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Harnessing Tech: 6 Tools Empowering Healthcare Amid Patient Surge

As the world grapples with a surge in patients, the healthcare industry is turning to technology to help manage the load. The current stats that showcase how hospitals are dealing with a surge in patients are worth considering. 

Hospitals are full of patients, with occupancy rates hovering around 70% for a while now. However, during the peak of the Omicron surge in January 2022, hospital occupancy rates spiked to 80%. 

During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 25% of hospital beds were occupied by patients with the virus. However, as the situation has gradually improved, the percentage of beds dedicated to COVID-19 patients has significantly decreased to just 6%.

The figures pertaining to the United States, which makes them more concerning given the well-developed healthcare infrastructure of the country. This situation is motivating healthcare providers to harness the power of technology and adopt innovative tools to manage the surge in patients effectively. 

In this blog, we’ll explore six tools that empower healthcare providers to manage patient surges more effectively.

Healthcare Analytics Solutions 

Healthcare analytics harnesses the power of data to improve patient outcomes. With the increasing availability of digital health records, hospitals, and clinics are now able to collect vast amounts of data on patients, including their medical histories, treatments, and outcomes. 

These solutions can make sense of the data and use it to speed up better decision-making, improve patient care, and reduce costs. A major advantage of it is its capacity to recognize patterns and trends within patient data. Armed with this knowledge, providers can gain insights into the factors that contribute to better patient outcomes and take prompt actions to control the situation. 

According to Allied Market Research, the healthcare analytics market has seen significant growth, with a value of $23.51 billion in 2020. It would touch a substantial $96.90 billion by 2030. This growing trend reflects the increasing recognition of the importance of leveraging data for better patient outcomes. 

Healthcare Interoperability Tools 

In the healthcare industry, care coordination is crucial for effective patient care. However, the presence of information silos among different healthcare systems and providers can hinder seamless coordination. Healthcare interoperability tools offer a solution by breaking down these silos and enabling the secure exchange of patient information.

These tools facilitate the interoperability of electronic health records (EHRs), allowing healthcare organizations to share and access patient data across various platforms and systems. By doing so, healthcare professionals can obtain a comprehensive view of a patient’s medical history, treatments, and medications, regardless of the healthcare setting. This promotes better care coordination, reduces duplication of tests and procedures, and enhances patient safety.

The healthcare interoperability solutions market had a value of $3,192.1 million in 2021, according to Mordor Intelligence. It is projected to grow significantly, reaching $6,813.2 million by 2027. These figures highlight the growing importance of breaking down silos in healthcare to improve care coordination. 

Revenue Cycle Management Software

In the complex landscape of healthcare, effective management of financial processes is important for healthcare organizations. Revenue cycle management software is a powerful tool that streamlines and automates various financial aspects of the healthcare revenue cycle. This software optimizes billing, coding, claims processing, and reimbursement, resulting in improved revenue generation and financial efficiency.

By integrating with electronic health records (EHR) systems, revenue cycle management software ensures accurate and timely capture of patient data, simplifying the billing and coding process. It automates tasks such as claim submission, verification, and follow-up, reducing manual errors and increasing the speed of reimbursement. 

However, when selecting a revenue cycle management company or provider, healthcare providers must exercise caution, as not all solutions can meet their specific needs. Thorough consideration is necessary before making a commitment, as the right choice can yield numerous long-term benefits.

According to Millin Associates, a revenue and billing integration software company, these benefits include improved claim payment rates, increased overall collections and revenue, a greater focus on delivering quality care, enhanced patient experience, and reduced administrative burdens for staff members.

Connected Healthcare Solutions

In today’s digital age, connected healthcare solutions are transforming the way patients and providers collaborate. These innovative tools leverage technology to empower both patients and healthcare providers, enhancing communication, access to information, and overall healthcare experiences.

By offering convenient access to medical records, personalized health information, and telehealth services, these solutions empower patients to participate in their healthcare management actively.

These solutions enable patients to actively participate in their healthcare management by providing them with convenient access to their medical records, personalized health information, and telehealth services. Through these solutions, patients can conveniently schedule appointments and engage in remote interaction with healthcare providers from any place.

The connected healthcare market, valued at $58.2 billion in 2022, according to Market.us, is poised for substantial growth. It would reach $520.6 billion by 2032. These numbers emphasize the transformative potential of connected healthcare solutions in empowering both patients and providers in the digital age.

Metaverse in Healthcare

The advent of the metaverse has created new possibilities for healthcare, with virtual worlds offering unique opportunities in medical settings. Using the potential of the metaverse, healthcare providers can revolutionize patient care, training, and research.

Virtual worlds within the metaverse can simulate realistic medical scenarios, enabling healthcare professionals to practice complex procedures. Medical students and residents can benefit from immersive virtual training, gaining hands-on experience before working with actual patients. 

In healthcare settings, virtual worlds can also enhance patient experiences. Patients can use avatars to navigate virtual environments for therapeutic purposes, engaging in activities that promote physical and mental well-being. Telemedicine can be elevated by incorporating virtual reality (VR) technologies, enabling remote consultations and examinations with a more immersive and interactive experience. 

The global metaverse in the healthcare industry is anticipated to touch $9.5 billion in 2023, as per MarketsandMarkets. It is expected to hit a whopping valuation of $79.6 billion by 2028. These figures underscore the immense potential of virtual worlds within the metaverse in transforming medical settings. This market growth reflects the growing recognition of the metaverse’s impact on healthcare and its ability to revolutionize medical practices.

Patient Flow Management Solutions

Patient flow management solutions are revolutionizing healthcare by enhancing operational efficiency and improving the overall patient experience. These innovative tools leverage technology to streamline the flow of patients throughout the healthcare facility, optimizing resource utilization and reducing wait times.

With these solutions, healthcare providers can improve the efficiency of various processes, such as appointment scheduling, registration, and triage. These tools automate and centralize the patient intake process, allowing for smoother transitions between different areas of care and reducing bottlenecks. 

These solutions play a critical role in improving the patient experience. Through features like self-check-in kiosks, mobile notifications, and digital wayfinding, patients can navigate the healthcare facility more easily and have a more convenient and seamless experience. 

As per the Insight Partner, the patient flow management solutions industry is projected to reach a value of $3,621.51 million by 2028, surpassing the 2021 figure of $886.43 million. These numbers highlight the correlation between patient flow management solutions and the enhancement of efficiency and patient experience. 

Conclusion

In the face of a patient surge, healthcare providers are turning to technology for solutions. By harnessing the innovative tools mentioned in this article, they can empower themselves and improve patient care. 

Using these tools properly, healthcare providers can navigate the challenges of a patient surge with greater efficiency and effectiveness. The future of healthcare lies in the seamless integration of technology, empowering providers and patients alike to achieve better outcomes and a higher standard of care.

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