Amid lockdown, when almost the whole world is staying inside the home, technology is the only thing that is entertaining us. Technology is becoming more important in our daily life. But can it also help in pandemic situations?
To be honest, technology cannot stop the spread of the disease but surely it can be useful for educating and empowering those who are working in the frontline to tackle the disease. Moreover, technologies are useful to aware people of the situation to reduce the impact of the pandemic.
Also Read: How AI is Improving the Healthcare Industry
Important Technologies during a Pandemic
Different health tech companies started to develop technologies that can improve the medical system. Much before the widespread of the coronavirus, health tech companies have started to work in battling the disease.
Technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning can be a great boon in handling such pandemic. Here, we have discussed some important technologies that can help to control a pandemic.
1. Telenursing
To fight the coronavirus pandemic self-distancing is a very important measure. Telenursing is playing an important role in this case. It uses information technology and telecommunications in the provisions of nursing services.
This helps to deal with the shortage of medical professionals and connects the doctors with the patient, located in remote places.
2. Disease Surveillance
To control the spread of infectious diseases like that of the COVID-19, it is often necessary to track the disease efficiently. But a virus-like that of coronavirus spreads at an alarming rate. Thus, it is often difficult to track down the disease.
In most of the cases, even the authorities have failed to predict the spread of the disease. Here, comes the use of a disease surveillance system. By the use of this technology, the pattern of disease progression can be monitored. Usually, it is helpful to predict, observe, and minimize the harm that can be caused by a pandemic.
Also Read: How the IT Industry Can Stay Productive Amidst Coronavirus Lockdown?
3. Telehealth
To deal with an infectious disease, it is necessary to test, detect, trace, and isolate those who have encountered the disease or have come in contact with a person carrying the disease. In such cases, virtual care and virtual medical visits are necessary.
Telehealth uses a wide range of information and communications technologies. Moreover, training of health workers located in a remote place is also possible with such e-Health technologies. It can also improve health care access as well as can reduce the cost of health systems.
4. Medical Robots
The nurses and doctors who are working in the front line to tackle the disease require different safety gear. The safety gear includes goggles, gloves, shields, gowns, etc.
But with the help of robots, the risk of getting infected can be reduced. Moreover, robots can be used to transport tools and medications to patients. Thus, medical robots can reduce the workload of the health workers as well as free up some time for nurses and doctors.
Also, implementing quarantine and preventive measures is often challenging during a pandemic situation especially when there is a shortage of medical personnel. But with the use of robotics and automation technologies, pending tasks and functions can be easily done. Robots are very useful for patrolling and monitoring patients with symptoms of the infection.
5. Drone
Transporting vital equipment from one place to another during a pandemic is not easy. But with the use of technology, the delivery process is quite easy now.
With the help of a drone, it is possible to deliver blood, vaccines, medical equipment, and other necessary things. Along with that, a drone is also helping in surveillance, spraying disinfectants, and much more.
Technology is playing an important role in tackling the pandemic in the current situation. Here we have discussed only five fields where technology is making a mark. Hope you have liked the article and found it useful.
