HIGHLIGHTS
  • Digital transformation in hospitals streamline processes and cut costs
  • A clear digital transformation strategy is needed for operational excellence
  • Custom software can be developed to improve triage, scheduling and staffing
  • Operational agility through digital transformation is a must-have in healthcare
INTRODUCTION

Digital transformation for efficient workflows

Digital transformation in hospitals can lead to significant cost reduction as hospital processes are streamlined, increasing efficiency and enhancing patient care. How can hospital operations be streamlined, and why does hospital digital transformation play a critical role in making workflows simpler and more effective?

Hospital operations can be made smooth and effective by adopting automation technologies, converting manual and paper-based work into digital and online activities, and using resources in an optimal manner.

However, digital transformation in hospitals does not merely entail transferring paper processes to the digital format. It also implies the use of digital technologies to make drastic changes that improve the reach and performance of a healthcare organization. As research firm Deloitte Insights puts it, “In a digitally transformed business, digital technologies enable improved processes, engaged talent, and new business models. This can take significant time, and can expect scrutiny of efforts. It therefore requires a thoughtful approach to ensure alignment with end goals while demonstrating value along the way.”

Digital innovation in healthcare will facilitate operational efficiency through the use of technologies that allow a healthcare entity to realize its goal by adopting a clear hospital digital transformation strategy aligned with its long-term vision.

USE CASE

Operational decision-making to complement clinical needs

Almost every enterprise efficiency blog, software solution or product brochure claims to streamline operations…but how exactly does that work at the ground level? Operational efficiency comes from tracking, analyzing, and re-purposing data that flows in from clinical decision-making to enable hospitals to provide the right care at the right time to the right patient. Meaning some datasets can be used not only for clinical decision-making but also for operational decision-making by evaluating patients’ needs correctly and serving them through the effective use of hospital resources.

Here are some examples where custom software solutions were of particular help:

Triage

A patient comes in gasping for breath; the clinical need is to allow an ICU admission, but the beds may be occupied, with one patient’s condition relatively better. Data analytics of the medical records of both patients can help generate decision-support algorithms that make suggestions: admission to a surgical ICU until the medical ICU bed is vacated or discharge of the ICU patient to make room for the new admission. It helps to reduce re-admissions and extended stays.

Real-world application: The Boston Children’s Hospital uses an ICU-stay predictor that tells how many patients are likely to stay for longer than seven days. The solution uses logistic modeling based on a variety of clinical variables. The more long-stay patients it has, the ICU's capacity to handle short-stay ICU patients is reduced, but the operations team has a week’s time to smooth out planned or elective ICU stays or identify other ICUs for transitory stay.

Scheduling

A surgeon needs to book an operating room for an appendectomy. Usually, the time required for this procedure is an hour. However, big data analysis -say of a million patients belonging to a younger age group -reveals that the surgery is completed in 25 minutes. This finding can be used to streamline the bookings, free up operating room capacity, and reduce the expenses related to surgery both for the patient and the hospital.

Real-world application: The Beth Israel Deaconess employed AI and ML techniques to make improvements to a scheduling system that helped to increase the capacity by 30% across 41 operating rooms. The data that was obtained and analyzed also came in handy to predict when patients were most likely to miss appointments with in-demand specialists. Using these learnings, it developed an app for doctors to schedule surgeries.

Staffing

Algorithms can predict staff absenteeism, the need for surge staffing, and optimize team composition -all of which help to maintain consistency in work schedules. While many hospitals continue to draw up duty rosters and shift schedules relying on spreadsheets, texting, and phone calls, AI can leverage insights gained from data analytics to provide correct recommendations on staffing, increase productivity and arrest attrition rates.

Real-world application: At one of the largest US home health agencies, time-stamped work log data and ML techniques identified schedule volatility as the primary reason behind nurses' voluntary turnover. Variable work scheduling seen as “flexible” by employers was rejected as “unstable” by employees, with 20% likely to quit by the end of the year.

Capacity management

Sophisticated software solutions based on IoT platform integrations with smart sensors are helping to manage hospital capacity both in terms of workforce and assets. New-age technologies such as Bluetooth Low Energy, Real-time Locating Systems, and Radio Frequency Identification are being deployed for equipment order fulfillment and healthcare asset inventory management. They help to reach life-saving medical equipment, medication, and injections on time by optimizing resources.

Real-world application: America’s #1 children’s hospital - home to the largest pediatric research facility in the country, relies on a single source of truth for operational agility through hospital digital transformation. Yours truly worked with the healthcare operations vendor to develop a custom software and hardware solution to optimize asset inventory management.  We are working on streamlining patient transport now.

Want to streamline your hospital operations?

Digital transformation in hospitals is worth the investment as it streamlines operations and reduces costs

BENEFITS

Challenges that digital transformation in hospitals surmount

The status quo in the healthcare industry is being challenged continually as new technologies promise to remove inefficiencies and optimize operations. Hospital digital transformation not only solves many problems and cut costs, and despite the expenditure it may involve, there is a rise in demand for custom software solutions. This is because it provides various benefits for providers and patients alike, as listed below.

  • Reduces paperwork: Hospitals can be buried under with paperwork, patient data being just one aspect. Electronic health records centralize patient data, and can be accessible to authorized stakeholders.
    Benefit: Minimizes errors and enhances quality of care.
  • Allows sharing: Lack of credible patient information across healthcare organizations deters holistic care. Health information exchanges facilitate secure electronic transmission of patient data.
    Benefit: Reduces redundant tests and improves patient outcomes.
  • Automates chores: Administrative tasks can be repetitive and stressful. Workflow automation reduces the burden on clinical staff and aids productivity.
    Benefit: Improves efficiency and cuts costs.
  • Improves supply chain: Hospitals need timely access to medications, supplies, and equipment hospitals. Supply chain management solutions optimize the flow.
    Benefit: Enhances patient safety and improves clinical care.
  • Manages inventory: Hospitals need to maintain stocks and eliminate expired items. Asset inventory management solutions help to track equipment and usage.
    Benefit: Real-time tracking and record-keeping for efficiency.
  • Monitors remotely: Providing healthcare access and chronic disease management can be daunting.  Telehealth and telemedicine technologies allow early interventions.
    Benefit: access to specialists, reduces admissions.
  • Supports decisions: Clinicians are often challenged by the lack of information. Digital tools are coming to their help with evidence-based recommendations.
    Benefit: Informed choices, precision medicine.
  • Engages patients: Healthcare succeeds when patients fully trust and follow the advice of practitioners in the provider-patient ecosystem. Mobile apps and patient portals improve communications.
    Benefit: Encourages patient adherence and educates patients.
  • Identifies patterns: Hospitals have a repository of data that can foretell impending events when analyzed correctly. Predictive analytics can optimize all activities.
    Benefit: Allocate resources to profile high-risk patients.
  • Protects patients: Patient data is precious, and hospitals cannot compromise security.  Solutions that prevent data breaches ensure healthcare software compliance and reduce risks.
    Benefit: Builds patient trust and protects patients.
CONCLUSION

Embrace hospital digital transformation for operational excellence

When you see the range of services that can improve operations through digital transformation in hospitals, it is clear that you will need to customize your software to gain a competitive advantage. The following numbers will give you clarity on where you stand as the world moves toward digital transformation for operational excellence:

The projected value of the global digital health market by 2026: $456.9 billion
-Research & Markets

Number of healthcare professionals and institutes who achieved better performance from digital transformation: 92%
-Deloitte

Projected revenue generated in the digital health market in 2022: $139 billion
-Statista

Why delay the inevitable? Start your hospital digital transformation journey today.

Looking to overcome challenges standing in the way of your digital transformation?

WE CAN HELP

Undertake digital transformation of your healthcare operations for operational efficiency

Asahi Technologies is a proven healthcare technology solutions provider. Combining our full-stack development expertise with domain knowledge, we deliver industry-specific applications that solve complex health technology challenges.

We have partnered with leading hospitals for effective management of inventory, capacity, human assets, medical practice, emergency services, and medical equipment. With our timely technological interventions, we will ensure you understand not just 'what' needs to be done but also 'how' to accomplish it. Also, 'why' digital transformation matters to make your operations truly robust.

We are problem solvers, solution builders, and trusted partners.

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Rahul

Chief Solutions Architect

Rahul is a wellspring of wisdom when it comes to driving innovation and improving healthcare services using advanced custom software solutions. He specializes in delivering the technical guidance needed to ensure success across the digital product life cycle. His unique problem-solving approach provides the guidance and strong architectural foundation needed to transform digital health services.

Avatar

Rahul

Chief Solutions Architect

Rahul is a wellspring of wisdom when it comes to driving innovation and improving healthcare services using advanced custom software solutions. He specializes in delivering the technical guidance needed to ensure success across the digital product life cycle. His unique problem-solving approach provides the guidance and strong architectural foundation needed to transform digital health services.

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