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Medical Devices Changing Healthcare

Medical Devices Changing Healthcare

Although it is still early, recent advancements in technology have already started revolutionizing the medical field. These modern medical devices give doctors the ability to make treatments more accessible and convenient for their patients. They have even given rise to new, innovative treatments that are much less invasive, yet more effective in treating complex medical conditions. Below are just four ways high-tech medical devices are changing healthcare for physicians and their patients.    

1. Optimization of Medical Procedures

Invasive procedures can put patients out of work and impede their other daily activities for days to weeks. Depending on the complexity of the procedure, this can seriously reduce their quality of life and even impact their livelihoods. With modern medical devices, however, it is possible to eliminate the need for surgery under general anesthesia — and the resulting hospital stay.

The CardioMEMS Heart Failure Monitoring System, for example, allows for the wireless monitoring of heart health without the need for hospitalization. Patients with heart failure can have the monitoring device placed through a minimally-invasive procedure and can usually go home the same day. This allows patients to remain in the comfort of their homes while their doctors continue to closely monitor the health of their hearts.

2. Decreased Healthcare Costs

The average U.S. hospital stay costs over $2,000 per night, according to research from the Kaiser Family Foundation. This can add up very quickly for patients with chronic health problems who routinely undergo tests and treatments to control the progression of their conditions.

Modern medical devices are set to change that. These devices reduce the need for frequent and potentially lengthy hospital stays, allowing healthcare costs to decrease in kind. In some cases, it moves treatment out of the clinical setting and into the home. It also reduces staffing and manufacturing costs, which are usually reflected in the patient’s fees. Without the high costs of care looming overhead, patients can focus on their recoveries, resulting in improved treatment outcomes.

3. Integration of Digital Technology

With the rise of digital technology in healthcare, physicians can now leverage connected medical devices to improve their efficiency in inpatient care. More specifically, using these devices allows them to serve more patients and maximize the quality of care they provide.

Using advanced technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, these devices enable doctors to monitor patient’s conditions, or even deliver care, from afar. The connected devices can perform a wide range of tasks on their own, including:

  • Automating medical billing and coding: This saves time typically spent on administrative tasks.
  • Improving telehealth: This makes acquiring quality healthcare much more convenient and accessible for patients.
  • Making diagnoses: By compiling data, these machines can match known patterns to patients’ symptoms and existing medical conditions to find the right diagnosis. This helps improve early-detection rates, helping patients experience better outcomes from their treatments.

The use of connected medical devices also contributes to lower healthcare costs, as it enables remote monitoring – which reduces hospital admissions, length of stay, and follow-up office visits.

4. Reduced Reliance on Medications

As more modern medical devices continue to emerge, there’s increasing evidence that they can improve health outcomes without the use of medications. In many cases, they can fix the root cause of the problem, eliminating the need for medicines to manage the condition or its effects altogether.

As a result, high-tech medical devices are quickly becoming first-line treatments rather than the last line of defense. Doctors are relying on these devices to deliver better outcomes for their patients, making them the first choice for both complex and less complicated conditions.

Future Improvements to Healthcare Outcomes and Quality of Care

Innovative changes in medical devices are transforming modern healthcare, providing benefits for both doctors and their patients. These new devices can help reduce healthcare costs, improve efficiency in patient care, simplify medical procedures and serve as the first line of treatment ahead of medications. As a result, they can improve outcomes and the quality of life for their patients. Advancements in medical technology will only continue to race ahead, so stay sharp and pay attention to spot the innovations on the horizon.

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