How is Technology Transforming Patient Care?

Healthcare technology is rapidly advancing, and creating opportunities for patient care that seemed impossible just a few years ago. Everything from AI powered diagnostic tools, to EHR systems are now becoming accessible to healthcare providers at every level. And this technological revolution came just in time.

According to a 2023 survey by Time, around 70% of Americans feel that the healthcare system is failing them. Some of this unrest is driven by the increasing cost of medical care; however, medical debt is not the only issue patients are reporting. 

Patients are also perceiving a drop in the quality of their care. With the healthcare system facing a “critical shortage of workers”, it is imperative for healthcare providers to use technology to transform patient care. 

But how exactly can technology transform patient care in your practice? Certain technology, such as an EHR system, can help you to decrease patient wait times, coordinate care across multiple providers, and even reduce the risk of medical errors. 

Decreased Patient Wait Times

People are tired of waiting to get an appointment with their medical providers. When it comes to healthcare, long wait times are something that most people are unwilling, and unable, to accept. 

EHR systems use data analytics to optimize scheduling strategies, which allows staff to decrease wait times and make the most out of healthcare providers’ time. 

Additionally, EHR systems allow patients to fill-out intake forms online and before the appointment, which creates a seamless check-in experience for both patient and provider. 

This solution can save on wait-times, and help patients feel like they are being prioritized by their healthcare provider.

Coordinated Care Between Providers

Another concern that patients express is coordinating care across multiple providers. An EHR platform takes this worry off of the patient, by giving providers up-to-date healthcare information.

By consolidating vital medical information, such as diagnoses, medications, lab results, and treatment plans, into a centralized digital platform, EHRs enable healthcare professionals across various specialties and settings to access comprehensive patient records instantaneously. 

This facilitates efficient communication and collaboration, and ensures that all providers involved in a patient's care are well-informed and can make coordinated decisions. 

EHR systems empower patients by offering them a smoother care experience, as they no longer need to navigate the complexities of transferring medical records between different providers, allowing them to focus on their well-being and recovery.

Reduced Risk of Medical Error

There is always an element of risk in healthcare for both patient and provider. Understandably, this risk creates a high-stakes, and high-stress, environment. The patient is anxious to receive the best healthcare possible, and the provider is responsible to dispense it. 

Therefore, it is absolutely essential that providers minimize the potential for error wherever possible.  And, EHR technology can play a pivotal role in reducing the risk of medical errors through features like decision support tools, medication reconciliation, and automated alerts for allergies or potential drug interactions. 

EHRs outfit healthcare providers with valuable assistance in making informed clinical decisions. The ability to access comprehensive patient records at any time and from any location promotes a continuity of care and helps to avoid errors resulting from incomplete or outdated information. 

Moreover, EHRs facilitate standardized documentation practices, reducing the likelihood of misinterpretation or transcription errors. By enhancing communication and data accuracy, EHR systems significantly contribute to patient safety, ultimately improving the quality of healthcare delivery, and elevating the level of patient care from great to excellent.

Transforming Your Patients’ Care with the Right Technology

Technology can never replace the kind of personalized care a provider gives to their patient in a medical setting. However, the right technology can enhance a provider’s ability to give their patients the quality of care they deserve- every step of the way. 

Showing patients compassion and concern can begin long before the appointment starts. It can even begin by searching for the right technological solution to address gaps in patient care.

Schedule a demo with [client name redacted] today to learn more about the transformative power of EHR systems on patient care.