Healthcare is experiencing a significant overhaul in its services as new technologies are designed to ease the process of care delivery. Every aspect of the industry, from nursing to billing, might be able to utilize updated devices to better track medical information. That could lead to better health outcomes for patients. Wearable technology is steadily becoming more popular in healthcare as physicians look for better ways to monitor and track their patients' progress.1 The impact of these devices could be tremendous, as care could extend beyond the traditional walls of the exam room and into patients' homes. Here are some ways that devices might affect the industry as a whole.
Empowering patients.
Wearable healthcare technology could mean more patients actively participating in their own care. Being able to monitor their own health progress at home might make nursing easier, as real-time updates may be delivered every day. Doctors and their staff would no longer have to wait for physical consultations to make clinical decisions. By getting patients more involved in clinical decisions, doctors might be able to improve the overall quality of care.
Monitoring and diagnosing disease.
LinkedIn suggested that rising wearable technology might help medical staff better monitor and diagnose diseases in patients.2 Certain devices might be able to transmit data regarding organ function, alerting physicians and nurses to any significant changes in health statuses. For example, patients with diabetes may benefit from technology that monitors blood glucose levels, administers insulin dosages and tracks food consumption – all sent directly to their doctors for examination. MIT Technology Review reported that the Freescale KL02 Chip, a computer component that's roughly the size of an ant, may be swallowed by patients for monitoring.3 For their purpose, the chips might be taken with medication or even surgically implanted into a diseased organ. The mini computer could send readings back the patient or physician via Wi-Fi, resulting in the collection of data straight from inside a patient's body.
Facilitating pain management.
After leaving the care facility, patients may still be in physical discomfort due to their medical conditions or injuries. Currently, Thimble Bioelectronics is developing a patch that's designed to provide patients with portable pain relief, as reported by Wearable Tech News.4 The device would use low-voltage electrical stimulation to alleviate specific kinds of pain, and might be integrated with smartphone applications for pain tracking and management. The introduction of this technology could change nursing training, as patients may no longer need painkillers and other prescription medications for aftercare.
Wearable technology might completely change how medical staff and patients share information and make clinical decisions on healthcare. As you learn how to become a nurse in your courses, instructors may begin to include the benefits that these devices might bring to the industry.
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