The world has always had pandemics. Roughly every 100 years we see one, but there’s a difference this time, and it’s not all bad. Technological advancements have skyrocketed to handle two very important issues. One, the demand on the healthcare system to treat people during a pandemic for a virus that we know very little about. Two, protecting the healthcare workers that succumb to COVID-19 battle fatigue. All types of medical technology are valid from surgical lights for sale to major technological advancements.

Let’s take a brief look at what’s on offer in medical and logistical technology for the COVID 19 experience. One side note: after the medical hysteria of the pandemic dies down, most new technology will be to help avoid malpractice suits over medical mistakes.

Predictive Technology

Risk calculators are all the rage in the medical predictive technology trend. The technology being created isn’t always to deal with patients directly. Predictive technology is being used to get in front of the pandemic using weather and climate triggers as a predictor. Other prediction tools will use more of a patient-centric approach and take in demographic data to predict the likelihood of contracting the disease.

5G and Telehealth

This is the most popular and widely known technology. It instituted faster than the other now available technological resources because it was simpler and available for immediate use. Challenges are met as bandwidth, Wi-Fi, and hardware malfunctioned. Cell and cable companies scrambled to assist and remedy the issue with 5G and faster speeds. On June 30th, the FCC announced it has plans to expand its rural health care program to the tune of $802.7 million in 2020.

Chat Bots

This is a technology that instituted as the aforementioned Telehealth. The ability to speak to and sometimes triage patients makes the AI successful. Keep in mind that it is AI chat, which for those who don’t know, is only a software brain at work. They transfer the data input by the patient to the departments so the patients can get the help that they need.

Robotics for Non-Essential Contact

The delivery of meals, linens, and other necessities to hospital rooms, rehab, and nursing centers are using robots to do the job. They use this in the protection against infection of the essential workers by keeping them out of the room. However, treating a patient in surgical and other hands-on procedures with robotics is not out of the question.

Surgeries are being conducted this way prior to COVID-19 and are now being expanded for more permanent or emergency use. Same day and keyhole surgery and some catheterizations are using robotics to conduct the surgery with a physician’s hand and monitor guiding the way.

Remote and Wearable Devices

The most controversial piece of technology is the tracking and prediction methods used today. People who value privacy or are on the edge of conspiracy don’t like this. For example, Fitbit can tell early warning signs of an infection and the person receives an alert and stays at home or seeks treatment. The remote monitoring systems can keep people safe at home and the hospitals can avoid an overload.

The bottom line is that technology will continue massive growth. The engineers and scientists that have been working on these technologies are ahead of their time. They’ll keep going until the face of the medical world has changed. It may mean some job loss in some areas, but more opportunities will grow out of that change. Flexibility and an adaptable attitude are what will win the day in the future near and far.

What others adapt to is an individualistic concept. What we must consider in this is the big picture and those who serve it. Becoming a physician or nurse is a voluntary career path. In fact, it’s a life path when you think of it. There’s not much about your life these careers won’t influence. So, in order to make certain we don’t suffer a deadly shortage, we must address the stress factor. New technology is only the beginning.