Technology benefits us all, however the innovations in the healthtech field is one that actually saves us. Advancements make hospitals safer, people live longer, and data is better organized. Since 2005 the healthtech industry has really taken off and shows no signs of slowing down. The North American healthcare IT market is expected to grow by 13.5% per year through 2020, via a recent report from MarketsandMarkets. This growth indicates the market is on track to reach $104.3bn within 4 years. The increase is partly driven by heath IT solutions that are revolutionizing the way hospitals and medical facilities operate.

We’ve put together a list of a few our favorite emerging healthtech innovations:

Interoperability

A lack of interoperability is one of healthcare’s largest challenges. Unfortunately, data that contains the potential to improve patient care and efficiency isn’t shared with the physicians who need it. Solutions to this problem have only begun to be developed within the past few years. Systems for exchanging patient information across networks can lead to transparency of patient records, specific treatment plans and improved patient care.

Bacteria killing blue-violet LED light fixtures

For obvious reasons, hospitals are a hotbed of germs. As much as physicians try to contain them, they still persist; infecting not just patients but physicians. The outcome is increased healthcare costs in the United States for all individuals. A new innovation in blue-violet LED light has been found to destroy various strains of bacteria and pathogens while being harmless to staff who use them.

Robots

Robots are present in healthcare in more ways than one but are changing the landscape of surgery. Gone are the days of mainframes, robots are now controlled by tablets. More than just internal, they’re helping nurses move and lift patients. Back injuries are common for nurses and CNAs while lifting patients. Robots are now being designed to lift up or set down humans from or to beds and wheelchairs.

Advancements in prosthetics

Millions of amputees and others with disabilities have mobility again thanks to advancements in prosthetics. Among its many other revolutionary uses, 3D printing is used to create prosthetic limbs. Bionics takes it a step further by enabling amputees to control their prosthetics with their nervous system. Additionally, scientists are developing artificial skin that can feel, allowing those who have lost limbs the ability to regain the sense of touch.

Remote patient monitoring

The innovation of apps to collect daily heath data such as vital signs, weight, heart rate, blood sugar, and more has been astounding. Transmitting this data to physicians gives them the ability to monitor patients remotely. Instant access to healthcare data cuts down on the frequency of patient visits, cuts healthcare costs and allows the physician to observe health problems before they occur.