The coronavirus pandemic poses a significant threat to healthcare systems across the globe. As researchers race against time to develop a vaccine to combat its spread, hospitals and clinics will need to adapt to the situation in whatever ways they can.
Now is undoubtedly a time for healthcare institutions to consider innovating their facilities to cater to the pandemic's new standard. Technology and science can play a significant role in providing critical support in terms of research, management, and treatment.
That said, here are a few takeaways on how technology can help the healthcare sector navigate a post-coronavirus world:
1. No contact monitoring
Wearable technology has definitely come at the right time. Doctors and nurses must take extra precautions when monitoring their patients. With sweat sensors strapped on patients' wrists, physicians can monitor body temperature from a safe distance, allowing for real-time tracking that can help prompt doctors to spare no time making life-saving decisions.
But aside from wearable sensors, hospitals can also utilize remote-controlled care bots that can handle a variety of tasks such as delivering food, disinfecting certain high-risk areas, and monitoring a patient's vital signs.
Such technology is already applied at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital, where a robot named Spot helps doctors interview patients suspected of having CoViD-19.
When the dust has settled, the healthcare industry will have to consider upgrading to non-contact diagnostic and maintenance tools. For sure, this could be advantageous in combating highly infectious diseases that might come after CoViD-19.
2. Reliance on software
The pandemic came just as the healthcare industry was beginning to integrate big data fully. In fact, most hospitals have already upgraded their systems using sophisticated database management software.
This allows them to organize and update large volumes of patient data, reducing the time needed to process and release records for high-priority cases linked to CoViD-19.
Other than that, hospitals are also making good use of administrative tools that can help with managing inventory, tracking medical staff, and ensuring that medical equipment is maintained correctly.
When it comes to billing patients, there is a variety of software that can deal with keeping accurate accounts of dues and insurance deductibles. For medical coding, institutions can use Fortis Hospital Billing Services to simplify the billing process and ensure better revenue management.
3. Communication becomes essential
In the midst of a pandemic, doctors and nurses will need to communicate with patients who are required to go through extensive isolation. You can only imagine the emotional turmoil that patients with severe CoViD-19 have to go through.
Technology can help keep patients closer with doctors through the use of chatbots and video conferencing.
Distant care is, without a doubt, part of the new normal, so hospitals need to provide isolated patients with a means to communicate with the outside world without having to pose a risk to others.
As the coronavirus continues to persist, technology will equip hospitals with better tools that will allow them to cater to the needs of patients. Then again, securing the right amount of resources will be a question that governments will have to address.
