The role of technology in hospital and healthcare management is paramount. Technology enhances health care, from diagnosis to disease management to patient communication. Electronic record keeping reduces the chances of errors; health tracking apps improve clinical outcomes, and telemedicine makes distant care a possibility. Thus, modern technology enables faster and more informed decisions concerning health-related risks.
Hospital and healthcare management that embraced technology has witnessed improved patient outcomes, reduced costs, and better staff efficiency. Pursuing an MBA in healthcare management can help you scale your career if you are into healthcare management.
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Benefits of Info-tech in Healthcare
Info-tech in healthcare can tremendously improve the quality of care. It helps healthcare management professionals to store and retrieve data in a much more efficient way. It enhances communication between caregivers and patients, keeps track of follow-ups, and helps solve patient queries. This enhances patient safety, reduces chances of conflict and protects the healthcare institution against legal issues.
Faster and accurate access to patient records
One of the most significant uses of technology in healthcare management is adoption of electronic health records. Electronic records help maintain patient information, thus making health records easily accessible. It further supports automatic alerts for follow-ups, appointments, check-ups and diagnostic tests.
Improved access to care
Healthcare access is the main barrier to quality care. In India, most private hospitals are established in the cities, with little to no high-end healthcare facilities in the remote areas of India. Even today, 72% of the Indian population is rural. This necessitates healthcare management to reach out to the remotest locations in India. With telehealth, big hospitals are making consultations with the top doctors available with ease.
Reduced human error
Advanced technology in healthcare management includes electronic health records and computerised orders, which have significantly lowered processing errors. The cases of prescription error in healthcare management were alarmingly high. While some cases resulted in mild side effects, some resulted in fatalities. This can be easily avoided with digital prescriptions, with technology assisting in finding diagnostic errors and highlighting the right course of action.
Better hospital facilities
Integrating all information in a centralised information system can help better manage, thus enhancing hospital facilities for patients. From updating the availability of resources and staff to keeping track of doctor’s availability, many healthcare apps provide easy management of the healthcare institution.
Better customer relationship
Relationship management technology has helped revolutionise healthcare management. These software systems offer solutions for better compliance, effective customer service, easy claims processing, measurable marketing, high patient retention, and better care management.
Technologies Used in Healthcare Management
The importance of technology in hospital and healthcare management is deep-rooted. With the internet of medical technology, artificial intelligence, and deep learning, technology is paving the way for better care.
Here are some of the technologies used in healthcare management:
Electronic hand-off tools
Technology has enabled electronic hand-off, which facilitates better communication among all caregivers. This makes passing patient-specific information from one caregiver to another or from the caregiver to the patient more efficient.
Electronic patient portals
An electronic patient portal is a secured online application that provides patients with important personal health information. It enables 2-way electronic communication through an app. Numerous studies have shown that these portals have improved outcomes of preventive care, disease awareness and self-management of diseases.
Telemedicine
Telemedicine involves using telecommunication technologies to facilitate patient seamless communication between healthcare providers and patients. Telemedicine further makes health-related information easily accessible. It can help in early diagnosis, prevention and timely treatment.
Health wearables
Health wearables can help in keeping track of heart rate and pace. They can further track your sleep routine, monitor your stress, track your blood pressure and help you with important health parameters. This can play a crucial role in preventing chronic health diseases.
Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
Artificial intelligence in healthcare helps analyse patient medical data to suggest diagnoses and treatment plans. AI also helps in comparing test results from hundreds of thousands of patients. It further aids in choosing the correct diagnoses and care plans to treat a disease or improve their lifestyle.
Blockchain Easing Transactions
Blockchain is a digital ledger of all transactions. It is anticipated that this technology might play a key role in keeping financial and electronic health records safe.
Healthcare Management Information Systems (HMIS)
HMIS help healthcare managers understand what needs improvement and what is working well. It also allows physicians to send prescriptions directly to pharmacies and cross-check drug interactions and lab results.
Impact of IT on Human Safety and Health
The integration of technology in healthcare management continues to revolutionise safety in healthcare. Electronic prescriptions have significantly reduced the risks of wrong prescriptions. Patient record keeping helps doctors get a complete history of the patient’s health without any misses. It also enables better communication among all caregivers, bridging the gap between different departments.
Advanced technology facilitates real-time health tracking that aids in monitoring your health parameters. Studies have shown that these health-tracking apps can prevent potential heart attacks, send an alarm to nearby hospitals and alert you about lifestyle changes.
