Jonathan Evans
In today’s fast-paced business world, the healthcare industry is no exception when it comes to disruption. Innovation and technology are continuously reshaping the way we diagnose and treat patients, both at home and in hospitals.
Read on to discover how using medical technology can help patients get faster treatment while keeping their private information secure.
Cloud storage in the healthcare industry
Cloud-based technology has become the norm for most industries, including healthcare. Data can be accessed from anywhere and on any device, which helps to ensure that patient information is secure.
Many healthcare organizations have started moving away from on-site servers to manage their data volumes. This helps to increase privacy and security by reducing the amount of information stored locally. With more sensitive data being stored on systems that use encryption, if there were to be a breach, the information would be extremely difficult to read.
Electronic medical records (EMR)
The adoption of electronic medical records (EMR) has increased both the accuracy and speed of diagnosis. In the past, each doctor’s office would have their own way of storing information, which meant that any follow-up appointments would require the patient to repeat their entire medical history.
EMRs allow all the information to be pulled up at the click of a button, allowing the doctor to make a more informed decision without needing to re-interview the patient. Electronic medical records are also becoming more common in the home.
By using a device such as a Fitbit or Apple Watch, patients can track their symptoms and patterns in order to identify any potential issues before they become emergencies. This also provides valuable information for their doctor, who can see how the patient responds to different treatments.
Telemedicine and remote diagnostics
More and more organizations are starting to offer telemedicine services, where a doctor can interact with the patient remotely. This is especially helpful for patients who are bedridden or live in areas where it’s difficult to find a doctor.
By using video conferencing, the doctor can conduct an examination while still gaining important information about the patient’s symptoms. They can also prescribe the appropriate treatment, which can then be sent to the patient.
Remote diagnostics helps to speed up the process of identifying the root cause of an issue. By scanning and analyzing the images of broken equipment or samples of bodily fluids, technicians can identify the issue before sending the samples to a lab. The results are then sent back to the patient and doctor before the lab has even completed the analysis.
Blockchain technology in healthcare
Blockchain technology is used for many things, including cryptocurrency. However, it’s also extremely useful for storing sensitive information in a way that’s both secure and easily accessible. Medical organizations have a responsibility to protect the private data of their patients, and blockchain technology can help.
Using a system such as blockchain can ensure that the data is encrypted and cannot be altered once it’s been uploaded. If there is a breach, the information cannot be read and is therefore not harmful in any way.
Blockchain is also designed to create an audit trail. This means that it’s possible to track who has accessed the data and when, so there’s no chance of someone tampering with the information. This is extremely useful in protecting patient data. For example, a patient can be sure that their insurance company has only seen the parts of their records that they need to make a decision.
Biometrics in Healthcare
Biometrics is another technology that’s becoming increasingly common in healthcare settings. There are a number of devices that can scan the face, fingerprints, or even the rhythm of your heart to identify you.
This is extremely helpful for identifying patients who are unconscious or unable to communicate, such as after a car accident or in the emergency room.
Biometrics are also used to identify staff members, which can help to maintain better security, especially in areas that deal with sensitive information such as pathology labs.
Smart home gadgetry to help with recovery and rehabilitation
Technology can also be used to help patients as they recover from injuries and illnesses. The use of smart home devices, such as Amazon Alexa and Google Home, can help with daily activities such as playing music, managing calendars, and controlling connected appliances. This is beneficial to patients who are recovering and are unable to get out of bed or perform simple tasks.
Electromyography (EMG) is a technology that can be used to track muscle activity and help with rehabilitation. When a patient contracts the muscle, electrodes attached to their skin send the information to a computer, which can then send an electrical signal back to the muscle to activate it. This can help to speed up the recovery process by identifying the root cause of any pain or weakness in the muscle. It can also identify when the patient is ready to move on to the next step of their rehabilitation.
Conclusion
Although it can sometimes feel like our lives are being controlled by technology, there are also many benefits to using medical technology. It can help doctors to make more accurate diagnoses, provide treatment more quickly, and reduce the chance of infection.
It can also help to protect sensitive patient data and allow remote patient examinations. However, it’s important to remember that technology can’t replace the human element of care.
It’s important for doctors to spend enough time with patients to gain a full understanding of their issues. It’s also important to remember that patients should be diligent in following the advice of their doctor and technicians.
