The critical care sector globally has grown significantly over the years. As per reports, the critical care device market size is worth $54 billion and expected to increase at a CAGR of 6% by 2027.

Treatment of life-threatening illnesses, rising geriatric population, surge in non-communicable diseases and need for increasing capacities and efficiencies are factors steering acceleration in this space.

Further, critical care sector has undergone massive strain through episodic surges of COVID-19 cases over the last few years. Rising regulatory reforms, focused government initiatives and healthcare expenditure as well as increasing number of patients requiring intensive care have substantiated the need for robust healthcare infrastructure and protective therapies.

Connected and Secure Medical Devices

One of the most pressing issues facing healthcare systems today is the need for greater resilience, capability, and capacities to cater to unexpected events such as pandemics, natural disasters, and cyberattacks. This requires a multifaceted approach that includes robust physical infrastructure, advanced IT systems, skilled personnel, and effective emergency response plans.

The rapid advancement of technology and digitisation has ushered in a new era where devices may operate independently, but their interconnectivity fosters a synergistic effect, leading to enhanced outcomes. The need for connected medical devices that can interact with one another bi-directionally, enabling new clinical applications in a safe and secure environment can prove to be game-changers. By ensuring true interoperability between devices and systems, we can bring data and clinical functionality together in a way that supports caregivers to focus on better clinical outcomes.

Additionally, while these digital innovations have the potential to revolutionise proactive clinical decision-making and patient support, among other aspects of healthcare, it's important to emphasize that they are not meant to replace caregivers, but to assist them in achieving the best possible patient outcomes and creating a meaningful impact.

At Draeger, our experience and in-depth understanding of our customer needs, expertise in medical technology and equipment, and people-centric approach (that includes both patient and caregivers) have truly enabled us to pivot towards offering solutions and capabilities that are futuristic and transformative.

Our medical device interoperability solutions offer data collection by combining meaningful data from different sources to offer relevant insight for clinical decision-support, decrease stress level caused due to alarm fatigue or offer secure solutions that ensure the continuous delivery of care while protecting assets and sensitive data of hospitals and their patients. As a company, we envision a future where human capabilities to deliver patient care in high acuity environments are enhanced by interoperability.

The Way Forward

Humanisation of healthcare has become increasingly important in today’s world. This is because healthcare providers have recognised that patients are more than just numbers, and that they have unique needs that must be  addressed to provide the best possible care. At the intersection of research, science, and patient experience, healthcare technology is leading the way.

The future of healthcare is likely to be shaped by several trends, including the need for resilient systems, adoption of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, the Internet of Things (IoT), and connected devices supporting patient-centered care. These technologies have the potential to transform healthcare delivery by enabling more precise diagnoses, personalised treatments, and improved patient outcomes. Greater collaboration across stakeholders, an integrated and a well-rounded healthcare digital infrastructure are the need of the hour.

At Draeger, we are fully confident in our ability to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare industry. Our commitment to driving innovation and providing steadfast stewardship will remain unwavering. As a company, we are well-positioned to support healthcare providers as they navigate these changes to build more effective and efficient healthcare ecosystems.

Shalin Patel, Managing Director, Draeger India Group