World Patient Safety Day 2023: The Impact Of Technology On Patient Safety

From electronic health records (EHRs) and telemedicine to robotic surgeries and AI-powered diagnostic tools, technology has become an integral part of modern healthcare. 

Role Of Technology On Patient Safety

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World Patient Safety Day, observed annually on September 17th, is a day dedicated to raising awareness about ensuring patient safety and the prevention of medical errors. In an era marked by rapid technological advancements, it is important to examine the profound impact that technology has on patient safety within the healthcare industry.

Over the past few decades, the healthcare sector has witnessed remarkable technological advancements that have revolutionized the concept of patient care. From electronic health records (EHRs) and telemedicine to robotic surgeries and AI-powered diagnostic tools, technology has become an integral part of modern healthcare. 

Impact Of Technology On Healthcare:

In this regard, Dr Sujay Adhikari, who is an MS, at GD Hospital and Diabetes Institute, said, “Modern technology has provided a strong base to provide better patient safety in recent times. Take simple electronics like pulse oximeters to monitor patients’ oxygen saturation and pulse rate to complex machines like surgical robots for robotic surgeries which can perform complex surgeries in simple maneuvers and minimising blood loss, they have all provided an extra edge towards patient safety."

Talking baout pocket ECG devices, he said, "Recently the medical fraternity was introduced to pocket ECG devices which could be carried around with you and could give a basic assessment of your cardiac status in an emergency thus enhancing patient safety.

"Other devices like electronic monitor beds which could asses patient emergency in the form of an alarm system also improves aspects of patient safety.  Be it improving patient safety by early detection of diseases to ability to treat complex disease with the help of technology, modern times have witnessed innumerable technological advancements all enhancing safety of patient and improving patient outcomes," he added.

Enhanced Diagnostics And Early Detection

 

Danish Aini, who is the General Manager, Clinical Engineering at Artemis Hospitals, Gurgaon said, "One of the primary ways in which technology contributes to patient safety is through enhanced diagnostics and early detection of diseases. For instance, AI algorithms, can analyze medical images and identify abnormalities with incredible accuracy. This not only expedites diagnosis but also reduces the chances of misdiagnosis, that is a common source of patient harm."

Precision Medicine

In this regard, Danish Aini said that the advent of genomics and personalized medicine marks a new era of patient safety. By analyzing an individual's genetic makeup, healthcare providers can tailor treatment plans to match a patient's unique physiology, thus enhancing patient safety.

Remote Monitoring and Telemedicine

Telemedicine and remote monitoring technologies have made healthcare more accessible and convenient. Patients can now consult with healthcare professionals from the comfort of their homes very conveniently, reducing the risk of exposure to contagious diseases in healthcare facilities. 

Kanishka Acharya, who is the Founder and CEO of Welldercare said, "The biggest challenge and global problem facing the healthcare industry is Antimicrobial Resistance ( AMR). Most of these are contracted in hospitals – known as clinical staph. This results in 800,000 deaths each year in the US alone – much bigger an issue than the pandemic, in terms of lives lost. While there is a huge initiative on drug discovery to tackle the issue, a first step toward this will be to ensure vulnerable patient groups are best kept away from frequent visits to the hospital. Therefore, a solid case for Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) is required to ensure greater patient safety.

Medication Safety

Medication errors are the primary concern in healthcare. According to Danish Aini, technology plays a fundamental role in minimizing these errors. Barcode scanning and electronic medication records help to ensure that patients receive the right medications at the correct dosage.

Patient Engagement and Education

"Mobile apps and patient portals facilitate functions like gaining health information, getting appointment reminders, and medication instructions etc. This allows patients to make informed decisions about their health and treatment, ultimately improving safety," said Danish Aini.

Moreover, e-health records and secure messaging systems facilitate seamless information sharing among physicians, nurses, and other health care team members. This reduces the possibility of miscommunication that can lead to medical errors.

In conclusion, World Patient Safety Day makes us realise the importance of continually improving patient safety in healthcare. As we celebrate this day, let us commit to advancing technology in healthcare responsibly, with a firm focus on the well-being of patients around the world.