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Technological Advances Expected to Reduce Medical Malpractice Claims

Written by Berkowitz

According to an article published by TechRepublic, the future of healthcare is expected to change due to ten types of technologies which will streamline medical care and reduce medical mistakes.

According to the article, the technologies include:

  • Digital diagnostics — this provides digital diagnostic options for patients who can’t always get to a doctor’s office. An example includes a software that would track any impairments on the hippocampus (the area of the brain affected by Alzheimer’s disease) through an examination of eye movement. Software such as these are helping us move into a new era of digital health.
  • The Cloud — advances in Cloud services will allow for less of a risk in the future. Currently more than 13 percent of cloud services in healthcare are considered to be at high-risk for security breaches. This is not good, as more than 50 percent of health care employees use at three devices at work.
  • Ultra-fast scans — ultra-fast scans would allow doctors to better examine patients with heart problems. According to research, more than 60 percent of patients are turned away from scans because their hearts beat too fast.
  • Wearables — developments in devices that can be worn are expected to make significant changes in the future of healthcare. Currently, people are using wearables to track fitness, but this is just the beginning. Similar devices are expected to be developed that will be able to track and find certain characteristics of diseases such as Parkinson’s disease. Technologies such as these would allow doctors to better understand and treat certain conditions.
  • Health informatics — millions of dollars are wasted each year on inefficient record keeping. Electronic record keeping systems are proven to save hospitals millions of dollars each year by streamlining the medical process and reducing the amount of malpractice claims.
  • Digital therapy — digital therapy will change the way patients are treated and will provide treatment for patients who require at-home care, can’t afford to travel to and from a clinic or don’t have access to transportation.
  • Concierge medical services — these types of services allow patients to compare prices for medications, find same-day appointments and find an office that meets their individual needs.
  • Networks and coaching — advances in mobile technology will provide patients with personalized coaching for mental health in the future.
  • Self-insurance — advances in self-insurance programs will allow patients to take charge of their own healthcare.
  • Hackathons — the future of healthcare is being revolutionized by hackathons – gatherings where computer scientists and engineers gather to challenge one another. For example, a hackathon that was hosted by MIT involved nearly 500 people with backgrounds in journalism, medicine, engineering and other industries, allowing for a broader range of knowledge to be shared.

Such advances in technology are expected to streamline healthcare practices and pave the way for a safer America. While technology can reduce the likelihood that a doctor will make a poor decision, there is not replacement for competent, professional, and vigilant medical care.

At Berkowitz and Hanna LLC we are committed to providing the best legal representation for patients and families affected by medical mistakes and malpractice. If you or a loved one has been harmed by medical malpractice, contact one of our offices in Stamford, Danbury or Bridgeport today to learn about your legal rights.

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