The Texas Hospital Association, which represents more than 85 percent of the state's acute-care hospitals and healthcare systems, is partnering with security firm Clearwater Compliance to help bolster those organizations' cybersecurity.

Barry Mathis, senior vice president and chief business development officer at Clearwater Compliance, said the firm will help Texas hospitals more effectively identify and manage cyber risks. 

Through the partnership, THA member hospitals can avail themselves of Clearwater Compliance's risk assessments, get help with the HHS Office for Civil Rights investigations and audits and other assistance with regulatory issues and risk management goals.

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Clearwater's solutions are exclusively endorsed by the American Hospital Association and its client include more than 40 of the top integrated delivery networks in the U.S.

"As we've learned over the last year, hospitals and medical devices in the United States are extremely vulnerable to cyberattacks," said Ted Shaw, president and CEO of the Texas Hospital Association. "This threat represents what could be a significant and destructive result on operations and financial health of our hospitals, but more importantly, the healthcare quality our patients depend on."

Twitter: @MikeMiliardHITN
Email the writer: mike.miliard@himssmedia.com