Talk to an epidemiologist – any epidemiologist – and they will tell you that they always knew that, sooner or later, there was going to be a pandemic. Indeed, there will be more, facilitated by our warming world and the volume of international travel, but next time we will be able to resist more effectively, at least in terms of how we provide healthcare. That is because most of the measures that epidemiologists have been lobbying for over the years have finally been implemented. Between this and the direct effects of the COVID-19 experience on staff in the sector, it has changed dramatically over the past few years. In the long term, we will all be better off as a result.
The rise of remote care
The risks involved in running centralized medical services during periods of high infection risk have encouraged healthcare providers across the country to put a much stronger focus on remote care. This includes a massive increase in the use of telemedicine, which does not work for every patient but makes life much easier for many of those with chronic conditions, plus an increased focus on nurse outreach in the community. Care homes and assisted living facilities are giving way to models of support which focus on the increased use of home aides. Drive-through testing and vaccination centers save money as well as reduce risk.
Improved infection control models
Where bringing patients to a centralized location is unavoidable, strict protocols have been implemented to segregate those with COVID infections from others, and this should be relatively easy to replicate for future disease outbreaks. Many hospitals continue to insist on patient masking as a prerequisite for admission in high-risk situations, and the improved quality of masks available to healthcare workers has reduced the transmission of opportunistic infections in contexts such as surgery and immunosuppression. There is also increased use of technological sterilization techniques, such as microwaving potentially contaminated materials.
Increased opportunities for nurses
It is important to be honest and recognize that the healthcare system is under strain due to the large numbers of staff who have left the system due to exhaustion, but this has resulted in positive changes which are making life easier for staff going forward. New graduates from the University of Indianapolis’ highly acclaimed nursing courses, which emphasize service and leadership, are entering a world in which a single license extends to many more states, making it much easier to move around. There are lots of good job opportunities, and salary and benefits packages are improving as institutions compete to attract the best talent. Nurses have also been given new powers, enabling them to take a more active role in decision-making.
As the sector rapidly adopts new technologies and places ever greater emphasis on staff welfare, it is becoming a more attractive place to work than ever. Patients enjoy a better quality of service, with telehealth also bringing down costs and a more responsive service that can adapt to changing circumstances benefits all involved.
Mohsin Chauhan is a versatile journalist who covers a wide range of news topics with depth and precision. With an insatiable curiosity and a commitment to delivering unbiased reporting, Mohsin brings readers up-to-date on the most significant events and stories shaping our world.
