Healthcare IT Predicted to Boom in 2010
Applied Management Systems, a full-service healthcare management consulting firm, recently released its annual list of top healthcare trends for 2010. Trends like larger IT budgets and market growth spell good news for healthcare technology companies. Channel Insider takes a look at the top trends and how technology can help health care organizations streamline costs and improve patient safety.
By Leah Gabriel Nurik
Healthcare Healthy
Applied Management Systems, a full-service healthcare management consulting firm, recently released its annual list of top healthcare trends for 2010. Trends like larger IT budgets and market growth spell good news for healthcare technology companies.
#1 Trend: Patient Safety
Aiming to limit often-deadly patient mistakes, healthcare facilities will merge patient data and make it available over wireless networks. The implementation of bar code scanning to insure proper identification and accurate dosage will take center stage in healthcare facilities.
E-Records Become a Reality
AMS predicts that political talk of online medical records will come to fruition. E-Records will help healthcare facilities support a higher quality of care, protect patient privacy and make patient information readily available to practitioners in emergency situations. In addition, wireless radios, cell phones and mobile device use will be widespread throughout hospitals and healthcare facilities.
Cost containment
As healthcare costs continue to increase because of the rise of premiums and subscribers, hospital administrators will be asked to "do more with less." In response, healthcare facilities will adopt and mandate technologies to help reduce and align healthcare costs. At the top of the must-have technology list is wireless network adoption, communication radios, and healthcare management infrastructure.
Healthcare IT Budgets to Grow
Information Technology will become indispensable to the healthcare market, creating a surge in budget allocation. IT will enjoy respect and be extended a welcome at the executive management table. IT will also become an integral part of the clinical management process.
Insurer Consolidation
The consolidation trend will continue for insurance companies through 2010. The trend presents healthcare technology companies a solid opportunity for growth as business processes converge and shift. Trusted companies like McKesson and IBM that offer healthcare-specific products and services may experience a boom in their healthcare practices.
HC Pros Shortage
Increasing patient numbers will drive technology purchases as healthcare facilities race to meet demand with an industry-wide shortage of medical providers. Healthcare facilities will rely on automation and management applications to lessen the blow of limited human resources as the growing number of uninsured and demanding Baby Boomers need long-term and frequent care.