targeted network, although the goal of the hackers is unclear. For our report, go to the Imaging Informatics Community, or click here.
Meanwhile, the U.K. Royal College of Radiologists has updated its advice for healthcare professionals providing reports on imaging investigations. The 17-page document can be downloaded for free, and it includes guidance on teleradiology, home reporting, and reporting assisted by artificial intelligence (AI). One of our editorial advisers, Dr. Neelam Dugar, was the principal author. Click here to learn more.
A Spanish group has developed a tool in its clinical decision-support system to control repeated requests. The team found that more than 5% of imaging studies ordered over a year generated an alert notifying the physicians their request had been performed on the patient within the last 180 days. After viewing the alert, the physicians chose not to proceed with over a third of the requests. Get the full details here.
Can computer-aided detection (CAD) software based on a deep-learning algorithm accurately detect as well as characterize lesions on mammography studies? Yes, it can, according to Hungarian researchers whose algorithm took second place in a large AI challenge aimed at improving risk stratification in screening mammograms. Click here for the full story.
Long-term managed service deals are a strong trend in the medical imaging market. In an exclusive interview, Philips CEO Frans van Houten explains why such deals are proving popular, and he speaks about the impact of AI and ultrasound. Find out more here.
