By now most of us have witnessed how digital tools and solutions are changing the face of the healthcare industry. Perhaps you booked your last check-up using an online platform, or your doctor captures information about your medical condition using a tablet. At some medical facilities, like the high-tech Life Healthcare in Johannesburg, almost everything is self-service and speedy treatment for simple conditions is guaranteed.
By now most of us understand how wearables and the Internet of Things (IoT) can be used to track our vitals. In fact, the term Internet of Bodies (IoB) has even been coined to describe a new realm of data discovery as these smart sensors move on to, and sometimes inside, our bodies.
What are some of the main benefits of the IoB and the digitalisation of healthcare? We’ve outlined a few key advantages below.
#1 Going beyond hospital boundaries
Consumers are becoming more and more demanding and these new expectations also affect different players within the healthcare sector. For healthcare providers the challenge is figuring out how to meet their digital service expectations. One approach sees hospitals and clients connecting with patients outside the boundaries of their actual facility so that they can provide the necessary care to patients no matter where they are. Think automated reminders to reduce missed appointments, video consultations and remote health tracking.
#2 Reduced costs
Moving from physical medical records to electronic medical records can be expensive. But once the system is set up, the cost savings are obvious. The hospital or clinic will need fewer employees to manage your records and they won’t need as much space to store all of this medical information And the cost of securing this personal information will also be reduced.
#3 Embracing mobile
Let’s face it, care givers can’t be in two places at once. But with mobile technology – like workstations on wheels, tablets and mobile clinical devices – it’s far easier for them to monitor their patients 24/7. Similarly, these innovations make it possible for healthcare providers to connect with their colleagues without being in their office, which saves caregivers valuable time.
But as all of this connectivity enters the healthcare arena, having the right infrastructure in place to support these new devices and applications are essential. Imagine if a patient’s digital records weren’t available because of a connectivity issue? This kind of scenario could have potentially fatal results. Want to ensure you have the right tools and infrastructure to be a part of this new wave of healthcare digitalisation? We can help. Complete the form below and we’ll be in contact with you
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