Abstract
There is the emerging use of smart and digital (modern) technologies, such as smart TVs, Internet of Things-connected devices, mobile devices, Big Data software and analytics in healthcare practice and administration. The deployment of such technologies is meant to provide quality, prompt, accurate, tangible information and other critical resources for patients. At a national level, drone technology is being used in African countries like Ghana and Rwanda to deliver critical medications and blood supplies to hospitals difficult to reach because of poor road infrastructure. This chapter of the book explores what technologies are being deployed at institutional levels to provide efficient medical care to patients. Fifteen maternal and neonatal health care practitioners in Accra, Ghana, were interviewed on their use of modern technologies in healthcare administration and delivery and what their challenges are. The study also explored what technologies they currently do not have that they think will be of benefit to their practice.
Top1. Introduction
Healthcare providers are leveraging smart technologies, such as smart TVs, Internet of Things-connected-devices, mobile devices, big data software and analytics to provide quality, prompt, accurate, tangible information and other important resources for clients or patients (Foley, 2017). These newer models of healthcare delivery thrive on collaborative efforts by different caregivers, as well as patients and are largely being facilitated by mobile technologies (Nasi, Cucciniello, & Guerrazzi, 2015). Under this circumstance, it requires that caregivers proactively deploy technology to track patients’ wellbeing and also use technology and information to better engage patients and meet or exceed their expectations.
Digital and smart technologies are used for disease surveillance, treatment support, epidemic outbreak tracking and chronic disease management by healthcare practitioners. It is in the light of this that Kahn, Yang, and Kahn (2010) advanced that:
Innovative applications of mobile technology to existing health care delivery and monitoring systems offer great promise for improving the quality of life. They make communication among researchers, clinicians, and patients easier, and as chronic disease becomes more prevalent, mobile technologies offer care strategies that are particularly suited to combating these conditions (Kahn et al., p. 254).
In essence, while the technologies facilitate easy accessibility to patient records and offer more efficient diagnosis, patients are able to use the technologies to access relevant educational content related to their health and to manage their lives health wise.
Essentially, smart and digital technologies, be it portable or otherwise, are transforming health care systems, as they help provide accurate information about diagnosis and medications, clinical scoring and also facilitate access to healthcare resources. In this chapter, all digital or smart technologies and applications are operationalised as modern technologies. This is because they are emergent technologies that are constantly being updated and improved.
Top2. Contextual Background
In the management of non-communicable diseases like diabetes, there is evidence that technology is a great asset. Ghana is ranked sixth in sub-Saharan Africa and counts over seven million people with diabetes in the country. Among countries within the sub-Saharan African region, there are approximately 13.6 million people living with diabetes (Daily Guide, 2017). Among diabetics, there has been reported complications and reduced quality of life in certain parts of the world and Ghana is not likely an exception. This is as a result of poor self-management skills, lack of personalized education and clinical inertia, leading to grave complications (Goyal & Cafazzo, 2013).
There have been constant improvements in technologies that are used in hospital settings to offer healthcare, especially, in the area of medical diagnosis. During the Ebola outbreak, many health facilities in Ghana started using smart thermometers. These technologies, unlike the mercury-filled ones, do not need to have physical contact with human body in order to determine temperature of patients, aside the fact that they determine human body temperature within a relatively shorter time.
Also, there is the common usage of the digital pulsometer (called the fingertip pulse oximeter) which is placed at the fingertips to digitally measure the pulse of patients. This is a digital mobile device which is easy to operate. This smart digital technology measures pulse strength and pulse rate in a few seconds and displays it conveniently on a digital LED display. Yet is the use of the digital sphygmomanometer (blood pressure device). Unlike the manual instrument which requires listening while slowly releasing the pressure in the cuff that comes with the device, this digital sphygmomanometer eliminates disruptions during the listening stage that can impede proper detection of the blood pressure of a patient. The digital instrument, although uses a cuff which may be placed around the upper arm or wrist just like the manual meter, in this case, requires minimal human effort and intervention while using it.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Ambubag Ventilator: It is a self-inflating bag resuscitator that helps patients get oxygen and ventilation until they are able to breath on their own.
Glucometer: It a portable device used to monitor the blood sugar (glucose) level in one’s body.
Nebulizer: It is a device used to administer medication in the form of mist which is inhaled into the lungs. It is usually used to administer asthma medications to infants when they find it difficult to use asthma inhaler.
Digital Technologies: They are equipment or machinery that function (generate, store and process data) using numeric of binary code or logic. This allows for the storage of large amounts of data, media files and other documents and data to be stored in small spaces or devices. In the context of healthcare such technologies are very intelligent, can store large amounts of data and rely on to provide diagnosis and other interventions in a fast, reliable manner.
Baby Warmers: They are used to direct heat to an infant in order to keep them warm.
Maternal Healthcare Providers: They are healthcare practitioners who seek to the health and well-being of pregnant women and new mothers. They, essentially, take care of the health needs of women during pregnancy and post-partum.
Electronic Bed: An electronic bed has a motor control system that is able to raise the head, foot and height of a bed frame just at the push of a button.
Incubator: It is an equipment or apparatus with a special chamber to offer a controlled environmental condition for the care and protection of a premature or sick infant.
Neo-natal Healthcare Providers: They are healthcare practitioners who provide healthcare to new-born babies who are usually critically ill and need special medical attention.
Neonatal Incubator: It is a machine that heats the air around a newborn (neonate), usually a premature infant, in order to ensure the ideal environment for the infant as well as protect the infant against infection, too much noise, allergic substances and light levels that can cause harm. It also regulates oxygen levels and air humidity for the infant to easily breath. This is to create an environment similar to what is found in the natural growing environment of a fetus. It is also fitted with special lights to treat neonatal jaundice.
Pulse Oximeter: It is a small, light device attached or clipped to the fingertip to check for the pulse rate or the amount of oxygen carried in one’s body.
Electronic Suction System (Machine): It is an electronic equipment or machine used to extract nasal secretions and other fluids from babies.
Fetal Monitor: It is a machine, tool or equipment used to track the heartbeat of a fetus in the womb, especially when a mother is in labour. It is also used during routine visits of a pregnant woman to the health facility. It tracks the fetal heart patterns and helps healthcare practitioners decide to provide some interventions or not.
Maternal Monitor: It is a machine used to track the heart rate, blood pressure and other vitals of a pregnant woman.
Smart Technologies: They are technologies that provide users with remote access, control and interaction through the internet. Because of their ability to adjust to the needs of the user, they are considered very intelligent technologies.
Photo Therapy Lights: They are special lights used for the treatment of skin diseases.