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The COVID-19 pandemic exposed shortcomings in healthcare systems globally and sparked renewed investment in facilities and technology upgrades. But layering new digital tools onto outdated equipment and processes will not cut it. There needs to be an integrated approach to updating physical and digital infrastructure in tandem, to keep up with growing and changing demands across the healthcare sector.

The World Economic Forum stresses that transformation requires reimagining both brick-and-mortar spaces and information systems. Siloed digital initiatives that only provide limited solutions will not get us where we need to be.

Many countries now earmark funding specifically for digitizing healthcare, from electronic records to telehealth to data analytics. That’s essential. In the US, it is important that healthcare providers embrace a coordinated strategy aligning physical sites with the smart use of technology to deliver digitally enhanced, personalized care.

Emerging Healthcare Trends
Innovation is continuing steadily. Major technological advances like facial recognition, VR for surgical training, smart pills, and 3D-printed organs are growing closer to mainstream adoption. But new tech cannot outpace infrastructural needs for data integrity, security, compliance and responsible AI development. It is crucial that healthcare providers continue delivering personalized, digitally progressive care while protecting patient trust.

Artificial intelligence is driving improvements in areas like data processing, more accurate and rapid diagnosis, and mental health solutions. However, robust data governance is critical – AI depends heavily on patient health data, which raises ethical and privacy concerns. Telehealth is raising some privacy concerns: it has accelerated in popularity post-pandemic, but virtual visits also introduce new compliance considerations around data security and HIPAA.

As remote care expands, so does cyber risk. According to the HIPAA Journal, 2023 was the worst year ever for breached healthcare records; breaches increased by 156% over 2022. Tightening defenses is essential as is updating legacy systems that are still running outdated software vulnerable to attack. The most impactful solutions need to combine hi-tech with high touch.

Infrastructure Solutions
Modernization across the healthcare industry requires strategic vision that spans technology, culture and workflows. New systems should focus on seamless data exchange between patient portals, electronic records, devices, and analytics tools. 

When it comes to reimagining healthcare IT, here are a few elements worth considering:

• Human-Centered Design: Listen foremost to patients and staff. Optimize buildings and flows for their needs and comfort, with tech that is thoughtfully integrated. Encourage human interaction and utilize tech tools in support of it.
• Sustainability: Take environmental impact into account when renovating workflows and systems. That can be as simple as cutting down on physical paperwork but extends to minimizing emissions through efficient design.
• Foresight: Reaching for a quick and cheap fix now could lead to long and expensive upgrades down the road. Choose equipment, software, and workflow plans that can grow and evolve.

Choose a Good Partner
Partnering with an IT services provider can help medical professionals to keep providing vital services without disruption, bottlenecks, or major system overhauls. For over 20 years, Eastern Data has specialized in healthcare technology solutions. We understand the complexities of managing systems vital for patient care and regulatory compliance. Our extensive experience makes us uniquely qualified to help medical practices navigate changing IT needs.

We implement EHR systems with smooth workflows to capture patient data without hindering productivity. Care delivery is the top priority, and we integrate solutions to improve staff processes rather than hinder them.

We also realize the stringent data privacy and security mandates healthcare faces. All our solutions take HIPAA, HITECH and other regulations into account, efficiently securing networks to the highest standard. This includes continuously monitoring for threats and providing ongoing audit reporting to maintain compliance across systems housing sensitive medical data. Our cybersecurity strategies protect infrastructure while addressing sophisticated emerging threats in a cost-effective way.

At Eastern Data, we aim to ease administrative burdens through intuitive design so doctors can focus on their patients rather than IT headaches. Contact us today to see how we might be able to provide you with top-notch services and peace of mind.