HIT To Watch

By Katie Wike, contributing writer

The ECRI Institute released its tech watch list report for 2015, one that includes Google Glass, telehealth, and 3-D printing.

The ECRI Institute report 2015 Top 10 Hospital C-Suite Watch List outlines 10 tech topics providers should be aware of in 2015. The list includes:

• Disinfection Robots: A Front-line Assault on Hospital-acquired Infections? Two million patients contract HAIs each year, big data, RFID, and real-time tracking are already used to combat spreading germs, are robots the next step?
• Three-dimensional (3-D) Printing Buzz: How Many 3-D Printers Should You Plan on in 2015? 3-D printing can be used to make training models, fabricate custom implants, and even create human tissues and organs.
• Google Glass—Dead for Consumers but Maybe Not for Healthcare: Will Your Clinicians and Patients See Any Benefits? Google Glass has had some less than encouraging reviews by consumers, but doctors have been able to use it as a training tool and for telehealth.
• Telehealth: Have We Passed the Tipping Point in Clinical Use? Telehealth cuts care costs, reduces ER errors, and bridges the gap between patients and providers, yet funding is still lacking and as the report points out, most telehealth services are isolated from each other.

“Hospital leaders must carefully examine their strategic and operational plans, and assess the relevance of these new technologies or infrastructure initiatives for their organizations. Our list shows them what's coming around the bend so they don't miss out on the newest innovations or get caught up in hype that can lead to a costly mistake,” says Rob Maliff, director, applied solutions, ECRI Institute.