During the COVID-19 Pandemic the world needed to adapt to new technology platforms since were forced to stay indoors. Platforms like Zoom and Telemedicine peaked to reduce the spread of disease and allow people to receive non-emergency care. In addition, hospitals and healthcare facilities also started using new in room technology, mobile apps, and AI features. These features include new patient registration through these mobile apps and FaceTime and Video chat capabilities with your healthcare physicians. or specialists, telehealth allows a provider to be at a clinic in one location in the morning, then at home or in another location on-screen in the afternoon, giving more control over schedule and environment to physicians and making time they spend with patients more effective. Technology also helped jobs that could only be done in office to be have the capabilities to work form home.
According to Forbes, “In the inpatient room, “smart hospital” advancements allow for greater technology integration. Environmental controls that detect when a patient gets out of bed can send an alert to caregivers and turn on lights to guide patients and staff. Or, if an ICU patient begins to crash, this same smart technology can automatically alert the response team, turn up the lights to maximize visibility in the room, prioritize the elevator access to that floor, and notify the surgical team.”
Technology has certainly contributed to improvement in patient care, but questions around privacy and level of comfort with remote has created challenges. While some are comfortable with receiving care or diagnosis through a screen other are still looking for that hands on examination. To make sure that technology is being implemented successful our healthcare facilities and clinics need to maintain that these features are realistic and analyze how it will be over the 10-20 years.