By Hugo Elliot
COVID-19 has impacted workflow changes in virtually all healthcare organizations. In clinics, problems that no one had paid attention to before became clearer. It was suddenly discovered that patient monitoring was not being performed effectively. What are the prospects for this aspect of health care after the pandemic?
Re-Profiling Clinics for Observation
The spread of the virus in the world made it clear that there are not enough ventilators in most hospitals. No one considered that a crisis could happen, so hospitals began to redesign for the duration of a pandemic actively. Patient monitoring has become much more difficult due to inadequate beds and increased workload on staff.
The situation required urgent solutions, and many began to use existing technologies actively. For example, fetal monitors are already monitoring the health of patients in a number of clinics. For a more complete vision of the overall picture, they are connected to several devices operating in different modes at once.
Remote Monitoring
In the fight against coronavirus, the main thing is to minimize the risk of personnel infection since the fewer people there are, the greater the burden on the entire sphere. Remote monitoring is a great solution to reduce contact between doctors and nurses, and sick patients.
Before the pandemic, this was not accepted, in contrast to traditional detours, which required interaction between people. Bedside monitoring, remote controls, extension cords for installing monitors – these technologies help minimize communication between medical personnel and infected patients.
Early Detection of Complications
At the moment, it is important to timely identify complications that may arise from covid. For this, early warning systems are used: they send a signal if suddenly the patient’s health has deteriorated, analyzing the control parameter set by the doctor. For patients with COVID-19, this indicator is the level of oxygen in the blood.
Technologies According to the Trends of the Times
Market analysts say patient monitoring technology is one of the most promising. So, by 2025, the volume of investments can reach $38 billion. On the other hand, the pandemic made it possible to understand which areas will be especially relevant. According to forecasts, the following technologies will be in demand in medicine in the near future:
- remote control using a centralized workstation, where bedside monitors will transmit data. The staff will not have to constantly walk around the hospital, which will affect the reduction of the risk of infection of employees;
- wireless portable monitors: you cannot do without them when moving the patient between departments in case of deterioration in performance. The stationary monitor at the moment of movement will not be available, and the lack of information may affect the course of treatment;
- Intelligent data collection: this technology will allow doctors to see a complete picture of the patient’s condition, while collecting data will be much easier. Record keeping and smooth provision of services are essential for healthcare. Technologies like the LIS System and Physician Dispensing In Office play a vital role in healthcare delivery;
- non-contact systems: these devices are biosensors or video camera-based systems that a patient can carry with him outside the hospital so that doctors can keep his condition under control.
Wearable technologies can be used for home-based care as some have remote monitoring features. A perfect example is TaoPatch, which can be used for Natural MS Treatment. You can have a look at this Taopatch MS Review for more information.
The global situation with COVID-19 has shown that a crisis can come at any time, and it is better to be ready for it than to improve systems and technologies in a hurry to provide the best quality care.
