What are the top 10 technology issues hospital executives should be watching out for in 2012? A free report from research firm ECRI Institute covers everything from health information technology to recent improvements in minimally invasive surgery, according to a story at healthdatamanagement.com.
The report also covers issues in medical imaging, cancer therapies and cardiovascular care.
According to the story, the list “takes into account the convergence of critical patient safety, economic and regulatory pressures currently facing healthcare executives,” according to ECRI.
Technology issues that are particularly important are electronic health records (EHRs), minimally invasive bariatric surgery, digital breast tomosynthesis, new CT radiation reduction technologies, transcatheter heart valve implantation, robotic-assisted surgery, new cardiac stent developments, ultrahigh-field-strength MRI systems, personalized therapeutic vaccines for cancer and proton beam radiation therapy, the story reports.
Other issues healthcare executives need to consider are “continued efforts at obtaining meaningful use incentive payments, switching to ICD10, and (an) intense focus on health information exchange,” according to Brian Ahier.
"Technology is increasingly a top management concern, and is no longer confined to clinical and technical decision- making. Themes emerging on our 2012 list reflect ongoing impacts of healthcare reform initiatives and new technology developments that emphasize patient-centered care," ECRI Institute president and CEO Jeffrey C. Lerner, PhD, said in a press release. “This list addresses safety improvements, interconnectedness of technology, personalized medicine tailored to individual care characteristics and preferences, and increasing cost pressures."
Of special interest are four categories, the report says, including EHRs, transcatheter heart valve implantation, digital breast tomosynthesis, and new CT radiation reduction technologies to minimize dosage, according to the press release.
In November ECRI released the top 10 most hazardous technologies, listing beeping alarms (often ignored) at the front of the list.
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Deborah DiSesa Hirsch is an award-winning health and technology writer who has worked for newspapers, magazines and IBM in her 20-year career. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.Edited by
Rich Steeves
