Mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets have changed the way people work and live by providing instant, anytime, anywhere access to information. Given the highly mobile life of a surgeon, smartphones have become a lifeline for case-related communication. Regardless of whether a surgeon is outside of a hospital environment or within different hospital settings (i.e. pre-op, recovery, intensive care, etc.) they need a way to stay connected when access to a traditional computer is not possible.
The definition of medical device has expanded quite a bit in the past decade. Not only do wheelchairs, imaging equipment and pacemakers qualify as medical devices, but so do health monitoring apps and digital health trackers. Thanks to the advancements of the digital age, “hospital at home” is the trend. The industry is moving towards a connected care environment where devices that capture data, applications that derive insights from that data and apps that deliver personalized suggestions have become the critical driving factors. Nevertheless, the industry is also fueled by globalization, competition and demand for more advanced treatments. Sensors are at the heart of every device, from small bandages to implants.
The financial meltdown of 2007 did away with the image of banks as safe havens for wealth. A joint coup between emerging technologies and FinTech innovators triggered a change in how wealth was managed. The idea that an alternative to conventional banking models could exist suddenly seemed viable. FinTech brought a fresh approach to wealth management with digital platforms and mobile apps. These organizations put consumers in direct control of how they manage, move, and spend money. A precedent has been set for the future of wealth management. Can other industries follow suit?
Troubleshooting today’s networks can be a constant challenge, especially when you’re responsible for hunting down business-critical issues among multiple distributed locations. As the network manager for NSW (New South Wales) Local Health District, my team is responsible for managing network, server, Wi-Fi and PC support across an environment that spans 12 hospital locations and approximately 22 community health centers throughout Southeastern Australia.
HIMSS Analytics surveyed hospital IT and clinical leaders at HIMSS18 to find out the impact of technology-driven interruptions on doctors and nurses, and how effective IT is at measuring and managing those interruptions. We discovered that when it comes to interruptions from technology, clinicians see a bigger problem than IT does.
Smartphones transformed healthcare communications, but thanks to a new trend called the “Converged Device,” they’re about to revolutionize care delivery. One all-purpose device replaces a belt-full of single-purpose devices. And beyond sheer convenience, the results are stark: better care, higher patient satisfaction, better outcomes.
Despite the best intentions, healthcare organizations can struggle with consistently and reliably collecting precise patient information and matching individuals to their medical records. The consequences of patient misidentification and mismatching can be severe, ranging from medical errors to adverse effects on the bottom line. Patient misidentification also makes it difficult for organizations to track their costs and determine the total cost of care in risk-based arrangements.
As a society, we know how important it is to be healthy. When we’re not, the costs are staggering. According to Gallup, the cost of employee absenteeism related to chronic conditions and obesity is expected to reach $153.4 billion this year alone. According to Onlife Health, Inc., people who are fit are also four to five times more productive than those who are unfit.
Many industry leaders championed a free market approach to healthcare during the 12th Annual World Health Care Congress last week. Here are a few key reasons why I don’t think this model is “the fix” our industry so desperately needs.
Reduce downtime and increase productivity overnight. Our sleek new CL920 Rugged Platform is a giant leap forward in our CL-Series with faster processing power, enhanced connectivity, increased durability and superior image capture software. With support for both Windows ® 7 and Windows ® 8.1 applications, the CL920 is ready to stand by your side now and in the future.
Your healthcare staff wants the latest in mobile technology, and a device that is as easy to use as their own smartphone. Your healthcare organization requires an enterprise-class feature set, from data capture and security to manageability and dependably robust wireless connections. Get it all with the MC40-HC, including Android, the most popular mobile operating system in the world; world-class enterprise data capture capabilities; and Extensions (Mx), which adds enterprise-required features that are missing from standard Android. The MC40-HC empowers your healthcare staff to deliver the best possible patient care.
Streamline care management, collections, and patient engagement with the new mobile app from Solutionreach.
PatientReach Tablet is the revolutionary tool that transforms the check-in process. Simply hand patients the tablet when they arrive and PatientReach will prompt them to check themselves in and review and update personal information–but it doesn’t stop there.
The UltraLite 100 Series is a light, durable and affordable non-powered mobile medical cart, designed specifically for tablet computers. Each cart is manufactured out of light weight, aircraft-quality aluminum, with a non-porous, anti-microbial powder coat surface for optimal infection control. The compact base fits any environment.
The Vocera Smartbadge is a wearable communication device that enables clinician agility and accelerates patient care. Small, lightweight, and purpose-built for healthcare, the Smartbadge redefines healthcare communications by bringing together voice calling, secure messaging, and alerts and alarms in a lightweight wearable.
Mobile devices can save time, reduce errors, and real time data access at the point-of-care. With mobile computers, healthcare providers have access to patient information on-demand and at any location in the facility. In general, these point-of-care computing solutions include tablets, laptops, smartphones, mobile carts, handheld scanners, and RFID readers. All of these mobile devices are essential to the larger category of mHealth solutions.
Mobile devices like tablets and laptops offer providers easy access to EHR/EMR systems, allowing doctors to diagnose patients quickly and have patient information available to them immediately. Handheld scanners, barcode scanners, barcoded wrist bands, RFID tags, and other identification applications allow for quick and easy identification of patients and medications. These technologies ensure proper medication dispensing and also provide patient security and safety.
Many of these mobile devices are housed in mobile carts, allowing for quick and easy access to tools, additional battery power for all devices, and enhanced mobility. All of these mobile computing technologies allow healthcare providers to access and record patient data in real time at the point-of-care, ensuring the highest quality healthcare possible.
How robotics has the power to transform healthcare. By Christine Kern, contributing writer
