Home > Resources > Articles > Technology Trends that will Revolutionize the Medical Industry in 2021

Technology Trends that will Revolutionize the Medical Industry in 2021

The recent COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 has changed the way the healthcare industry has been processing. It has transformed the healthcare sector digitally. Healthcare providers have changed services with the latest healthcare technology trends in digital and virtual platforms. Every healthcare provider is updating services by adopting digital advancements in their practices to increase their capacity to engage the maximum number of patients. Still more advancements and updates are needed to address many challenges in the industry such as cybersecurity, effective payment model, telehealth, patient experience, invoicing and payment processing, and big data.

Last year, wearable devices in the healthcare industry were quite popular with the patients. These devices have helped patients be aware of various healthcare metrics. Due to the introduction of the 5G internet, the wearable devices market is expected to have huge scope in 2021.  Healthcare technology trends, such as the use of a digital dashboard scheduler or chatbots as a digital assistant, help hospitals and other healthcare organizations to better track appointments, contacts, demography, and make changes more efficiently as these are practical measures for modifying and monitoring patient activities.

Telemedicine, using video conferencing, digital monitoring, etc. have also been very helpful in containing the spread of the pandemic. It has made healthcare accessible for everyone, especially in rural areas.  For remote patient care systems, telehealth and teleradiology reporting are very important technological upgrades. Healthcare technology trends of 2020, including patient portals, mobile health applications, remote care via telehealth, and wearable devices, played a major role in tackling the global pandemic situation. Artificial intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) also played a vital part in handling the situation.  All the above-mentioned are COVID-19 fueled healthcare technology trends in 2020, which are expected to continue in coming years too.

Here is a detailed look into the healthcare technology trends, which are expected to address the new challenges and revolutionize the healthcare industry in 2021.

 

Technology Trends that will Revolutionize the Medical Industry in 2021

The digital transformation of the healthcare industry has been fast-forwarded by COVID-19 in 2020.  Recognizing the healthcare technology trends, many healthcare providers have readily shifted their operations to the latest trending technologies. Others are also looking forward to setting their operations according to the upcoming trends.

It seems like almost all the healthcare providers genuinely wanted to transform their operating system to engage the maximum number of patients, due to the healthcare technology trends set after the hardest crisis in the healthcare industry virtual reality healthcare. So, before planning your healthcare strategy for 2021, don’t miss to include these healthcare technology trends of 2021 to achieve better healthcare outcomes and stand one step ahead of your competitors.

 

Patient Engagement Technology

One of the most competitive healthcare technology trends in 2021 will be patient engagement technology. There are countless technologies available in the market for patient engagement, evaluation, and campaigning. Due to high competition in the market, these tools are priced competitively.

Many healthcare organizations have started empowering themselves by achieving consistency in patient engagement with the help of available tools in the market. This also helps them achieve increased ROI.  The healthcare technology trends, including remote care via telehealth, patient portals, wearable devices, mobile health applications, and many more, empower patients and increase patient engagement.

Hospitals and other healthcare organizations need to improve patient experience along with engagement. The entire road to patient satisfaction and experience can be changed with these healthcare technology trends in 2021. 

 

Telemedicine

As telemedicine revolutionized the entire healthcare technology in 2020 by playing a vital role in containing the COVID-19 pandemic, it is expected to be one of the healthcare technology trends in 2021 too.

Using the advancement, it possible for healthcare professionals to diagnose and treat any number of patients remotely through phone calls, mobile apps, emails, and even through video calls. Telemedicine can provide patients with better access to all healthcare services, drive up efficiency and revenue, and lower healthcare costs.

 

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)

The arrival of both AR and VR solutions has made way to witness meaningful advancements in the healthcare industry and technology. Advancements that could only be dreamt of a decade back, have become realities and been implemented. These two healthcare technology trends offer some serious promise to the world of healthcare, including educating patients before a treatment procedure.

AR offers one of the latest and most spontaneous options in the healthcare industry. AR allows doctors and surgeons to experience 3D effects on real-world scenes. This healthcare technology trend permits the professionals to stay grounded on actual procedures with access to all the data through various other emerging technologies. This makes doctors compare data, in the virtual world, to understand what the patient is experiencing and make a flawless diagnosis and suggest healthcare procedures.

 

Chatbots

It is either impossible or expensive for patients to get answers from specialists for their routine queries. But, chatbots make it easier and comfortable for healthcare service providers to answer questions of patients cost-effectively. Though chatbots are currently in the experimental phase to be used in healthcare solutions, they are most likely to have the necessary access to clinical scenarios by the beginning of 2021. It is expected to be one of the progressive healthcare technology trends in 2021.

As a digital assistant, chatbots allow healthcare providers to keep a track of contacts and appointments and make changes, when necessary. Chatbots are going to revolutionize the clinical processes and business, providing practical as well as clear measures for modifying and monitoring patient activities.

 

Big Data and 5G

5G is about to sweep the world in the coming months. With the extraordinary intensification in transmission bandwidth of 5G, users will construct a huge amount of data. With 5G, the Internet of Things (IoT) will be used largely to send and receive data. In the next three years, the global wearables market is expected to reach an annual turnover of US$52 billion. This can be attributed to the introduction of 5G wireless technology, one of the healthcare technology trends.

Healthcare providers will have the access to a huge amount of accurate data when data from wearable devices and other initiatives are added together. This is going to change the way providers collect data and the way doctors and patients communicate.

Thus, while you plan to upgrade your healthcare technology for 2021, don’t forget that you will be receiving a huge amount of data from patients, which can be attributed to one of the important healthcare technology trends of 2021, big data and 5G.

 

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI), one of the prominent healthcare technology trends of 2021, is developed to mimic human thought processes. GNS Healthcare AI system and IBM Watson are some of the most popular examples for the active use of AI in the healthcare process. This trend is going to rule healthcare processes and revolutionize medical care in 2021.

To improve healthcare professionals’ and hospitals’ care delivery to patients, Google’s DeepMind has built mobile apps and AI. The AI healthcare market is expected to reach US$7988.8 million in 2022 from US$667.1 million in 2016. This healthcare technology trend is expected to take the healthcare industry to a new realm by increasing patient engagement and experience in 2021.

 

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is one of the major healthcare technology trends in 2021 that is going to change the industry. Attributed to the recent development of various healthcare technology trends, the cloud computing market is expected to reach US$35 billion in 2022 from US$20.2 billion in 2017.

This tremendous growth is attributed to the need of storing a high volume of data for healthcare organizations at a lower cost.  In the healthcare domain, the main use of big data is in Electronic Health Record systems (EHR). It allows secure storage of various digital documentation such as demographics, medical history, diagnoses, and laboratory results. Cloud computing, an important healthcare technology trend, is expected to make the healthcare process smooth and flawless in 2021.

The biggest trend of 2021 in the healthcare industry is the holistic technological transformation of healthcare firms. Whether AI, ML, RPA, telemedicine, big data, chatbots, or cloud computing, almost everything related to data management and monitoring will peak in 2021. These healthcare technology trends will rule healthcare in 2021. Moreover, targeted and personalized care for critical diseases is expected to be another trend in the coming years. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What are the technology trends in healthcare?

Trending healthcare technologies are AI, ML, RPA, cloud computing, big data, chatbots, telemedicine, etc. AI, the life-changing technology is going to completely transform the healthcare industry in the coming years starting from 2021.

 

What are the most important trends in healthcare technology?

Augmented and virtual reality, Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Medical Things, Machine Learning, chatbots, cloud computing, telemedicine, etc. are the most important technology trends in the healthcare industry. 

 

What are the current technological trends in healthcare?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR), Electronic Health Records (EHR), Blockchain and data security, health-tracking apps, therapeutic apps, and telehealth are the major current technological trends in the healthcare industry.

Spotlight

Spectrum Health - Ireland

Spectrum Health is one part of the same company which has successfully provided Chartered Physiotherapy in Ireland since 2007, The Physio Company. The Physio Company is Ireland’s largest private Chartered Physiotherapy provider with over 26 clinics across Ireland.

OTHER ARTICLES
Health Technology, Digital Healthcare

5 Ways AI is Likely to Benefit Medicine & Improve Patient Care

Article | July 14, 2023

Since ChatGPT’s launch in November 2022, artificial intelligence (AI) tools have become disruptive to nearly every industry. While there's been controversy about whether AI would benefit the healthcare industry, it has proven to be just as capable in healthcare as in other sectors. In the medical field, there is reason to believe AI tools may be an even more reliable and useful resource than other sectors. Medical students have been panicking over AI's threat to their career prospects. But as these systems mature, the experts increasingly believe that AI may serve as a counterpart to human medical expertise rather than a threat. How AI Tools Are Expected to Aid Medical Professionals? Again and again, as the debate over modern AI tools rages on, we encounter the analogy of the calculator. No one feels threatened by calculators, not even professional mathematicians. Instead of throwing up their hands, math experts embrace the power of these now archaic computerized devices. If the experts are correct, this may be similar to the future of the alliance between AI and humans. According to the designers and programmers who understand how these systems work as well as how information technology tends to progress, AI can be expected to help the medical profession in the following ways: Cosmetic Surgery Consultations One of the farthest-reaching applications we see develop is in consultations for plastic surgery and similar applications. Perhaps one of the easiest aspects to understand is hair-loss consultations. In our practice, we use a device known as HairMetrix, which uses an AI-driven analytical system to help determine what is causing a patient to lose their hair and which treatment options would be the most effective. Because it is AI-driven, it is fully based on visual scans and is completely non-invasive. Just like this, AI can be used in an abundance of other ways to minimize the use of exploratory surgery and improve healthcare outcomes. Improved Diagnostics Artificial intelligence is already helping medical providers deliver diagnoses more quickly. These tools can identify anomalies that might otherwise take human hours or even weeks to identify. This has improved the rate of cancer detection, among other things, which will predictably improve survival rates. Developing New Pharmaceuticals The development of new medicines is notoriously slow. Not only is testing a painstaking process, but even seeking FDA approval can take years. AI is expected to help the development of pharmaceuticals through simulation on the molecular level, allowing researchers to see how the active mechanisms in a drug will work in the body. Improved Administrative Efficiency In the medical field, administrative tasks are notoriously slow. It is believed that generative AI will be able to automate many administrative functions and innumerable office chores. It could streamline sorting patient files, accelerate the interpretation of data, and much more. Patient Access In an area where information technology is already improving patients' lives, access to medical advice is still a bottleneck in the system. AI tools have the potential to slowly bridge the gap in health disparities. Combined with the power to diagnose, this could dramatically increase the capability of online patient portals. Of course, this list of anticipated AI capabilities is far from exhaustive. Researchers and medical professionals have high hopes for these tools, and some are already proving to be more than mere speculation. In a world where AI is reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace, the healthcare sector stands poised to benefit significantly from this technological revolution. From streamlining administrative tasks to revolutionizing diagnostics, the potential of AI in medicine is vast and diverse. As we witness AI-enabled tools like HairMetrix, enhancing the cosmetic surgery consultations and AI algorithms expediting diagnostic accuracy, it's clear that we are only at the beginning of a healthcare transformation that is set to improve patient care, increase survival rates, and revolutionize medical practices.

Read More
Digital Healthcare

Impact of Social Media on Healthcare Marketing

Article | November 29, 2023

Social media has become a powerful tool to connect people with friends, relatives, family, and other loved ones. Worldwide, around 4.2 billion people are actively using the internet. Among them, 3 billion are regularly active on social media channels. Social media is not just about interpersonal conversations; at least 80 percent of users follow one business on Instagram. With all the ads on your Facebook news feed, you connect with various brands or become aware about many brands. But does social media in healthcare make any impact? Almost all industries have started to realize the power of social media and how it can impact connecting with consumers. Various social media platforms help companies share information, increase brand awareness, and partner with industry influencers. Social media has overpowered traditional marketing strategies. Social media has become the wave of the future. Regarding the uptake of social media, the healthcare industry has been a bit slower. However, the industry now has accepted the undeniable importance of social media in healthcare. The reluctance might have been due to the risks associated for the providers as well as patients. Privacy and confidentiality of patient information has to be maintained always. Those were the challenges of social media in healthcare. However, consumers can get information from social media faster than any other tool. The Healthcare industry includes both the healthcare technology providers as well as the healthcare service providers. Whether you are a service provider or a technology provider, social media can impact your customers equally. This article discusses the positive effects and benefits of social media in healthcare, especially healthcare service providers. Embraced by the Medical Community The healthcare industry took notice of social media when government agencies and other business industries started to reap the benefits of social media. A recent survey revealed an interesting fact about the use of social media in healthcare. More than 1500 healthcare providers around the US have social media presence online. Hospitals miss key opportunities if they don’t use social media. These hospital systems have started effectively using social media to reach out to their past, current, and future patients. Social media in healthcare is an easy medium to share vital information with consumers and patients in the industry. The survey also revealed that more than 30% of medical professionals use various social media platforms to network with their peers. Many physicians also use these social media platforms for multiple activities in open forums. Having an active online presence evokes transparency among clients and peers. Healthcare providers can join various platforms such as Twitter to become healthcare influencers. Through social media in healthcare, providers can make connections, engage the community, and explore the industry. The Case of Cleveland Clinic, Ohio Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, US is the best example of how social media can be used to reach out to patients, engage them online, and stay ahead of competitors. They have more than 2 million followers on Facebook, 1.9 million followers on Twitter, and around 5 lack followers on LinkedIn. They have very different and unique social media strategies. They do post about whatever happens on the campus, including doctors practicing in their respective departments and interactive sessions with doctors and HODs, etc. Also, they do provide health tips and information, general health advice, and updates on the latest medical technologies and treatments. Apart from these, the hospital also reaches out to patients for queries and feedback through social media and responds to them promptly. These effective social media strategies help them in building up a brand, reputation management, create a patient relationship and build patient loyalty. Loved by Healthcare Consumers To find advice and new treatments, healthcare consumers widely use social media. This creates an opportunity for providers to connect with consumers through various forms of healthcare educational content. More than 40 percent of consumers believe that social media in healthcare affects their wellness decisions and health. Among 18 to 24 years old, 90 percent of people trust the medical information they get on social media. This shows the importance of healthcare providers on social media channels. Mobile healthcare is expanding as consumers depend more on the internet for information. Countless fitness and health apps are available online. However, many of them are not effective and do not cure diseases but can change behaviors. Having an app will help you increase your accountability, as a provider, among consumers. Positive Impact of Social Media on Healthcare The healthcare community is widely embracing the scope of social media in healthcare. Healthcare technology providers, hospitals, and other service providers are opening new accounts to create a consistent image among consumers. There are many ways to improve care by reaching out to patients through social media in healthcare. Some of the positive impacts of best practices for social media in healthcare are as follows: Increasing Access Across Generations Healthcare companies have almost stopped employing the traditional ways of advertising. Patients always need quick access to information to reduce the risk of getting flu or to find new providers, including baby boomers, every generation is online. According to Forbes, as of 2017, 9 percent of Facebook users were above 55 years of age. This present generation is very tech-savvy, they search online for local healthcare services and healthcare information. They use Facebook and YouTube. So, you need to create a marketing strategy that targets baby boomers. Generation X also searches health-related topics online, which accounts for 1.5 billion views on YouTube each day. As they care for children and aging parents, they may search for the best long-term care facilities, how to soothe a colicky baby, and so much more. As millennials are focused on healthy living and being cost-conscious, they depend more on social media platforms for healthcare information. Ninety-three percent of millennials say that they do not rely on healthcare providers for preventive health information. Thus, as everyone goes online for healthcare information, healthcare service providers should consider the role of social media in healthcare seriously. By providing reliable and accurate information, healthcare providers can engage with consumers and increase the patient experience through social media. Creating Authenticity The days that the patients trust doctors blindly have gone. Healthcare consumers have become smarter and want to have relationships with providers who care for them. Allowing your tech-savvy employees to share videos and pictures of events or office helps have a human touch. It also improves patient engagement and overall patient satisfaction. If patients know the people in your reception or nurses of respective departments, it helps them relax, engage, and makes them share their health history more openly. This is possible as they connect with those in the office through your social media in healthcare. It increases your authenticity. Keeping an Eye on Competitors Administrators and marketers keep an eye on their competitors through their social media platforms. They evaluate pain points, community involvements, service lines, and marketing strategies sitting in their offices. Hospitals and other providers can quickly get feedback on technologies and marketing strategies the competitors are using. This would help them if they want to incorporate these things in their care process before investing. You can take note of the social media platforms where your competitors are performing well. This approach to social media in healthcare would remove the possibility of failure with your social media strategy, especially when you begin with it. Real-time Updates During emergencies and other situations, social media in healthcare allows you to communicate quickly. Social media updates can provide life-saving information, from crisis alerts to census notifications. World Health Organization (WHO) is an excellent example; they provide real-time information to the masses regarding any health crisis, warnings, and other critical safety information during disasters, using social media, especially Twitter. Similarly, by providing real-time information to your consumers through your social media channels, you can increase your authenticity, authority, and dependency. Real-time access to information saves lives. Gathering Feedback Patients often want to communicate with their doctors quickly. They may need to share something about a recent appointment or about a reaction they had to medication. Making patients provide feedback on social media helps you learn how they feel about their medicine and care. You can get essential feedback that might help you improve your care. It also helps you recognize and reward the staff that the consumers recognize. As a provider, you can also get back to them for additional information after the feedback you get from them on social media. This possibility of social media in healthcare will work more to provide better care next time. Social Media for the Future Social media in healthcare is going to stay here and have advancements from time to time. Most of the modern consumers are tech-savvy and want to have everything at their fingertips. Modern patients have no patience. Therefore, social media works to engage patients and enhance the patient experience and satisfaction. Whether you are a large service provider, a solo practitioner, or run a hospital, you need a social media presence. For engaging with your community, social media in healthcare helps a lot. It can make an impact beyond your imagination. Use these strategies to improve the quality of the healthcare you provide. It may be a tiresome job to do it all alone. We, at Media7, provide social media services to engage your consumers. Whether you are a service provider or a technology provider, we are here to help you with our compelling social media strategies. We help healthcare companies generate leads, brand themselves, increase sales, and make them your happy customers. For more details about us, visit https://media7.com/. Frequently Asked Questions What are the advantages and disadvantages of using social media in health care? When used cautiously, social media can provide clear benefits, such as clinical education, professional networking, and patient’s health promotion. However, there can be disadvantages too, including privacy and confidentiality of patients, resulting in formidable consequences. How has social media influenced the marketing of health care? For establishing public awareness and managing reputation, social media is practical means. As part of an effective marketing plan, social media has become an essential medium for healthcare professionals to interact with consumers and engage them. What is the Importance of Social Media in the hospital? By providing important and general information on healthcare, hospitals can make their presence more valuable to consumers. Encouraging patients to share their feedback and thoughts makes hospitals connect with them and improve the care process. { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [{ "@type": "Question", "name": "What are the advantages and disadvantages of using social media in health care?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "When used cautiously, social media can provide clear benefits, such as clinical education, professional networking, and patient’s health promotion. However, there can be disadvantages too, including privacy and confidentiality of patients, resulting in formidable consequences." } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "How has social media influenced the marketing of health care?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "For establishing public awareness and managing reputation, social media is practical means. As part of an effective marketing plan, social media has become an essential medium for healthcare professionals to interact with consumers and engage them." } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "What is the Importance of Social Media in the hospital?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "By providing important and general information on healthcare, hospitals can make their presence more valuable to consumers. Encouraging patients to share their feedback and thoughts makes hospitals connect with them and improve the care process." } }] }

Read More
Health Technology, Digital Healthcare

Revolutionary Hospital Industry Trends to Watch Out for in 2023

Article | August 16, 2023

Explore latest hospital industry trends driving digital transformation, data analytics, and patient-centric care for improved outcomes and personalized experiences in a dynamic healthcare landscape. Contents 1. Understanding Dynamic Hospital Industry Trends 2. Significance of Keeping Up with Hospital Industry Trends 3. Quick Glance at Latest Hospital Industry Trends 3.1 Cybersecurit 3.2 Virtualization and ML capabilities 3.3 Telehealth and Telemedicine 3.4 Robotics 3.5 Wearables 4. Future Scope 1. Understanding Dynamic Hospital Industry Trends The hospital industry is undergoing dynamic changes driven by digital transformation, data analytics, and patient-centric care. Hospitals are adopting technologies like electronic health records (EHRs) and telemedicine while leveraging data analytics and artificial intelligence for better insights. Patient engagement and personalized healthcare experiences are prioritized. The shift towards value-based care and proactive population health management is evident. Collaboration, interoperability, and preventive care initiatives are also gaining importance. These emerging trends in healthcare technology reflect the industry’s commitment to improving patient outcomes in an evolving landscape. 2. Significance of Keeping Up with Hospital Industry Trends Staying up-to-date with the latest trends in healthcare industry is of utmost importance for professionals and organizations. It enables them to deliver improved patient care by implementing cutting-edge technologies and treatment methodologies. Hospitals can streamline processes, reduce costs, and allocate resources effectively by adopting industry trends focused on operational efficiency. Keeping pace with industry trends also provides a competitive advantage, helping hospitals attract and retain patients, maintain their reputation as innovative institutions, and outperform competitors. Furthermore, staying informed about evolving regulations and compliance standards ensures hospitals remain compliant, avoiding penalties and legal issues. Industry trends also reflect the changing demographics of patient populations, allowing hospitals to adapt their services and offerings accordingly. This knowledge aids in strategic decision-making, enabling administrators to align their strategies with the evolving healthcare landscape. Additionally, staying updated on industry trends facilitates collaboration and partnerships, promoting innovation and improved healthcare delivery. 3. Glance at Latest Hospital Industry Trends The hospital industry is experiencing a wave of the latest trends reshaping the healthcare delivery landscape. From technological advancements to shifting patient needs and evolving care models, these trends drive significant changes in how hospitals operate and provide care. 3.1 Cybersecurity Taking the lead in hospital industry trends is cybersecurity, which plays a vital role in safeguarding the industry against cyber threats and protecting patient information, sensitive data, and critical infrastructure. By implementing a robust hospital cybersecurity policy, patient data confidentiality, integrity, and availability can be ensured, along with mitigating the financial and reputational damages that can arise from cyberattacks. Furthermore, cybersecurity measures enable the continuity of healthcare services and foster patient trust. Prioritizing cybersecurity helps hospitals maintain compliance with data protection laws like HIPAA and strengthen relationships with patients and other stakeholders. 3.2 Virtualization and ML Capabilities Next in line with hospital industry trends is the adoption of virtualization and machine learning (ML) capabilities that are revolutionizing healthcare operations and patient care. Virtualization allows hospitals to optimize infrastructure, reduce costs, and enhance resource utilization by creating virtual instances of hardware and software. Concurrently, ML algorithms analyze vast amounts of healthcare data, such as electronic health records and medical images, enabling accurate diagnoses, personalized treatments, and predictive insights. The integration of virtualization and ML facilitates remote healthcare services, ensures data security and privacy, and drives operational efficiency, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes and streamlined healthcare delivery. 3.3 Telehealth and Telemedicine The rapid adoption of telehealth and telemedicine, which will transform healthcare delivery, is on the horizon for the hospital industry. These technologies enable convenient access to healthcare services, especially for individuals in remote areas, reducing travel time and costs. Telehealth and telemedicine improve healthcare efficiency by reducing wait times, allowing timely medical advice, prescription refills, and follow-up care. They also facilitate collaboration among healthcare providers and specialists, ensuring access to specialized care. In emergencies, telehealth and telemedicine in the hospital industry enable real-time triage and remote monitoring. Despite challenges related to regulatory compliance and data security, telehealth and telemedicine have transformed healthcare delivery, offering convenience, efficiency, and expanded access to care. 3.4 Robotics The integration of hospital robotics is reshaping the industry, revolutionizing surgical procedures by enabling exceptional precision and significantly reducing recovery times. Surgical robots assist in complex surgeries, improving accuracy and patient outcomes. Additionally, robots streamline tasks like medication dispensing and inventory management, reducing errors and freeing up healthcare professionals. Rehabilitation robots aid patients in regaining mobility, while robotic telepresence enables remote consultations and monitoring. Despite challenges such as implementation costs and regulatory considerations, robotics continues to transform healthcare delivery, enhancing patient care and operational efficiency. 3.5 Wearables The widespread adoption of wearables, emerging prominently in the hospital industry, redefines patient care and monitoring practices. Wearable devices, such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, and remote patient monitoring devices, offer real-time health data and enable continuous monitoring of vital signs, activity levels, and sleep patterns. These devices provide valuable insights into a patient's health and allow for early detection of potential health issues. Wearables promote patient engagement and empowerment by encouraging individuals to manage their health actively. Healthcare professionals can remotely monitor patients' health status, track medication adherence, and intervene promptly if abnormalities are detected. Additionally, wearables offer opportunities for remote patient monitoring, telemedicine consultations, and personalized health interventions. 4. Future Scope The potential of hospital industry trends in the coming years also encompasses genomics and personalized medicine advancements. With an increasing understanding of genetic factors in health and disease, hospitals can offer tailored treatments based on an individual's unique genetic makeup, leading to a revolution in disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Furthermore, integrating blockchain technology in healthcare is expected to enhance data security, interoperability, and patient privacy, enabling seamless sharing of medical records across healthcare providers. Overall, the horizon of the hospital industry holds immense promise for innovative technologies, data-driven insights, and patient-centric care models, all contributing to the development of a more efficient, accessible, and personalized healthcare ecosystem.

Read More
Health Technology

Top 5 Ways for Strengthening Healthcare Supply Chain

Article | September 28, 2022

Introduction Healthcare supply chains are highly regulated, high-margin domains with stringent quality criteria, such as the demand for cold-chain storage and shipping. In addition, due to a lack of adequate understanding of the complicated rules governing healthcare products and services, medical aid providers are encountering inefficiencies while outsourcing capabilities to logistics service providers (LSPs). In today's value-based care paradigm, healthcare leaders are tasked with improving patient outcomes while decreasing costs. With surging globalization, the growing cross-border nature of several medical products, and rising complexities in healthcare logistics, the need for building a robust supply chain is rapidly increasing across the healthcare industry. Key Ways to Enhance Healthcare Supply Chain A resilient supply chain plays a vital role in managing supplies, procuring resources, and shipping medical goods, among others, which assists in improving patient outcomes, enhancing service efficiency, and declining costs. Healthcare organizations are aiming to strengthen their supply chain to enjoy these benefits such as increased reimbursement, improved quality control, reduced inventory and overhead costs, and better collaboration with suppliers. Here are some of the key ways to assist medical aid providers in building a strong healthcare supply chain Develop effective inventory management Manufacturers frequently encounter difficulties with timely inventory movement through their supply chains. Revenue is lost, and profit margins are harmed when products expire because they are not used adequately. This is why it is crucial to effectively manage the inventory process. Hence, healthcare executives should deploy a high-quality equipment management system and increase collaboration between organizations, suppliers, and manufacturers to assist them in controlling inventory levels and effective inventory management. Use technology and analytics to make operations run smoother When it comes to supply chain management automation, the healthcare sector continues to lag behind other sectors. This is true for both the enterprise resource planning (ERP) functions and data analytics use for making decisions about forecasting and product choice. Healthcare executives should make use of efficient technologies, such as solid analytics, in order to successfully improve a supply chain. Implementing data analytics and automation tools can assist in making healthcare supply chain management more efficient and effortless. Widen and strengthen the supplier base One of the most effective ways to build a robust healthcare supply chain is by increasing the number of suppliers and enhancing supplier base management. Manufacturers and purchasers should abandon using single-or limited-source supply chains for raw materials and finished goods. This will assist healthcare companies in expanding their network of raw material suppliers and helps in careful consideration of which suppliers to use for procuring which resources. Improve order accuracy and order cycle times to lower costs Healthcare providers sometimes encounter a large number of errors during the ordering process. When incorrect products are ordered, the facilities face losses in revenue and are sometimes unable to deliver specific services due to the unavailability of products they need. Errors in placing orders can also result in medication errors. This can lead to a decrease in patient outcomes and negatively impact the company’s revenue growth. To reduce the frequency of errors, these providers should deploy a computerized provider entry system. This will help improve order accuracy, increase supply chain efficiencies, and shorten turnaround times in healthcare ordering processes. Consistently track and calibrate performance Regardless of the size of the healthcare facility, it is of great importance for medical aid providers to carefully track and calibrate their performance frequently or on a specified timeline. This enables clinically integrated supply chains in healthcare to use key performance indicators (KPIs) to compare outcomes in terms of cost and quality and make decisions about products. What’s Next? The rising integration of novel disruptive technologies such as data analytics, the internet of things, artificial intelligence, and blockchain into healthcare supply chain management software is facilitating smooth operations, transparency, growth, and security across the life-science industry. With a growing need for enhancing supply chains, healthcare providers are focusing on deploying advanced supply chain management solutions, such as healthcare logistics software, to strengthen their supply chains. As the trend continues to grow, the sales of healthcare supply chain management software and services are anticipated to rise from the US$2.2 billion registered in 2020 to US$3.3 billion by 2025.

Read More
Health Technology, Digital Healthcare

Top 25 EHR Companies Shaping the Future of Healthcare Technology

Article | July 14, 2023

Since ChatGPT’s launch in November 2022, artificial intelligence (AI) tools have become disruptive to nearly every industry. While there's been controversy about whether AI would benefit the healthcare industry, it has proven to be just as capable in healthcare as in other sectors. In the medical field, there is reason to believe AI tools may be an even more reliable and useful resource than other sectors. Medical students have been panicking over AI's threat to their career prospects. But as these systems mature, the experts increasingly believe that AI may serve as a counterpart to human medical expertise rather than a threat. How AI Tools Are Expected to Aid Medical Professionals? Again and again, as the debate over modern AI tools rages on, we encounter the analogy of the calculator. No one feels threatened by calculators, not even professional mathematicians. Instead of throwing up their hands, math experts embrace the power of these now archaic computerized devices. If the experts are correct, this may be similar to the future of the alliance between AI and humans. According to the designers and programmers who understand how these systems work as well as how information technology tends to progress, AI can be expected to help the medical profession in the following ways: Cosmetic Surgery Consultations One of the farthest-reaching applications we see develop is in consultations for plastic surgery and similar applications. Perhaps one of the easiest aspects to understand is hair-loss consultations. In our practice, we use a device known as HairMetrix, which uses an AI-driven analytical system to help determine what is causing a patient to lose their hair and which treatment options would be the most effective. Because it is AI-driven, it is fully based on visual scans and is completely non-invasive. Just like this, AI can be used in an abundance of other ways to minimize the use of exploratory surgery and improve healthcare outcomes. Improved Diagnostics Artificial intelligence is already helping medical providers deliver diagnoses more quickly. These tools can identify anomalies that might otherwise take human hours or even weeks to identify. This has improved the rate of cancer detection, among other things, which will predictably improve survival rates. Developing New Pharmaceuticals The development of new medicines is notoriously slow. Not only is testing a painstaking process, but even seeking FDA approval can take years. AI is expected to help the development of pharmaceuticals through simulation on the molecular level, allowing researchers to see how the active mechanisms in a drug will work in the body. Improved Administrative Efficiency In the medical field, administrative tasks are notoriously slow. It is believed that generative AI will be able to automate many administrative functions and innumerable office chores. It could streamline sorting patient files, accelerate the interpretation of data, and much more. Patient Access In an area where information technology is already improving patients' lives, access to medical advice is still a bottleneck in the system. AI tools have the potential to slowly bridge the gap in health disparities. Combined with the power to diagnose, this could dramatically increase the capability of online patient portals. Of course, this list of anticipated AI capabilities is far from exhaustive. Researchers and medical professionals have high hopes for these tools, and some are already proving to be more than mere speculation. In a world where AI is reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace, the healthcare sector stands poised to benefit significantly from this technological revolution. From streamlining administrative tasks to revolutionizing diagnostics, the potential of AI in medicine is vast and diverse. As we witness AI-enabled tools like HairMetrix, enhancing the cosmetic surgery consultations and AI algorithms expediting diagnostic accuracy, it's clear that we are only at the beginning of a healthcare transformation that is set to improve patient care, increase survival rates, and revolutionize medical practices.

Read More
Digital Healthcare

The Key Ingredient in Healthcare Compliance Success

Article | November 29, 2023

Social media has become a powerful tool to connect people with friends, relatives, family, and other loved ones. Worldwide, around 4.2 billion people are actively using the internet. Among them, 3 billion are regularly active on social media channels. Social media is not just about interpersonal conversations; at least 80 percent of users follow one business on Instagram. With all the ads on your Facebook news feed, you connect with various brands or become aware about many brands. But does social media in healthcare make any impact? Almost all industries have started to realize the power of social media and how it can impact connecting with consumers. Various social media platforms help companies share information, increase brand awareness, and partner with industry influencers. Social media has overpowered traditional marketing strategies. Social media has become the wave of the future. Regarding the uptake of social media, the healthcare industry has been a bit slower. However, the industry now has accepted the undeniable importance of social media in healthcare. The reluctance might have been due to the risks associated for the providers as well as patients. Privacy and confidentiality of patient information has to be maintained always. Those were the challenges of social media in healthcare. However, consumers can get information from social media faster than any other tool. The Healthcare industry includes both the healthcare technology providers as well as the healthcare service providers. Whether you are a service provider or a technology provider, social media can impact your customers equally. This article discusses the positive effects and benefits of social media in healthcare, especially healthcare service providers. Embraced by the Medical Community The healthcare industry took notice of social media when government agencies and other business industries started to reap the benefits of social media. A recent survey revealed an interesting fact about the use of social media in healthcare. More than 1500 healthcare providers around the US have social media presence online. Hospitals miss key opportunities if they don’t use social media. These hospital systems have started effectively using social media to reach out to their past, current, and future patients. Social media in healthcare is an easy medium to share vital information with consumers and patients in the industry. The survey also revealed that more than 30% of medical professionals use various social media platforms to network with their peers. Many physicians also use these social media platforms for multiple activities in open forums. Having an active online presence evokes transparency among clients and peers. Healthcare providers can join various platforms such as Twitter to become healthcare influencers. Through social media in healthcare, providers can make connections, engage the community, and explore the industry. The Case of Cleveland Clinic, Ohio Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, US is the best example of how social media can be used to reach out to patients, engage them online, and stay ahead of competitors. They have more than 2 million followers on Facebook, 1.9 million followers on Twitter, and around 5 lack followers on LinkedIn. They have very different and unique social media strategies. They do post about whatever happens on the campus, including doctors practicing in their respective departments and interactive sessions with doctors and HODs, etc. Also, they do provide health tips and information, general health advice, and updates on the latest medical technologies and treatments. Apart from these, the hospital also reaches out to patients for queries and feedback through social media and responds to them promptly. These effective social media strategies help them in building up a brand, reputation management, create a patient relationship and build patient loyalty. Loved by Healthcare Consumers To find advice and new treatments, healthcare consumers widely use social media. This creates an opportunity for providers to connect with consumers through various forms of healthcare educational content. More than 40 percent of consumers believe that social media in healthcare affects their wellness decisions and health. Among 18 to 24 years old, 90 percent of people trust the medical information they get on social media. This shows the importance of healthcare providers on social media channels. Mobile healthcare is expanding as consumers depend more on the internet for information. Countless fitness and health apps are available online. However, many of them are not effective and do not cure diseases but can change behaviors. Having an app will help you increase your accountability, as a provider, among consumers. Positive Impact of Social Media on Healthcare The healthcare community is widely embracing the scope of social media in healthcare. Healthcare technology providers, hospitals, and other service providers are opening new accounts to create a consistent image among consumers. There are many ways to improve care by reaching out to patients through social media in healthcare. Some of the positive impacts of best practices for social media in healthcare are as follows: Increasing Access Across Generations Healthcare companies have almost stopped employing the traditional ways of advertising. Patients always need quick access to information to reduce the risk of getting flu or to find new providers, including baby boomers, every generation is online. According to Forbes, as of 2017, 9 percent of Facebook users were above 55 years of age. This present generation is very tech-savvy, they search online for local healthcare services and healthcare information. They use Facebook and YouTube. So, you need to create a marketing strategy that targets baby boomers. Generation X also searches health-related topics online, which accounts for 1.5 billion views on YouTube each day. As they care for children and aging parents, they may search for the best long-term care facilities, how to soothe a colicky baby, and so much more. As millennials are focused on healthy living and being cost-conscious, they depend more on social media platforms for healthcare information. Ninety-three percent of millennials say that they do not rely on healthcare providers for preventive health information. Thus, as everyone goes online for healthcare information, healthcare service providers should consider the role of social media in healthcare seriously. By providing reliable and accurate information, healthcare providers can engage with consumers and increase the patient experience through social media. Creating Authenticity The days that the patients trust doctors blindly have gone. Healthcare consumers have become smarter and want to have relationships with providers who care for them. Allowing your tech-savvy employees to share videos and pictures of events or office helps have a human touch. It also improves patient engagement and overall patient satisfaction. If patients know the people in your reception or nurses of respective departments, it helps them relax, engage, and makes them share their health history more openly. This is possible as they connect with those in the office through your social media in healthcare. It increases your authenticity. Keeping an Eye on Competitors Administrators and marketers keep an eye on their competitors through their social media platforms. They evaluate pain points, community involvements, service lines, and marketing strategies sitting in their offices. Hospitals and other providers can quickly get feedback on technologies and marketing strategies the competitors are using. This would help them if they want to incorporate these things in their care process before investing. You can take note of the social media platforms where your competitors are performing well. This approach to social media in healthcare would remove the possibility of failure with your social media strategy, especially when you begin with it. Real-time Updates During emergencies and other situations, social media in healthcare allows you to communicate quickly. Social media updates can provide life-saving information, from crisis alerts to census notifications. World Health Organization (WHO) is an excellent example; they provide real-time information to the masses regarding any health crisis, warnings, and other critical safety information during disasters, using social media, especially Twitter. Similarly, by providing real-time information to your consumers through your social media channels, you can increase your authenticity, authority, and dependency. Real-time access to information saves lives. Gathering Feedback Patients often want to communicate with their doctors quickly. They may need to share something about a recent appointment or about a reaction they had to medication. Making patients provide feedback on social media helps you learn how they feel about their medicine and care. You can get essential feedback that might help you improve your care. It also helps you recognize and reward the staff that the consumers recognize. As a provider, you can also get back to them for additional information after the feedback you get from them on social media. This possibility of social media in healthcare will work more to provide better care next time. Social Media for the Future Social media in healthcare is going to stay here and have advancements from time to time. Most of the modern consumers are tech-savvy and want to have everything at their fingertips. Modern patients have no patience. Therefore, social media works to engage patients and enhance the patient experience and satisfaction. Whether you are a large service provider, a solo practitioner, or run a hospital, you need a social media presence. For engaging with your community, social media in healthcare helps a lot. It can make an impact beyond your imagination. Use these strategies to improve the quality of the healthcare you provide. It may be a tiresome job to do it all alone. We, at Media7, provide social media services to engage your consumers. Whether you are a service provider or a technology provider, we are here to help you with our compelling social media strategies. We help healthcare companies generate leads, brand themselves, increase sales, and make them your happy customers. For more details about us, visit https://media7.com/. Frequently Asked Questions What are the advantages and disadvantages of using social media in health care? When used cautiously, social media can provide clear benefits, such as clinical education, professional networking, and patient’s health promotion. However, there can be disadvantages too, including privacy and confidentiality of patients, resulting in formidable consequences. How has social media influenced the marketing of health care? For establishing public awareness and managing reputation, social media is practical means. As part of an effective marketing plan, social media has become an essential medium for healthcare professionals to interact with consumers and engage them. What is the Importance of Social Media in the hospital? By providing important and general information on healthcare, hospitals can make their presence more valuable to consumers. Encouraging patients to share their feedback and thoughts makes hospitals connect with them and improve the care process. { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [{ "@type": "Question", "name": "What are the advantages and disadvantages of using social media in health care?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "When used cautiously, social media can provide clear benefits, such as clinical education, professional networking, and patient’s health promotion. However, there can be disadvantages too, including privacy and confidentiality of patients, resulting in formidable consequences." } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "How has social media influenced the marketing of health care?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "For establishing public awareness and managing reputation, social media is practical means. As part of an effective marketing plan, social media has become an essential medium for healthcare professionals to interact with consumers and engage them." } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "What is the Importance of Social Media in the hospital?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "By providing important and general information on healthcare, hospitals can make their presence more valuable to consumers. Encouraging patients to share their feedback and thoughts makes hospitals connect with them and improve the care process." } }] }

Read More
Health Technology, Digital Healthcare

Exploring EHR Trends: A Path to Healthcare Transformation

Article | August 16, 2023

Explore latest hospital industry trends driving digital transformation, data analytics, and patient-centric care for improved outcomes and personalized experiences in a dynamic healthcare landscape. Contents 1. Understanding Dynamic Hospital Industry Trends 2. Significance of Keeping Up with Hospital Industry Trends 3. Quick Glance at Latest Hospital Industry Trends 3.1 Cybersecurit 3.2 Virtualization and ML capabilities 3.3 Telehealth and Telemedicine 3.4 Robotics 3.5 Wearables 4. Future Scope 1. Understanding Dynamic Hospital Industry Trends The hospital industry is undergoing dynamic changes driven by digital transformation, data analytics, and patient-centric care. Hospitals are adopting technologies like electronic health records (EHRs) and telemedicine while leveraging data analytics and artificial intelligence for better insights. Patient engagement and personalized healthcare experiences are prioritized. The shift towards value-based care and proactive population health management is evident. Collaboration, interoperability, and preventive care initiatives are also gaining importance. These emerging trends in healthcare technology reflect the industry’s commitment to improving patient outcomes in an evolving landscape. 2. Significance of Keeping Up with Hospital Industry Trends Staying up-to-date with the latest trends in healthcare industry is of utmost importance for professionals and organizations. It enables them to deliver improved patient care by implementing cutting-edge technologies and treatment methodologies. Hospitals can streamline processes, reduce costs, and allocate resources effectively by adopting industry trends focused on operational efficiency. Keeping pace with industry trends also provides a competitive advantage, helping hospitals attract and retain patients, maintain their reputation as innovative institutions, and outperform competitors. Furthermore, staying informed about evolving regulations and compliance standards ensures hospitals remain compliant, avoiding penalties and legal issues. Industry trends also reflect the changing demographics of patient populations, allowing hospitals to adapt their services and offerings accordingly. This knowledge aids in strategic decision-making, enabling administrators to align their strategies with the evolving healthcare landscape. Additionally, staying updated on industry trends facilitates collaboration and partnerships, promoting innovation and improved healthcare delivery. 3. Glance at Latest Hospital Industry Trends The hospital industry is experiencing a wave of the latest trends reshaping the healthcare delivery landscape. From technological advancements to shifting patient needs and evolving care models, these trends drive significant changes in how hospitals operate and provide care. 3.1 Cybersecurity Taking the lead in hospital industry trends is cybersecurity, which plays a vital role in safeguarding the industry against cyber threats and protecting patient information, sensitive data, and critical infrastructure. By implementing a robust hospital cybersecurity policy, patient data confidentiality, integrity, and availability can be ensured, along with mitigating the financial and reputational damages that can arise from cyberattacks. Furthermore, cybersecurity measures enable the continuity of healthcare services and foster patient trust. Prioritizing cybersecurity helps hospitals maintain compliance with data protection laws like HIPAA and strengthen relationships with patients and other stakeholders. 3.2 Virtualization and ML Capabilities Next in line with hospital industry trends is the adoption of virtualization and machine learning (ML) capabilities that are revolutionizing healthcare operations and patient care. Virtualization allows hospitals to optimize infrastructure, reduce costs, and enhance resource utilization by creating virtual instances of hardware and software. Concurrently, ML algorithms analyze vast amounts of healthcare data, such as electronic health records and medical images, enabling accurate diagnoses, personalized treatments, and predictive insights. The integration of virtualization and ML facilitates remote healthcare services, ensures data security and privacy, and drives operational efficiency, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes and streamlined healthcare delivery. 3.3 Telehealth and Telemedicine The rapid adoption of telehealth and telemedicine, which will transform healthcare delivery, is on the horizon for the hospital industry. These technologies enable convenient access to healthcare services, especially for individuals in remote areas, reducing travel time and costs. Telehealth and telemedicine improve healthcare efficiency by reducing wait times, allowing timely medical advice, prescription refills, and follow-up care. They also facilitate collaboration among healthcare providers and specialists, ensuring access to specialized care. In emergencies, telehealth and telemedicine in the hospital industry enable real-time triage and remote monitoring. Despite challenges related to regulatory compliance and data security, telehealth and telemedicine have transformed healthcare delivery, offering convenience, efficiency, and expanded access to care. 3.4 Robotics The integration of hospital robotics is reshaping the industry, revolutionizing surgical procedures by enabling exceptional precision and significantly reducing recovery times. Surgical robots assist in complex surgeries, improving accuracy and patient outcomes. Additionally, robots streamline tasks like medication dispensing and inventory management, reducing errors and freeing up healthcare professionals. Rehabilitation robots aid patients in regaining mobility, while robotic telepresence enables remote consultations and monitoring. Despite challenges such as implementation costs and regulatory considerations, robotics continues to transform healthcare delivery, enhancing patient care and operational efficiency. 3.5 Wearables The widespread adoption of wearables, emerging prominently in the hospital industry, redefines patient care and monitoring practices. Wearable devices, such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, and remote patient monitoring devices, offer real-time health data and enable continuous monitoring of vital signs, activity levels, and sleep patterns. These devices provide valuable insights into a patient's health and allow for early detection of potential health issues. Wearables promote patient engagement and empowerment by encouraging individuals to manage their health actively. Healthcare professionals can remotely monitor patients' health status, track medication adherence, and intervene promptly if abnormalities are detected. Additionally, wearables offer opportunities for remote patient monitoring, telemedicine consultations, and personalized health interventions. 4. Future Scope The potential of hospital industry trends in the coming years also encompasses genomics and personalized medicine advancements. With an increasing understanding of genetic factors in health and disease, hospitals can offer tailored treatments based on an individual's unique genetic makeup, leading to a revolution in disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Furthermore, integrating blockchain technology in healthcare is expected to enhance data security, interoperability, and patient privacy, enabling seamless sharing of medical records across healthcare providers. Overall, the horizon of the hospital industry holds immense promise for innovative technologies, data-driven insights, and patient-centric care models, all contributing to the development of a more efficient, accessible, and personalized healthcare ecosystem.

Read More
Health Technology

Top 5 Ways for Strengthening Healthcare Supply Chain

Article | September 28, 2022

Introduction Healthcare supply chains are highly regulated, high-margin domains with stringent quality criteria, such as the demand for cold-chain storage and shipping. In addition, due to a lack of adequate understanding of the complicated rules governing healthcare products and services, medical aid providers are encountering inefficiencies while outsourcing capabilities to logistics service providers (LSPs). In today's value-based care paradigm, healthcare leaders are tasked with improving patient outcomes while decreasing costs. With surging globalization, the growing cross-border nature of several medical products, and rising complexities in healthcare logistics, the need for building a robust supply chain is rapidly increasing across the healthcare industry. Key Ways to Enhance Healthcare Supply Chain A resilient supply chain plays a vital role in managing supplies, procuring resources, and shipping medical goods, among others, which assists in improving patient outcomes, enhancing service efficiency, and declining costs. Healthcare organizations are aiming to strengthen their supply chain to enjoy these benefits such as increased reimbursement, improved quality control, reduced inventory and overhead costs, and better collaboration with suppliers. Here are some of the key ways to assist medical aid providers in building a strong healthcare supply chain Develop effective inventory management Manufacturers frequently encounter difficulties with timely inventory movement through their supply chains. Revenue is lost, and profit margins are harmed when products expire because they are not used adequately. This is why it is crucial to effectively manage the inventory process. Hence, healthcare executives should deploy a high-quality equipment management system and increase collaboration between organizations, suppliers, and manufacturers to assist them in controlling inventory levels and effective inventory management. Use technology and analytics to make operations run smoother When it comes to supply chain management automation, the healthcare sector continues to lag behind other sectors. This is true for both the enterprise resource planning (ERP) functions and data analytics use for making decisions about forecasting and product choice. Healthcare executives should make use of efficient technologies, such as solid analytics, in order to successfully improve a supply chain. Implementing data analytics and automation tools can assist in making healthcare supply chain management more efficient and effortless. Widen and strengthen the supplier base One of the most effective ways to build a robust healthcare supply chain is by increasing the number of suppliers and enhancing supplier base management. Manufacturers and purchasers should abandon using single-or limited-source supply chains for raw materials and finished goods. This will assist healthcare companies in expanding their network of raw material suppliers and helps in careful consideration of which suppliers to use for procuring which resources. Improve order accuracy and order cycle times to lower costs Healthcare providers sometimes encounter a large number of errors during the ordering process. When incorrect products are ordered, the facilities face losses in revenue and are sometimes unable to deliver specific services due to the unavailability of products they need. Errors in placing orders can also result in medication errors. This can lead to a decrease in patient outcomes and negatively impact the company’s revenue growth. To reduce the frequency of errors, these providers should deploy a computerized provider entry system. This will help improve order accuracy, increase supply chain efficiencies, and shorten turnaround times in healthcare ordering processes. Consistently track and calibrate performance Regardless of the size of the healthcare facility, it is of great importance for medical aid providers to carefully track and calibrate their performance frequently or on a specified timeline. This enables clinically integrated supply chains in healthcare to use key performance indicators (KPIs) to compare outcomes in terms of cost and quality and make decisions about products. What’s Next? The rising integration of novel disruptive technologies such as data analytics, the internet of things, artificial intelligence, and blockchain into healthcare supply chain management software is facilitating smooth operations, transparency, growth, and security across the life-science industry. With a growing need for enhancing supply chains, healthcare providers are focusing on deploying advanced supply chain management solutions, such as healthcare logistics software, to strengthen their supply chains. As the trend continues to grow, the sales of healthcare supply chain management software and services are anticipated to rise from the US$2.2 billion registered in 2020 to US$3.3 billion by 2025.

Read More
MORE ARTICLES

Spotlight

Spectrum Health - Ireland

Spectrum Health is one part of the same company which has successfully provided Chartered Physiotherapy in Ireland since 2007, The Physio Company. The Physio Company is Ireland’s largest private Chartered Physiotherapy provider with over 26 clinics across Ireland.

Related News

Medical Devices

Surfacide® Expands UV-C Disinfection in All MedStar Hospitals in Mid-Atlantic

Surfacide, LLC | February 20, 2023

Surfacide®, the leading company in UV-C disinfection technology, recently announced that it is expanding the use of its Helios® low-level UV-C Disinfection System to all ten hospitals in the MedStar Health system across the Mid-Atlantic region. With a renewed emphasis on operating room disinfection, the expansion enables MedStar Health to update some of its existing Surfacide® technology and deploy multiple new devices, making the Helios System more accessible to patients, staff, and visitors. Since 2016, Surfacide® has collaborated strategically with MedStar Health to implement UV-C disinfection to reduce the environmental variable in infection prevention protocols. In addition, it is an integral part of CompassOne Healthcare's ‘5 Pillars of Safety in Healthcare’ philosophy. The Surfacide® Helios® system is the sole patented, low-level UV-C disinfection option that simultaneously employs three light-emitting 'robots' to reduce bacteria and viruses on contaminated surfaces significantly. It delivers UV-C energy to more exposed areas than individual devices, increasing power, dosage, and efficacy in a single cycle. The system is conveniently portable and configurable within various high-impact hospital areas, including patient rooms, ORs, patient bathrooms, burn units, labor & delivery, outpatient/ambulatory surgery, isolation wards, etc. Founder and CEO of Surfacide®, Gunner Lyslo, shared, "With the expansion and renewed focus on a robust UV-C disinfection program, MedStar Health continues to demonstrate leadership and commitment to their patients, staff and community." He added, "We are thankful to work with such a tremendous partner and are confident that these strategies will positively impact patient and staff satisfaction." (Source – PR Newswire) About Surfacide® Surfacide®, established in 2010 and headquartered in Waukesha (Wisconsin), is a prominent UV technology and infection solutions company that produces scientifically proven, hospital-grade UV devices. The company's award-winning Helios® System is the sole patented, triple emitter 'robotic' UV light solution that effectively reduces bioburden and pathogens. As a trusted partner in infection prevention, its products have been deployed in over 600 leading hospitals, dental offices, fire stations, nursing homes, prisons, commercial office spaces, police stations, hotels, and public venues worldwide.

Read More

Digital Healthcare

Swift Medical Launches the World’s First All-in-One Hyperspectral Imaging Device to Make Healthcare More Accessible

Swift Medical | March 03, 2022

Swift Medical, the global leader in digital wound care technology, unveiled the Swift Ray 1, a groundbreaking hardware device that wirelessly attaches to a smartphone camera and captures comprehensive clinical data to better support assessment, treatment and monitoring of skin and wound conditions. The Swift Ray 1 fits in the palm of a clinician or patient’s hand, making powerful medical imaging accessible anywhere, from the hospital to the home. Further, this advanced imaging enables the capture of accurate clinical data for every patient, regardless of skin tone, making wound care more equitable for everyone. “The future of wound care goes beyond what the naked eye can perceive and beyond the walls of the clinic, which is why our dream has always been to equalize and improve healthcare access for humanity through intelligent diagnostics. The Swift Ray 1 gets us one step closer by helping clinicians and patients see below the surface of the skin, to heal wounds faster or prevent them from ever even developing.” Carlo Perez, co-founder and CEO of Swift Medical The Swift Ray 1 captures and analyzes important physiological characteristics of wounds that can indicate causes for concern and/or improper healing, such as signs of infection, bacterial colonization, tissue compromise, perfusion, inflammation and blood oxygen levels. The new device illuminates these invisible, beneath-the-skin characteristics through long-wave infrared, near infrared, ultraviolet and enhanced RGB imaging technology - enabling powerful clinical workflows. The Swift Ray 1 works seamlessly with Swift Medical’s proprietary wound management software application and provides clinicians with unparalleled insights into a patient’s wound healing, informing clinical and operational decision-making. It also integrates directly into many of the leading EHRs to help clinicians both improve clinical efficiency and ensure that all relevant medical information is recorded in the patient’s chart. “The technology can fit in your pocket. That means it can go anywhere a doctor or nurse goes. It means it’s on them, whenever they need it, wherever their patients are,” said Mike Comer, Founder and CEO at Wound Care Advantage. “There’s no forgetting it on the shelf or fumbling around with wires and clunky imaging devices. You just take it from your pocket and snap a photo. It really does make wound care accessible anywhere.” Chronic wounds are one of the biggest public health challenges worldwide, and are often associated with other prevalent chronic conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension. More than 8.2 million patients are currently suffering from chronic wounds in North America. As rates of obesity, diabetes and other chronic conditions continue to skyrocket, the number of patients at risk of developing wounds will continue to rise. The challenges of providing wound care are exacerbated by the reality that high quality care traditionally requires highly trained clinicians using multiple pieces of bulky, expensive equipment in an institutional setting. Conversely, the Swift Ray 1 allows any clinician to capture and share images at any bedside, enabling healthcare organizations to provide more accessible, efficient and preventive care. The Swift Ray 1 supports a variety of use cases, including early detection of deep tissue injuries and prevention of pressure injuries; identification of wound infections and inhibited wound healing; and remote physiological monitoring of chronic wound patients in the home. The Swift Ray 1 is also ideal for pharmaceutical companies and clinical research organizations engaged in clinical trials. About Swift Medical Swift Medical is the global leader in digital wound care. Our mission is to make empathy driven wound care ubiquitous through AI-powered diagnostic technology. We are the trusted wound technology partner of more than 4,100 healthcare facilities in North America across the continuum of care. Our solutions empower healthcare providers to deliver standardized, accessible and equitable wound care for every patient - with advanced, high-precision imaging, compliant documentation, clinical analytics and remote care.

Read More

Digital Healthcare

Cognizant Collaborates with Microsoft to Offer New Virtual Healthcare Solution for Remote Patient Monitoring and Improved Care

Cognizant | March 02, 2022

Cognizant today announced it is collaboratingwith Microsoft to delivera new digital health solution to enhance remote patient monitoring for improved medical care. Cognizant's new solution, leveraging components of the Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, is the first of several planned offerings that combine remote patient monitoring and virtual health, utilizing products like smart watches, blood pressure monitors, and glucose meters to collect and communicate patient health data to providers. Built-in analytics allow providers to cross-reference historical health information to gain patient insights and potentially identify early warning signs of chronic conditions so preventative measures can be taken. Additionally, the solution's remote capabilities enable telehealth visits, which continue to be a valuable option to mitigate barriers of care for patients with accessibility constraints, as well as implement time-sensitive interventions and improve personalized care. With chronic diseases expected to account for 70% of global deaths by 2030, advancements in digital integration are quickly becoming recognized as an optimal approach to preventing, managing, and treating disease.* As an early Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare partner, Cognizant has designed a solution that leverages Microsoft Azure services including FHIR, API Services, and Teams integration to improve scalability and reliability. This digital healthcare endeavor is backed by Cognizant's dedicated Microsoft Business Group, bringing together Cognizant's digital modernization expertise with Microsoft's focus on building Industry Clouds to deliver a commercially available, comprehensive, healthcare solution. This new offering is the first in a series of digital healthcare solutions from Cognizant as the company accelerates its client offerings aimed at implementing advanced healthcare technology to increase patient engagement, enhance personalized care, provide remote patient monitoring, and facilitate improved patient outcomes. Future offerings will build upon existing solution capabilities to help clients expedite implementation. "The bridging of technology and healthcare is creating new opportunities to improve how providers monitor the health of their patients and engage with them for time-sensitive interventions. Utilizing data analytics, secure cloud technology and interoperability products, our collaboration with Microsoft offers a unique, scalable solution that aims to connect providers and patients, and enhances the quality, timeliness, and personalization of healthcare." Surya Gummadi, Head of Cognizant Healthcare "Cognizant's new virtual healthcare solution utilizes differentiated capabilities, built on the secure and compliant Microsoft Cloud, that make it easy for people to collect and share health data using their own devices, while ensuring that providers have the data and insights they need to diagnose and treat patients," saidTom McGuinness, Corporate Vice President, Global Healthcare and Life Sciences, Microsoft. "We look forward to combining our technologies and collective expertise to deliver additional solutions that offer high quality healthcare and enable patient well-being." About Cognizant Cognizantengineers modern businesses. We help our clients modernize technology, reimagine processes and transform experiences so they can stay ahead in our fast-changing world. Together, we're improving everyday life.

Read More

Medical Devices

Surfacide® Expands UV-C Disinfection in All MedStar Hospitals in Mid-Atlantic

Surfacide, LLC | February 20, 2023

Surfacide®, the leading company in UV-C disinfection technology, recently announced that it is expanding the use of its Helios® low-level UV-C Disinfection System to all ten hospitals in the MedStar Health system across the Mid-Atlantic region. With a renewed emphasis on operating room disinfection, the expansion enables MedStar Health to update some of its existing Surfacide® technology and deploy multiple new devices, making the Helios System more accessible to patients, staff, and visitors. Since 2016, Surfacide® has collaborated strategically with MedStar Health to implement UV-C disinfection to reduce the environmental variable in infection prevention protocols. In addition, it is an integral part of CompassOne Healthcare's ‘5 Pillars of Safety in Healthcare’ philosophy. The Surfacide® Helios® system is the sole patented, low-level UV-C disinfection option that simultaneously employs three light-emitting 'robots' to reduce bacteria and viruses on contaminated surfaces significantly. It delivers UV-C energy to more exposed areas than individual devices, increasing power, dosage, and efficacy in a single cycle. The system is conveniently portable and configurable within various high-impact hospital areas, including patient rooms, ORs, patient bathrooms, burn units, labor & delivery, outpatient/ambulatory surgery, isolation wards, etc. Founder and CEO of Surfacide®, Gunner Lyslo, shared, "With the expansion and renewed focus on a robust UV-C disinfection program, MedStar Health continues to demonstrate leadership and commitment to their patients, staff and community." He added, "We are thankful to work with such a tremendous partner and are confident that these strategies will positively impact patient and staff satisfaction." (Source – PR Newswire) About Surfacide® Surfacide®, established in 2010 and headquartered in Waukesha (Wisconsin), is a prominent UV technology and infection solutions company that produces scientifically proven, hospital-grade UV devices. The company's award-winning Helios® System is the sole patented, triple emitter 'robotic' UV light solution that effectively reduces bioburden and pathogens. As a trusted partner in infection prevention, its products have been deployed in over 600 leading hospitals, dental offices, fire stations, nursing homes, prisons, commercial office spaces, police stations, hotels, and public venues worldwide.

Read More

Digital Healthcare

Swift Medical Launches the World’s First All-in-One Hyperspectral Imaging Device to Make Healthcare More Accessible

Swift Medical | March 03, 2022

Swift Medical, the global leader in digital wound care technology, unveiled the Swift Ray 1, a groundbreaking hardware device that wirelessly attaches to a smartphone camera and captures comprehensive clinical data to better support assessment, treatment and monitoring of skin and wound conditions. The Swift Ray 1 fits in the palm of a clinician or patient’s hand, making powerful medical imaging accessible anywhere, from the hospital to the home. Further, this advanced imaging enables the capture of accurate clinical data for every patient, regardless of skin tone, making wound care more equitable for everyone. “The future of wound care goes beyond what the naked eye can perceive and beyond the walls of the clinic, which is why our dream has always been to equalize and improve healthcare access for humanity through intelligent diagnostics. The Swift Ray 1 gets us one step closer by helping clinicians and patients see below the surface of the skin, to heal wounds faster or prevent them from ever even developing.” Carlo Perez, co-founder and CEO of Swift Medical The Swift Ray 1 captures and analyzes important physiological characteristics of wounds that can indicate causes for concern and/or improper healing, such as signs of infection, bacterial colonization, tissue compromise, perfusion, inflammation and blood oxygen levels. The new device illuminates these invisible, beneath-the-skin characteristics through long-wave infrared, near infrared, ultraviolet and enhanced RGB imaging technology - enabling powerful clinical workflows. The Swift Ray 1 works seamlessly with Swift Medical’s proprietary wound management software application and provides clinicians with unparalleled insights into a patient’s wound healing, informing clinical and operational decision-making. It also integrates directly into many of the leading EHRs to help clinicians both improve clinical efficiency and ensure that all relevant medical information is recorded in the patient’s chart. “The technology can fit in your pocket. That means it can go anywhere a doctor or nurse goes. It means it’s on them, whenever they need it, wherever their patients are,” said Mike Comer, Founder and CEO at Wound Care Advantage. “There’s no forgetting it on the shelf or fumbling around with wires and clunky imaging devices. You just take it from your pocket and snap a photo. It really does make wound care accessible anywhere.” Chronic wounds are one of the biggest public health challenges worldwide, and are often associated with other prevalent chronic conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension. More than 8.2 million patients are currently suffering from chronic wounds in North America. As rates of obesity, diabetes and other chronic conditions continue to skyrocket, the number of patients at risk of developing wounds will continue to rise. The challenges of providing wound care are exacerbated by the reality that high quality care traditionally requires highly trained clinicians using multiple pieces of bulky, expensive equipment in an institutional setting. Conversely, the Swift Ray 1 allows any clinician to capture and share images at any bedside, enabling healthcare organizations to provide more accessible, efficient and preventive care. The Swift Ray 1 supports a variety of use cases, including early detection of deep tissue injuries and prevention of pressure injuries; identification of wound infections and inhibited wound healing; and remote physiological monitoring of chronic wound patients in the home. The Swift Ray 1 is also ideal for pharmaceutical companies and clinical research organizations engaged in clinical trials. About Swift Medical Swift Medical is the global leader in digital wound care. Our mission is to make empathy driven wound care ubiquitous through AI-powered diagnostic technology. We are the trusted wound technology partner of more than 4,100 healthcare facilities in North America across the continuum of care. Our solutions empower healthcare providers to deliver standardized, accessible and equitable wound care for every patient - with advanced, high-precision imaging, compliant documentation, clinical analytics and remote care.

Read More

Digital Healthcare

Cognizant Collaborates with Microsoft to Offer New Virtual Healthcare Solution for Remote Patient Monitoring and Improved Care

Cognizant | March 02, 2022

Cognizant today announced it is collaboratingwith Microsoft to delivera new digital health solution to enhance remote patient monitoring for improved medical care. Cognizant's new solution, leveraging components of the Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, is the first of several planned offerings that combine remote patient monitoring and virtual health, utilizing products like smart watches, blood pressure monitors, and glucose meters to collect and communicate patient health data to providers. Built-in analytics allow providers to cross-reference historical health information to gain patient insights and potentially identify early warning signs of chronic conditions so preventative measures can be taken. Additionally, the solution's remote capabilities enable telehealth visits, which continue to be a valuable option to mitigate barriers of care for patients with accessibility constraints, as well as implement time-sensitive interventions and improve personalized care. With chronic diseases expected to account for 70% of global deaths by 2030, advancements in digital integration are quickly becoming recognized as an optimal approach to preventing, managing, and treating disease.* As an early Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare partner, Cognizant has designed a solution that leverages Microsoft Azure services including FHIR, API Services, and Teams integration to improve scalability and reliability. This digital healthcare endeavor is backed by Cognizant's dedicated Microsoft Business Group, bringing together Cognizant's digital modernization expertise with Microsoft's focus on building Industry Clouds to deliver a commercially available, comprehensive, healthcare solution. This new offering is the first in a series of digital healthcare solutions from Cognizant as the company accelerates its client offerings aimed at implementing advanced healthcare technology to increase patient engagement, enhance personalized care, provide remote patient monitoring, and facilitate improved patient outcomes. Future offerings will build upon existing solution capabilities to help clients expedite implementation. "The bridging of technology and healthcare is creating new opportunities to improve how providers monitor the health of their patients and engage with them for time-sensitive interventions. Utilizing data analytics, secure cloud technology and interoperability products, our collaboration with Microsoft offers a unique, scalable solution that aims to connect providers and patients, and enhances the quality, timeliness, and personalization of healthcare." Surya Gummadi, Head of Cognizant Healthcare "Cognizant's new virtual healthcare solution utilizes differentiated capabilities, built on the secure and compliant Microsoft Cloud, that make it easy for people to collect and share health data using their own devices, while ensuring that providers have the data and insights they need to diagnose and treat patients," saidTom McGuinness, Corporate Vice President, Global Healthcare and Life Sciences, Microsoft. "We look forward to combining our technologies and collective expertise to deliver additional solutions that offer high quality healthcare and enable patient well-being." About Cognizant Cognizantengineers modern businesses. We help our clients modernize technology, reimagine processes and transform experiences so they can stay ahead in our fast-changing world. Together, we're improving everyday life.

Read More

Events