Intelligent Automation in Healthcare: Types, Benefits, and Implementation Roadmap

Healthcare professionals are continually facing a common obstacle: the burden of repetitive manual administrative tasks, which consume precious time and divert attention. Additionally, there is the demanding nature of healthcare work environments, coupled with constantly changing priorities.

All this only amplifies the risks of errors and delays, as well as intensifies the need for a transformative solution. And the solution hasn’t taken long to emerge — organizations are turning to intelligent automation in healthcare to improve their operations.

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In surveys of top executives, a resounding majority — over two-thirds — have acknowledged the accelerated adoption of digitization and automation in response to the COVID-19 crisis. For many, in this era of heightened digitization, automation has emerged as a game-changer that has fostered business resilience, improved customer service and sales. And healthcare automation holds the promise of revolutionizing the industry like never before, with improved patient treatment, reduced costs, and personalized care being among top benefits.

Here are several considerations that healthcare business owners should keep in mind about this pivotal step — transforming the healthcare system.

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What Is Intelligent Automation in Healthcare?

Intelligent automation covers the application of advanced technologies to automate and optimize various processes within a healthcare organization. It combines automation with intelligent decision-making capabilities and involves the use of algorithms and software systems that can learn from data, make predictions, and perform tasks with minimal human intervention.

Here are some key areas where you can apply automated processes in healthcare:

• Administrative tasks, such as appointment scheduling, billing, and coding, claims processing, and data entry.
• Electronic Health Records (EHR), as well as documentation, coding, and compliance tasks related to EHR systems.
• Clinical decision support through the analysis of patient data, medical literature, and best practices.
• Medical imaging analysis, such as X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans — specifically, for detecting abnormalities and assisting radiologists in diagnosing conditions.
• Patient monitoring through heart rate, blood pressure, and glucose levels in real time.
• Drug discovery and research through the analysis of vast amounts of biomedical data and potential drug targets.

Until recently, automation in various industries, health systems included, was mostly limited to simple and repetitive tasks. However, with intelligent automation, we’re seeing a new era emerging. This era makes it possible to create fully automated processes that can operate, learn, and adapt independently.

When to Automate a Healthcare System

Under which conditions or situations could healthcare automation be a good idea? One such case is when there is a high administrative workload.

Healthcare staff often spend a significant amount of time on administrative tasks. Similarly, in the case of a large number of patients, there is also an argument for the use of this technology. Managing a high patient volume can be challenging, and manual processes may not be able to keep up with the demands. But by automating these processes, you can streamline these tasks and allow the staff to focus more on direct patient care.

Next up, conducting documentation tasks manually — such as generating reports or charting patient information — can be time-consuming and prone to errors. So, many enterprises automate their documentation systems to integrate data from various sources and prevent potential mistakes in patient records.

Automation can also be crucial in remote patient monitoring scenarios. Instead of requiring patients to physically visit healthcare facilities for check-ups, technologies allow healthcare providers to remotely gather data and information about patients’ health. This allows them to track vital signs, symptoms, and treatment adherence outside of traditional healthcare settings.

Inefficient coordination among healthcare providers is another situation in which automation can be valuable. Through the sharing of patient information, test results, and treatment plans, healthcare providers can ensure better coordination and continuity of care. Otherwise, it could cause delays in providing care and create a fragmented and disconnected approach.

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7 Benefits of Intelligent Automation in Healthcare

Explore the remarkable benefits that automation technologies bring to the table:

1. Enhanced Patient Communication and Experience

When chatbots and virtual assistants are integrated into medical centers, they enrich the patient experience with round-the-clock support and instant responses to queries. Patients can rely on these tools to seek basic medical information, receive personalized recommendations tailored to their medical history, and even receive guidance on managing their health and well-being.

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The availability of these tools always brings a sense of reassurance, boosting patient satisfaction levels. They no longer have to endure long periods of uncertainty or delay in getting the information they need. Plus, these tools are designed to evolve and learn over time. In other words, they constantly improve their capabilities and expand their knowledge base.

2. Decreased Workload

Some healthcare professionals are experiencing unprecedented savings of hundreds and thousands of hours per year, all thanks to the reduced workloads brought about by automation. Just imagine the possibilities that emerge with those hours at their disposal each year. Healthcare workers can spend these hours on higher-value tasks, furthering professional development, or simply nurturing their own well-being.

The advantages of a decreased workload extend beyond individual professionals; organizations can achieve lower costs and increased efficiency, with smoother operations and improved financial management.

3. Seamless Data Accessibility

It no longer makes sense to sift through cumbersome paper records or navigate through fragmented electronic systems. Intelligent automated systems act as bridges, which connect various data sources and harmonize them into a cohesive whole of patient data. These centralized platforms grant providers an unprecedented panoramic view of patients’ data and their medical journeys.

Through a shared platform, physicians, specialists, nurses, and other professionals can exchange insights, consult on complex cases, and collectively shape the most effective treatment strategies. If done on a larger scale, it can even propel medical breakthroughs.

4. Compliance With HIPAA Regulations

Another benefit to mention is the enforcement of strict data security measures that align with HIPAA requirements. Digital systems implement a multi-layered approach to fortify the confidentiality and integrity of clinical data. Data transmissions are fortified using advanced encryption techniques, making them unreadable to unauthorized individuals who might try to intercept or access sensitive medical records.

Thus, by leveraging the right techniques, healthcare organizations can confidently transmit and store patient data while knowing that it remains protected at all times.

5. Error Minimization

Since errors can have significant consequences for patient well-being, there is a need for a transformative solution. By leveraging automation, the risk of human errors in critical areas is drastically reduced. As a result, providers ensure improved patient safety and enhanced healthcare quality.

Let’s focus on medication administration, for example. You can build a system in which dosage calculations and accurate delivery are carefully guided. This greatly minimizes the chances of human miscalculations or misinterpretations. Therefore, you significantly lower the risk of adverse drug events. A similar scenario goes for billing processes. With fewer financial discrepancies and billing inaccuracies, there is more confidence in the accuracy and transparency of healthcare charges.

6. Enhanced Emergency Management

During emergencies, time is of the essence. And one of the key benefits of automation in critical situations is its ability to swiftly identify and sort patients based on the severity of their conditions. Since the system can quickly analyze incoming data (vital signs and symptoms), the provider can prioritize patients who require immediate attention. Hence, there are fewer ​​delays in care delivery, better patient outcomes, and a lower risk of complications or further deterioration.

7. Optimal Resource Utilization

With automation, healthcare organizations can predict the volume of patients and their specific needs, allowing them to proactively adjust staffing levels. There will then be the right number of staff available at any given time and limited understaffing or overstaffing scenarios.

Or, as you determine the availability of beds, you can match patients to appropriate facilities based on their specific needs. This streamlines the patient admission and discharge process, reduces wait times, and maximizes the capacity of healthcare facilities. The better utilization of beds, the fewer compromises on quality or safety.

Tech and Approaches for Efficient Healthcare Automation

Technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotic process automation, and the Internet of Things are integral to improving patient experience and health outcomes in healthcare institutions. These technologies, when integrated synergistically, impact healthcare delivery in profound ways. Let’s discuss them individually to understand what each technology contributes to the industry.

AI/ML

AI/ML systems can work in various ways. One common approach is supervised learning, where the model learns from historical examples. Inputs (such as patient data, symptoms, or test results) are associated with desired outputs (such as diagnoses, treatment plans, or risk assessments). Once trained, the model can be used to predict outcomes for new, unseen cases.

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For example, the study illustrates an example representation of supervised learning applied to a population of patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) who have visited the emergency department (ED). By using AI/ML algorithms, the underlying clinical needs that drive ED visits can be visualized through correlation network diagrams and other tools. These tools help identify multiple risk factor categories that contribute to ED visits among COPD patients.

This applies to many other cases, too. Algorithms can analyze correlations within patient populations to identify patterns and relationships between different clinical factors, including age, smoking history, medication adherence, comorbidities, and triggers for exacerbations.

IoT

In healthcare settings, IoT sensors can be integrated into equipment, wearable medical devices, and other monitoring devices. They will then collect and transmit real-time data, e.g., vital signs, patient information, and environmental factors. For example, infusion pumps, glucose monitors, or ECG machines can collect data on medication dosages, glucose levels, or cardiac activity and transmit it instantly to healthcare professionals.

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And then, by integrating IoT with AI and ML, providers can monitor patients remotely and continuously, allowing for early detection of health issues or changes in a patient’s condition. Or, IoT-enabled pill dispensers can track a patient’s medication intake, and then AI algorithms will analyze the medication usage patterns and provide reminders. The possibilities are practically endless.

The value potential of IoT is substantial, with a concentration in nine specific settings. Human health stands as one of these settings, indicating the significant impact IoT can have in this domain. The projected economic value of IoT in healthcare is particularly remarkable in two top use cases: monitoring and treating illness, with an estimated value of 240–1,200 billion by 2030, and improving wellness, with a value of 310–560 billion.

RPA

Robotic process automation, as another crucial component of intelligent automation, focuses on automating rule-based tasks. On its own, it simplifies various healthcare processes, such as record-keeping, payment processing, tracking, and more. But its true power lies in the integration with other technologies.

For instance, RPA’s ability to automate tasks is amplified by AI/ML’s capability to learn from data and make intelligent decisions. But when we introduce IoT to the mix, the possibilities expand even further. IoT devices continuously gather real-time data, providing a wealth of information for other systems to leverage. RPA acts as the link orchestrating the flow of data between these devices and the intelligent systems.

One notable example is Cedars-Sinai Hospital, which has implemented a fleet of 28 robots that work behind the scenes to transport supplies and materials throughout the facility. These robots operate 24/7 and navigate the hospital using their dedicated elevators, hallways, and floors.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Automation in Healthcare

If you’re an enterprise looking to revolutionize your healthcare delivery and streamline processes, you’ll find this step-by-step roadmap that unravels the complexities very useful:

1. Identify areas of interest. Assess different processes and tasks that can benefit from automation. This could include data entry, appointment scheduling, inventory management, prescription fulfillment, laboratory testing, etc.
2. Set clear objectives. Among these goals could be enhancing experience, streamlining workflows, reducing errors, and/or increasing staff productivity. The point is to clearly outline what you hope to accomplish.
3. Conduct a feasibility study. Is automating the identified processes feasible? Consider such factors as cost, technology requirements, potential benefits, regulatory compliance, and security requirements. This may highlight the necessary adjustments in the implementation.
4. Select appropriate automation tools. Select tools that align with your objectives and integrate well with what you have.
5. Develop an implementation plan. Define roles and responsibilities, allocate necessary resources, and establish a timeline for each stage of the process.
6. Pilot test. Before deploying automation on a larger scale, test your chosen automated tools in a controlled environment. The goal is to ensure they function as expected and meet the desired outcomes.
7. Integrate and customize. Ensure compatibility, data security, and seamless interoperability with other systems.
8. Train the staff. Don’t forget about the staff who will be using or interacting with the automated systems. They need to be educated on how to operate the new tools effectively, and the management will need to address any concerns or resistance to change.
9. Deploy and monitor. Roll out the processes gradually across the system.
10. Improve your system and approach. It’s also a good idea to seek feedback from users and stay updated with advancements in tech to explore new automation opportunities.

Quick note: these ten steps provide a general overview of the process. But each project is unique, and your tech partner will have the expertise to tailor these steps to align perfectly with your healthcare organization.

10 Tips for Efficient Automation in Healthcare

As corporate leader, follow these tips to ensure that your solution operates at its highest potential:

1. Invest in interoperable systems for smooth data exchange and minimized manual effort.
2. Place the user at the forefront of your solution’s design, creating an intuitive and seamless user experience around their needs, preferences, and pain points.
3. Implement robust data encryption, access controls, and audit trails to safeguard sensitive information.
4. Recognize that healthcare is a field that involves human interaction and empathy; you’ll need to avoid overautomation.
5. Engage healthcare professionals, administrators, and staff to leverage their expertise and real-world experience.
6. Plan for the long term by anticipating your enterprise’s future needs.
7. Create a realistic budget that covers not just the initial implementation costs but also ongoing maintenance, updates, and training requirements.
8. Rather than completely replacing manual tasks overnight, consider implementing automation in phases.
9. Provide educational materials for patients on how to effectively use and interact with the automated systems.
10. Create an expert team to develop, implement, and maintain your solution.

How Can Intetics Help Healthcare Professionals?

You can opt for Remote In-Sourcing® if you need to upgrade your in-house tech team with niche specialists for the sake of innovations or to expand the team to deliver your solution quicklier. If you want to completely delegate healthcare automation, consider an Offshore Dedicated Team® (ODT®) that will create a performant cutting-edge solution to automate your healthcare processes.

By partnering with Intetics, you gain access to our highly skilled professionals, who will generate scalable and agile solutions tailored to the specific requirements of your healthcare facilities. The team has already automated CRM processes of a well-known healthcare organization: the automated system empowered them with details on the quantity and status of processed or unprocessed items, as well as promptly alerted administrators if any jobs failed, allowing for a quick resolution. In another project, the Client had their manual ordering operations digitized and automated. An efficient synchronization with electronic patient records was also set up, which allowed for improved data sharing and analysis.

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Final Thoughts

Overall, automated systems in medical centers propel the healthcare industry toward a future in which innovation, efficiency, and patient-centricity thrive. They help healthcare professionals dedicate their expertise to improving patient care while keeping the administrative burden to a minimum. And the good news is that, as these technologies mature, it becomes easier to deploy and integrate them into your existing systems. Many healthcare organizations would need a strategic partner to make this all happen. Reach out to discover which solution is the best for you.