Healthcare Innovation News, May 2015
There are two primary challenges slowing mHealth’s deployment across the care continuum: the technical challenge of interoperability and the human challenge of adopting a new workflow. However, innovations that provide a layered approach with incremental changes to existing technologies have a higher potential for success in this environment
In order to improve the health of the population, mobile devices for patients and providers must be leveraged to extend the care beyond a clinical environment. These devices are “always on,” providing a constant channel of communication and engagement with patients, family members, caregivers and healthcare providers, as well as a stronger method of coordinating services.
Likewise, improving outcomes within a hospital require leveraging mobile devices to reduce errors and provide a better channel for transporting and sharing data and information. These same devices can be used to improve staff productivity and monitor patients as they progress through the various stages of care. Check-in processes can be streamlined, minimizing wait times. Records and vital data can be made available on a patient’s mobile device, while seamlessly flowing to providers’ tablets and backend systems.
This accessibility allows providers to focus on understanding and communicating the information; they can prescribe medication with greater accuracy and efficiency or implement a plan with ongoing monitoring that provides the same level of care, whether at home or in the hospital.
Mobile technology impacts every aspect of healthcare delivery improves outcomes and lowers costs. The challenges, which are both cultural and system-wide, require bold leadership and imagination. The future is bright, but a path must be taken one step at a time. It is not going to be easy.
Read more at Healthcare Innovation News May 2015 edition.