How Technology is Revolutionizing the Healthcare Sector in 2020

Unlike many other industries, the healthcare sector is slowly adopting new technologies.

It is obvious that the healthcare sector doesn’t want to jeopardize the sensitive medical information of patients. Therefore, they are proceeding with extreme caution.

But health and medicine aren’t the only sectors leveraging the power of technological advancements. From manufacturing to retail and supply chain, almost every sector is benefitting from the latest technology.

We have seen massive technological growth in the healthcare industry in recent years. One of its examples is virtual service whose purpose is to provide people with immediate medicine.

Apart from that, there are more ways technology has been revolutionizing the healthcare sector in 2020. Let’s have a quick look at some technologies that have been used by the healthcare sector in 2020.

1.         Digitalization of Hospital Records

You can remember that there were no databases of healthcare almost a decade ago and even if there were, they were not common as it is today.

But now 90% of the hospitals have electronic health records (EHR). This digital technique has replaced the outdated practice of having records on paper.

Nurses and administrative staff at the hospital have made a great effort in getting them digitized.

They are the ones that have entered all the data and made it a centralized system. Now, doctors don’t have to look for old records, the data will be shown when you enter the full name of the patient.

This type of data can also be accessed from a nearby help & EHR in times of emergency.That means you will get immediate and right medical treatment.

This digitalization has done well so far, but it also poses a threat to medical records being hacked. Since the data is centralized, anyone can have access to it and use it for their own motives. Many hospitals have their data backups in the cloud.

2.         Increased Connectivity Among the Physician’s Community

Back in the day, there were hardly a few medical journals that would publish advanced techniques for the whole world to know. But not today, now everyone is connected through the internet and social media.

They have access to advance information about medical discoveries and procedures. The physician’s community can interact with each other, consult with others, and exchange medical information.

3.         Improved Public Health

For viral breakouts and other emergency services, people only relied on national news through TV and radio. But with the power of social media and the internet, public health has been improved by timely information.

Let’s say, it is the start of the winter season, you might see a bunch of posts, ads, or read the information regarding the importance of flu shots. This way information reaches you timely.

4.         Smart Machines for Diagnosis

There are so many machines and devices used in the medical industry these days. All of them are digital and computer-enabled.

These machines and devices are used to diagnose patient’s diseases. They have become a kind of aid for healthcare professionals. So, every time they need to check the temperature, blood pressure, or heartbeat they use devices and machines.

This doesn’t end here as the healthcare community also uses 3D machines like x-rays, ultrasound machines, and endoscopes. These machines help you to see the inside structure of human body parts.

5.         3D Printing Machines

Prosthetics and implants have pretty much caused a stir in the healthcare industry, but it is one of the expensive solutions.

Physicians have been able to graft artificial skin, make dental implants, and print out prosthetics to help a wide range of people with disabilities.

These have also helped medical students to learn through the anatomy procedures because models are pretty realistic.

6.         Lower Healthcare Costs

Although it seems entirely untrue when we say that healthcare costs less because of technological advances but it is true.

According to a study from the University of Michigan, the Electronic health record system is saving money by 3% each month in all hospitals. In public care facilities, it tends to get higher.

7.         Better Workflow

So many people have complained of not understanding their doctor’s handwriting and that’s a fact. But that doesn’t have to continue anymore because, through digitalization, doctors just have to write on the computer about your prescription or the tests.

This information will get printed on a slip or else remain in the system. Besides that, nurses don’t have to fill in countless forms for information, they can just fill the form on the computer or tab, and it will be accessible every time when you need it.

8.         Smart Mobiles with Healthcare Features

 Medical devices such as ultrasound machines, EKG machines, MRI machines, and many machines can help you see what is under your skin but now smart mobiles have features that can monitor your heart rate, blood sugar, and even detect if you have type 1 diabetes.

MiniMed 670G can detect people with Type 1 diabetes and need insulin. This can even determine the amount of insulin a person needs according to his diabetes level. 

9.         Machines to See DNA Sequencing

Numerous researches have concluded that genetics play an important role in shaping health. Every family has some sort of the same sequence in their genetic makeup. There is a likelihood of the same blood type and diseases.

Since the discovery of DNA, scientists have put a lot of effort into studying DNA and it has only been possible by seeing DNA structures through machines. By studying DNA sequencing, the research companies share information with pharmaceutical companies.

Through that, these pharmaceutical companies have been able to form new treatments and counter medicines for various diseases.

10. Less Recovery Time

With technological advances, doctors and patients have both been benefited with fewer risks and recovery time. For instance, with non-invasive procedures like laser treatment, there will be no blood or incision.

It will reduce recovery time for patients. What would have taken a couple of weeks will now be recovered in a couple of days.

For doctors, laser tools and nanotechnology have aided them by gaining accuracy and precision.