How Technology Is Slowly Becoming Emergency Medicine’s Best Tool

The indelible truth is that technology will always play a role in any industry and they may even cause an industry to evolve. Last year’s COVID-19 pandemic is arguably one of the worst pandemics in our age, not just because it was a public health emergency that rendered hospitals and healthcare providers overwhelmed, but also because of its economic effects. It was during this period that people became heavily dependent on technology, including online classes, online delivery services, eCommerce, and more. 

It was also during this time that the healthcare sector began to make extensive use of technologies. This trend is likely to continue as we draw closer to developing self-driving cars, artificial intelligence, and the internet of things. The tools and methods used during the COVID-19 pandemic were only a crude application of what these technologies can do. Here are some ways that these technologies will eventually improve the healthcare industry.

AI for logistics and hospital allocation

Artificial intelligence is more than just a means to improve the accuracy and swiftness of medical diagnoses. They can also be used in logistics, particularly in the emergency department. Smart algorithms can be used to predict the demand based on patterns and major events that could potentially influence those patterns. By being able to predict demand, emergency rooms will almost always be ready for an influx of patients.

Apps for better team collaboration

Most clinical errors occur because of a miscommunication between medical staff. A miscommunication among emergency medical staff can even prove to be fatal. Some apps are being used to bridge the communication gap between first responders and emergency room staff so that first responders are able to alert emergency room staff before the patient arrives so they’re able to prepare beforehand. This is achieved by calculating estimated arrival time through GPS data, as well as live ECG data and field images.

VR simulations for training

VR simulations allow doctors to immerse themselves in realistic scenarios to train them for the actual procedure when it presents itself. Normally, doctors would train with dummies and cadavers for these procedures, but these training methods simply do not capture the same urgency that a real emergency would.

Mobile diagnostic devices

Bulky diagnostic machines such as ultrasounds, ECGs, and radiology-related machines will eventually become a thing of the past. These days, doctors can carry a whole department’s equivalent of diagnostic tools in a briefcase. Handheld ultrasound devices, ECG-reading apps, and testing equipment will eventually become the new standard as they will allow emergency responders to better diagnose a patient without the need for heavy equipment.

Medical drones

Medical drones can deliver equipment, drugs, and other medical aid from the air. This allows for a far more rapid response and a much better supply chain. These drones can even be used by patients to buy prescription drugs without having to commute or fall in line. This is especially convenient when used with services like Wellspring Meds to allow users to purchase drugs online.

Conclusion

Technology has always had a vital role in every industry. Understanding these technologies allows us to find better applications for them, which helps improve the overall quality of service. These technologies may even help reduce the risk of burnout, which helps our medical professionals maintain good performance.