4 Healthcare Trends Driving the Need to Embrace Technology

Staying ahead in healthcare requires more than providing good care. Being competitive means reducing costs while improving patient satisfaction and encouraging clinicians to stay. It means adopting more technology without losing the human touch. It means streamlining operations while delivering more personalized care.

But how can these objectives be achieved? Aren’t many of them contradictory?

The answers can be found in using the right technology, along with unified networks to connect it all.

Explore four healthcare trends that hospitals and medical centers are dealing with today—and how they can be addressed with connected technology.

An aging population is requiring more care

According to a recent report from the Administration on Aging, by 2040, the United States will be home to approximately 80.8 million residents who are 65 or older. That’s double the number of U.S. residents who were 65 and older in 2000.

This healthcare trend creates a bigger need for healthcare services: staff, resources and facilities must be prepared to care for an influx of patients who have more chronic conditions, require longer hospital stays and need coordinated care.

Deploying technology and automation across a unified healthcare network is key to providing quality care despite this growth. It helps clinicians manage increasing numbers of patients more efficiently through practices like:

• Implementing remote patient monitoring that allows vital signs and health metrics to be monitored in real-time from afar.
  
  
• Relying on virtual consultations and telehealth to reduce the burden on facilities and allow clinicians to see more patients in less time — without any reduction in care quality.
  
  
• Integrating data across systems and providers for better clinician communication and coordination.
  
  
• Ingesting, transporting and analyzing data on a centralized platform to identify trends and patterns faster.
  
  
• Using automation to streamline administrative tasks, enhance efficiency and optimize existing resources.
  
  

Rising costs are challenging operational efficiency

U.S. health spending is currently sitting at roughly $14,570 per capita and accounts for 17.6% of gross domestic product (GDP).

A combination of factors is driving healthcare costs higher. The aging population we mentioned above is one reason; others include increases in drug prices, the introduction of new services and procedures, and increasing complexity within the healthcare system, which can push administrative costs higher.

These increases can put stress on healthcare budgets, making it difficult to come up with funds to hire new staff and maintain infrastructure. One of the best ways to respond is to use resources more efficiently—and this often means investments in technology and automation:

• AI tools to help clinicians quickly analyze data, accurately diagnosis patients and create treatment plans. This reduces the time and costs associated with more traditional processes.
  
  
• Automating process for billing, scheduling and managing appointments so workers can be redirected toward more patient-focused initiatives.
  
  
• RTLS systems to track and manage medical equipment in real-time, reducing the opportunity for loss and theft.
  
  
• Seamless data sharing across platforms so all members of the care team can see and tap into real-time health records. This also reduces time and resources spent on paperwork, enabling better decision-making and more accurate diagnoses.

Higher patient expectations are driving the need for better service

Rising costs and an aging population aren’t the only two healthcare trends on the incline. Patient expectations are being elevated, too. According to the American Hospital Association (AHA), there are four expectations that consumers now have for their healthcare providers. To deliver on these expectations, technology and a unified network are required.

1. Care must be easy and convenient to access—and supported by excellent service

A unified network can centralize patient data, making it easy to access so providers can offer better, faster, more coordinated care. It can also support convenient features like online appointment scheduling and virtual care services that make clinicians more accessible to patients.

2. Processes must be easy to work with

Consumers are looking for providers that know how to use technology to support fast and easy check-in, shorten wait times and reduce paperwork and the need to recall health history. Technology can simplify the patient experience, making it fast and easy for patients to find information about appointments, health conditions, medications, test results, etc.

3. A digital-first approach to engagement must be taken

With digital experiences being part of many aspects of daily life, healthcare is no exception. Consumers look to providers to use technology for interaction and communication. Why? Because it eliminates friction and makes healthcare more efficient. Patients want to be able to access their medical records, schedule appointments, review bills, communicate with providers, ask questions, manage their health information and share their experiences and opinions at any time.

4. Trustworthiness must be at the center

Trustworthiness comes down to transparency and communication, which are supported through technology, automation and a unified network. These capabilities let patients access their own health information and treatment plans so they stay involved with and informed about their own healthcare.

Automated systems can keep patients in the loop through regular updates and reminders so critical appointments, tasks and medications aren’t missed.

Increasing numbers of cyberattacks are threatening data security

In the first half of 2024, 387 healthcare data breaches involving 500+ records were reported. This is an increase of 9.3% compared to this same time in 2023.

Cyber threats are evolving, and hospitals must identify and respond to potential threats promptly while feeling confident that they can connect medical equipment and transmit data without risk. The technology, automation and networks driving your healthcare initiative must be monitored and protected. This means:

• Defining specific data routes and transfer interfaces to safeguard sensitive data.
  
  
• Implementing seamless yet secure integration of EHR applications with other healthcare systems.
  
  
• Deploying robust security features such as encryption, access control, and threat detection/prevention mechanisms.
  
  
• Using network visibility tools for real-time monitoring and analysis so anomalies and potential incidents can be responded to.

Helping you offer better care

We help hospitals maintain efficient, secure networks. This improves the staff and patient experience while protecting sensitive data.

Belden’s complete connection solutions ensure networks remain resilient and protected so your hospital can confidently deploy technologies to improve healthcare outcomes.

Learn about how we work with healthcare.healthcare

Related links:

• Transforming Patient Care through Healthcare Technology Integration
• How Healthcare Tech Automation Can Boost Clinician Morale
• The 3 Big Imperatives Driving Healthcare Technology Forward