Advances in wireless technology, including improved connectivity and powerful mobile devices, will greatly enhance the ability of physicians to connect with patients, as well as extend physician reach. Electronic diaries, medical images and medical records are already being transmitted wirelessly in some locales, making healthcare delivery more efficient.
The potential for drug interactions or prescription errors can be automatically assessed via "smart" wireless devices, enabling ePrescribing. Video and audio consultations can be held for doctor visits that do not necessitate a physical examination to triage the patient and/or modify a prescription. Even major components of the physical exam can be accomplished via wireless sensors (like an electronic, wireless stethoscope) and data transmission to the physician.
Wireless health innovations are also promising for remote patient monitoring and early intervention. Vital signs including heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure and temperature, as well as weight, glucose level, and oxygen saturation can be measured remotely to provide information to the physician on a 'real-time' basis. Early intervention – with the aid of wireless health solutions – could eliminate or reduce the need for hospitalization for many people.
Lastly, hospitals throughout the U.S. are already beginning to deploy or explore wireless applications to improve almost every aspect of their business operations and patient care. For example, wireless bedside and 'in facility' monitoring of all patients, not just those who are critically ill, has the potential to significantly reduce the number and severity of "unexpected" events. Constrained physician and nurse resources are also being leveraged via the use of wireless programmable equipment, remote monitoring stations with handheld devices, and smart data management systems.
