If there is one fact that has been highlighted by the pandemic, it is the lack of digitisation of the health sector. Overnight, hospitals and primary care centres had to adapt to be able to care for patients as remotely as possible, with all the drawbacks that this entailed in not being prepared for it. A lack of development in digital transformation was also evident when it came to managing data and being able to offer real-time information on what was happening in each hospital in each autonomous community. A lack of preparation which has been highlighted in the study carried out by the Spanish Federation of Healthcare Technology Companies (Fenin), in collaboration with the Cotecna Foundation, launched last June.
According to this report, which analyzed the level of maturity in the digital transformation of health services in four areas: digital services for patients and professionals, digital health IT infrastructure and analytical systems, the overall index of maturity of the health systems of the autonomous communities is low, only 31 percent.
The study, based on 2018 and 2019 data, is a compendium of data provided by information system managers from 17 health services and offers results as striking as:
– The degree of maturity and adoption of digital technologies for patients is 22.8%
– For professionals, 41.3%
– In digital health IT infrastructure the figure is 42.3%
– Analytical systems stand at 17.8%.
It is precisely the two areas with the lowest scores that have been critical during the months of the pandemic, remote patient care and the ability to manage data and provide information in real time.
Without a doubt, in the face of the “new normal” where for the moment both services continue to be fundamental given the current situation and in the medium term with the arrival of “a second wave” of the virus, reversing this suspense in digitalization becomes a fundamental need for the health sector.
The path taken by the health sector during the pandemic must not be undone, but rather strengthened so that the digitalisation of the sector becomes a regular reality. In fact, the report points out four key conclusions when it comes to taking a step forward:
– Develop a national e-health strategy accompanied by financing mechanisms.
– New models of provision through digitalization (focus on time management, healthy aging and promotion of teleassistance).
– Humanize technology to bring professionals and patients closer together and provide a better quality of life.
– Transforming data into knowledge to achieve better health outcomes.
MYSPHERA, a fundamental player in the digitisation of the health sector
Since its creation, MYSPHERA has been committed to a digitalized health system, where IoT technology plays a fundamental role. Being aware of the little incidence that the digital world has in the sector, the solutions seek to provide facilities in its implementation and to achieve the optimization of processes, freeing professionals from certain tasks so that they can focus their attention on the most important thing, the care of patients.
Essential solutions in health digitalization
▶ ORVital, a bluetooth system, based on real time location technology (RTLS) that allows both the visualization of surgical processes and their optimization.
Our solution allows the location and knowledge of the daily status of patients in real time, thus facilitating the tasks of administration and management of information. Updated information that allows to reduce waiting times of the process and to have real time control of the planning. In this way it is possible to achieve greater control of patient flow and better coordination of tasks in professionals.
▶ ATLAS, IoT technology focused on the control of infectious outbreaks in hospitals. A complement for ORVital that allows to obtain the traceability of risk contacts by time of exposure and contact.
Through this APP installed in the smartphones of medical professionals, it is possible to know all the contacts that the health professionals have had within the center, both with other professionals and with patients. In this way, in the event of an outbreak, all the updated tracking information is available in real time.
▶ LOCS, a system focused on the new digital delivery models based on the active aging of the population. The solution, included in the European project ACTIVAGE with 12 pilots distributed throughout 9 European countries, is based on the creation of safe environments that facilitate independent living at home for elderly people living alone.
Through motion sensors installed in rooms and doors, family members can learn important information such as
– Absence of activity
– Prolonged absence from home
– Sleep problems
– Absence at unusual times
– Daily routines (rest, feeding, cleaning…)
– Exit from safe areas
– Visit to points of interest
Three innovative solutions that seek to facilitate the health care of the population, optimize the work of medical professionals and improve the quality of life of the aging population and that can be fundamental pillars in the health recovery after the pandemic and the digitalization of the sector in the long term.
