Feb 14, 2024 7 min read

How are hospitals using digital health?

How are hospitals using digital health? Stela Nikolova

Hospitals are embracing innovative digital health services, poised to enhance patient care and optimize operational efficiency, paving the way for a more interconnected and individual-centric healthcare ecosystem. How are hospitals using digital health, and what are the 10 partnership opportunities available from 5 European hospitals on R2GConnect?

In the contemporary healthcare landscape, hospitals grapple with many challenges that necessitate innovative solutions to ensure effective, streamlined, and individual-centric care. From the strain on resources to the imperative need for enhanced accessibility, these challenges underscore the urgency for transformative measures.

Hospitals can navigate the intricate terrain of healthcare transformation by collaborating with innovative companies. Partnerships with a variety of stakeholders (big tech, startups, MedTech companies) present a proactive avenue, offering a pool of ingenuity and agility to address the pressing issues faced by hospitals.

The integration of digital health solutions across various stages of the patient journey in hospitals enhances overall efficiency, patient engagement, and healthcare outcomes. From pre-admission with online scheduling and educational materials, and automation of administrative tasks to post-discharge care facilitated by telemedicine and RPM, these technologies optimize processes, reduce waiting times, improve diagnostic accuracy, empower patients to actively participate in their healthcare and contribute to significant financial savings for healthcare institutions.

TRANSFORMING HOSPITAL CARE: BUSINESS CASES

Here are a few examples showcasing the transformative impact of innovative solutions on hospital care and patient outcomes.

AI and ML in Diagnostics:

Integrating AI and ML in diagnostic processes transforms radiology departments with AI-powered image analysis tools.

These technologies expedite anomaly identification, enhancing diagnostic accuracy, and alleviating the burden on doctors and healthcare providers, allowing them to focus on complex cases and critical decision-making. E.g. Mayo Clinic and GE Healthcare entered into a strategic collaboration to advance innovation in medical imaging and theragnostic; German deep-tech startup Vara and Mitera Hospital launched AI breast cancer screening tech in Greece.

Wearable Devices & Remote Health Monitoring for Individual Care:

Digital health tools catalyse a shift towards proactive and personalized patient care. Wearable devices and RPM solutions facilitate active health management by providing real-time data and continuous tracking of vital signs and other relevant health metrics to healthcare providers, eliminating the need for frequent in-person visits.

This thorough comprehension of a patient’s health condition allows for early intervention, customized treatment strategies, and a shift from reactive to proactive healthcare. Additionally, it empowers individuals to actively manage their health. e.g. Samsung Electronics collaborates with hospitals like Brigham & Women’s to examine smartwatches and algorithm use in enhancing healthcare research and delivery.

Electronic Health Records (EHRs) & Medical Software Solutions:

The introduction of interoperable EHR systems facilitates seamless information exchange, enabling comprehensive patient management across various healthcare settings.

Hospitals leverage EHRs for secure and standardized data sharing among healthcare providers. This ensures readily available patient information, enhances care coordination, and reduces redundancies in diagnostic procedures. E.g. Ontario Hospitals leverage Novari-MEDITECH integration to improve workflows for waitlist management, care coordination, and referral management capabilities.

Patient self-management beyond the traditional care:

Patient self-management encourages proactive care, potentially lowering hospitalizations. Hospitals can provide more personalized care plans, considering individual patient lifestyles, preferences, and health conditions, leading to better treatment adherence.

With patients actively managing their health, hospitals can better manage resources, focusing on critical cases and reducing the strain on emergency services.

RWD & Clinical trials:

Hospitals leverage digital platforms and online databases to efficiently identify and recruit eligible participants for trials. These tools streamline recruitment, ensuring a diverse study population.

Partnering with RWD companies provides hospitals with valuable patient data for research, insights into disease trends and treatment outcomes, and optimized resource allocation and processes. E.g. Flatiron Health inks RWD partnership with Japanese cancer center to drive international expansion.

Telehealth & Telemedicine Platforms:

Hospitals are adopting telemedicine platforms, leveraging real-time video consultations to enhance accessibility and continuity of care.

This shift in perspective removes geographical limitations, allowing patients to consult healthcare professionals from the comfort of their homes. It ensures timely intervention and reduces strain on hospital resources. E.g. Teladoc, Northwell Partner to Enhance Virtual Care; A Partnership between Teladoc and Aramark will allow hospitals to connect registered dietitians with their patients using cloud-based technology.

HOSPITALS ARE VALUABLE PARTNER TO INNOVATIVE COMPANIES

Hospitals play a pivotal role as strategic partners for innovative companies, offering a multifaceted collaboration that extends beyond technology development. Some examples of how partnering with hospitals contributes to the success of innovative companies:

Access to Real-World Data: Companies gain access to diverse datasets that can be used for research, development, and training of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, leading to more robust and effective solutions.

Validation and Testing Grounds: Companies can validate the practicality and efficacy of their innovations in real healthcare settings, ensuring that their technologies meet the complex and dynamic needs of the industry.

However, for DIHA companies, identifying hospitals or clinics that can function as test clinics with the necessary regulatory compliance, or specialized medical expertise to test and validate their solution is challenging. (To learn more, get your copy of “How to engage HCPs for successful DIHA?” whitepaper here)

Clinical Expertise and Input: Working alongside healthcare professionals allows companies to understand the intricacies of patient care, ensuring that their solutions align with clinical workflows and contribute meaningfully to patient outcomes.

Market Expansion and Adoption: Hospitals serve as distribution channels for tech solutions, facilitating widespread adoption and creating opportunities for market expansion.

Regulatory Compliance Guidance: Partnering with hospitals allows companies to gain insights into the complexities of healthcare regulations and ensures that their solutions comply with industry standards.

Brand Credibility and Trust: Endorsement from healthcare institutions lends credibility to their solutions, instilling confidence in both healthcare providers and the general public.

Opportunities for Co-Creation: This collaborative approach ensures that the technologies developed are more aligned with industry requirements and are more likely to succeed in the market. (Check out the 10 co-creation and pilot opportunities offered by five European hospitals below or here)

Long-Term Revenue Streams: As healthcare systems increasingly invest in digital solutions, these partnerships position companies to provide ongoing services, support, and updates, ensuring sustained financial benefits.

Today, R2GConnect, the partnership builder platform for the global digital health industry unveils ten new opportunities for innovative start-ups and SMEs to collaborate with European Hospitals.

TWO OPEN CALLS FOR DUTCH DIGITAL HEALTH COMPANIES!

Rijnstate, one of the largest healthcare providers in the Netherlands, has published two briefings. It is actively looking for a partner to

BRIEFING 1: Co-develop a solution as an extent of the lifestyle support to simulate patient self-management! To learn more, please click here

BRIEFING 2: Co-develop a solution to create awareness for the RPM and the Virtual Care Center! To learn more, please click here