The rapid advancement of technology in the healthcare sector has completely altered the landscape of what patient care looks like. From AI learning to expansive communication abilities (i.e. telehealth, tele hospitals), technology drives medical progress forward. However, with the wide array of new tools to better serve patients, comes an even wider array of problems that arise from these new tools. So, to maximize the benefits of technological progress, those who provide patient care need competence in using the newest technology.
The Obstacle
As we know, Doctors, Nurses, and Healthcare providers are incredibly busy. Often working 12-hour shifts, there has to be a system of support to cover the gaps of their knowledge and competency with technology. They simply don’t have the time to deal with malfunctioning semi-autonomous robots. Unfortunately, we’ve seen the massive toll and stress that has been placed on Health Care Providers during this pandemic. Now imagine also trying to implement a completely new system of tracking patient progress, of coordinating with new administrative programs, and exercising semi-autonomous tools in surgery. That is why healthcare IT services are the “X” factor that covers this gap. These services ensure to cover the time and competency obstacle.
Easy Workflow = Happier Patients
Nursing is chaotic. You can find nurses: managing multiple patients, consolidating and helping family members comprehend the situation, and administrating necessary paperwork and medicine, all while coordinating with doctors and CMAs. To combat this chaos, nurses need reliable systems. When systems work efficiently, nurses work efficiently. Efficiency consistently leads to better outcomes for patients. So, the last thing a nurse needs to deal with is a lack of understanding their new patient tracking system in the middle of a shift. Healthcare IT services essentially act as the partner that keeps the workflow smooth for nurses. Providing timely answers to timely situations, is key and necessary to drive quality care.
“The Robot Just Delivered Fresh Food to a Trash Can!”
A great example for this would be in the case of a semi-autonomous service robot. These robots can pick up soiled sheets, deliver food, and even administer medicine. When a nurse is working in tandem with one of these robots, it can help ease the mental load of tracking these tasks. However, if this robot stops working for some unknown reason (let’s say, dumping fresh food into a trash can), it’s not like a human you could communicate with.
It’s a robot and essentially speaks a different language. Healthcare IT services act as the translator between nurses and technology. This allows nurses to not get tripped up by this issue and continue on with their work. The added benefit is knowing that you will have the solutions to unknown problems with technology. That alone can help reduce the stress of nursing. Which overall leads to happier patients; no one wants a stressed nurse.
Having higher quality patient care is possible. Technology helps, but only if you speak the language.
