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Keeping up with demand in 2018A Guide to New Technology Solutions for Healthcare Professionals

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Great healthcare outcomes can be gained from ICT

1 http://www.irma-international.org/viewtitle/42704/

In this time of incredible advancements in

medicine, we can expect to live longer and feel

healthier thanks to improved treatments and a

better understanding of the human body. But medical

breakthroughs take years to become reality, and

research and testing can cost hundreds of thousands

of dollars (or more) before the advancement can

make any impact.

This is where advancements in technology can make a

faster and more immediate difference.

Faster access to better information can generate

improvements across a community, leading to

reduced healthcare costs, better outcomes, and a more

productive society. ICT improvements such as cloud-

hosted applications and installing quality computer

hardware for staff can:

• Improve the accuracy of analysis and treatment

of symptoms

• Make emergency treatment faster and ongoing

care more efficient, through securely shared

patient information

• Boost productivity and job satisfaction for

healthcare workers – resulting in less sick days

and better focus on the patient, by removing

labour intensive and repetitive IT processes

through easier to use applications

However, there’s a lot to consider before implementing

new ICT solutions into existing healthcare systems.

According to an IRMA International report on

technology in healthcare:

Accuracy, validity, confidentiality, and privacy of

healthcare data and information are key issues that

must be addressed for successful implementation

of technology1.

This whitepaper examines the pros and cons of ICT

and telecommunications improvements in a healthcare

environment, to assist managers to make more

informed decisions.

Improve accuracy

Boost productivity

More efficient

care

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Better software, hardware, or both?

Most medical facilities are run as a

business – often with ‘best value’ or

‘cheapest price’ at the core of ICT

decision making.

This ethos also tends to carry over to the equipment

and software lifecycles, with many facilities

stretching the usability of these items well beyond

the payback or lease period, and choosing to tolerate

the support requirements and inconvenience of

older technology, rather than spend money on

improvements.

But the impacts of outdated IT systems can range

from a considerable number of small issues (that

add up to a lot of lost time and money), through

to significant problems that can contribute to

malpractice and/or loss of life.

If you’re contemplating an upgrade, you need to ask

the right questions before making any decisions:

1. Software improvements – Can the current

hardware systems, network and internet

connections handle new software or cloud

services?

2. Hardware improvements – What is involved

in an upgrade? How can I minimise any

disruption? Will it deliver benefits, such as

ease of use for staff?

3. Training - What is required to get staff up to

speed on the applications or use of hardware?

We know from experience that with good guidance

it’s possible to find a balance between cost and

capability that maximises health outcomes without

blowing the budget.

2 https://www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/free-up-it-infrastructure-costs-to-fund-transformation/

With international technology research firm Gartner predicting that “75% of businesses could reduce their IT running costs by 25% or more”2 with scrutiny of their IT environment, it makes sense to take a look at the options available to you.

Hardware improvements

Training

Software improvements

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Medicine and the cloud

Up until recently, the only option available

to healthcare providers for EMR software

(Electronic Medical Records) was to buy

‘on-premise’ installations along with the associated

hardware, installation and support required to

manage it.

But when patient information is siloed in this way,

it’s not easily available to the patient or other treating

professionals. Your clients are already able to securely

access vital services like banking on a 24/7 basis, and

they expect that their file should also be accessible by

whomever they authorise when and where required.

Secure cloud technology can change all of this.

By utilising ‘as-a-Service’ cloud technology such as

software, it becomes simple to rapidly improve services

by shifting from a capital intensive, on-premise software

model to an easily accessible cloud service based model.

According to the Forbes Technology Council:

The cloud is transforming healthcare by providing

on-demand access to IT resources -- including

applications, storage, compute resources, etc. --

without the need to deploy and manage any software

or hardware. These cloud services can be accessed

from anywhere, while additional capacity can be

added or scaled back as needed.3

There is already a strong shift to cloud in the healthcare

industry, with CloudTech reporting that $3.73 billion

was spent on cloud services by the sector globally in

2015 and a projected $9.5 billion by 20204.

As a result, high quality cloud-based EMR software is

now available from a multitude of vendors that cater

to hospitals, medical clinics, and aged care facilities.

With secure access available from anywhere at any

time, collaboration amongst the patient’s treating

professionals can be better managed, resulting in better

outcomes for the patient, and time-saving management

of client files.

In addition to improving efficiency and collaboration,

the healthcare industry’s move to cloud-based

information and record keeping models can also

deliver great benefits to patients including:

• More dynamic interaction between treating

physicians and patients, due to advancements

such as active digital healthcare alerts and

wearable technology

• Real-time access to records that give patients and

healthcare professionals a better view of their

own health (as well as real-time population

statistics)

• Better ownership of records – patients can actively

take control over their health and progress

Overall, cloud based technology will drive huge

improvements in healthcare over the coming years, as

long as security and patient confidentiality is managed

well by vendors.

Whilst the move to cloud may seem daunting,

the results are likely to be highly rewarding from a

consumer, cost and efficiency perspective.

3 https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2017/06/13/how-the-cloud-is-transforming-healthcare/3/#611905d02d224 www.cloudcomputing-news.net/news/2016/jun/27/why-healthcare-industrys-move-cloud-computing-accelerating/

Real-time access

Better ownership

More dynamic

interaction

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The risks and costs of implementing new ICT

With any new ICT implementation project,

there are likely to be some issues to be

overcome, along with a requirement for

initial and possibly ongoing training.

Whilst a good supplier will comprehensively plan

the changeover to minimise issues and downtime,

it’s important to talk with them at length about your

business processes and requirements first.

A well-chosen cloud or hardware system will bring

fantastic benefits to a business through greater

efficiency and ease of use, however a poorly chosen

system could bring additional costs and frustration (or a

potentially expensive ‘roll-back’ of technology).

For facilities that would prefer to avoid affecting

their business, the introduction of secure cloud EMR

applications and cloud-based productivity tools will

deliver seamless service, as any future hardware

upgrades and changes can take place easily off-site.

In some cases, a small-scale trial or partial transition

could be considered for ease of transition, and a quality

ICT partner should be able to assist to minimise or

eliminate any downtime.

Managing costs Many IT implementations these days follow an ‘opex’

(operational expenditure) model, replacing significant

upfront capital expenses (capex) with monthly or

quarterly fee payments instead.

This can improve ongoing cash flow, whilst still allowing

for full expenditure write-downs from a tax perspective.

Again, good quality consultancy from an experienced

ICT partner can ensure that these costs remain within

your budget.

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Implementation: a success strategy

Successfully implementing a new IT solution, be

it hardware, applications, telecommunications

or any combination of these, should be a

simple, staged process.

First and foremost, your patients’ continued care should

be paramount to any upgrade. By talking with your ICT

supplier about your business requirements and expected

timeframes, a carefully considered plan can be produced

to cover off any eventualities.

This plan should include a range of considerations:

• Analysis of commercial risks during

implementation, and how to manage them

should they arise

• Backups – how are they to be performed and can

they be relied upon for recovery post installation

• Staging – is a staged approach going to be used or is

everything going to be installed and switched over

at the same time?

• Testing to ensure that everything is running as

intended

• Staff training to ensure continuity of patient care and

business functions

• Implementation review to ensure that all services are

installed and operating as intended

The benefits of a technology upgrade can be immense,

especially in instances where better, faster or more

comprehensive care can be provided to patients.

A successful implementation just comes down to choosing

the right technology to improve your processes, and a

quality supplier to make it happen as seamlessly as possible.

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Until now, patients haven’t been able to self-

monitor their health with any real level of

accuracy.

However, the healthcare landscape is changing

fast and it’s empowering individuals to care for

themselves in ways not imagined 10 years ago.

From smartphone cameras that can measure

pulse oximetry, to bio-monitors with 24x7 alerts

that track critical health data, patients are using

technology to become more self-aware.

Patients are also investigating treatments to their

ailments online, and whilst a medical professional

is needed to accurately confirm a condition and

provide a treatment, patients are presenting for

treatment now better informed (and often with

better questions to ask).

These personal technological advancements aren’t

meant to replace the knowledge and experience of

trained medical professionals, but they can produce

better patient outcomes where medical professionals

have a more comprehensive set of information to

review.

5 https://www2.deloitte.com/au/en/pages/life-sciences-and-healthcare/articles/healthcare-and-life-sciences-predictions-2020.html

The future of healthcare

The ‘quantified self’ [patient]

has embraced prevention and is

devoting time, energy and money

to staying healthy. When ill, patients

demand specific treatments; they

are also willing, in part, to pay.

Patients are true consumers, they

understand they have options and

use information and data about

themselves and providers to get the

best treatment at a time, place and

cost convenient to them.5

The trend towards patients monitoring their health using

technology isn’t slowing down, so medical practitioners

need to consider ways that they can partner with

patients for a successful medical outcome.

According to the Deloitte Centre for Health Solutions’

report Healthcare and Life Sciences Predictions 2020:

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Biometrics and the 24/7 monitored patients of the future

Prior to new biometrical technology being

available to the masses, patients would

generally have no idea of their current health

status or sleep patterns other than ‘how they feel’.

Now, with advanced smart watches and phones,

patients can live-track their heart rates, blood oxygen

concentrations, activity levels, calorie usage and sleep

quality. And the market for these products is exploding.

Sales of lifestyle ‘wearables’ is expected to exceed USD

$4 billion in 2017, with growth expected to increase

by a further 35% by 2019.6

This technology certainly benefits the general

population in leading healthier, more active lives, which

reduces the pressure on the health care system.

The benefits really come into play for those of ill-health

who regularly see a doctor or medical professional for

treatment and review. With the ability to see instantly

if they’re experiencing tachycardia, low Sp02 counts

or blood sugar levels, they can be more proactive in

informing their physician, and provide life-saving

history information should their condition develop

into an emergency.

There is however a distinct difference between medical

grade monitors and consumer monitors.

Whilst many high-end consumer ‘wearables’ can provide

quite accurate measurements, they don’t necessarily

meet the stringent standards that dedicated medical

devices must meet. This is something that medical

professionals must always keep in mind when reviewing

patient sourced information.

The medical-standard device industry isn’t being left

behind though, with the market tipped to reach USD

$12.1 billion by 2021. This is mostly being driven by IoT

(Internet of Things) devices that are always connected,

providing constant data monitoring via the internet.

This includes technologies as varied as:

• Wearable ECG devices for monitoring heart rates,

skin temperature and blood oxygen levels in

cardiac patients

• Anti-SIDS devices that monitor blood oxygen levels,

body movement and breathing rates in infants,

alerting parents and carers when results are

of concern

• TENS devices or automated pain medication

dispensers that allow patients to live more

active lives

By utilising devices that compile information for

clinicians or alert them when vital signs change, patients

can receive more holistic, comprehensive care.

6. https://www.mpo-mag.com/issues/2017-06-01/view_columns/the-future-of-medical-wearables/

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7 http://medicalfuturist.com/top-vr-companies-healthcare/

8 http://www.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/global-augmented-reality-ar-virtual-reality-vr-in-healthcare-market

VR & AR in medicine

Another key growth area in medicine is the use

of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality

(AR) technologies.

As humans rely heavily on sight to make decisions

about interactions with our surroundings, the fields of

VR and AR have immense possibilities. In medicine, VR

and AR have the ability to provide ‘hands on’ training

simulations that can help professionals and trainees

learn new techniques.

VR can offer immense training benefits, as experienced

surgeons can record everything from simple techniques

through to complex operations using 360o VR

cameras, that trainees can then watch and interact

with using VR visors. Through the use of advanced 3D

modelling software, a surgeon can upload an MRI scan

of a patient’s brain and rehearse a complex surgery

procedure using VR goggles, long before the operating

room is prepared.

Taken one step further, AR & VR can open the doors to

remote medicine, giving doctors and even surgeons

the ability to operate remote robotic apparatus from far

away, offering medical interventions without the time

and travel constraints.

Other applications of VR are improving patient welfare

during long or stressful stays in hospital by allowing

them to be visually and audibly immersed in a different

environment. VR could take them anywhere from diving

with whales, to walking in nature or even back to a

familiar environment, like their home.

This ‘immersive’ experience is especially helpful for

patients experiencing pain or discomfort, such as

chemotherapy or post-radiation treatments, as it can

provide a complete mental distraction before, during or

after treatment.

These exciting developments are just the tip of the

iceberg. According to a report compiled by Grand View

Research Inc, the global AR & VR healthcare market is

expected to reach USD $5.1 billion by 2025, meaning

that both applications and hardware that alter reality in

healthcare will soon become the norm.8

Studies have found that VR can reduce the

time that patients think about their pain

by 48%, compared to narcotics at just 10%.

It can also decrease the feeling of chronic

pain by 38%, compared to opioids at 16%.7

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Embrace, or hold off?

It’s the age-old technology debacle – spend

money making the current equipment / software

last longer, or upgrade to new technology?

If you’re reading this whitepaper, then it’s highly likely

that you’re considering some form of improvement

in your IT systems. Unless you’ve completed a full

revamp of your technology in the last 12 months,

there’s a significant chance that there will be

improvements that can be found after an IT audit.

A detailed audit performed by a healthcare literate

ICT supplier should give you a clear understanding

of where your strengths lie and what further

improvements can be made.

The questions you need to ask as a healthcare

provider are:

“Will an upgrade of our technology make our

facility run better?”

“Can we improve patient outcomes by using better

software?”

“Will our staff be able to do their jobs better after

this upgrade?”

If a technology upgrade (be it software, hardware, or

both) is available that will create improvements while

still remaining affordable, then it should be taken up.

Leading healthcare providers only stay that way

by continuing to offer a great service to their

patients, and maintaining a forward-thinking

commercial ethos.

Technology upgrades can take some work to

implement, but overall they’ll produce benefits that

will add to your bottom line in either savings or return

on investment.

Vita Enterprise Solutions delivers ICT services,

support and expertise that transforms

organisations, enabling agile and efficient

operating environments.

As part of Vita Group, we draw on the insight and

expertise generated from over 20 years of servicing the

Australian market, and have built an enviable record of

technology and service delivery.

Our team of over 100 specialists becomes an integrated

extension of your own, saving you time and money, and

leaving your in-house resources free to focus on your

core business.

For more information on our healthcare solutions, or

to arrange an IT audit at your healthcare facility, visit

vitaenterprisesolutions.com.au.

Who is Vita Enterprise Solutions?