When anyone finds themselves in need of medical care, it is important that they can receive treatment in a timely manner, regardless of where they live. The topic of healthcare equity and ensuring that people have the same access opportunities for treatment has been a primary focus for many as healthcare systems continue to adjust or implement new processes based on what was learned during the pandemic. It is no secret that healthcare disparities occurred pre-pandemic, but it magnified just how much of a priority it needs to be to ensure that all individuals are receiving the same healthcare opportunities to have the best possible outcome.
“As advances in technology redefine the ways people, systems, and information interact, resource-poor communities are often excluded. Where technological fixes have been imposed on communities, the results have included abandoned equipment, incompatible computer programs and ineffective policies. A shift in values among leadership, communities and the creators of technology is critical to implementing technology sustainably and equitably. To ensure equitable outcomes, the design and implementation of technology need to respect ethical principles and local values,” according to the National Library of Medicine.
The last few years have proven that innovation is the driving force within the healthcare industry in the United States. Telehealth, machine learning, AI capabilities, and natural language processing have been accelerated and have shown what is possible in healthcare moving forward as the industry continues to transform. New opportunities in the telehealth landscape, especially with the adoption of 5G, are proving to be endless when it comes to utilizing technology that expands access to care and promotes healthy lifestyle choices.
5G Improves Healthcare Equity
The adoption of 5G is making healthcare equity and stronger health outcomes a reality for communities that see higher mortality rates, diseases, and a lack of access to treatment. Even though the adoption of 5G has only recently begun for some healthcare systems, it has the potential to positively impact clinical and diagnostic outcomes for patients and improve the workflow for many providers. Implementing this high-speed service allows providers to be more available to those who need preventative and surgical care.
“The field of robotic surgery has seen significant advancements in the past few years, and it has been adopted in many large hospitals in the United States and worldwide as a standard for various procedures in recent years. However, the location of many hospitals in urban areas and a lack of surgical expertise in the rural areas could lead to increased travel time and treatment delays for patients in need of robotic surgical management, including cancer patients, according to a 2022 PubMed study. “5G-powered procedures could offer a new tool in improving the care of patients requiring robotic surgical management such as prostate cancer patients.”
This improved healthcare outcome that 5G can provide expands outside treating chronic conditions. Those who live in rural areas with cardiac challenges or diabetes can be managed and monitored remotely. With the adoption of 5G, data transmission, real-time monitoring with sensor data, and the speed at which a network can process a request gives patients the opportunity to receive the care that they would receive in a hospital-like setting from their home or a community healthcare resource.
Advancements in technology over the last few years have improved how healthcare is administered and processed from a clinical and administrative perspective. Even in the early stages of testing, 5G is proving that it can not only securely transfer medical information but can do so at lightning speed. As wireless 5G becomes more readily available in remote locations, it will enable more individuals access to telehealth.
Lowering Healthcare Administrative Costs with an Innovative Approach
At Signature Performance, we want to inspire new possibilities within the healthcare industry, bridge the gap in communication efforts between payers and providers, and build interoperability between systems so data can be used in a highly efficient, meaningful way for a better outcome in the healthcare ecosystem. If a process or technology that is meant to make a workflow design more efficient is not executed or supported well by the proper expertise, the adoption and success rate by the healthcare organization is low. Revenue-based challenges and the fragmentation between entities also typically continues, if not gets worse and can have a negative impact on the patient experience and outcome.
Instead of physicians and medical staff working for technology, a focus has been on making technology work better for the healthcare industry. When important healthcare data can be utilized in a meaningful way, it ensures that the patient experience and outcome are not only positive, but it also allows healthcare systems to hone in and deliver the type of care that they see as most needed in the communities they serve.
Innovation today is the catalyst that builds the Signature Performance of tomorrow. We build ideas and opportunities into industry disrupting solutions and services. Our team moves the meter on administrative costs by seamlessly aligning, inspiring, and supporting each team to achieve our vision. Every day, our team channels our passion for our mission in a way that allows us to solve some of the most complex challenges facing the healthcare industry.
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