What IT Means in the Modern Healthcare Industry
When you think of Information Technology, what industries come to mind? You probably think of commercial enterprises, government associations and tech giants.
What you may not realize is that IT is a key component of almost every industry in the modern world. Most of all in the healthcare industry.
As technology has progressed, so too have the abilities of our physicians, doctors and nurses to best serve their patients. From large hospitals to private clinics, IT is making a difference in the way we treat illnesses and protect our communities.
By understanding the role technology plays in serving patients, you can make informed decisions about incorporating IT services in your own clinics and healthcare facilities. We can utilize our modern equipment and traditional practices to save more lives.
Common Technologies in Modern Healthcare
IT goes beyond computers and cyber security. It’s a field that covers a wide range of equipment and devices that make it easier to connect with the world and serve people in need.
For healthcare professionals, IT provides efficient and reliable solutions for medical emergencies and routine check-ups alike.
Telehealth
As the COVID-19 pandemic has shown, virtual healthcare is essential when we can’t easily leave our homes. Telehealth has provided thousands of individuals with the medical care they need in a convenient and safe manner. From minor diagnosis to continued mental health services, digital communication has kept us connected to our medical professionals and will continue to do so no matter our situation.
Internet of Medical Things (IoMT)
This category includes all of the medical devices and applications that connect to an internal healthcare network. From remote patient monitoring, wearable monitoring devices, infusion pumps and so much more, these small connected devices collect data and keep facilities informed about their patients 24x7x365.
Mobile Devices
For medical information and communication on the go, mobile electronics like laptops, tablets and computers on rolling tables offer the best solution. With powerful hardware available at your fingertips, nurses and doctors can gather the information they need and access a patient’s file at a moment’s notice.
Healthcare Information Technology (HIT)
This umbrella of healthcare-focused software and hardware makes it easier to store, retrieve and share vital medical information. With this technology, healthcare professionals across various clinics can make faster and more accurate diagnoses and get patients their medication more quickly.
Internal Networks
Many of the technologies previously discussed work their best when connected to a secure internal network. By safeguarding your facility’s internal network with top-tier cyber security protocol and software, you can secure your patient’s personal information, including their transactions. Most of all, you can protect your facility from devastating ransomware attacks.
Expandable Data Storage
From physical hard drives to secure cloud storage, hospitals and private clinics always need more storage space. With new patients every day, you need a reliable place to store all their medical information. Through multiple storage solutions, you can guarantee your data is safe in any event and is easily accessible.
Advanced Technologies for Future Healthcare Solutions
While some equipment and software, like mobile devices and internal databases, are commonplace in healthcare facilities, some newer technology is just starting to come into its own.
Once thought of as sci-fi fantasies, some technological advances are being used in higher-end facilities to streamline the healthcare processes.
3-D Printing
Often used in other industries to ease mass production, 3-D printing is now used in the medical field to produce implants and joints for surgery. This process can even be used for creating prosthetics that perfectly match the person’s limb. In this way, they provide a streamlined way of helping patients return back to health.
Artificial Organs
While still fairly new, artificial organs could potentially save millions of lives. When created correctly, they can operate as actual organs and properly adjust to a patient’s immune system. With the ability to mass-produce per a patient’s specific needs, this technology can make saving critical lives easier.
Virtual Reality (VR)
Virtual Reality is often thought of as an entertainment tool, from VR video games to in-person experiences. Many hospitals and clinics are using these headsets to provide fun for their patients, but VR can also be a powerful learning tool. For medical students, VR offers a method of performing “real life” procedures with realistic human anatomy without the danger or stress of actual surgery.
Benefits for Healthcare Facilities and Workers
Technology has enabled our healthcare providers to serve our communities with better efficiency and accuracy than ever before. From large facilities to specialized practices, IT is making it easier for patients to receive care and streamlining the healthcare process.
Other benefits include:
- Quick care management
- Improved emergency response time
- Optimizing current systems
- Easing physician’s work
- Improving patient care
- Lowering overall costs
- Creating an efficient healthcare experience
- Reducing medication errors
By safeguarding client safety through reliable IT solutions, we can help a greater number of patients with their concerns. Emergency rooms can react more quickly, specialized clinics can keep up with their many clients and everyone can receive a more personalized and enjoyable healthcare experience.
At the same time, our medical professionals, like physicians, surgeons, nurses, etc. can ease their stress as much as possible. IT can take the burden of scheduling, monitoring and data management off their hands. This way they can focus on making accurate diagnoses, seeing more patients at a time and training newer staff with better efficiency.
Safeguard Your Future
Whether you’re a potential patient doing your own research or have an influence on a facility’s technology, it’s important to understand how IT impacts the healthcare industry.
By mixing modern technology with reliable practices, we can work together to take care of our communities when they need it most.
NTS specializes in providing IT managed service solutions for healthcare facilities looking for efficiency and security.
View our managed service bundles and see how IT can improve your clinic.