Health and technology have gone hand in hand for years, although some of the most notable advances have recently been made. For its part, digitization is one of the most constant and impactful evolutions that have occurred during the last decades in medical care. And that brings with it multiple opportunities, as well as challenges.
Today the healthcare sector is at a turning point, as medical organizations have embraced innovations such as electronic records and management, digital operating rooms, and radiology through medical screens. On the other hand, a second wave of technological innovation is fast approaching, with artificial intelligence, blockchain, voice search and virtual reality. This will serve to streamline operations even more, reduce costs and offer better and more personalized care, both physical and mental.
Achievements of the last decades
According to Francisco Fandiño, Latin America Sales Director at BoatIt was in 1986 when the company created its first ultrasound monitor. Since then, the impact that medical images and video integration can cause in the health sector and in patient care has been understood.
Since then it has continued to innovate and in 1997 the first diagnostic monitor with the fundamental characteristics to help detect diseases such as cancer faster. But evolution has not stopped and the needs of the sector have been such that in 2014 the first 12 megapixel multimodality diagnostic monitor was created, called Coronis Uniti.
This advancement in technology allowed radiologists to see perfect grayscale as well as precisely calibrated color, clearly seeing even the finest details to improve clinical decision-making. It has also enabled them to conduct entire studies without multiple monitor setups, increasing workflow efficiency and reducing costs.
With the rise of multimodal imaging, radiologists now view many different images, each with its own unique specifications and viewing requirements. Until recently, physicians relied on multiple workstations, resulting in an inefficient and time-consuming process. But with visualization systems they can now view all images on the same screen, improving clinical performance while experiencing improved ergonomics.
Another example of innovation took place in 2013, with the first uncompressed IP video integration with the Nexxis digital OR platform. With this advancement, the way surgeons and physicians share and view information has been completely revolutionized in operating rooms.
Through that evolution in technology a multitude of imaging systems and devices can be centrally managed to display surgical images with greater precision while making workflow more efficient and achieving more flexibility in the operating room.
Today several manufacturers are producing different types of solutions for the healthcare sector, which may appear similar at first glance, but when looking at the quality specifications, there will be important differences. That’s why high-end video integration solutions can have a significant impact.
In this sense, the most important advice for specialists is that they go to manufacturers that have the standards to offer medical grade solutions, that is, that they adhere to government regulations, that have cybersecurity standards, protection of the privacy and have certifications such as the FDA. All this in order to promote the use of quality medical products with advanced technology that work correctly, in addition to guaranteeing the safety of users and patients who come into contact with these products.