OREANDA-NEWS. September 14, 2015.  “Healthcare globally is moving towards connectivity centered around the patient, aiming to enhance the overall patient experience,” says Trish Birch. “The foundation for successful digital transformation often lies in optimizing the overall IT system. This means simplifying the underlying IT infrastructure and integrating analytics solutions to pool information from disconnected systems.” Excerpts:

“Overhauling existing systems allows for greatly improved communications between patients and medical staff. For example, it would lead to better patient queue systems and inter-hospital patient filing, which are both important components in improving the quality of care. But the benefits of connected technology go far beyond this—it has the ability to totally transform the way hospitals operate.

Patients generate vast volumes of data with their mobile devices, smartphones, apps and web searches. When combined, these tell a crucial story of patients’ lifestyle, health habits and medication consumption, what we at Cognizant call ‘Patient Halos’.

Although this data is not always readily accessible—and it is also tightly regulated—healthcare providers and pharmaceutical companies can harness Patient Halos to power healthcare interactions while staying within regulatory limits.

Already, analytic monitoring sensors are able to trigger necessary alerts to warn hospital staff of a patient’s ailing health or provide personalized, data-driven health advice based on the patient’s unique profile.

The purpose is not only to promote awareness of health issues and engage with patients, but also to track the results of clinical trials. Although this is a way to collect data on patients’ self-reported health status, pharmaceutical companies need to bear in mind that social media engagements vary depending on type, stage and severity of their respective illness.

By collecting vital health indicators—like diet and fitness management and treatment program adherence—in an app, such as Fitbit, patients will have a tool that facilitates positive behavioral change and motivates them to maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

We cannot deny the momentous opportunity that new technologies such as social, mobile, analytics, cloud (SMAC) and sensors bring to the improvement of patient care. However, to create a truly connected healthcare system, providers must first of all make sure the right infrastructure is in place to support analytics solutions and patient-centric technology—all with the support of and consent from the patient.”