Digital health devices: How successful implementation works

The advent of digital health devices has been nothing short of transformative for the global healthcare sector. As the world grapples with increasing healthcare costs and demand for quality care, digital health devices offer a way to streamline processes, improve patient outcomes, and augment healthcare delivery. In this blog article, I delve into the potential of digital health devices in improving hospital workflows, the challenges they face, and potential solutions. I then focus on these aspects specifically within the Swiss context.

Healthcare providers are always seeking ways to deliver efficient, quality care while managing ever-growing workloads. Digital health devices, ranging from wearable technology to remote patient monitoring tools, have emerged as powerful enablers in this quest. Patients and health-conscious individuals now have the ability to seamlessly monitor their ECG using smartwatches or cards, perpetually measure glucose levels, and meticulously track their sleeping patterns. Concurrently, medical professionals harness the power of innovative tools, such as portable ultrasound devices, to enhance patient care and diagnostic precision. These digital health devices provide several key advantages over traditional diagnostic methods:

Reduced administrative burden

Digital health devices can significantly reduce the administrative burden that healthcare providers face daily. Administrative tasks, such as scheduling, reporting, and managing patient data, often consume a substantial portion of a provider's workday, detracting from direct patient care. A research article from the Annals of Internal Medicine discovered that almost 50% of physicians' working hours are dedicated to Electronic Health Records (EHR) and desk-related tasks. The utilization of digital health devices to automate these activities liberates essential time for healthcare professionals to concentrate on providing patient care.

Improved patient monitoring

emote patient monitoring (RPM) devices are another notable category of digital health tools that enhance hospital workflows. These devices can continuously track vital signs, activities, and health data, transmitting the information to healthcare providers in real-time. This continuous monitoring can dramatically improve patient care, especially for those with chronic conditions. Latest trends show that RPM can improve clinical outcomes, particularly for chronic disease management.

Enhanced communication and collaboration

Digital health tools also facilitate better communication among healthcare professionals, fostering collaboration and coordinated patient care. Platforms like Microsoft Teams or Slack have been used to facilitate collaboration among healthcare teams, leading to improved patient outcomes.

Despite their immense potential, the implementation of digital health devices also provides a few hurdles. The following points can be challenging:

Interoperability is difficult

Perhaps the most significant challenge is interoperability - the ability for different systems and devices to communicate and exchange data seamlessly. A report from the Center for Connected Medicine (CCM) and KLAS Research highlights that most healthcare organizations struggle with sharing medical information, stalling progress towards comprehensive interoperability.

Risks relating to data security and privacy

With the proliferation of digital health devices, the volume of health data generated and shared has skyrocketed, posing significant risks to patient privacy and data security. The latest yearly security report of the independent security platform “Noname” indicates that almost 80% of healthcare organizations have experienced a data breach in the last 12 months, emphasizing the need for robust data security measures.

Lack of usability and adoption

The usability and adoption of digital health technologies in hospital settings pose notable challenges from both healthcare provider and patient perspectives. On the healthcare provider's side, challenges often revolve around technology's integration into daily workflows, the steep learning curves associated with new platforms, and ensuring compliance with data protection and patient privacy laws.

Moreover, issues like system downtimes and data errors can erode trust in digital solutions and hinder efficient healthcare delivery. Conversely, from a patient standpoint, disparities in technological literacy, accessibility, and comfort levels using digital platforms have been recurrent issues (learn more). Some patients, particularly in older age demographics, can find it difficult to navigate digital health interfaces due to cognitive impairments, lack of technological familiarity, or sensory deficits.

Switzerland, renowned for its high-quality healthcare system and innovative spirit, faces similar challenges in adopting digital health devices. In a survey by the Swiss Medical Association (FMH), a significant number of healthcare professionals reported the lack of interoperability between different electronic health record (EHR) systems as a key obstacle.

Despite its robust data protection laws, governed by the Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP), the rapid digitalization in healthcare creates new security challenges. A report by Deloitte indicated that the healthcare sector remains susceptible to cyber threats, emphasizing the need for enhanced data security measures.

Consequently, it is understandable that nations, including Switzerland, are enhancing their data security laws and regulations. In September of this year, Switzerland enacted the new Swiss Data Protection Act (nDSG), concentrating on governing the rights of individuals whose data is collected and establishing guidelines for processing and storing personal data. In our recent white paper, we explore the implications of these changes for organizations moving forward and outline our adesso solutions designed to adeptly navigate these emergent challenges.

Switzerland's unique cantonal system poses an additional challenge in implementing a unified approach to digital health device integration. With each of the 26 cantons having a significant degree of autonomy in healthcare management, this decentralization could potentially lead to inconsistencies in the implementation of digital health technologies.

Despite these challenges, Swiss healthcare stakeholders are actively promoting digital health initiatives. The Swiss Digital Health Map provides a comprehensive overview of digital health startups in Switzerland, promoting collaboration and innovation in the sector. By leveraging digital health devices, Switzerland's healthcare sector can significantly improve hospital workflows, enhancing the efficiency and quality of care.

Companies like adesso, play a significant role in overcoming these challenges. With our expertise in consulting, software development, and IT services, we help design interoperable, secure, and user-friendly digital health solutions tailored to the needs of Swiss healthcare organizations and support paving the way for a digitally-enabled future of healthcare.