With the striking increase that technology has been incorporated into the designs of cars, homes, and security systems at an impressively high rate, its no surprise to see that the healthcare industry is not far behind. New technology has provided doctors and nurses with several new conveniences, such as the ability to get their PALS certification and several other online training and recertifications. Every year new technology is created to help doctors and nurses better provide for their patients needs. As 2017 starts, the health industry has developed six tech trends to look forward to.
Anesthesia Information Management System
Every hospital uses anesthetics for surgeries and having a good management system for these anesthetics is important. The Anesthesia Information Management System (AIMS) allows for the automatic collection, storage, and presentation of patient data. In addition to being an automated record keeping system, the Anesthesia Information Management System has been able to improve patient care. By improving organization and efficiency of patient record keeping, AIMS has helped improve the financial health of the hospital that uses the management system. AIMS has the ability to also include modules for storing pre- and postoperative patient information.
Radiology and Cardiology 3D Image/Display
As imaging machinery for hospitals and healthcare facilities improves, these machines also get more complicated. With technology reaching new heights and finding new ways to improve everyday life, 3D Imaging has now made its way to the healthcare industry. Hospitals have implemented imaging systems for radiology and cardiology that photograph three-dimensional images. 3D imaging provides healthcare professionals with sharper and more distinct images, allowing them to better diagnose and treat their patients. Nowadays three-dimensional mammograms can be as large as a terabyte and sometimes more. The ability to create a three-dimensional model requires monitors and software specifically created for those purposes.
Nurse Communication System
Hospitals are known to embody a busy and rushed environment. This is due to nurses and doctors needing to respond quickly to hospital residents needs. Nurse call systems are created with one thing in mind; patient safety. Nurse communication systems are designed to improve nurse response times and help provide patients with treatments they need faster. Updated nurse communication systems alert nurses and provide them with information such as who the patient is, what room they are in, and when the call was sent. It also informs other nurses and doctors of which nurse took the call and what<s> </s>help was provided to the patient.
Physician Assessment Software Tool
New and improved methods of treating patients surface every year. No <s></s>patient wants to be treated by a physician who hasnt been updated on these new methods or received their recertifications. The physician assessment software tool is meant to allow patients the ability to review their doctors effectiveness. The assessment software is similar to online platforms that let college students look up how other students have graded their professors. With this tool, patients and their families can get to know the training their doctors have had and feel more comfortable in their care.
Asset Tracking/Management
For hospitals, there are many assets that come into play. These assets range from medical supplies to the tablets that doctors use. As doctors track their supplies they stay organized and make sure they have all the inventory they need before a scheduled surgery. This seems like common sense that hospitals would want to track and manage the assets that come in and out of the hospital, however, hospitals have several doctors with several planned surgeries needing lots of supplies. Proper organization plays a critical role in the safety of patients. When supplies are tracked and kept up to date, this helps hospitals and healthcare facilities stay organized, even with their busy schedules.
Health Information Exchange
Patient and Doctor confidentiality is a big thing in the health industry. The Health Information Exchange (HIE), while it sounds like it is breaking that confidentiality agreement, in reality ensures proper confidentiality measures are taken. HIE allows for an information exchange only between areas in the hospital and other approved medical professionals. HIE has actually helped to improve patient safety over the years and is believed to continue helping patients within the next year. While HIE protects patient information, it also helps to make this information readily available to approved professionals. When a patients information is easier for doctors and specialist to acquire, it can put the patient on a faster track to improving their health.
The world is always trying to improve the technology used within every industry. The biggest improvements have been the technology incorporated in the medical industry. These six trends are just the start of future tech trends to look forward to in 2017. Just within the next twelve months, professionals in the health industry should look forward to big advancements in the tech used in the health industry. These changes are going to help doctors care for their patients in a more sufficient way that can and will help save lives.
