Why data quality + security are the keys to enabling digital health care

The new normal

Slowly and steadily over the past decade, healthcare has been approaching digitalization at a leisurely pace. But in 2020, COVID-19 changed the game — and in the case of digital health, possibly for the better.

Businesses were forced to adapt to the new era of digitalization with speed and agility — two characteristics the litigious and cautious healthcare industry is rarely known for. Across many industries, the many inbuilt inefficiencies of our business operations had been overlooked, but the pandemic led to a paradigm shift — one we hope will continue to change the delivery of healthcare for the better.

Impact of Covid-19 on digital healthcare

The spectrum of digital health is broad and it can be defined as many things - but intuitively speaking it is the essence of joining technology with the application of medical endeavours, in whatever form they might take - research, clinical practice and everything in between.

The pandemic has pushed healthcare providers to address two of the biggest challenges associated with digital health - data and safety.

Newfound data clarity

Data is the fuel for advancement in digital health as any good scientist will tell you. Deep access to an analysis of the abundant data we’re now able to collect thanks to the advancement of digital health has created significant opportunities for health practitioners of all kinds.

Digital health technology has improved:

• The efficiency of data collection - apps and web platforms have placed instant data collection in the hands of the researchers and clinicians who need it the most
• The risks associated with data collection - with the ability to monitor adherence and quality via online method the transparency of data collection has significantly increased
• The quality + cleanliness of data - thanks to the ease with which digital data can be collected, quality data is no longer a significant burden

Security, security, security

Data security is imperative for enabling the successful proliferation of digital technology across the healthcare industry. Data protection is multifaceted and requires significant investment to enable security teams to not only react but also proactively predict assaults launched by cyber-criminals.

While security and safety have always been a critical factor in the healthcare arena, where sensitive personal data is being collected, this takes on an enhanced meaning when considering that healthcare is the most targeted sector by cybercriminals, by a significant margin. Implementing an Information Security Management System (ISMS) standard, such as ISO27001, is a critical step in embedding digital health technologies into any organisation.

Making crisis management permanent

The pandemic has taught us that nothing remains permanent and change is the nature of life and as health infrastructure and ecosystems continue to undergo a paradigm shift as a result. The urgency of the crisis has helped to incorporate cutting edge technological upgrades into everyday operations and also has pushed healthcare to a new level of digital collaboration.

How can we help?

At WeGuide we have an expert team that delivers innovative solutions with cutting edge medical resources and healthcare technicians who have worked tirelessly to become your digital companion. Get in touch with us to transform your business.