The Power of Mobility in Transforming Patient Care
Voltaire’s famous saying “with great power comes great responsibility” has not been lost on the healthcare industry in the 21st century. As technology has become fully integrated into our lives, the opportunity to elicit positive change within the traditional healthcare system has become more pressing than ever before. Smartphones, laptops, wearable devices – all of these technologies have been able to fit more technology into smaller packages, and along with the compact design comes the potential to seamlessly integrate these tools into a more connected healthcare plan.
As healthcare suppliers, we are responsible for designing technological solutions that can be implemented effectively by providers, and we are true believers that the institution of mobile healthcare has its foundation grounded in the hardware which it deploys. In the battle against rising costs, stricter regulations and an increase in demand for quality care, mobile computing solutions can provide an arsenal of support by providing reliable hardware and software solutions that can promote effective care delivered to more people.
In addition to placing an importance on the right hardware decisions within healthcare facilities – with a focus on reliability, durability, connectivity as well as healthcare specific necessities like a fully sanitizable surface and compatibility with various software solutions – it’s also important to remember that patient care is no longer limited to traditional business hours and to the confines of exam room walls. The implementation of home health programs has opened up the potential to bring quality care to more people.
And as mobile technology becomes more commonplace in the healthcare industry, it’s clear we’re not the only ones excited about what new capabilities can come with the implementation of a mobile computing strategy. A recent study published by the Economist Intelligence Unit, found that 64% of healthcare executives say mobile health can dramatically improve outcomes by giving people greater access to medical information, and 79% of healthcare professionals say that mobile technologies are providing education and information.
As healthcare solution suppliers, we’re providing clinicians with the technology that can help make their practice more efficient and effective. Immediate benefits from choosing the proper mobile computing solution are clear – increased patient face time with caregivers, easily accessible care no matter the time or day, and the ability for clinicians to collaborate through secure messaging. What may be more difficult to quantify, but arguably the most important part of the healthcare experience, is the impact enhanced mobility solutions have in improving patient experiences and overall quality of care.
By investing in innovations in mobile hardware and software solutions, we’re helping to support the shift to a more informed patient care delivery model. This connected information trend allows suppliers, providers and individuals to work together to improve patients’ lives at every stage, from preventative care to acute to post-acute care. Additionally, the Economist Intelligence Unit found that in five years, 50% of healthcare executives predict that mobile health will enable patients to participate more proactively in their own care. There’s no greater time than now to watch the advancements in the field of technology facilitate improved care inside and outside of healthcare facilities, and we’re looking forward to seeing what continued developments the future holds.
To learn more about how Panasonic healthcare technologies are being used in healthcare fields, visit us here.
