Digital Transformation and Healthcare

Digital transformation is involved with the integration of technology into all areas of a service, transforming the way an entity functions from the ground up, so as to deliver value to its customers. It has been on the upscale in all sectors for the past few decades, and is viewed as an essential part of growing a business, especially a healthcare practice.

How has digital transformation empowered various industries?

Digital transformation has had a major impact on the way businesses operate and interact with their customers. From banking to retail and transportation, and media to entertainment, digital transformation has revolutionized the way we function, and as a response to future challenges we can expect to see even more digital innovation as we go on.

The earliest adoption of digital transformation can be seen in the banking industry. They began to embrace the power of the internet, using digital tools to streamline their operations. The retail industry was not far behind on this curve. Online stores such as Amazon and eBay began to emerge and quickly became popular, allowing retailers to reach a much wider audience and offer their products and services to a global market. The transportation industry also through GPS and ride-sharing apps, and the media industry through digital platforms such as YouTube and streaming services, have made it easier for people to obtain their services. Such digital transformation has resulted in improved efficiency, lower costs, and better and personalized customer service across sectors, also creating new revenue streams and helping with the expansion of reach in the businesses.

Is digital technology mandatory for healthcare also?

Digital transformation in healthcare is not just a buzzword, it is the future. The use of technology in healthcare is becoming more prevalent with the advancement in technology, and its use in our everyday lives is increasing. Now more than ever, hospitals need to be fostering an environment that embraces digital growth in order to deliver the best healthcare to their patients.

Digital transformation is necessary in the healthcare industry as it can have a profound impact on the quality and accessibility of healthcare services, with a demand being generated for it by patients. As the population grows and ages, it leads to an increase in chronic diseases and a higher need for medical treatment. At the same time, healthcare budgets are under pressure, and there is a need to find ways to provide better care at a lower cost. Hence, it is imperative that hospitals invest heavily in digital tools such as hospital management systems, telemedicine, remote patient monitoring systems, electronic medical records (EMR), and more, in order to improve the efficiency of their operations.

What are some key challenges confronting hospitals?

The key challenges faced by health care providers today that can be rectified through digital solutions are

• Interoperability:
  The present day hospital has many functions to manage, and the workflows for all these functions should be smoothly interlinked and integrated together.
• Communication:
  Hospitals often struggle with communication between healthcare providers, patients, and family members.
• Managing patient data:
  Hospitals generate vast amounts of patient data, including medical history, diagnostic tests, medications, and treatment plans, which are to be properly stored and managed.
• Patient engagement:
  Engaging patients with their healthcare is not easily achieved because of a lack of a system in place.
• Healthcare access:
  Patients in rural or remote areas, or even older patients or those with disabilities often face challenges in accessing healthcare due to geographical distance or limited availability of healthcare providers.
• Patient satisfaction:
  Patients expect high-quality, personalized care, and hospitals need to deliver on this need so that they are satisfied with their care process.
• Data security:
  Hospitals are responsible for protecting patient data and complying with regulations like HIPAA.

How does digital transformation help with addressing these challenges?

There are many ways in which digitization helps hospitals. Digi-tech is changing every aspect of healthcare, from how care is delivered, to how it is paid for.

Hospital Management System (HMS):
Hospital Management System solves all the problems of handling the hospital's operations through digital means, making healthcare delivery faster and more convenient.

Telehealth:
Telehealth is the use of digital technology to deliver care remotely. It's being used to provide care to patients in rural areas, to connect patients with specialists, and to provide care to patients after hours.

Patient Engagement:
Digital technology is being used to engage patients in their own care. Patients can use apps to track their health, make appointments, book services, educate themselves, communicate with healthcare providers, and many other tasks.

Clinical Decision Support:
Clinical decision support systems use data to help clinicians make better decisions about diagnosis and treatment.

Electronic Health Record (EHR):
EHRs or EMRs can improve the accuracy and speed of medical information, enabling healthcare providers to make more informed decisions and provide better care.

These are just a few examples but the possibilities are endless, and the potential for digital transformation to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare is great.

Conclusion

Digital transformation is necessary for the healthcare and hospital industry to improve the quality and accessibility of healthcare services, and health-tech startups like ourselves, Mocero Health Solutions play a crucial role in driving digital innovations within the healthcare industry, developing new technology and solutions that improve the delivery of healthcare services.

While it can be difficult to change long-standing processes and culture, the potential rewards for it are great, enabling healthcare organizations that embrace digital transformation to be well-positioned for success in the future.

Keep up with all the latest news at Mocero Health Solutions by checking out our Press Room.