Latest news with #RRD
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Homecare Homebase Earns HIPAA Milestone for De-identification of PHI, Supporting Planned AI Innovations
Evaluation confirms HCHB's de-identification methodology meets HIPAA standards for data privacy, supporting secure, scalable AI development that serves clinicians and enhances patient care. DALLAS, May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Homecare HomebaseSM (HCHB), the leading software provider for home-based care, has successfully completed a Re-identification Risk Determination (RRD). This action paves the way for the further development of scalable AI and machine learning solutions for the home health and hospice industry. Finalized on March 14, 2025, the evaluation determined that HCHB's encounter notes dataset, when de-identified following HCHB's comprehensive de-identification methodology, is fully compliant with HIPAA's Expert Determination Standard. This milestone supports HCHB's plans of developing and launching secure, compliant AI tools to predict hospitalization risk and support clinical documentation while upholding ethical data use and patient privacy. "Meeting the HIPAA Expert Determination Standard is crucial in our mission to responsibly and ethically leverage and develop AI-enabled tools," said Haley Woods, director of product management, AI & Innovation at HCHB. "It allows us to confidently use data sets across diverse regions, significantly reducing potential biases and making our AI solutions scalable and beneficial for healthcare providers." The ethical application of AI in healthcare is critical to addressing risks such as biased recommendations, security breaches and compliance violations. By undergoing the RRD, HCHB reinforces its commitment to building ethical, sustainable AI tools while maintaining a focus on data privacy. Achieving this milestone demonstrates that HCHB is taking transparent, proactive steps to protect patient information and earn provider confidence in order to further differentiate HCHB in the market. "Our commitment to ethical AI reflects our dedication to delivering technology that supports both exceptional patient care and clinician efficiency," said Luke Rutledge, president of HCHB. "By meeting rigorous compliance standards, we strengthen clinician trust, allowing them to focus more on patient interaction rather than administrative tasks." The determination will enhance HCHB's initiatives for launching its first suite of AI-powered products designed to enhance predictive analytics and clinical documentation processes this summer, with additional innovations scheduled for subsequent release. For more information about HCHB's use of ethical AI and its soon-to-be-released AI-powered product suite, go to About Homecare Homebase, LLC Founded by industry veterans in 1999, Homecare HomebaseSM (HCHB) is a Dallas-based software leader empowering exceptional home-based care through hosted, cloud-based technology solutions and administrative services. HCHB's customized mobile solutions enable real-time, wireless data exchange and communication between field clinicians, physicians and office staff for better care, more accurate reporting and improved revenue cycle management. HCHB's products and services streamline operations, simplify compliance and boost clinical and financial outcomes for home-based care agencies. Each year, over 300,000 HCHB users serve approximately one million patients daily, resulting in over 121 million annual visits. Homecare Homebase is a Hearst Health company. For more information, visit or call us toll-free at 1-866-535-HCHB (4242). About Hearst Health The mission of Hearst Health is to guide healthcare organizations by delivering essential intelligence and software that improve the quality, safety and efficiency of care. Hearst Health has been innovating with care for more than 40 years, with a commitment to making a lasting positive impact on health. The Hearst Health companies — FDB, Homecare Homebase, MCG, MHK, QGenda and Zynx Health — elevate care by informing and empowering participants across the health journey. To learn more, visit and follow @Hearst Health on LinkedIn. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Homecare Homebase
Forbes
31-03-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The Spending Breakdown: Here Are Some Consumer Trends From February
Los Angeles shoppers take part in William Randolph Hearst's Buy In September campaign which supports ... More President Roosevelt's National Recovery Administration program which seeks to stimulate business recovery during the Great Depression. On March 17, the Census Bureau released results for retail sales in the month of February. These numbers are particularly useful because they help tell the story about what consumers are spending on vs. where they are penny pinching as well as what they prize on the budgetary front. It is also key to bear in mind that potential for tariffs, uncertainty around inflation, and a holiday spending hangover are part of the equation heading into the month. Let's take a look. Total sales eked up to $722.7 billion from $721.3 billion in the month. Although a higher number often signals growth and growth often correlates with positivity or good news, Chip West, a consumer expert and commentator with RRD, cautioned, 'While any growth is positive, the slower pace suggests many consumers are holding back, weighing inflation, job stability, and broader economic conditions. Colder weather and delays in tax refunds also played a role in the sluggish start to the month.' Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData, was a bit less optimistic overall. 'Ouch is the best way to describe this month's retail sales numbers,' he declared, adding that it represents the 'weakest performance since the depths of the pandemic.' As we drill down, the report also showcases changes in consumer spend by category. In February, categories were mixed, with some on the rise and others in decline. Non-store retailers was the biggest winner this time around, rising to $125.7 billion from $122.7 billion a month prior. Often a strong performer each month, this group includes sales through catalogs, infomercials, and vending machines, according to the Census Bureau. Other categories that performed well in February included food and beverage stores, which rose to $85.1 billion from $84.8 billion, with grocery stores, a subcategory, rising to $76.3 billion from $76 billion. Health and personal care saw a rise to $38.6 billion from $37.9 billion, and general merchandise rose to $77.3 billion from $77.1 billion. Department stores, another subcategory, fell slightly to $10.7 billion from $10.8 billion. Other winners included building materials and garden supplies, which ticked up to $40.1 billion from $40 billion, and furniture and home furnishings, which were flat at around $11.6 billion. Remarking about groceries and the strength therein, West said, 'Food prices rose by 0.2%, fueled by increases in the indexes for eggs, meats, poultry, fish, and beef.' He also noted that the big game likely 'played a role in driving grocery sales, particularly for party staples and bulk purchases.' Food services and drinking places declined to $95.4 billion from $96.9 billion while motor vehicle parts and dealers slipped to $138 billion from $138.5 billion. Gasoline stations also fell to $52.8 billion from $53.3 billion, while clothing tumbled to $26.3 billion from $26.5 billion. 'Before everyone runs around declaring that the sky is falling, there are two important points of context to the February numbers,' explained Saunders. The first culprit was one less trading day given the 28-days in February. The second, 'disruptive to trade was weather' he continued, noting that during the storms, consumers opted to stay home and spent less. 'Like the leap year calendar shift, this is a temporary factor that is not a signal of impending economic doom,' according to Saunders. 'Nor is it a reliable indicator of where retail will trend across the balance of the year.' March numbers are expected to drop on April 16, and while weather, spring spending, and holidays could play a role in robust or weak results, it's also important to take a tip from our experts. 'We should have a clearer picture of how resilient consumers are coping with the volatility that is likely to stick around,' wrote Chip West. 'I predict they will continue to seek out both familiar and new destinations for savings that will help stretch their household budgets and bring them value with their purchases.'
