The Australian healthcare landscape is under pressure as costs and patient expectations continue to increase and regulatory standards become more complex. With the added complication of COVID-19, patient safety is more critical than ever, and healthcare providers are seeking new ways to enhance the patient experience while improving working conditions for frontline workers.
Investing in digital solutions to transform the healthcare industry can help healthcare providers deliver better care and support for patients, and improve the staff experience.
At Logicalis, we’ve identified two essential areas that you should invest in to deliver superior healthcare outcomes:
One of the most critical recent developments in the health space has been the growth of telehealth services. With increased investment in telehealth, patients can gain access to specialised physicians and experts without needing to travel, which is especially important for patients in regional areas, and for many patients concerned about COVID-19.
However, investing in telehealth services means more than providing video conferencing solutions for patients and medical practitioners. Increased investment in automation and data collection, among other technologies, can help enhance the overall patient experience.
Online booking systems that integrate automation for more streamlined communication with patients can improve efficiencies for both patients booking with their preferred practitioners and for healthcare administrative staff. This frees up time for administrative staff to focus on other priority tasks and, in turn, provide better care to patients.
Similarly, investing in secure data collection tools and solutions to enhance and inform the telehealth experience means that patient’s electronic medical records (EMR) can be securely collected, stored and shared to enhance diagnosis and leads to more appropriate treatment and care.
A robust data platform underpinning the EMR collection process can also streamline hospital admissions and specialist referrals, by reducing the need for paper forms to be repeatedly completed by patients and processed by staff. This reduces the stress that patients can experience when navigating often confusing elements of the healthcare system.
Technology such as wearable devices can let patients receive treatment and monitoring in the comfort of their own homes, while the data those devices collect can support patient safety. For example, older patients can wear sensors that detect a fall or lack of movement for an extended period, which then triggers an emergency call.
In a healthcare facility, technologies that provide comfort and entertainment or education to patients can improve their experience significantly. For example, being able to access fast Wi-Fi lets patients engage in online learning, or they can stream their favourite movies and TV shows to make their hospital stay more enjoyable.
Solutions that empower frontline workers
Digital solutions can significantly improve the patient experience. However, they also help frontline healthcare workers. Investing in cloud infrastructure, for example, provides a stronger foundation for the deployment of telehealth services that require stronger data and computing power than on-premise solutions can provide.
In a hospital setting, when physicians have immediate access to the treatment equipment they need and can order tests and see results and medical history information from the patient’s bedside, they can spend more quality time with that patient. This delivers a higher standard of care and prevents healthcare workers from feeling burnt out by the need to keep up with paperwork as well as engage with patients.
In addition, solutions that facilitate remote working, such as telehealth services and video conferencing tools, let health workers engage with external patients and specialist colleagues with increased flexibility. In providing a better, more flexible working environment, healthcare organisations can attract, retain, and nurture the best talent, which facilitates better care for patients.
The importance of the right partner
While it’s essential to invest in the right technologies and processes for the organisation’s unique requirements, working with the right partner during the transition to digital healthcare is the key to success.
Logicalis works with partners such as Citrix and Microsoft to find the most effective and logical way to leverage and optimise existing resources to deliver telehealth solutions that best meet business requirements.
For more information about how Logicalis can help your organisation transition to telehealth and digital healthcare solutions, contact the team today.