Technology and health, symbiosis towards digitalization

The healthcare sector has been one of the sectors most affected by the digitalization process due to the pandemic. This sector was the first to react and adapt to digitalization after the emergence of Covid-19 at the beginning of 2020. Hospitals, clinics, health centres, care centres, laboratories and a long etcetera, belonging to both the public and private sectors, have changed their management towards online communication with patients and internal digital management with their employees.

Where the healthcare sector is heading

Currently, according to the report prepared by HIMSS Annual European Digital Health Survey 2021, the priorities of the healthcare sector revolve around digital services. 87% of healthcare centers already include digital services and work with Big Data, betting on security in technology for data protection and privacy. In addition, 77% already allow teleworking remotely to all healthcare staff, increasing the proliferation of virtual consultation and online care. Furthermore, according to this study, it is estimated that 73% need to exchange information on a daily basis with the health authorities, for which it is necessary to use digital platforms.

Healthcare is in a very advanced process as far as digitalization is concerned. A new stage in which the patient profile has developed at the same time, demanding speed, safety and comfort in the service received. That is why the use of the electronic signature and digital certificate has become the life vest of many companies and institutions in the sector. A must in patient care processes for procedures such as delivery of medical reports, signature of consent, admission forms or even dispensing electronic prescriptions. In the same way, it has also become a strategic asset in the internal organization of companies for more agile personnel selection processes, signing of labor contracts, organization and assignment of guards, supply orders, management with insurance companies, etc.

At the IVO Foundation we are very satisfied with the Ivnosys electronic signature platform. Both the products they provide and the service are exceeding the expectations generated in the employee selection process.

Ignacio Galve Castillo

Director of Information Systems at the IVO Foundation.

Types of electronic signature most in demand in the healthcare sector

In this context, it is vital to know all the types of electronic signature available on the market in order to choose the most appropriate one depending on the management to be carried out. One of the main features of Ivnosys, which gives it an added value compared to other players, is that it covers the entire digital spectrum, offering the full range of electronic signatures, from the simplest to the most advanced. In the healthcare field, we could highlight the use of the simple signature for routine procedures that do not require a great legal robustness and where the signer must express their agreement or consent with the click of a button. For its part, certified email, unlike traditional email, provides electronic evidence that the recipient has received and opened the email with the documentation, becoming an essential resource when delivering analysis and test results, medical reports, etc. Also, the signature with digital certificate should be highlighted as the most secure method that offers the same legal validity as the handwritten signature for processes that require a higher degree of legal guarantee and legal protection.

Digital trends in the short and medium term

According to the latest studies on the sector, in the next three years healthcare data analytics will have taken hold in order to make information available when and where it is needed, as well as cloud-based services and solutions through tools for centralizing and protecting medical and healthcare information. Other trends pointed out by experts include the use of artificial intelligence, which is expected to take on a greater role, deriving its practice towards immediate patient support and consultation systems. Finally, personalized medicine will be another of the strong points that, combined with technology, will offer great progress and innovation in processes.

For all these reasons, the immediate future of the healthcare sector involves a 100% digitalization process, for which it is essential to have technological allies such as Ivnosys who accompany and guide companies in their transformation to be able to extract the maximum potential that technology currently offers us.