In a recent announcement, Mikhail Ishkanov, the senior director of product strategy at SOTI, a technology company, has drawn attention to the urgent problem of outdated technology within the Canadian healthcare system. According to a report by SOTI titled “Code Digital: Will Healthcare Thrive or Survive?”, the utilization of obsolete technology is impeding the effectiveness of healthcare delivery and jeopardizing patient safety.
The report, which surveyed 1,450 healthcare IT decision-makers globally, including 150 respondents from Canada, unveiled that 96% of Canadian healthcare professionals are of the opinion that there is an immediate requirement to invest in superior technology. Outdated systems have led to inefficiencies, resulting in healthcare staff members losing an average of 3.9 hours per week due to technical issues. These technological inadequacies have wide-ranging repercussions, leading to prolonged patient care times and obstructing the efficient sharing and access of patient records.
The study also sheds light on the impact of technology on addressing violence against nurses and healthcare worker fatigue. Technological advancements, particularly in training, are seen as a key solution to these challenges. Ishkanov proposes that tools such as augmented reality (AR) technology can be utilized to simulate real-life situations, thereby aiding in the training of nurses to handle violent scenarios. Furthermore, by digitizing administrative tasks and harnessing mobile technology, healthcare workers can significantly reduce the time dedicated to paperwork, enabling them to focus more on patient care.
Telehealth, which has become increasingly vital in healthcare, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, faces its own set of challenges due to legacy IT issues. The incapability of 26% of Canadian healthcare organizations to support devices remotely limits the full potential of telehealth services. Nevertheless, Ishkanov emphasizes that AI and machine learning can enhance the connection in telehealth between patients and physicians, automating updates to patient records with greater precision.
Despite the promising future of AI in healthcare, concerns regarding patient privacy have surfaced, with 71% of Canadian healthcare IT decision-makers viewing AI as a threat to patient data security. This underscores the necessity for more effective strategies to fully leverage AI while ensuring the security of patient data.
Additionally, the report highlights the growing apprehension over data security, with 31% of IT decision-makers citing it as their primary concern, up from 23% in 2023. The escalating vulnerability to cyberattacks is linked to legacy IT systems, with 45% of Canadian IT decision-makers attributing the issue to outdated technology. Therefore, the upgrading of technology is essential in safeguarding sensitive patient data.
In conclusion, the modernization of technology within the Canadian healthcare system is indispensable for enhancing patient care, addressing crucial issues such as staff safety and fatigue, and establishing a more efficient and secure healthcare system. It is imperative for decision-makers to prioritize technological advancements in order to bridge the current gaps and ensure the delivery of safe and efficient healthcare services.