It is no secret that the healthcare industry is under pressure to provide better patient outcomes while reducing costs. Fortunately, today’s innovative technologies are increasingly effective in meeting these challenges. Many healthcare providers are turning to modern solutions to promote better communication and collaboration while fostering best practices.
Technology is a driving force behind key trends influencing the future of healthcare delivery. Below are some modern solutions that are expected to significantly impact patient outcomes in upcoming years, as innovators leverage technology to serve those who need it most.
Cloud-driven Patient History
Patient history gives medical professionals critical information about current and past conditions to help determine the best course of treatment. The traditional paper chart is no longer sufficient because it does not allow easy access to patient history across multiple facilities or providers.
Today’s solutions enable healthcare organizations to share medical information electronically by engaging patients in their care. Patients have the opportunity to provide real-time input from their mobile devices or home computers, which is immediately indexed and ready for review by care teams. Both data entry errors and transcription time are reduced significantly with this approach.
Modern Diagnostic Tools
Providers are striving to lower costs while maintaining a high level of care. It requires a shift in diagnostic technology to focus on streamlined processes that improve the patient experience. Patient education initiatives must also be added as part of this process because better-informed patients can help prevent misdiagnosis.
Modern diagnostic tools such as mobile devices and CT scans are becoming increasingly popular among providers who take a proactive approach to patient care. These technologies can help patients in various ways, one of which is self-diagnosis using mobile apps that offer personalized healthcare information.
More accurate diagnoses are another benefit of modern diagnostic tools. These save costs and improve patient outcomes.
Motion-Sensing Devices
You can use motion-sensing devices to promote better communication and collaboration among different care groups more than just a coaching device. These devices help track the physical activity of patients and enable clinicians to detect changes in an individual’s vitals or bodily functions.
For example, some devices include a Bluetooth-enabled scale that sends weight readings to the cloud, which doctors and nurses can then view during patient visits. It helps provide a better picture of an individual’s overall health and wellness.
Smart Glasses
Treatment options for vision disorders heavily rely on corrective lenses back in the day. Now, technology is being used to improve patient outcomes by adopting smart glasses.
These devices are no longer only an FDA-approved alternative to corrective lenses. The medical community is now embracing them as a therapeutic tool that can help people recover from eyesight disorders or have undergone surgery.
In a typical scenario, glasses for vision-impaired patients are programmed to tell when you’re looking at something. The device will then adjust accordingly to your visual acuity. These are useful as coaching devices that help patients recover from eye surgery or vision disorders, such as macular degeneration and cataracts.
Augmented Reality Tools
Although the healthcare industry has been slow to adopt AR, it is fast becoming a powerful tool that can help improve patient outcomes. That is because the technology lets care providers create virtual reality models of a patient’s body or a surgical site. It then allows them to prepare for a procedure and convey necessary instructions to others involved in the process, such as nurses and technicians.
In some cases, clinicians can use AR technology to assist patients with procedures not normally performed at their location. For instance, doctors working in remote areas can use the technology to virtually “meet” with other specialists, such as dermatologists or neurosurgeons.
Needleless Stitching
Needleless stitching eliminates the need for patients to undergo a painful procedure when undergoing surgery. These devices work by creating an electric field that instantly cauterizes incisions, thereby helping lessen pain and improve recovery times.
Modern needleless stitches are safe and help lessen the risk of infection following a surgical procedure. They also speed up recovery time because there’s less risk of disease and a smaller opening in the skin. These devices also lessen the discomfort for patients by ensuring a clean, precise incision.
Dental Appliances
Dental appliances are a popular tool used by nurses and clinics to help patients recover from many oral, dental, and facial conditions. These devices, including braces and headgear, are designed with modern materials that can be easily adjusted as an individual’s teeth grow.
These appliances not only keep your teeth in position but also help promote better chewing and speech development. In some cases, a doctor may recommend a dental appliance to help ensure the correct alignment of your jaw or bite.
As you can see, many modern solutions can help improve patient outcomes. So if you’re looking for ways to improve your health, don’t forget to explore the latest technology options.
