Healthcare in the United States has rapidly changed in the last 100 years. From house-calls and community clinics to commercialized hospitals and facilities, the healthcare industry has evolved in every way. A marked shift has been from decentralized to centralized healthcare. 

In 2019, the average HIPAA penalty cost $1,227,400 in fines. A HIPAA risk assessment essentially tests the security infrastructure of a medical center. The risk assessment will detect vulnerabilities and threats. Utilizing a risk assessment of your healthcare security system will alert you to the areas of security that you need to strengthen. Completing the mandatory HIPAA risk assessment could help you avoid a costly fine. 

Heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the United States since 2014. Cardiovascular health is a concern for many Americans. This has led to new developments in patient-centered heart health technology. These technologies are changing the way that cardiovascular physicians practice medicine. It has opened up patient-physician communication and increased patient health collaboration. When patients can see, in real-time, the effect that their choices are having on their health, it can encourage them to work harder to get healthy. 

Public health workers do a lot to make their communities healthier and happier. The sector operates under federal and state oversight, issuing and implementing important protocols that keep people safe. With so many public health careers and policies that improve and preserve lives, it is important that initiatives and operations are well-equipped. Technology plays a big role in effectively improving community health. From first responders to health educators, public health workers need effective technology now more than ever. 

Physicians often find themselves drowning in documentation work. Even Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are tedious to fill out but crucial to patient care. Statistics show that physicians may spend up to half a day on EHRs. This takes away from time that physicians could be spending with patients. 

Nurses are absolutely crucial to the healthcare industry and are taking on more responsibility than ever before. Even with the influx of medical technology, most nursing programs in the United States do not offer nursing technology courses. Instead, basic healthcare technology—like EHRs and databases—is integrated into each class. Nurses typically learn how to use these systems during clinic hours.

Efficient and accessible technology has cemented the partnership between IT and healthcare. IT healthcare technology can save practices thousands of dollars through security protection and automation that can replace workers. Not only does healthcare technology save money for medical centers, it also saves time. 

When hospitals prepared for COVID-19, they did not expect this. As coronavirus cases fluctuate in the United States, patients and medical centers face uncertainty. Patients are nervous to return to doctors offices in fear of being infected. Medical practices, especially in rural areas, are shutting down due to a lack of patients. 

Due to the urgency of COVID-19, healthcare providers are scrambling to find technology solutions to help them navigate through these unprecedented times. Medical centers are having to quickly adapt to mandatory safety guidelines, telehealth and quarantine requirements. In the wake of this, technology has to adjust to healthcare industry needs. 

The Mayo Clinic has recently partnered with Diagnostic Robotics to automate patient triage in the Emergency Department. This technology could significantly reduce the time and related costs of triage. This is especially important as COVID-19 numbers fluctuate and medical staff are seeking to support patients’ health.