The popular data management tool, Jitterbit, provides a single secure platform to manage clinical and workflow data. Informatica, on the other hand, allows administrators to integrate data with applications. Digitization is allowing the healthcare industry to make better coordination between patients and doctors. Furthermore, it is making people aware of digital technologies and their advantages for everyone.
A recent example of how digitization has improved healthcare technologies came when Covid-19 affected the world. Nearly 70% of the workforce is quarantined, and people are using mobile healthcare apps to check their health status.
Coronavirus pandemic has revamped the healthcare IT industry in several ways.
Undoubtedly, healthcare technologies have improved the lives of everyone across the globe. Right from the basic invention of X-ray machines to artificial organs, advanced medical tools have increased human life expectancies. In the 21st century, scientists are continuously working to develop more technologies so that they could improve the patient’s life.
Well, looking at these innovations, it wouldn’t be surprising if you discover that the healthcare industry has become a leading industry in the world. Connecting patients and medical devices have turned into a huge business.
Also, it is speculated that the
Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) market would grow by $150 billion by 2022. So, this is clear that the healthcare industry is ready to help everyone for a healthier world. Healthcare technologies are solving problems for disabled, curing chronic diseases, and delivering favorable outcomes for everyone.
The healthcare industry indeed faces several challenges, but it comes out with solutions and delivers better results. For instance, developing machines for a severe disease checkup needs a huge budget, but today, several tools have come up that are budget-friendly and deliver accurate results as well.
Here are other problems that healthcare technology is trying to solve to make the world a better place to live in.
1. Making Remote Access to Telemedicine is a Challenge
Telemedicine enters the medical field when both the patient and the doctor are not available for a meeting. It comes into existence when doctors take care of patients remotely. Telemedicine is a kind of remote delivery of services like consultations over telecommunication infrastructure.
Overall, a tool that makes healthcare cost-effective and enhances patient engagement falls in telemedicine. The patients residing in rural areas couldn’t visit doctors frequently. Also, they might not have a proper internet connection to do video calls and to share about their diseases.
Telemedicine with mobile healthcare is increasing the awareness about wearable devices and other tools to track health. But this might not look great as it sounds. There are several mobile healthcare challenges about
data security and privacy that need solutions. The chances are that the patient and doctor couldn’t access video services at the same time. It is natural to have this kind of barrier.
2. Unoptimized Supply Management
As an ordinary person, you might not know or have thought about the logistics that holds healthcare services. They are the backbone of the healthcare industry. Managing logistics is quite challenging. It creates trouble when any drug or medical equipment falls short. Sometimes Supply Chain Management doesn’t work well and is not effective for healthcare practices. Also, the money waste on damaged inventory creates a huge loss for healthcare services.
Misplaced inventory and shortage of equipment and are considered to mismanage the healthcare services. To avoid these losses and to save more, digital healthcare technology offers different solutions. Digital connectivity is bridging the gap between healthcare systems and the backend. Today, doctors and administrators could have immediate access to an accurate number of inventories and other things.
3. Errors in Data Sharing
You would be shocked to know that medical errors are the leading cause of death in the US. Also, one in ten patients receiving services in hospitals dies due to medical errors. Communication breakdown is one of the common causes of medical error.
Other causes are patient-related issues, staffing patterns, wrong workflow, and technical failures. Medical science has enhanced a lot, but still, errors in healthcare is a major issue. The common errors occur when the patient’s data gets transferred to another hospital or in different departments. This is time-consuming plus increases the risk.
The technological solution to this is using the cloud-based data management system to solve the errors caused by writing data manually. Also, use the block-chain database to save and share patient records. This eliminates security and quickly transfers the data. Here are other
benefits of having your HIS on the cloud.
4. Managing the Vast Amount of Patient-Related Data
Every day, a doctor checks a new patient; a new member is added to his patient’s database. After days and months, this pool becomes bigger, and managing this data becomes difficult. Retrieving the particular patient’s data even becomes more challenging when you have thousands of patients. Sometimes databases get overloaded; other times, mismanagement makes the wrong diagnosis. These wrong results are a huge loss to patients and doctors.
The healthcare technology solution to this is downloading healthcare apps that maintain a patient's record and are accessible both online and offline. The apps also provide the same data at the doctor and the patient’s side.
Furthermore, these apps allow access to the medical history of patients, treatment, and the next appointment. The data records are updated in real-time and also notified about the updates coming soon.
5. Long Procedure for Filling the Form
Medicare Reimbursement models vary according to state and federal regulations. These are the healthcare programs that help people with obtaining inclusion. But the repayment structure differs in several ways.
When you take a patient to the hospital, the team there asks you to fill the form to save a record about what services the patient is going to take. Also, the doctors have to fill the form as proof that the patient has received a healthcare service. This is time-consuming and a mandatory process.
With Electronic Health Record, this problem is solved. EHR simplifies health record-keeping and Medicaid filling as well. Overall, EHR is a digital version of a patient’s health. These records can be shared across the healthcare industry in several ways and anytime.
This could include the records about the patient’s immunization status, age and weight, medical history, billing information, and others. EHR provides accurate and up-to-date information about patients. Securely share the information with doctors and other clinicians. It automatically alerts the doctors about potential issues like allergies.
The Impact of Technology on the Healthcare Industry
Technological advancements in healthcare have saved many patient’s lives. They are continuously improving life's quality and also saving human efforts. Here are other benefits that technology is offering to the healthcare industry.
1. Improved Communication
Technological innovations have facilitated smoother communication within the healthcare industry. Professionals and patients could use video calls and other online platforms to spread the knowledge around.
2. EHR/EMR (Electronic Health/Medical Records) is Accessible from Everywhere
EHR (Electronic Health Records) are accessible from anywhere and anytime. This improves the patient’s recovery and improves case management. EMR allows doctors to access the patient’s test history, diagnosis, and other relevant information.
3. Lower Healthcare Costs
Installation of advanced tools in the healthcare industry might cost you more at first, but it is a one-time investment. Later, these tools help you in checking the patient’s status and knowing the medication to be given in the future. According to a study, the transformation from manual to electronic health records has reduced the cost by 20% every month.
4. Software Improves Healthcare and Gives Better Treatment
Software plays a crucial role in tracking procedures. This reduces paperwork and also allows healthcare professionals to improve the quality of care. Doctors revealed that they are getting benefits from the technologies, and patients are also enjoying the transparency of software.
Final Words
Healthcare, like other industries, is changing at a fast rate, thanks to technology. Apart from Artificial Intelligence, these
healthcare tech trends also promise a great healthcare future.
We, at Covetus, have experts who work on the latest technologies and ensure to deliver a great user experience with brilliant results. When it comes to healthcare IT solutions, we build customer-centric solutions with medical standards and motivate healthcare providers.
Covetus is a leading Healthcare Application Development Company. Our experts understand the advanced tools needed to deliver the best results.
