Hosted by Clalit Health Services and HIMSS, a globally broadcast conference led by world leaders, decision makers and other opinion leaders held key discussions on the topic of COVID-19 emergency response.
Focusing on three broad themes: make decisions, change and
act, the speakers shared useful insights during the Technology Rush to the
Rescue session, highlighting the UK's experience with technology during a
pandemic, innovation in Israel and cybernetics. Risks of attacks on hospitals
and digital health. Speakers included HIMSS President and Chief Executive Officer
Harold F. Wolf, NHSX CEO Matthew Gould and Israeli Health Ministry Vice
President Rona Kaiser.
During the conference, Harold F. Wolff shared his thoughts
on innovation and technology during the pandemic. “It has long been recognized
that the tools and capabilities of digital technologies in healthcare and
healthcare provide robust support for most of these challenges. With today's
pandemic and advanced tools, they have truly brought attention to the
possibilities and possibilities of digital health. "
“The role of technology in healthcare has grown
exponentially over the past 20 years, but it lags behind the advances in social
consumer technologies that other industries have already approached, and,
frankly, we had to continue to grapple with cultural barriers. and sometimes
protectionism, which is often to blame for slowing down the game in the
healthcare ecosystem. "
Rapid technology adaptation
Hospitals around the world have seen rapid adoption and
development of digital health in recent decades, and this process has
accelerated even more in the past six months during the pandemic. Speakers
reflected on the success of this unexpected adoption.
Wolff explained, “In many cases, the adaptation was
successful. Systems and facilities that already have infrastructure and have
undergone human development improvements have found the transition to
telehealth scale and the use of new technologies easier, as well as the ability
to serve during a pandemic crisis. ”
“In many cases where providers felt uncomfortable with the
tools, they are now faced with a telehealth situation where they used to be
cautious. The results are coming, people are already used to it. Physicians,
nurse practitioners and clinicians are starting to work closely with their
clients, patients, consumers, citizens. "
Matthew Gould also shared his thoughts on the current use of
technology during the pandemic: “The past few months have demonstrated the
value of technology, digital technologies in healthcare and have given a
powerful boost to the transformation agenda. UNITED KINGDOM. ... "
Gould further highlighted remote assistance as an area that
made a big difference during the pandemic.
“When the pandemic hit, we very quickly moved the vast
majority of appointments, both primary and secondary, to a remote base. Either
by phone or online. It was extremely efficient and very fast. In primary health
care, 99% of general practitioners are now able to consult online, and the vast
majority of consultations are conducted remotely, by phone or video. "
Regarding remote care, Wolf said: “One example I noticed is
from a close colleague of mine who works in the hospital system; They have
three hospitals and received 1950 telemedicine consultations in 2019. Today
there are more than 2,000 of them per week on average. This is the breakthrough
we've seen. "
Using data during a pandemic
Data utilization was also discussed as a key area in the UK
that was of great importance during the pandemic, especially when looking at
anonymous aggregated data for managers at national, regional and local levels.
Gould explained, “We created an NHS data warehouse with all
protections and it put pandemic management on a completely different footing.
“It gave us a real boost, both because of the need and
because of the pandemic-related emergency regulation for sharing patient data.
We have been able to make patient data flow safer and more efficient through
the system so that doctors can more easily access the information they need
about the patients in front of them.