5 Tech Trends Hospitals Will See in 2021
As tech continues to transform different industries, healthcare organizations are being positively impacted. Though the year 2020 was marked by many issues revolving around the COVID-19 pandemic, the year 2021 is seeing promising areas of growth and innovation for tech to transform care models. Here are five emerging IT trends that will have an impact on hospitals and their ability to deliver quality patient services.
1. Stronger Cybersecurity Strategies
Healthcare providers were among those at the top of the target list for 2020 hacking schemes. Dark web activities have grown more advanced and complex right along with the development of software systems and IT processing or infrastructure. Ransomware and phishing attacks are a real threat, with hackers gaining access through unsecured VPN connections or router IP address weaknesses. Remote connectivity opens new doors of threat, and hospitals need to close these gaps with strong investments in cybersecurity in areas of data storage, remote employment connections and security gaps in internet of things devices.
2. New Electronic Healthcare Record Capabilities
Consumers are well aware of how digital voice assistants can make life easier in their homes, and hospitals are realizing how to incorporate these same technologies in the health system. Two EHR vendors, Cerner and Epic, are working to integrate a virtual assistant into their software to be used in patient rooms. There is increased research in the areas of natural language processing, with the hopes that there will be an autonomous listening and understanding of conversations between patient and provider without the need for direct voice commands. New access means more data to influence decision-making and care models.
3. Predictive Modeling Using Artificial Intelligence
The use of machine learning and AI isn’t new to the healthcare industry, as many hospitals have used the capabilities for revenue cycle management. Advancements for the use of AI had been to analyze medical images, but the COVID-19 pandemic turned the direction toward predictive modeling. Several well-known hospitals relied on AI to track the virus and predict risks for certain patient demographics and the likelihood of developing more severe symptoms.
Biomedical devices and other wearables, when paired with machine learning capabilities, will change the face of clinical research. Protocols and care capacities will change as a massive amount of data is quickly collected and advanced analysis is conducted. Hospitals will be able to compete against virtual and retail care providers, as big data will improve the patient experience and long-term medical outcomes.
4. Expansion in Telehealth and Remote Care
The COVID-19 pandemic did a lot for the expansion of remote care, with insurance companies, big payers and stakeholders realizing the need for patient access to care in spite of the logistical challenges. Even as a vaccine has emerged, patients and providers alike have realized the benefits, convenience and cost-savings of telehealth medicine. Hospitals will continue to pursue remote service delivery, replacing traditional in-person visits with a hybrid care model. Virtual appointments or consultations followed up with a face-to-face visit will be pursued in both primary physician services as well as urgent care needs.
5. Advancements in Wearable and Supportive Tech
There will be increased use of IoT devices and wearable technologies, as IT systems learn how to make these operating systems more secure against cybersecurity threats. Research has led to the development of a Bluetooth-connected cardiac defibrillator that pairs with a smartphone app and gives patients control over their heart condition. In addition to wearable devices delivering quality care, alerts or assessment beyond the four walls of the hospital, robotic devices will also improve the level of care provided in areas of cardiology, the spine and oncology. Medical robotics is a growing field expected to rise in value to about $12 million by the year 2025.
These IT trends will save lives and allow hospitals to deliver quality care more consistently to their market. Operating efficiency will come through decision-making using big data and predictive analytics, and providers and patients alike stand to benefit from the changes technology is making in the healthcare field.
