We’re on the cusp of a technological breakthrough for healthcare organizations. “Healthcare industry has not been quick enough to adapt to the big data movement compared to other industries. Therefore, big data usage in the healthcare sector is still in its infancy.” (Journal of Big Data) However, organizations are slowly adopting technology solutions for healthcare that will enable them to take full advantage of big data.
Some top-of-the-line technologies are changing large aspects of how we experience healthcare today including medical IoT, communication platforms, and cloud computing.
Rise of medical IoT and remote patient monitoring in hospitals and homes
“IoT enables healthcare providers to extend their reach outside of the traditional clinical setting. Home monitoring systems allow patients and doctors to keep track of an individual’s health when not in the doctor’s office.” (Insider Intelligence, 2022) A network of outpatient IoT-enabled tools could soon monitor vitals like heart rate, blood pressure, glucose levels, and more. These tools can help reduce costs for both parties, free up hospital beds, and monitor patient data.
Even in-patient care can utilize IoT with smart beds that communicate vitals to a nurses’ station. With IoT and predictive modeling, computers can help alert healthcare staff before a patient crashes or has an epileptic seizure.
Healthcare organizations using communication platforms
HIPAA-approved communication platforms can help reduce time and effort for a wide range of hospital staff through automation, data collection, and self-service. Communication tools can:
- Send patient appointment reminders
- Provide reliable communication services and backup contingency plans
- Answer patient FAQs over voice or text
- Collect analytics to improve communications
- Gather survey data to improve patient retention
Do you want to learn more about modernizing your contact center and accelerating customer engagement with generative AI and automation? Schedule an AI and automation Customer Interaction Intent Study with IntelePeer now.
IntelePeer’s Communication Automation Platform (CAP) can securely integrate with other healthcare platforms. This helps provide an elevated patient experience and set your organization apart from other care centers. On the patients’ side, they stay updated better than ever before without using staff resources.
On the administration side, staff have more time to provide in-person care. Communication automation can send a plethora of pre-authored notifications via text, call, or online portal and merge the communication activities for administration. This simplified view of communications can help staff know what a patient has been asking about and what questions they’re having.
Cloud computing crunches healthcare data for research
With so much data gathered by casual wearable devices such as Fitbits and professional instruments like MRI imaging machines, cloud computing is a necessity for housing and organizing big healthcare data. (Analytics Steps)
Why keep all or any of these electronic medical records? Truth is, medical researchers don’t always know what data will help with the next big discovery. But there is a strong correlation between data and meaningful healthcare publications. (Springer Open, 2019) To know if any data can help improve healthcare and quality of life, you must collect it first, store it in the cloud, and analyze it later.
If your organization is looking to upgrade your healthcare technology, start with automating patient services which can boast a high ROI quickly. Check out some of our resources and learn how cloud communication can connect a lot of your other systems to help improve patient care.