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Healthcare has a strong relationship with technology. The modern structure of hospitals and medical facilities cannot function without the progress of technology. It is important to acknowledge the impact of technology to ensure that priority is given to the constant maintenance of innovation. Here are a few ways to understand how healthcare and technology operate together. TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS KEEPING UP WITH MEDICAL DEMANDS Healthcare has become increasingly dependent upon technology throughout the years. There is an almost infinite amount of equipment and machinery that is used on a day-to-day basis to help facilitate the care of patients. One aspect that needs to be acknowledged is the prevalence of smart technology within the hospital and healthcare spaces. Technology is being innovated, and it is only a matter of time until hospitals see such advancements be applied more often, as funding increases alongside the development of new machinery and equipment. These include the inclusion of artificial intelligence in order to assist and supplement healthcare professionals to do a better and more efficient job, providing better care for patients. Of course, such technology will need to follow trends of other industries first to ensure its safe use and application when dealing with patients.

In recent years, the healthcare sector has seen a significant transformation driven by the rapid advancement of technology. From improved patient care to streamlined administrative processes, technology has become an indispensable part of modern healthcare. As medical facilities worldwide embrace these innovations, it's essential to understand why the sector leans so heavily on advanced technological solutions. Below are seven key reasons illustrating the crucial role of technology in healthcare. Enhanced Radiology Workflows Advancements in technology have revolutionized radiology workflows, making the process more efficient and accurate. Digital imaging technologies, such as PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication Systems) and RIS (Radiology Information Systems), allow for the seamless storage, retrieval, and sharing of medical images. The specialists AbbaDox say that this reduces the time needed to diagnose and treat patients, significantly improving the overall efficiency of radiology departments. Additionally, AI-powered tools can assist radiologists by highlighting potential areas of concern within images, ensuring that abnormalities are not overlooked. These improvements contribute to faster, more accurate diagnoses and better patient outcomes.

Are you looking for ways technology can improve the health sector? Technology has revolutionized every industry imaginable, so it's no surprise that it has also made its mark on the health sector. In this blog post, we will discuss how technology is helping to improve healthcare for everyone. From telemedicine to mobile apps, technology makes it easier than ever for people to get the care they need. Keep reading to learn more. EASILY ACCESSIBLE MEDICAL INFORMATION One of the biggest ways technology improves healthcare is by making medical information more accessible to everyone. In the past, if you had a question about your health, you would have to either make an appointment with a doctor or do some research on your own. However, thanks to the internet, now you can easily find answers to all of your questions with a few clicks of a button. If you are running a medical facility, it is important to ensure that your IT department is up to date on all of the latest advancements in healthcare technology. As highlighted by the team behind Medicus IT, you can hire an IT health expert to manage all aspects of your digital infrastructure so that you can focus on providing quality patient care. This way, you can ensure that your patients are getting the best possible care.

As we take look back over the past year and reflect on what we have achieved, it's also important that we look ahead to new challenges and opportunities that may arise in 2023. We have seen remarkable innovation across the industry in 2022, from big break throughs in treatment and improvements to patient outcomes, to how the industry is working with big data and technology. But it's fair to say that these achievements came paired with just as many challenges including a continued talent shortage, hangovers from the pandemic, increasing pressures to innovate and ongoing macroeconomic challenges. As we head into 2023, I expect these existing challenges to continue alongside new ones, but I also anticipate more opportunities to present themselves. At Pharamanovia, we predict that the key trends set to catalyse the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries in 2023 include break through innovations, technology, big data, sustainability, ongoing policy changes and a shift in investment due to inflation. Utilising big data and tech Technology has been recognised as one of the industry's biggest tools for many years, and I don't expect to see the pace of how we use technology in healthcare and pharma to slow down any time soon. In 2023, I expect that we will see further automation in the way we work, with an increase in digital engagement and healthcare providers leveraging remote access further.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has cautioned against buying weight-loss medicines without a prescription from beauty salons, unregistered pharmacy websites or social media platforms as such products could pose "serious health risks." Consumers are reminded that the only safe way to obtain genuine weight-loss medication is through a legitimate pharmacy, including licensed online pharmacies, with a prescription from a qualified healthcare professional. To combat the illegal sale of these medicines, the MHRA's Criminal Enforcement Unit is working closely with social media platforms, technology companies, the police and Border Force. Andy Morling, MHRA deputy director of Criminal Enforcement, highlighted the dangers of purchasing these medications from unverified sources: "At this time of year, with many of us thinking about shedding a little excess weight, we see people offering weight loss medicines for sale as a quick fix, without a healthcare professional's prescription, from beauty salons, websites and on social media. "These are not cosmetic treatments; they are powerful medicines that can only be legally and safely dispensed against a prescription issued by a healthcare professional."

Over the last few years pharmacy and the role of pharmacy teams has changed dramatically. The introduction of technology and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) within systems that provide healthcare and support to pharmacies holds great promise; for improving access to health, supporting patient outcomes, and optimising operational efficiency. Currently, the potential use of AI could span the whole of the medicines value chain, from AI-driven drug discovery to personalised medicines and automated dispensing systems. However, the rapid advancement of AI technology does raise several ethical concerns. This article will explore these concerns and how they can be addressed. In previous articles, I have discussed what underpins artificially intelligent machines and the importance of data. Datasets are the foundation on which AI algorithms learn and generate conclusions. The first step to understanding the potential ethical implications of AI across the pharmacy sector is to understand the data that is held within these foundational datasets. Patient privacy and data security AI systems in and outside of the pharmacy sector, which support patient care, rely heavily on vast amounts of medical data (patient medical records, PMR data, etc). However, the collection, storage, and use of such sensitive data can possibly bring significant privacy concerns. GDPR compliance is essential within the UK and ethical questions arise around data ownership, patient consent, and the possibility of data and cybersecurity breaches. As frontline healthcare professionals, we need to be able to support our patients when questions are asked about their data. For example, how can patients be sure their data is used only for its intended purposes? Is anonymised data truly safe from de-identification techniques that could expose private information?

In this edition, "The 10 Smartest Healthcare Companies to Work for in 2019," we have enlisted the leading healthcare solution providers, who are the catalysts to technological advancements in this space. Owing to their remarkable contribution to the industry, we are stepping towards positive disruption to improve care and simultaneously improve the living for people.

Errors of any kind in medical settings can have dire consequences for patients and healthcare systems. Unfortunately, negligence, misdiagnosis, and medication errors aren't uncommon in the UK. In this article, we discuss the nature of medication errors in the NHS, outline potential causes, and delve into how and why technology could be turning the tide on the issue. Prevalence and consequences of medication errors Medication errors are incidents involved with the administering, prescribing, dispensing or monitoring of medicine to patients. It can happen at many different steps in the healthcare process and by any medical professional in the system. Many cases are avoidable. According to analysis from BMJ, there are an estimated 237 million medication errors made in England every year. The majority of these are minor errors, but 1 in 4 cases has the potential to cause moderate to serious harm to patients. Not only do these errors cost the NHS significantly, at almost £100 million every year, but there is a shocking cost to public health. Lives are being lost because of medication errors which is unforgivable and tragic for the families involved. Drains on NHS resources have widespread impacts on public health and the operations of healthcare organisations up and down the country. Individual errors and mistakes may seem inconsequential (in minor cases), but they all add up in the big picture to a significant concern for policymakers.

Accord Healthcare is set to expand its manufacturing and production capabilities for high-quality medicines at its Fawdon plant in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, following a new multi-million-pound investment deal with the government. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves launched the new Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund (LSIMF) and announced the unlocking of a joint £50 million investment deal during her visit to the Fawdon plant on 1 November. Unveiled as part of a new budget, the LSIMF will distribute up to £ 520 million in capital grants aimed at drug and medical technology production. Accord stated that it will allocate the funding towards developing new product lines, including a novel prostate cancer drug and two autoimmune injectables for treating rheumatoid arthritis and gastroenterology indications, as well as expanding its medicines for adjunctive therapy in cancer. With this investment, Accord also plans to create over 50 new skilled jobs to "safeguard the facility's long-term future." Paul Tredwell, executive vice president of Accord Healthcare EMENA, welcomed the announcement and described it as positive news for the medicines manufacturing industry across the UK.

Healthcare IT makes the use of technology for better outcomes. Such applications will facilitate the reimbursement process and providers in general. P3, as an MIPS consulting service, assimilates with technology to report on behalf of the providers and value-based care will only benefit from these technological marvels.

Omnicell Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Omnicell - an American healthcare technology company, has signed an agreement with the shareholders of Hub and Spoke Innovations Limited to acquire Hub and Spoke Innovations. Hub and Spoke Innovations Limited is distributor of the Pharmaself24 prescription collection kiosk in Great Britain. The move will complement Omnicell's total solution technology portfolio for retail pharmacy in the UK, including a pack-pick dispensing robot, automated MDS filling machine and eMAR solution, thereby helping pharmacies to improve workflows and offer a 24/7 access to medications and patient care. It will also help community pharmacies achieve their goals, as they increasingly look at ways to make their businesses more efficient and free up staff to offer more pharmaceutical care and services to patients. In short, the deal would enable Omnicell to offer a wider range of digital technologies to streamline retail pharmacy operations, allowing pharmacists to spend more time with patients and focus on value-added, revenue-generating healthcare services, such as vaccinations.

The Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay has proposed a new £30 million fund to speed up the adoption of innovative medical technology in the NHS. He confirmed the plan today at the Conservative Party Conference 2023 in Manchester. Mr Barclay said that virtual wards will help healthcare professionals embrace new technology to improve patient care. He said: "It is vital that clinicians have access to the latest technology to save staff time, deliver high-quality care and help cut waiting lists - one of the government's top five priorities. "This investment will see the latest tech innovations rolled out across the NHS. From virtual ward beds to wearable medical devices, patients will be better supported, and we will ease pressures on hospitals this winter. "We're preparing for this winter earlier than ever before including delivering thousands more hospital beds and hundreds of new ambulances."

The healthcare landscape has dramatically changed over the years, due to a number of factors, firstly having to navigate Covid-19 and now the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine technology, to name a few. As a result, training the next generation of healthcare leaders is more important now than ever. Let's look at three ways to effectively train the next generation of pharmacists: Robust Induction Programme Induction programs are an effective way of training the next generation of pharmacists as they have the ability to provide knowledge, skills and practical experience to deal with and manage common challenges they're likely to experience in their careers. These programs usually include training in pharmacokinetics, drug dosages, medication administration, and pharmacotherapy.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) announced on Monday (November 22) that it would integrate NHS Digital, NHSX and Health Education England into NHS England and Improvement (NHSE&I) as part of major workforce planning and technology reforms. The merger is part of the government's long-term strategy for the recruitment, training and retention of healthcare staff coupled with a digital transformation of working practices. The overhaul is based on recommendations made by NHS Digital chair Laura Wade-Gery who led a government-commissioned review to improve patient care, centralise the NHS workforce and accelerate digital delivery. Commenting on her recommendations, Wade-Gery, said: "In the rest of our lives, digital has really changed how we live and we must now make this true in healthcare. The goal of my review is to equip the national centre with the right capability to support Integrated Care Systems to deliver better citizen health. We need to have the culture, operating model, skills, capabilities and processes to put data, digital and technology at the heart of how we transform health services."

The Challenges There cannot be anyone working in or with community pharmacy that either feels or sees the pain that emanates from the current operating climate. Pharmacy closures; increased workload and operating costs; increased patient and commissioner expectations; and, more fundamentally, an inadequate, undervalued and poorly structured remuneration and reimbursement contractual framework. As important as they are, we will not focus on these points here as they are not in the control of pharmacy owners and managers. They are the responsibility of those organisations that represent them at a national and local level who must deliver a better outcome as difficult as that may be. However, there are matters which are in the control of pharmacy owners and managers. These include their premises, their team, their systems and processes, their relationships with other healthcare providers and the broader community, their NHS and private service offer, and how they promote and deliver them to give the best patient experience. In order to create the head space to develop and implement a business plan, pharmacy owners and managers must make time to work on their business as well as in it. Then it requires the capacity and capability within their team to deliver the services and that excellent patient experience.

In an announcement following Keir Starmer's and Wes Streeting's visit to a hospital in the East Midlands, Labour Party has unveiled a groundbreaking partnership with Virgin Media O2 aimed at ensuring every child with type 1 diabetes can access the latest medical technology to better manage diabetes. With the NHS providing patients with type 1 diabetes the option of an 'artificial pancreas' in the next five years to manage insulin levels and Continuous Glucose Monitors launched nearly 2 years ago to monitor children's glucose levels, the initiative aims to address the financial barrier hindering hundreds of families from benefiting from this breakthrough. Labour's plan to provide every child in need a smartphone, facilitating access to modern glucose monitors, aligns with the centre-leftist party's broader vision to harness technology for healthcare transformation. Announcing the partnership in an interview with ITV News, Keir Starmer, Labour Party Leader, highlighted the lack of equitable access to medical advancement amongst patients as "travesty" and "impact of fourteen years of Conservative chaos has had on the NHS", stating:

Practices have a responsibility for their patients to meet their expectations. This patient flow starts right at the front desk; therefore, the staff has to be show complete devotion to the incoming patients. We have researched and come up with a few points for the improvement of medical practices.

Like in any business, front desk staff plays a vital role in healthcare affairs. The business of knowing the right person for the right job matters in healthcare more than it matters anywhere else. Because whether it is a hospital or a private practice, patients need all the attention they can get.

Practices have a responsibility for their patients to meet their expectations. This patient flow starts right at the front desk; therefore, the staff has to be show complete devotion to the incoming patients. We have researched and come up with a few points for the improvement of medical practices.

Pharmacy hub and spoke specialists, Centred Solutions, has further strengthened its team with a key new appointment as the company expands its business. Ashley Kilgas, formerly sales director at Alliance Healthcare, has joined the company's executive team as chief commercial officer. An expert in sales leadership and customer relations with vast experience working in the healthcare and pharmacy sector, Kilgas will be tasked with building a high-performing commercial team to drive value for customers. Having worked closely with Centred Solutions on previous projects, Ashley already has an in-depth knowledge of the business. Expressing his excitement about his new role, Ashley said: "Centred Solutions is a pharmacy technology and automation company, with a tremendous amount of opportunity in front of it. There is currently nobody in the market with the same knowledge, expertise or product offering around hub and spoke. "While the company is still in its infancy, it is growing rapidly, and I am looking forward to working with the team to further strengthen and grow the business to support those working in pharmacy."

It's time for pharmacists to get their technology forecasting hats on and be selective in choosing digital technologies, commented Prof James Woudhuysen, of London South Bank University, at the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) Conference, Pharmacy Odyssey, held on Thursday (13 October). In a session on 'Healthcare in tomorrow's digital environment', hosted by Fergus Walsh, Prof Woudhuysen opined that digitisation has its merit, but it's quite tricky, and slower than we imagine. "Mechanisation has a digital component that we can look to as a way out of the gloom of the moment. And in dispensing, labelling, prescribing, and many other features of the conventional retail pharmacist, there's a lot that could be done for productivity and automation," he said. Replying to a question on 'where are we at the digital front now and where can it go', Woudhuysen replied: "It's taken 20 years for the electronic prescription. It was Tony Blair, who wanted every prescription electronic. The mishaps on repeat prescriptions and all the rest of it are still quite intense. So, we need to remember that electronics is only as clever as software and then human input into it. There're still many mistakes.

It's no secret that as pharmacists we are navigating a new and more demanding healthcare landscape. Our role has changed significantly since the start of the 21st century due to increased expectations from the public, advances in science and technology and changing workforce pressures. The Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework for England has placed a higher focus on clinical service. In addition, the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in significant acceleration in changing how we work day-to-day and the public perception of our role. Community pharmacy owners and staff have been under relentless pressure for the last two years. Dispensing volumes are continually increasing but dispensing revenues are being replaced by launching new services. We must find solutions to reduce the time it takes to dispense medication so we can focus on these new revenue generating services. To not just succeed, but to thrive, it is becoming increasingly important to understand and embrace the technology available.