Article Tapping Into Healthcare’s Connected Future

How can organizations use connectivity to boost patient-doctor outcomes?

By Insight Editor / 22 Jul 2020 / Topics: Devices

Saving lives and improving human well-being can be a challenging task. Medical institutions are expected to deliver high-quality care, but are also under constant pressure to control costs and safeguard patient data. A productive, motivated and engaged workforce — including doctors, nurses, administrators and technicians — is essential to ensure that patients continue to receive exceptional diagnosis and treatment.

On one hand, technological transformation has emerged as a key way to spur productivity, motivation and engagement among healthcare staff. On the other, digital technology is proving itself to be a profound enabler of seamless and secure data flows, enhanced diagnostics and faster access to quality care in a more data-dependent clinical landscape. It’s a landscape of opportunity rich with benefits for organizations who are open to transformation.

Rising to the challenge of devices and data

With an average of 10–15 average connected devices per hospital bed and a whopping 878% growth in healthcare and life sciences data between 2016 and 2018, it’s no wonder that 44% U.S. physicians report burnout.

Yet having the right technology can help healthcare workers thrive in data-dense clinical environments. To do this, healthcare technology decision-makers must provide devices and equipment to enable productivity, collaboration and security for workers with a range of duties, work environments and workflow styles.

Using technology to boost worker productivity and satisfaction

A study by Dell Technologies found that healthcare workers’ motivation and job satisfaction are closely tied to the technology available to them. Yet some of the details of just how technology affects day-to-day activities are important guideposts.

For example:

54% of respondents say that technology can help create a good work-life balance, making them motivated and engaged.
53% prefer to work for an organization that offers mobility and flexibility.
52% say freezes, bugs and glitches negatively affect motivation and engagement.
84% would prefer their organization provide them with a tested and supported ecosystem, including accessories and displays.

It’s also worth noting that some healthcare workers consider an organization’s technology when applying for a position, and would leave an organization with substandard technology — or that had inefficient security technology and policies.

Further, some would prefer their organization offer more mobility and flexibility rather than a raise. At a general level, every worker’s technology needs are different, yet rapid access data and responsive applications are paramount. Security is important, but should never be intrusive.

Moving beyond mobility

More than offering healthcare workers the devices that enable rapid, seamless access to key data, healthcare organizations are also looking for ways to embed technology more deeply within their organizations to enhance clinical outcomes more meaningfully.

Indeed, a Dell EMC study shows how pervasive advanced technological backbones are becoming in healthcare. As of today:

90% of healthcare organizations either have already, or intend to, invest in converged infrastructure.
90% either are leveraging or plan to leverage multicloud capabilities.
79% have plans to use or are already using integrated artificial intelligence and machine learning.
88% use or will soon use Internet of Things (IoT) technology.

By examining how to apply emerging digital technologies to improve care, reduce risks and cut costs, healthcare organizations are accelerating digital transformation and maximizing health IT.

Options for every healthcare application

Faced with a range of choices for their digital transformation, many leading healthcare organizations are turning to Dell Technologies to support every aspect of their modern healthcare environment.

Exploring opportunities in areas such as hyperconverged and converged infrastructure, healthcare data storage, hybrid cloud solutions, interoperability and clinical application optimization, healthcare organizations are pioneering a new vision for patient care.

Find out how solutions from Insight and Dell Technologies can help transform your organization.