Health technology
According to WHO, health technology is—the application of organized knowledge and skills in the form of devices, medicines, vaccines, procedures and systems developed to solve health problems and improve the quality of lives. Innovative health technology is commonly referred to as healthtech.
Health technology is the best use of technology, way more essential than luxury technology. Healthtech boosts hospital and administration productivity and gives novel insights into medicines and treatments. It also improves the overall quality of care that is provided.
Health technologies
Digital healthcare technologies like AI, 3D-printing, VR/AR, robotics, and nanotechnology are shaping the future of healthcare. We must familiarize ourselves with the latest developments in healthtech to use the technology. Learn the new about technology here.
Top 10 innovative health technologies developed in the past ten years
Technological innovation continues in changing the healthcare sector. Things like patient registration, data monitoring, lab tests, and self-care tools are modernized with technology. Nowadays, individuals are given the option to undergo full consultation from the privacy of their homes.
#1. Electronic health record
In the year 2009, just 16 per cent of US hospitals used an EHR. However, by 2013 the number changed to a whopping 80 per cent of hospitals. For a long time, hospitals had disparate systems for pharmacy, orders, and documentation. Integrating these systems into a single more structured platform allowed more efficient care of patients.
EHR is the right software for centralization of patient information. But it can double up as a data and population health tool in the future. Earlier, each organization had its way of doing things, and healthcare varied across the country. But as data is making decisions now, it’s going to improve outcomes with its consistency.
#2. Telehealth
Telehealth has proved to be extremely helpful in rural settings as rural areas do not have access to resources like metropolitan areas. A study showed patients in an ICU equipped with telehealth services getting discharged 20 per cent more quickly and with 26 per cent lower mortality rate as compared to patients in a regular ICU.
Full assessment tests are being carried out with telehealth services. Claims are generated automatically, and fees are also reduced as there are no traditional offices and associated costs. It also saves a huge amount of time.
#3. mHealth
mHealth is mobile health. The innovative health technology is freeing healthcare devices from wires and cords. It is enabling patients to check their healthcare processes on-the-go. Smartphones and tablets allow healthcare professionals to access and send information freely. mHealth can be used for orders and documentation.
Patients can now access their bathroom scale, blood pressure mount, and transfer EKG wirelessly. mHealth has taken healthcare monitoring out of office, out of lab and made it a part of life.
#4. Self-service kiosks
Self-service kiosks expedite processes such as hospital registration. Automated kiosks help patients with checking identification, signing paperwork, paying co-pays, etc. But it has to be ensured that human to human communication is not entirely eliminated.
#5. Portal technology
Patients are becoming increasingly active in self healthcare with the use of portal technology. It allows patients and physicians to access medical records and interact online. This helps patients become closely involved and better educated about their care. It is a source of responsibility and empowerment for patients.
#6. Wearable technology
Wearable devices and sensors are another way to collect data; one of the purposes of healthcare. A simple alert by way of sensors and wearable technology to a care provider can help save a patient’s life. A lot of these can be picked by data points when something abnormal goes of.
#7. Wireless communication
Wireless communication has only recently introduced in the hospital setting, replacing beepers and pagers. The reason for such late intercommunication setting is security and HIPAA concerns. Vocera Messaging offers platforms to send secure messages like alewrts and lab tests to one another using clinical systems or smartphones.
#8. Remote monitoring tools
Monitoring a patient’s health at home can reduce costs and visits to a physician’s clinic. Using remote monitoring tools, patients can be contacted in case there’s something wrong.
#9. Real-time location services
Real-time locating services is a growing data monitoring tool. It is helping hospitals to focus on efficiency and identify problem areas instantly. Tracking systems can be implemented for instruments, devices and even staff. Tracking movement highlights potential issues in efficiency and utilization.
#10. Genome sequencing
Personalized medicine is one of the best advancements in healthcare industry. Anticipating the onset of diseases and tailoring treatment plans as per patients leads to promising healthcare efficiency and accuracy. Pharmacogenomics or genome sequencing can help reduce billions of dollars in excess healthcare spending caused due to misdiagnoses, readmissions, adverse drug events, etc.
Conclusion This is what is new about technology used in healthcare systems. Many other innovative health technologies are in progress and being developed to make our healthcare systems even more modern.