Connected health technologies in hospital settings allow the providers to improve their capabilities to communicate with patients as well as deliver a higher standard of care, according to the 2016 HIMSS Connected Health Survey.

More than half of respondents reported that their hospital currently uses three or more connected health technologies, indicating the "growing importance these technologies play in the hospital setting," according to the report. 

More than two-thirds (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.

“The healthcare ecosystem is increasingly converging on patient centric technology solutions,” said Tom Martin, PhD, 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.

The 52 percent of hospitals indicated the use of three or more of these technologies, including:

• Mobile optimized patient portals (58 percent)
• Apps for patient education/engagement (48 percent)
• Remote patient monitoring (37 percent)
• Telehealth—audio visual fee for service (34 percent)
• SMS texting (33 percent)
• Patient-generated health data (32 percent)
• Telehealth—concierge service (26 percent)

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 identified in this report—the most popular being telehealth—concierge service, Patient-generated health data solutions and SMS texting.

Access the complete report.