With new technological advancements every day, nearly every industry is experiencing major changes in how they utilize, and maximize, technology – and healthcare is no exception. Technology has greatly improved the lives of patients and providers alike, improving patient care, communication, and accessibility across many specialties. Let’s take a look at some of the most impactful technological advances in healthcare today.
CPAP Machines & Other Breathing Treatments
Advancements in CPAP and breathing treatments have enabled patients with sleep disorders to sleep more soundly and spend more time in REM sleep. CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, and these devices have experienced significant improvements in recent years.
The most important improvement for most patients is the size, weight, and noise of the CPAP devices. Old CPAP machines could weigh anywhere between 15 and 20 pounds and notoriously produced an awful, keep-your-spouse-awake noise. Today’s technological advancements have enabled patients to enjoy machines that are sleek, light-weight, and nearly silent while operating. Most people would never even know they’re on unless you tell them.
From a provider perspective, this technology has improved their ability to track their patients’ compliance, with many CPAP machines now offering a smart feature that records mask-on time and when the mask is removed. Many models available today also boast microprocessors, capable of dense data storage and internal self-testing.
Surgical Technology
The most notable technological improvement in the surgical world is robotic surgery. These minimally invasive procedures mark a significant advancement in surgery, providing unparalleled precision and stability. Robotic-assisted surgery enables surgeons to make smaller incisions – meaning less pain, minimized scarring, and faster recovery times.
Robotic-assisted surgery has gained widespread acceptance in several medical specialties, including:
- Urology
- Gynecology
- Cardiology
- Orthopedics
The precision offered by this type of surgery is revolutionary, especially in delicate surgeries where preserving the surrounding tissues and nerves is essential.
Imaging Technology
Devices such as MRI and CT scanners have improved drastically in the last few years, enabling physicians to detect and diagnose a wide range of diseases quicker and more accurately. They can be used in emergency situations or for regular diagnostic testing, making them versatile in hospital settings.
Artificial and augmented intelligence is one technology that is being widely developed to improve medical imaging. AI is already being used to assist physicians in organizing large volumes of diagnostic images and insights, which gives them more time to focus on their direct patient care and treatments.
3D imaging is also a hot topic in medical imaging today. These augmented reality technologies are making it possible for providers to create 3D images of MRIs. This negates much of the “guesswork” that accompanies a 2D MRI or CT scan, allowing the physician to rotate, zoom in or out, and make cross-sections of the images. Ultimately, this will improve their ability to plan for the procedure and produce better results for their patients.
These are just some of the reasons that technology is important to the medical field. The improvements in breathing devices, surgery, imaging, patient communication, and the accessibility of resources that technology has provided simply can not be quantified.
