It’s a new year, and it’s going to be full of new trends and innovations that will drive the post-acute care industry forward. Some things are obvious with us still dealing with the hardships and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, while others may surprise you. That’s why we created this blog post to enlighten you on the exciting developments happening in our industry.
As one of the leading post-acute care facilities in southern California, South Coast Post Acute embraces innovation. Not just because we have to, but because it secures an effective treatment plan for our patients and significantly reduces their chance of rehospitalization. Read our article below to learn what trends are occurring in post-acute care in 2022.
COVID-19 Continues to Be a Top Concern
Since 2020, the world has been turned upside down by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This will continue to be the case for patients and practitioners in 2022. We will be dealing with the virus in some way for the foreseeable future with no signs of stopping in sight. This of course will continue to affect people’s health, but it will also affect the ability of hospitals and health systems to improve our health as efficiently.
Post-Acute Care is Building Better Healthcare Equity
Health equity means that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. To achieve this, it requires removing obstacles such as poverty, discrimination, and overall lack of access to quality medical services. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought our lack of equity to light and many practices are working towards better care.
Karen Kobelski, Vice President and General Manager of Clinical Surveillance Compliance & Data Solutions, at Wolters Kluwer, Health, told Hospital and Healthcare Management that “the COVID-19 pandemic put a spotlight on health disparities in the U.S. and the industry can no longer turn a blind eye. 2022 will be a pivotal year for making healthcare data help and not hinder the bigger goal of delivering the best care everywhere.”
Technology is Playing a Huge Role in Bettering Healthcare Equity
It’s no surprise that technology is becoming an essential part of our lives. This is especially true for medical practices looking to better healthcare equity. Some of the technologies that are being used include:
- Wearables: Popular wearables such as smartwatches and fitness trackers have brought increased health awareness to users, consumers, and patients by generating data that can be used to inform patient care.
- Telehealth: Because of the pandemic, telehealth has shown to be an extraordinary alternative for in-person care. It’s also been a great tool for providing access to people who ordinarily wouldn’t be able to access it. We expect greater investment in this platform as people continue to demand telehealth as their primary source of care.
- Virtual Reality: VR headsets have been around for a few years now, but it’s only been viewed as a way to entertain. However, VR has a lot of potential for providing a high level of care for patients. According to Biotech, the market for VR in healthcare will grow by nearly 35%. This is due to the technology’s potential in positively impacting patients in their treatments.
Job Growth for Nurses will Rise
Another thing we will likely see in 2022 is the growing demand for nurses. The world is in the middle of a critical nursing shortage due to the increased demand during the pandemic and an aging population with complex medical needs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the job growth for registered nurses (RNs) through 2030 to be 9%, as fast as average. They also estimate job growth for advanced practice nurses through 2030 to be 45%.
South Coast Post Acute is Your Source for Quality Care
At South Coast Post Acute, we are committed to providing excellent services for our clients to ensure an effective recovery with a low chance of rehospitalization. We are passionately dedicated to providing the quality of service and care you come to expect from southern California’s leading post-acute care provider.
Through our innovative care and dedicated, experienced staf, we strive to provide the best patient care with a focus on reducing your length of stay when possible and preventing 30-day rehospitalizations. Contact us today to learn how we can help you on your journey back to full health.