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How Technology Innovation is Boosting Healthcare Systems
From AI to 3D printing, tech advancements have revolutionized the healthcare sector. The Coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the adoption of sophisticated healthcare technologies and their strategic implementation.
This article focuses on the most essential benefits of technology for healthcare systems.
Robotics Automate Multiple Areas of Healthcare
Robots improve the healthcare system in multiple ways. First, they relieve medical staff of manual and repetitive tasks. For example, healthcare organizations use robots in rehabilitation, disinfection, diagnosis, delivering medications, measuring vital signs, etc.
Second, robots can automate a wide range of tasks, such as performing surgeries in cramped spaces and transporting hazardous substances.
For example, in California, Nuro robots prepare food for patients and transport medical samples. In the U.S., the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital created a video robot that transmits videos to physicians inside the emergency room.
AI: Data Analytics, Medical Imaging, and Automation
Artificial intelligence has transformed the healthcare industry over the past few years. From powering surgical robots to analyzing massive data, these technologies have accelerated innovation and improved the efficiency of healthcare institutions all over the world.
Disease Analysis
With the help of data analytics, machine learning, and predictive technologies, hospitals can now understand more about diseases and discover them faster.
For example, Baidu, China’s IT conglomerate that specializes in Internet-related services and AI, made an algorithm that has contributed to the analysis of Coronavirus. Namely, because this virus is highly contagious and, yet, unpredictable, scientists focused on analyzing its structure so they can create an effective vaccine.
To support the research, Baidu created the Linearfold algorithm, which is faster than traditional RNA folding algorithms at predicting the virus’ secondary RNA structure. This technology has reduced the analysis time from 55 minutes to 27 seconds.
Medical Imaging
Chiefly, AI plays a vital role in medical imaging. Its technologies can analyze CAT scans much faster than humans. One such example is breast cancer risk. According to Pembroke Pines radiology professionals, diagnostic radiology is crucial for detecting the early stages of this disease.
AI makes this process even more effective. Effectively, it can diagnose it with 99% accuracy by analyzing thousands of documents and breast cancer images. That way, AI can identify and diagnose diseases that would otherwise go unnoticed.
Task Automation
Finally, artificial intelligence is vital for streamlining manual tasks, such as preparing treatment design, medication management, or maintaining medical records.
Predictive Analytics Helps Organizations Identify Industry Trends
The Coronavirus pandemic has proven how important it is to look ahead and prepare for crises. In Italy, for example, spikes in COVID-19 cases resulted in overwhelmed hospitals, drug and equipment shortages, and multiple incidents in the healthcare structure.
Many healthcare organizations started investing in predictive analytics to estimate the location and severity of Coronavirus cases.
For example, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia uses temperature and humidity data to estimate the virus transmission in higher temperatures.
Wearable Devices Enable Remote Monitoring
Wearable devices make our lives simpler in every way. Their role in healthcare is immense.
The wearable medical device market will reach $27 million by 2023. Hospitals can now use sweat meters, heart rate sensors, and oximeters to remotely track each patient’s health. Having a better insight into their health, physicians can prescribe more effective therapies.
These technologies are crucial to treating COVID-19 patients. The University of California San Diego engineers developed a remote monitoring system that automatically transmits patient data from their devices to doctors’ dashboards. That way, hospitals can remotely track COVID-19 patients and intervene when necessary.
Big Data Provides Fast Data Analysis
Big Data helps healthcare organizations maintain electronic health records, provides real-time alerts, and improves medical research.
Analytics tools use the medical history of people in a specific location, allowing researchers to trace infection zones. For example, during Coronavirus, this data has helped local authorities prevent the spread of the pandemic.
People from all around the world can access real-time dashboards and monitor the spread of the virus.
AI-Driven Chatbots Improve Patient Experiences
Over the past few years, AI chatbots have played a fundamental role in many sectors, from HR to marketing. Healthcare is no exception.
Essentially, the use cases of AI chatbots are multiple. Informative chatbots provide patients with helpful information and tips. Conversational chatbots are contextual tools that provide feedback based on user intent. Finally, prescriptive chatbots provide actionable tips to help patients treat themselves (when it is possible).
Since the outbreak of Coronavirus, the public requires fast, accurate, and reliable information in real-time. That is where AI chatbots step in. They allow patients to ask questions and get invaluable feedback faster.
Chatbots also make healthcare professionals’ live simpler by allowing them to triage patient needs. While a chatbot answers repetitive questions, healthcare professionals can focus on more complex communications with patients.
Over to You
In summary, healthcare technology is evolving at an astonishing rate. Since the beginning of Coronavirus, its implementation in the healthcare sector has grown.
Chiefly, from AI to wearables, sophisticated tech solutions have revolutionized this industry. That way, healthcare organizations can automate many repetitive tasks, provide better patient care, and predict industry trends and patterns.
Eve Anderson is a marketing specialist turned blogger. Interested in sports and exciting travel destinations. Love to share content that can inform people.
This article does not constitute legal advice.
The opinions expressed in the column above represent the author’s own.
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