Healthcare IT professionals understand just how big an impact technology can have on positive patient outcomes, provider engagement, and an efficient technical infrastructure. However, onboarding new technology can often come with a steep learning curve that can feel like more work than it’s worth.
With the right tools and focus for both providers and IT teams, technology can facilitate favorable outcomes both efficiently and effectively to achieve streamlined workflow goals.
Technology that simplifies operations for IT stakeholders
While mobile workstations may be a benefit for healthcare teams, common complaints from IT and help desk teams include missing workstations, dead batteries, and workstations that need repair. Having lost workstations, and technology downtime while fixing these issues, takes valuable staff time.
Fleet management technology solutions can alleviate these pain points, for the IT staff and healthcare team alike. Fleet management technology makes it easy to locate mobile workstations, even down to the room level, so IT teams always know where they are. Moreover, high quality workstations experiencing technical issues also have a self-report function and a ‘Report Issue’ touch display that allow users to report problems with the simple tap of a button.
Turnkey workstations with integrated fleet management software should take minimal time from IT resources to both set-up and manage. Fleet management solutions that offer swappable batteries, just-in-time actionable insights, and strong data governance are essential elements. Healthcare organizations should insist on technology solutions that streamline its workflow through:
- Downtime prevention – Reporting and usage data that signal potential workstation breakdowns before they happen.
- Security and convenience in equal measure – Elimination of multi-factor authentication prompts, a time waster for healthcare staff, with a more secure and convenient badge authentication process.
- Right-sizing asset distribution and deployment – Usage reports to inform optimized distribution, usage, and procurement of assets.
Finally, be sure fleet management software can be easily integrated with other platforms and applications to simplify operations. An ideal mobile workstation partner will provide streamlined workflows so caregivers and IT professionals can spend more time focusing on the patients themselves.
Technology as a facilitator of provider safety
Physicians, nurses and other providers are already in short supply, and the healthcare industry is predicted to experience even more staffing shortages over the next 10 years. That means additional workloads will fall on already overwhelmed care teams, working in fast-paced, demanding healthcare environments. With healthcare provider burnout high, hospitals and healthcare systems need to address the issues of burnout and shortages from every angle. One unlikely consideration: technology.
Mobile workstations may seem like a small consideration, but when care providers spend 30% or more of each day on Electronic Health Records (EHRs), communication and other logging and information tasks which potentially cause provider fatigue and the risk of musculoskeletal injuries, the significance of safer, healthier workstations becomes clear.
Ergonomic adjustments on monitor mounts, keyboards, and worksurfaces all allow healthcare staff to comfortably interact with systems and technology on the workstation while also interacting with the patient. For example, technology that can be easily adjusted for varying heights of health care workers should be adopted as lifting workstations can cause strain. Additionally, being able to arrange accessories and peripherals in a manner that optimizes workflow for the team without having the added tasks of bending or reaching more than necessary will also safeguard against injuries. Being able to care for patients while also tending to administrative tasks using a workstation that is flexible and comfortable gives providers peace of mind that they are focusing on what matters the most.
Due to line-of-sight policies and requirements at hospitals and healthcare facilities, making it necessary for staff to keep patients within direct visual range to ensure patient safety, many providers have expressed the desire to be able to observe and interact with patients while still utilizing a workstation. To that end, IT and healthcare leadership should prioritize ergonomic mobile workstation design to prevent employee injuries, reduce caregiver fatigue, and allow care providers to comfortably and safely connect with both patients and technology.
Technology that improves patient experiences and outcomes
Regardless of the type of healthcare facility, the operations are surely filled with innovative and often complicated technology. While care teams and IT staff balance the utilization and maintenance of this tech, patients are also interacting with it – sometimes indirectly.
Technology solutions that enable healthcare professionals to work in-room or at a patient’s bedside can greatly enhance care. But it’s also important to reduce the stress caused by technology in-room or bedside. Low light worksurface lighting, dimmable displays, and infrequent beeping and alarms are all technology considerations that can considerably enhance a patient’s experience.
Keeping technology largely out of sight helps to reduce patient stress and create a more calming atmosphere. Well designed “smart” rooms and healthcare spaces where only immediately necessary technology is visible can improve clinician workflow and also enhance patient and family experiences and recovery.
Removing bottlenecks, ensuring each tech solution leads with security and convenience, and right-sizing asset distribution and deployment are all strategies for IT wins when streamlining workflow and improving provider and patient experiences. A focus on collaboration between the front-line workers and the IT support troops behind them is the key to healthcare technology success.
About Jessica Grenwis & Arlow Farrell
Jessica Grenwis is Sr. Director of Product Management – Healthcare and Arlow Farrell is Director of Software Engineering, both with Ergotron. Ergotron is a leader in healthcare workflow featuring innovative ergonomic solutions and corresponding technology that help healthcare professionals thrive while working and caring for others.
