Modern medicine is constantly evolving. Whether it’s wireless stethoscope or infrared scanning that can detect minuscule cancers, it’s nothing short of amazing. And as we continue to dive deeper into technology, as a healthcare provider, you might be wondering how this can benefit both you and your patients. Read on to learn about the latest health IT trends and how they can help your practice.
Virtual Care
During the height of COVID, healthcare facilities had no choice but to find ways to treat patients. And while virtual care isn’t necessarily new, it became the go-to choice to treat patients who otherwise wouldn’t be seen. And even though most medical establishments are seeing patients in office, virtual care is still being utilized.
Hospitals have always been a place of innovation. From the first medical breakthroughs to new technologies, hospitals are constantly changing and adapting to meet today’s needs. As a result, doctors need better tools, more efficient systems, and faster access to information to provide quality care for their patients. This blog post will explore some of the most innovative technological advances in hospitals that are making healthcare more efficient than ever before.
The Artificial Intelligence Intrusive Surgery Machines
Artificial Intelligence has been making its way into the operating room for some time now. These machines make surgeons work smarter, not more complex, and may eventually replace the current surgical team with a single AI-enabled device.
The use of AI in surgery will only grow as these devices become more sophisticated, and physicians across specialties like cardiothoracic surgery, vascular intervention, or even neurological procedures can use them in operations such as deep brain stimulation.
Artificial intelligence will also bring new efficiencies in hospital operations providing data insights that lead to cost savings from reduced wait times. This step will be through better planning capabilities, fewer bed shortages through enhanced inventory management, and lower overhead costs due to decreased staffing needs, among other benefits.
The efficiency increases will also extend to the patients themselves, who will spend more time with their loved ones because of shorter wait times, a better quality of life, and experience less pain due to AI-assisted surgery.
Hospitals are using artificial intelligence to automate various tasks, such as triaging incoming patient charts based on severity. In some cases, AI is even being used to decide what course of treatment will be best for the patient in question.
When we think about the undying importance that technology has on every
aspect of our lives, we can’t help but wonder what our life would be without
those marvelous miracles. From a door hinge to the screen you are reading this
on right now, it’s all possible due to technological breakthroughs by people of
immense importance.
But let’s move above the personal dimension and think about the bigger picture — what about technology being put to use for building bridges, harnessing clean water and saving humanity? These experiments and scientific inventions are utmost crucial for our development as a whole society. The most significant impact of scientific innovation has been on the healthcare industry.
Many philanthropists firmly believe that technology is like a big treasure chest. It can be used for the evilest of activities, but if put to use for the society’s welfare, this treasure chest has the potential to impact billions of lives. That is why the “technology” element in healthcare is what’s driving many people to change things for the better.
Following this principle of common welfare to make healthcare accessible
to all the people, there have been many technological innovations to change the
game. Some have been big enough to wipe out epidemics and some so small yet
indispensable. Let’s look at some of them to figure out how they helped.
1. Electronic Health Records
This is often overlooked in the medical industry, but Electronic Health Records (EHRs) have made healthcare a whole lot efficient. Enovate Medical — the EHR connoisseur that specializes in manufacturing state-of-the-art EHR workstations suitable for every hospital and clinic, shows how much time, effort, and paper is saved due to EHRs. If you want to check out the best range of EHR workstations, do give them a visit.
2. Artificial Intelligence
This term is thrown around way too often these days in every vertical of
business. In the field of healthcare, AI has been more useful than any other
piece of technology. AI algorithms that emboss medical records, medical design
plans, and even craft sensitive drugs with the highest precision are doing
their bit to develop the healthcare sector. AI has made exquisite discoveries
in the field of healthcare, and techies are foraying into new territories to
see what else can be done.
3. Virtual Reality
Although the term “VR” is often
used in entertainment, media, and gaming, patients and physicians are making
the most of it as well. Virtual Reality is being used continuously by pediatric
surgeons to teach kids about biology and also to distract them from whatever
procedure they’re going through. VR is used to give the doctors a perspective
from the patient’s viewpoint—something that makes them aware of what the
patients feel like.
4. Augmented Reality
Augmented Reality is a much denser concept than VR. Remember Pokémon Go?
That was the first time smartphone users got up close and personal with AR, and
since then it’s become more significant than just life. Nearly all of the
medical schools use AR to conduct simulated seminars for students, providing
them that much-needed experience which might take up too many resources if done
in real sense. Many surgeons simulate surgical procedures to revise before the
actual D-day.
5. Smart Health Trackers
If you’ve noticed a trend in technological advancements, then you
might’ve realized that it’s all about making things more handy, compact, and
easy to use. At this very moment, the health tracker market is being dominated
and played by the biggest tech giants. With the likes of Apple and Fitbit
scouring for their share, this helps users in keeping track of their health.
This leads to significant changes in the lifestyle just because people know
what’s up with their health, and it couldn’t be possible without technological
advancements.
6. All-in-one Health Monitor
Remember how we always fantasize things that might become true shortly?
The healthcare industry is in constant pursuit to give birth to a device which
examines the patient’s basics in one go—just like in sci-fi movies. This
superficial diagnosis machine isn’t on the market, but with smartphones
providing valuable data and everything being online, it can be done. We have to
wait and watch!
7. Immaculate Drug Development Procedures
Drugs are the most expensive commodities in the world—for the producers,
that is. We get subsidized rates and thanks to Uncle Sam, they cost cents on
the dollar. It’s not just the cost of drugs, but the efforts that make them
expensive. But with automation and robotics, the production costs have been cut
down by a margin. Not only does this ensure lower prices but lesser mistakes
due to cutting edge technological procedures.
8. Nanotechnology
Here’s another term that’s thrown around a lot when healthcare and tech
are talked about—nanotechnology. If you’ve watched enough spy movies, you
might’ve seen remote-controlled nanoparticles blowing minds. Nanotechnology, if
successful, can turn out to be massive development in finding a cure for
cancer. Drugs are usually injected, swallowed or inhaled after which there’s a
gestation period before they start working. With nano-tech, drug delivery will
be quicker and more precise.
9. Robotics
We talked about robotics a while ago, and this medium of getting things
done through the machine has lead to miraculous results. Robotics has given
rise to advanced physiotherapy techniques, preventive and curable surgeries,
and rehabilitation procedures. With the science of bionics, many
specially-abled people have been able to make their lives easier.
With bionic arms and legs assisting amputees, the quality of life has
improved by significant margins for people who had it all tough. But robotics
is not just for the patients, and they help in many ways. Ranging from smart
surgical instruments to interactive companions that help patients suffering
from depression, robotics are covering every dimension of healthcare to change
it for better things in times to come.
And of course, then there are the likes of Amazon, Apple, and Google—who
have combined robotics with AI to make technology interactive through
smartphones. Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa, and Google’s Assistant are very much
every person’s best friend and personal assistant.
10. 3-D Printing
3-D printing is already being utilized in the most sensitive of surgeries and operations by doctors throughout the globe. 3-D printing can be used for printing tissue cells with blood vessels, synthetic skin, and even bones. The prosthetics industry is not able to serve more people than before because 3-D printing is inexpensive, and prosthetic limbs can be customized according to every person’s necessity.
The Future Is Bright for Health Tech
If healthcare and technology join forces, then this optimistic and
productive duo can make the world a better place. We are in that stage of
development where every day we discover something new, and with every innovation,
there’s a chance for us to make this world a better place to live.
Be it Enovate Medical’s extensive range of EHR Workstations of 3-D printed prosthetics and AI-supported surgeries, all of this has one single objective—to use technology for the people’s welfare and to ensure that our children grow in a happy place that’s free of ailments.
Your skin says it all, as every wrinkle, sunspot, and color has a meaning behind it. In fact, this miraculous organ can display signs of illness and disease without any prior symptoms. For example, individuals with pale skin are found to have fewer red blood cells, while patients with hepatitis have yellowish skin.
According to the Cancer Research UK, 15,419 new skin cancer cases were diagnosed in 2014. The study also revealed that the rise in skin cancer rates increased 128 percent since the early 1990s.
Thanks to digital technology, dermatologists will be able to treat and diagnose skin disease more effectively now than ever before. Smart algorithms will be able to diagnose skin cancer within minutes, 3D printers will produce synthetic skin to fight organ shortages, dermatologists will consult patients online, and more. Check out some of the new technologies that will change the future of dermatology.
Teledermatology For Immediate Response
No one enjoys spending hours in the clinic waiting for results. Thanks to the latest model of consultation – teledermatology – patients can use their smartphones, share files, and improve the way dermatologists diagnose skin conditions. According to the Telemedicine and eHealth Journal, studies show teledermatology can shorten waiting times and reduce the cost of medical bills. With this advanced technique, patients can upload photos of their skin problem, where dermatologists can offer assistance.
Fight Cancer with Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology has proven to be useful in cosmetic dermatology as nanoparticles are increasingly found in anti-aging products and UV-light absorbing sunscreens. When illuminated with a specific wavelength of light, the nanoshells will heat up and burn cancer cells effectively. When developed carefully, nanomaterials will have the ability to apply antioxidants, retinoids, and drugs such as growth rejuvenation and botulinum toxin topically in the future.