Before Covid-19, the medical community traditionally moved slowly when it came to adopting new technologies to help streamline the patient experience. Fast forward to the midst of the pandemic – suddenly the demand for critical innovations in the healthcare industry was a necessity. From telemedicine and health record automation to contactless patient intake systems and vaccine distribution, these innovations have revolutionized and enhanced the patient journey when it was needed the most. It is truly a new era of healthcare.
Rush to vaccinations
When the vaccination was first made available, the need to expand access to various health facilities like urgent cares centers and health clinics was essential. Even then, with long lines, confusing appointment bookings and lack of information on vaccine locations, technology came into play. In almost an instant advanced platforms were created, and vaccine management programs became the focus.
The purpose was to streamline vaccine distribution, eliminate long lines and wait times, remove frustration and disenchantment, and see the patient all the way through. With appropriate back-end support for COVID-19 testing and vaccination service volume, this new technology was able to automatically send text messages for dosage reminders and follow up dose information – essential for streamlining the vaccination process.
Automating the obvious
Another important advancement that has rapidly accelerated since the pandemic is health data automation. Patient intake software has made integrating patient records with EMRs and other systems virtually seamless. This gives medical professionals immediate access to patient data for “easy to share” information among colleagues and specialists to improve diagnoses, treatment, and outcomes for patients. Helping healthcare professionals better understand their patients’ health via data is crucial and has a tremendous impact on care coordination, medication adherence and reducing avoidable admissions and readmissions.
Mental well-being
The pandemic has worsened both the mental health and opioid crisis, raising many questions about how the medical community needs to pre-emptively identify and proactively address the risks for depression and other mental illnesses. With a screening tool that formalizes the evidence-based recommendations in a web-based application, physicians are now able to identify at-risk patients and modify treatment plans accordingly.
The technology uses an algorithm analyzing information and questions needed to make an evidence-based risk assessment. This technology is so effective as it can preemptively detect these precise warning signs in people early on, even before they are seeking help.
The overall goal in the healthcare community is to improve the wellbeing and, of course, the satisfaction of patients in hospitals, medical offices, and health facilities alike. To work alongside and at the forefront of these incredible technological advancements that are rapidly evolving helps support our conviction that this new era of healthcare technology truly does resonate with patients and makes a difference in saving lives.