Digital transformation: a competitive difference
Increasing productivity, improving various processes, evaluating employee performance, offering outstanding customer service, reducing costs, digital transformation, and increasing profits are some of the goals that every organization wants to achieve, and the adoption of digital tools is the means that is transforming behavior and communication in all economic sectors.
While many of these changes have been experienced through the intercommunication facilitated by the internet, with the movement known as the internet of things (IoT), where we link and control our appliances from our phones, now in an incredible leap forward, the internet reaches the industry in what is known as the industrial internet of things (IIoT).
With the so-called "fourth industrial revolution", the digital transformation and task automation is opening wide the doors to the world.
- Enriching Communication with Peers:
- Facilitating and Streamlining Processes
- Strengthening Underexplored Areas
- Increasing Profits
- Saving Resources
- Driving Sustainability
- Above all, making the most of the one thing we all have: time.
It is undeniable that all this frenzied activity generates uncertainty, which in turn leads to fear.
And one of the most tangible fears is living in a kind of “technological Darwinism.”
Where those who do not adapt will not survive the changing environment.
The most innovative companies or sectors will have more and better opportunities to lead the market by offering completely new products and services, rendering the competition obsolete.
In other words, the private sector will continue to be at the forefront of adopting new technologies,
diversifying offerings, and moving forward on digital transformation
contributing to the development and modernization of technology itself
environmental awareness.
For its part, the public sector tends to have a more measured acceptance of the frenzied changes happening around it.
But undoubtedly, avoiding digital renewal is not an acceptable alternative for institutions that want to increase their productivity and provide adequate attention and response to citizens.
¿What is happening in the health sector?
There are many sectors that can be improved through the adoption of digital transformation in several systems (education, mobility, security, energy, infrastructure).
But undoubtedly, health is one of the crucial aspects in everyone’s life.
There is no one more vulnerable than a convalescent person.
Traditionally, patient records and their medical histories have been kept on paper and in large logbooks.
In this way, storing, manipulating, comparing, consulting, retrieving, and distributing a patient’s information (let alone several patients, everything multiplies) becomes a complicated and unproductive task when it comes to making decisions or properly monitoring diagnoses, treatments, and disease control. And digital transformation plays a fundamental role when improving these tasks.
Given the accelerated growth and the search for best practices, the IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) is now more accessible than people think.
Obviously, users today are more proactive, better informed, and want quick answers and to interact with the institution through digital channels such as:
social networks
chat and mobile applications
the website.
According to the latest data, by the year 2020 there will be 50 billion devices connected to the internet.
Therefore, updating outdated practices and digital transformation are essential paths to offering the best patient experience and strengthening the institutional image as a reliable and high-quality reference point.
¿What are the advantages of digitization, in particular in the area of imaging?
Improving connectivity is not only a pillar at the institutional level, but also within a particular area.
With technological advances, it is possible to achieve an application infrastructure supported by a network of connected devices that process information with total security and real-time availability.
RIS-PACS systems facilitate not only the proper safeguarding of radiological studies, but also:
- Telemedicine
- Capacity to measure and compare data
- Communication with specialists in the finding of critical diagnoses.
Even, though it may seem like an apocalyptic vision, it is preparing to mitigate unforeseen events generated by economic crises, natural disasters, or epidemics.
Let’s remember the difficult moments we experienced with the earthquake in ’85.
“Currently, emergency medicine is the seventh most important medical specialty (out of thirty-eight) and its practitioners have multiplied by five since 1980.
It is an activity that covers everything and is performed at lightning speed, and the emergency room has become the cornerstone of public health” (Levitt & Dubner, 2005).
Let’s think for a moment about the state in which an emergency patient arrives: conscious, unconscious, sober, drunk, cooperative, reserved/angry… with an unlimited range of possibilities and problems.
In those intense moments when questions outnumber answers, information is a scarce commodity and time becomes more valuable.
Having information quickly, accurately, and easily accessible is one goal of digital information systems (PACS, medical records).
Instead of continuing with old practices of searching through hundreds of envelopes on desks, drawers, and shelves or asking personnel from different shifts where no one knows anything, these are actions that lead to nothing beneficial.
In conclusion, the key to transitioning and adopting the best specialized tools is to rely on professionals with recognized experience.
