In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, technology is pivotal in improving patient care, streamlining operations, and enhancing efficiency. From leveraging cloud-based platforms to automating tasks and analyzing data to adopting sustainable practices like electric vehicle charging, healthcare organizations are embracing innovative solutions to address pressing challenges and drive positive outcomes.
As cyberthreats and staffing shortages persist, a shift towards alternative platforms and robotic solutions is growing to enhance security and alleviate workload. Additionally, integrating inventory intelligence and advanced supply chain management is becoming essential to optimize resource allocation and reduce costs.
I attended the “Healthcare Opportunities and Challenges” educational session at BlueStar’s VARTECH event this week. Here are four key takeaways for MSPs:
1Move healthcare organizations to Google or Android platforms
Microsoft has long been a force in healthcare, capturing the number one spot at 6% market share among tech giants. However, there are viable contenders for the top spot. One in particular, Google, is rapidly becoming a healthcare powerhouse, offering some attractive features Microsoft lacks, says Katherine Cummins, Director of Healthcare at Elo. “Because of all the cyberattacks and system failures, such as the CrowdStrike outage, which caused over $5 billion in damages, we’re seeing organizations seeking alternative platforms outside Windows and Microsoft to achieve greater security and reduce costs.”
2Solve customer staffing challenges with autonomous mobile robots (AMRs)
The healthcare mobile robots market size was valued at around $3.8 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to register a CAGR of over 15.4% between 2024 and 2032, according to the latest research from Global Market Insights. The burgeoning demand for automation and enhanced patient care within healthcare facilities and the persistent shortage of skilled nurses and healthcare staff are anticipated to remain critical factors propelling the market expansion. Some of the jobs AMRs can perform include:
- Sweep and scrub floors in common areas
- Vacuum carpets in common areas
- Clean restroom fixtures, counters and floors
- Tug tasks such as pulling food, laundry, or trash carts
- Courier services for blood and tissue samples
- Carry medicines from the pharmacy to the nursing station or patient rooms.
- Deliver meal trays from the kitchen to the patient floors
- Retrieve and return the trays when done
“Why should nurses and patients have to wait hours for an orderly to transport a patient to another floor or for discharge,” says Buck Ward, CEO of Nexus AMR. “Robots can perform many low-skill tasks as good or better than a human, allowing healthcare workers to focus on higher skill tasks.”
3Why EV charging stations should be on your radar
The global electric vehicle charging station market size was valued at $16.43 billion in 2023. The market is projected to grow from $22.45 billion in 2024 to $257.03 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 35.6% during the forecast period. When you think of the markets most likely to purchase EV chargers, healthcare might not be the first to come to mind. “The integration of EV charging stations in these facilities not only aligns with their commitment to public health and innovation but also offers significant amenities and return on investment (ROI),” says Ben Simon, Emerging Technologies Business Development Manager at BlueStar. “Research shows that 47% of hospitals are looking into adding EV charging stations this year. Plus, there’s lots of funding available, making it feasible that you could sell them a solution with funding covering 50-80% of the project, and your client could be cash flow positive on day 1.”
4Inventory intelligence: Elevating healthcare with advanced supply chain
Healthcare organizations sometimes waste money with poor inventory systems because they must overstock. Counting thousands of pieces of equipment is difficult, and sometimes, too many things are ordered, and things expire. The latest research from Zebra Technologies reveals that the percentage of decision makers that rate the ability to track real-time location and use assets as extremely/very important:
- Consumables or medical supplies—90%
- Pharmaceuticals—90%
- Sterile instruments and supplies—88%
- Implants—88%
- Medical devices, durable medical equipment—84%
“There are lots of inventory visibility solutions that can help solve these challenges,” says Matt Jordan, Senior Healthcare Channel Manager at Zebra. “Some of the top technology solutions decision makers are asking for, based on our research, are:
- Real-time location systems (RTLS)—55%
- Radio frequency identification (RFID)—54%
- Handheld barcode scanners—48%
- Handheld mobile computers with integrated barcode scanning—48%
- Barcode labels or thermal printers—45%”
For additional insights and trends in healthcare, check out the following article from Managed Services Journal: Why Healthcare Needs Your Security as a Service Offering.
