2016 HIMSS Connected Health Survey Suggests Positive Future for Connected Health Technologies in U.S. Hospitals

LAS VEGAS, March 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2016 HIMSS Connected Health Survey scheduled to be unveiled at the HIMSS Annual Conference and Exhibition in Las Vegas paints an optimistic picture surrounding the emerging trend of connectivity within the healthcare ecosystem. With more than 50 percent of respondents indicating their hospital currently uses three or more connected health technologies, the high adoption rates (and other supportive statistics in the report) underscore the growing importance these technologies play in the hospital setting.  

Respondents found that the technologies implemented within hospital settings positively impacted capabilities to communicate with patients along with the ability to deliver a higher standard of care. In addition, 69 percent of respondents whose hospitals are utilizing mobile optimized patient portals indicated that the attention to a mobile environment expands the capability to send and receive data securely. Given these positive impacts, it's understandable why healthcare organizations are looking to increase their investment in these tools for the future. See the full results in the infographic here: http://www.himss.org/2016-connected-health-survey

"The healthcare ecosystem is increasingly converging on patient centric technology solutions," said Tom Martin, Ph.D., Director of Healthcare Information Systems for HIMSS. "The role of the provider is to expand far beyond the walls of the exam room, especially as our healthcare system transitions towards value based purchasing. The Connected Health findings illustrate the importance of interactive relationships between physicians and individuals and technology as a means to advance comprehensive health and healthcare."

The survey was conducted in partnership with the Personal Connected Health Alliance (PCHA). Insights are reflective of 227 IT, informatics and clinical professionals in U.S. hospitals and health systems with regard to their organization's current and future use of connected health technologies. Currently, 52 percent of hospitals indicated the use of three or more of these technologies, including:

• 58 percent mobile optimized patient portals
• 48 percent apps for patient education/engagement
• 37 percent Remote patient monitoring
• 34 percent Telehealth – audio visual fee for service
• 33 percent SMS texting
• 32 percent patient generated health data
• 26 percent Telehealth – concierge service

Nearly half (47 percent) of respondents indicated their hospitals are looking to expand the array of connected health technologies they use. Another five percent of respondents expect their hospitals to become first time users of at least one of the connected health technologies outlined in this report. The commonly cited technologies they plan on adding, involve:

• Telehealth – concierge service
• Patient generated health data solutions
• SMS texting

To download the complete 2016 HIMSS Connected Health Survey, please visit: http://www.himss.org/2016-connected-health-survey or follow #Connect2Health

About HIMSS North America 

HIMSS North America, a business unit within HIMSS, positively transforms health and healthcare through the best use of information technology in the United States and Canada. As a cause-based non-profit, HIMSS North America provides thought leadership, community building, professional development, public policy, and events. HIMSS North America represents 61,000 individual members, 640 corporate members, and over 450 non-profit organizations. Thousands of volunteers work with HIMSS to improve the quality, cost-effectiveness, access, and value of healthcare through IT. Major initiatives within HIMSS North America include the HIMSS Annual Conference & Exhibition, National Health IT Week, HIMSS Innovation Center, HIMSS Interoperability Showcases™, HIMSS Health IT Value Suite, and ConCert by HIMSS™.  

About HIMSS 

HIMSS is a global voice, advisor, convener, and thought leader of health transformation through the best use of IT with a unique breadth and depth of expertise and capabilities to improve the quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness of health and healthcare. Through its network of over 1 million professionals, including 64,000-plus members, HIMSS advises leaders, stakeholders and influencers globally on IT best practices to ensure decision-makers have the right information at the right time to make the right decisions.  HIMSS North America, HIMSS Analytics, Personal Connected Health Alliance, HIMSS Media and HIMSS International (HIMSS Europe, HIMSS Asia and HIMSS Middle East) are the five business units of HIMSS.  A not-for-profit headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, HIMSS has additional offices in North America, Europe, United Kingdom, and Asia.

About the Personal Connected Health Alliance 

The Personal Connected Health Alliance (PCHA), a global, non-profit membership association, was formed by Continua, mHealth Summit and HIMSS to transform healthcare through personalized, interoperable connected health solutions, and to engage consumers with their health. PCHA focuses on three areas of activity: technical leadership (publishing the Continua Design Guidelines, an open implementation framework for interoperability of personal connected health devices and solutions); education (convening the mHealth Summit, the largest event exploring mobile, telehealth and connected health technologies and their global impact); and advocacy (creating favorable markets and regulatory climates for connected health around the world and advocating for standardization to enable the free exchange of healthcare data across systems). Visit www.PCHAlliance.org. 

SOURCE HIMSS North America

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