The healthcare sector has undergone a significant transformation from follow-up appointments to making payments online. The emergence of streamlined healthcare solutions is revolutionizing medical centers’ operations, making them more efficient and accessible for patients.
This article will explore ways in which technology has been utilized to streamline the operations of medical centers. From electronic health records and telemedicine to online appointment scheduling and bill payment, here are the key solutions implemented to improve the patient experience and make healthcare more accessible for all.
Telehealth
Telehealth has become an increasingly popular option in healthcare, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. Offering patients the ability to connect with their healthcare providers over video chat or phone calls, telehealth appointments allow patients to receive medical attention for common medical issues like bacterial or viral infections without leaving their homes, reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19.
Beyond physical health issues, telehealth can also be used in mental health screenings and therapy appointments, enabling patients to receive support remotely, and making it more accessible for those living in remote or underserved areas to be responsible for their mental well-being.
Furthermore, telehealth can also makes it easier for patients to get prescription refills, diagnose rashes, and rule out the flu over video chat with a doctor. This makes healthcare more convenient for patients and reduces the burden of in-person clinics and hospitals.
Text and Video Chat Therapy
The ability to meet with a therapist online or over video chat can benefit many people in therapy. For instance, individuals living in remote or underserved areas might be very open to the idea of consulting a therapist online.
Similarly, people who experience anxiety or discomfort during face-to-face therapy sessions would prefer the anonymity and convenience offered by online therapy. In addition, meeting with a therapist online saves time, as patients don’t have to travel to a healthcare facility and can schedule appointments conveniently.
Apps like Talkspace and BetterHelp have helped millions of people to treat their mental health in an easily accessible and convenient way. These apps offer a wide range of mental health services, including therapy, counseling, and coaching, all in one place.
Moreover, numerous telehealth providers exist in the market, which makes it easier for healthcare facilities to efficiently deliver online healthcare through services like revenue cycle management process through medical billing, remote patient monitoring, chronic care management, etc.
Pharmacy Online Renewals
Technological advancements have made it possible to take care of your prescription refills and orders online. Many pharmacies today offer online prescription services that allow patients to refill their prescriptions or order new medications without visiting the pharmacy in person. However, that’s just a basic version of this service. Additional options include auto-refills, mail-order prescriptions and doorstep delivery.
Auto-refill is where a patient signs up for automatic prescription refills. This eliminates the need for them to remember when to refill their prescriptions and ensures patients always have their medications on hand, reducing the risk of having to go without medications.
Many pharmacies also offer to mail-order prescriptions and delivery options for those who cannot come to the pharmacy to pick up their medications. This allows patients to receive their medications directly at their doorstep, saving them time and making it more convenient for them to manage their medications.
Remote Patient Monitoring
Patients with chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart ailments, often need to visit their primary care physicians multiple times throughout the year. However, traditional in-person visits can be time-consuming and might not be the most efficient way to check on a patient’s condition. An effective solution is remote patient monitoring.
Remote patient monitoring allows patients with chronic conditions to track and share their vital signs, such as blood pressure and blood sugar levels, with their healthcare provider remotely, using devices such as blood pressure monitors, glucometers, and wearable fitness trackers. This allows for more frequent and efficient check-ins on the patient’s condition without needing in-person visits.
HIPAA-Compliant Mobile Communications
The use of pagers in healthcare is still prevalent, despite their limitations and challenges. To begin with, pagers are simple, out-of-date, and need two-way communication. They are also often unreliable and can lead to delays in communication, which can seriously impact healthcare outcomes. In addition, pagers aren’t secure and can lead to confidentiality issues. Read more about What is a crick in the neck?
Perhaps, the only solution to these challenges is using communication applications like on-page. Unlike pagers, these applications are designed to streamline communication between doctors, healthcare staff, and patients. They also provide secure, encrypted messaging and allow for easy tracking and documentation of communications.
Streamlined Healthcare For A Better Future
The healthcare industry is constantly evolving. So, while many healthcare solutions already exist in the market, their number will continue to rise. As these technologies continue to improve, medical centers can provide better patient care, and patients will have more access to healthcare, regardless of their location or mobility.
In addition, they will also help medical centers reduce costs, improve communication and coordination among healthcare providers, and thereby enhance the overall quality of care.
