The Case For Driving Technology To Patients Home
Recently, I experienced blood clots after taking a certain medication.
As some of you may be aware, blood clots can lead to stroke, heart attack or even death.
I knew my blood was clotting because I took my INR reading after feeling dizzy
INR is a test used to measure the time blood takes to thin
Over the years, I had realised, whenever I felt dizzy, it was either because my INR was below or above the recommended level.
Imagine the consequences if I did not own a self testing machine, I would have probably be frequenting the Accident and Emergency (A&E).
Many people probably frequent the A & E because of they do not own a self testing machine.
Self Testing Saved My Life
Being a high risk patient, I was able to bunker in at home during the pandemic because I had the ability to self test.
I shudder to think what would have happened to me if I was forced to attend the testing clinic.
It’s quite possible that lots of people missed their test because the clinics where shut, which in some cases might have been fatal.
And there were those who were forced to risk their lives to attend the testing clinic in the middle of the pandemic because they had no other option
Benefits of Self Administer Technology to Society
So, how does driving technology to patients’ homes help society?
I am writing this article on Thursday, October 14, 2021.
Reports have circulated that rising numbers of people have been waiting in excess of four hours at A & E; this is apparently the worst waiting period since records have been kept.
No doubt, hospital administrator will pin the blame on the Coronavirus.
The reality is, long waiting lists and lengthy wait time at the A & E have been the norm for decades.
But there is a simple solution…
The solution is: driving technology to the A & E…
It is riving technology to GP practices…
And finally, driving technology to patient homes.
Think about decades prior when diabetes patients did not have the means to test their blood sugar level.
Think about the difference diabetic self- testing has had on patients and the healthcare system.
Most of the waiting that takes place at the A & E is for test results.
Think about the difference in wait time for test results…. And think about how dramatically even that can be reduced with the availability of simple scanning technologies in every A & E.
Or let’s go even further.
What difference would accrue if all GP practices were fitted with scanning technologies?
Think about the numbers of early detected cancers.
Then, if we went even further by driving technology to patient homes.
Can you imagine the difference that would make to healthcare?
The UK government has allocated 34 billion pounds to National Health Service (NHS) for the next three years in a bid to tackle the backlog created by coronavirus.
Will that make a difference?
I don’t think so.
Throwing money at a problem that does not stem from financial issues will not solve that problem
But it seems that’s the only way politicians know how to tackle problems.
