Technological advances come in all shapes and sizes. They serve many different purposes, and solve many problems, from how to help you connect with people around you to how you view the world. Technological advances are how we translate growth in this day and age. They affect everyday life, including our health. When it comes to working in hospitals, the success of your technology can determine the success of your patients. Where potential exposure to pathogens is involved, less is more. The less exposure to pathogens, the greater potential for successful patients. Here is a list of 5 innovative technological advances that employ this “less is more” theory and could reduce outbreak of infections in hospitals.
- Respiratory Technology Innovations.
Starting things with the basics. How do you improve upon the wheel? In many ways, gaining small advances over a long period of time. In a similar fashion, respiratory technology has been improving since it’s conception and continues to strive for the best in that most basic human necessity, breathing. Simply stated, respiratory technology is making gains by slimming down. Respiratory Advancement insider John Raimondi states, “ergonomics can be imperative to getting the job done safely…increased fields of view and lighter-weight masks are becoming increasingly important attributes to users who may be working in respirators for extended periods of time.” Ergonomics are key to advances in safety for respiratory technology; a more wearable device encourages the health of the wearer in times of necessity.
- Kinnos Highlight.
Four years ago there was an ebola outbreak in the United States. One contributor to this outbreak was contamination from doctors’ uniforms. Contamination occured because of two 
- Copper coated Uniforms.
Kinnos Highlight, though a simple and effective solution to potential clothing contamination, might be rendered unnecessary with the growth of this technological advancement. According to a recent article reporting this breakthrough, a new composite material made from antibacterial copper nanoparticles has been successfully produced. Also developed is the ability to bind this composite to fabrics such as cotton and polyester in a durable way. The resulting innovation has excellent antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. According to the research findings, the “cotton and polyester coated-copper fabrics showed excellent antibacterial resistance against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and E. coli.” Once the process of producing this new technology is simplified, it will be more accessible to healthcare professionals, providing a safer work environment and less risk of infection and outbreak.
- Cloud-based Analytics Platforms.
Hospitals all over the world are stripping down their data centers and putting efforts into pursuing cloud-based analytics platforms. This technological advancement serves to keep patients and practitioners safer by safeguarding information. However, according to Richard Stroup (Director of Informatics at Children’s Mercy in Kansas City), use of these platforms goes beyond the function of data security and increases chance of overall wellness. Stroup states that their facility uses cloud services to host an app and data that “literally save lives of at-risk pediatric patients by tracking them after they leave the hospital”. Children with compromised health have weakened immune systems are more susceptible to pathogens present in hospital settings. Communicating conditions and receiving feedback via applications leads to less chances of outbreak. Additionally, other applications ensure that methods for accountability and knowledge to keep up with best health practices are more accessible than ever before. Technological advances through apps like SafetyStratus help nurses and doctors more easily assess patient schedules and keep assignments manageable, so that accidental exposure to illness can be avoided.
- Wearable Medical Devices.
In the healthcare industry, small wearable devices are making huge steps in innovation. The potential for these devices to facilitate remote patient monitoring increases patients ability to maintain awareness of their own conditions and reduces the need for hospital visits and exposure to pathogens. Additionally, according to an article from Today’s Medical Developments, “the precision of such devices have the potential to improve diagnosis, and a more customized treatment or post-treatment recuperative plan.” The increase in consistency of feedback of medical conditions leads to higher success rate in recuperation, and directly reduces potential for outbreak.
Whether these advances come through aesthetics or more technical avenues, they all are improving patient and professional health and safety.
