Healthcare in the US is changing; of that we’re all aware. But, we may not even realize just how much it’s changing, since we might not even be aware of some of the technologies or we might not readily see how they apply to healthcare. Here are four technologies that are revolutionizing our healthcare system.
Global Positioning Systems (GPS) – Global Positioning Systems have totally revamped the way emergency responders work. First of all, ambulances and other first response vehicles with GPS can find addresses much faster. Cellular phones with GPS allow 911 dispatchers to know exactly where victims are located, even if the victim can’t tell them. And, finally, when emergency response units are equipped with GPS, 911 dispatchers can send the unit located closest to the victim, because she knows exactly where all her units are at any given moment. All of these things add up to many minutes saved in reaching victims and getting them to the hospital.
Electronic Medical Records (EMR) – More hospitals are eliminating paper charts and records. This technology improves patient care and saves money in several ways. Charts maintained on computer are less likely to have errors, or be misread due to handwriting, which reduces patient errors. Charts are updated more quickly and can be transferred to other staff more quickly, which saves time for doctors and nurses. The records take up less space, so they cost less to store, and the cost of the hospital’s paper is dramatically reduced. Just the reduction in prescription errors can save thousands of lives.
The Internet – Of course, the internet has been around for quite a while now. But, believe it or not, it has only recently begun to be effectively used in the healthcare industry. Some of the most common uses today include patients setting appointments, requesting prescription updates or filling out paperwork via a doctor’s website. Completing these tasks online are convenient for the patient and mean they spend less time in the doctor’s waiting room or on hold with waiting for a nurse. But, they also increase productivity for the office staff. Office staff can devote their time to patients who are in the office, and prepare paperwork, answer questions and handle prescription refills during down times.
Online Care Consults – Specialists will be able to become members of online consult groups, to work with primary care physicians to help manage patient care. Have you ever been to your primary care physician for an ailment only to have him tell you that you need to see a specialist? Then, you must wait weeks to get an appointment with that specialist. With online care consults, your Primary Care doctor could immediately consult with a specialist about your issue. The specialist could see your electronic records and work with the doctor to get you started on treatment right away. Sure, you might still have to see that specialist in person, but you might be able to get your treatment underway immediately. There is such a system in trials in Hawaii under the Hawaii Medical Service Association right now. Expect more in the future.
P. Zerkle writes about how to obtain your Master in Health Informatics.
