In recent years, touch screen technology has become an absolute necessity in our lives. Healthcare providers work in a fast-paced and intricate environment with patients that require constant, real-time monitoring. From providing directions to the location of a healthcare centre to receiving instant medical test results, touch screen technology offers numerous benefits to healthcare providers.
Innovative technology in the healthcare industry such as touch screen monitors has been widely accepted. These days, most healthcare providers use commercial-grade touch screens on a daily basis. In this article, we will discuss some of the most important advantages of using touchscreen monitors in healthcare.
- Easy Data Entry
One of the main benefits of using touch screen technology is the processing speed it provides for data entry and information processing. In contrast to manually entering patient data from handwritten records, using touch screens and check-in kiosks speeds up the flow of information and helps to avoid human error. Furthermore, using a touch screen electronic device ensures nearly instantaneous retrieval of patient information.
- Faster Registration Procedure
Using a touch screen significantly speeds up patient registration. Entering patient information into hospital records is less of a hassle when the procedure simply requires a few touches of the screen. Furthermore, patients can use a touch screen to sign in themselves, which helps to save time – in contrast to the relatively long procedure involving patients giving their information to an attendant or receptionist. Since using a touch screen monitor to sign in eliminates manual data entry and paper forms, it speeds up information processing and reduces the risk of errors.
- Real-Time Output
The use of touch screen technology can also provide real-time output for healthcare providers to improve their responsiveness and enhance patient care. From accessing test results and patient records to viewing medical images and monitoring medical devices, the use of touch screen monitors provides results in real-time and significantly improves the productivity of healthcare workers.
- Data Protection and Privacy
Another important benefit of using commercial-grade touch screen devices is the enhanced security they provide. In contrast to paper records, electronic devices help to secure patients’ confidential information behind multiple security layers, requiring passwords. In addition, the use of eSignatures can also be easily implemented, ensuring top-level security.
Furthermore, since touch screen monitors require no input devices, such as keyboards and mice, there is less risk of phishing attacks. Furthermore, using touch screen monitors, patients can easily access on-screen keyboards and navigational tools without the possibility of accidentally leaking private information to unwanted sources.
- Efficient Human Resource Management
Touch screen displays in healthcare centres can be used to present useful information regarding hospital personnel. Patients can check the profiles of their attending doctors with only a few swipes of the device. What’s more, healthcare professionals can assign attendants to patients through similar steps.
In emergencies requiring multiple professionals, the use of a touch screen device, the necessary healthcare workers can be rapidly contacted and called in. As the information is passed in real-time, the chances of error are greatly reduced.
- Improved Patient Experience
Patients can enjoy a better hospital experience with the use of touch screen monitors. Furthermore, a bedside monitor displaying the patient’s essential information is beneficial for both parties: doctors can obtain the information they need with a few touches and swipes of the device, while the patient can request the presence of a professional at any time.
Moreover, touch screen monitor devices can display patient history to facilitate medication prescription and decision making related to treatment. In addition, the use of touch screen monitors can improve patient education through the use of diagrams and medical images.
- Reduced Communication Barriers
Introducing touch screen devices can greatly improve communication efficiency in a healthcare setting. Specifically, they can help to eliminate language barriers. A patient who does not speak the same language as the healthcare professional can impede communication. However, with commercial-grade touch screen devices, such communication barriers can be avoided. For instance, the preferred language can be selected on the touch screen device for patient data entry. Furthermore, patients with sight impairment can switch the touch screen device to an audio mode, or simply turn on the audio for audible responses. In turn, patients with hearing impairment can see the relevant information on the screen without the need for an interpreter.
- Cost Efficiency
Implementing touch screen monitors can also significantly reduce healthcare costs. While acquiring touch screen devices involves initial expenditure, they are cost-efficient in the long run, improving staff productivity and efficiency.
Additionally, the maintenance cost of touch screen devices is low, while keeping the screens clean requires minimal effort and expertise.
- Improved In-House Navigation
Modern hospitals are large, often consisting of numerous buildings. As a result, navigating a hospital and finding a specific location can be a stressful experience for patients and their loved ones.
Touch screen monitors can help to facilitate hospital navigation for patients and their families. Such devices are easy to use and provide clear directions. In turn, this helps patients and their families save time and get to their desired location within the hospital faster, including during emergencies.
Conclusion
The use of technology and touch screens has significantly improved healthcare in recent years. Touch screen monitors can greatly improve the productivity and efficiency of healthcare staff, while also enhancing patient care. Moreover, touch screen technology ensures improved accessibility, data protection and ease of use to both patients and healthcare providers.
