How Health Tech can Help us Through the Winter Healthcare Rush

Every year the winter rush puts pressure on global healthcare systems. Flu infections peak, leaving the vulnerable and elderly needing hospital care. Colds increase due to changing temperatures. Snow, ice and cold weather also increase accident levels.

According to The Royal College of Physicians in 2018, 58% of doctors were concerned about their ability to deliver healthcare during winter periods.

This winter, COVID threatens to buckle healthcare providers across the world. In Europe, around 500,000 COVID deaths are expected by March. This is on top of existing winter pressures.

Thanks to the pandemic, the uptake of health technologies has increased exponentially. They have proved an important tool in the battle against the virus. Health technologies will continue to evolve, and could help see us through a challenging winter period.

MHealth and Remote Patient Monitoring

One of the most key ways to reduce strain on the healthcare industry is to improve efficiency. It is important to provide physicians with as much available time as possible. 

Remote patient monitoring does exactly what it says on the tin. Patient data is accessible to physicians, without face-to-face consultations. 

Patients use apps to monitor long term health conditions. For example, digital health technologies have allowed at-home diabetes management. Typically, a patient would require regular face-to-face consultations in order to keep on top of these illnesses.

Mobile apps can provide healthcare systems with regular data. It also allows the patient to keep control over their management. 

MHealth is meant to be used as a preventative. By passing management of illnesses back to patients, physicians can free up time. This time can be used to manage critically ill patients.

Remote patient monitoring means that physicians can contact and check in with patients when necessary. Again, improving time management across the entire healthcare system. This will be particularly important as hospitalization numbers start to climb.

Telehealth

The benefits of telehealth on the COVID pandemic have been well documented. Primary care physicians have been able to remain distanced from patients while offering medical advice. 

A huge number of doctors’ visits have taken place via video call, during the pandemic. This tool will continue to be useful to manage winter numbers. 

Physicians can use video conferencing to conduct check-ins with patients, and regular monitoring sessions. 

Telehealth facilities have more than one benefit. Firstly, video conferencing typically saves time. The patient is less likely to arrive late, and call times can be managed. This makes for a more efficient appointment system. 

Secondly, video conferencing eliminates the risk of COVID or flu transmission. Healthcare facilities struggle, as staff are affected by illness. This puts extra strain on their ability to provide care. Keeping staff as safe as possible is a priority. 

Ultimately, more patients can be seen in the early stages, and there are enough staff available to manage the rush.

COVID Monitoring

Governments across the world have made use of technology to manage the COVID pandemic. One of the most prominent examples of this is the NHS track and trace service and the COVID-19 app. 

This form of technology uses software to take advantage of the technology that we already have in our pockets. The COVID-19 app advises the public when they have been in contact with a positive case. As a result, more cases have been isolated on time, preventing the spread. 

However, COVID tracking databases, and relevant apps, have also provided data on the spread of the virus.

This data will continue to be useful, throughout the winter months. 

Keeping control of the pandemic, as the winter rush passes, will be key to alleviating pressure on healthcare services. This data will allow governments to make informed decisions on restrictions, and monitor rising cases. 

Wearables

The uptake of wearable technology has skyrocketed in recent years. The public continues to look for more ways to manage their health independently. As a result, the popularity of wearable devices like the FitBit or Apple Watch is likely to increase.

Wearables have multiple health measurement facilities. These include heart rate, blood oxygen, movement tracking and more. Their primary focus is preventative care, and providing relevant information for early illness detection.

Preventative treatment is much more time and cost-effective than reactive healthcare. 

Some wearable tech has extra benefits. During the winter months, accidents like slips and falls become more common. This is usually due to weather changes. 

Wearables like the Apple Watch have “fall detection” features built-in. Accidents and falls can be fatal, especially among those who are vulnerable. Early detection is particularly important in these scenarios. 

Overall, wearables, and the data that they provide, have the ability to improve the efficiency of treatment. They can catch problems early, before they develop further. Efficiency, and early detection, is extremely important during the challenging winter months.

Vertrical understands just how important health technology development is to the modern world. We have teams of developers, with experience in healthcare and compliance. Contact us to discuss a development partnership for your latest tech project.