New technology can boost healthcare efficiency

Over the last three years, consecutive waves of COVID variants and other infections have put healthcare facilities under extreme stress. From hospitals and intensive care units to aged care facilities, staff members have been overwhelmed by the sheer number of patients requiring treatment and hospitalisation.

Healthcare staff and technicians are pushed to the limits of their endurance and barely have time to recuperate before dealing with the next wave of infections and patients.

When the healthcare system is significantly under pressure, priority is needed. Healthcare staff need all the help they can get to keep providing extraordinary service. But what can be done?

The future of healthcare is technology-driven

Technology can help improve the lives of both healthcare staff and patients. And it does not require a considerable investment to make a difference to day-to-day efficiency. Seemingly small innovations stack up to create significant boosts that can deliver major across-the-board improvements in the quality of life for patients and healthcare professionals.

For over 30 years, LINAK^® has been focusing on making the lives of users and patients more manageable. And over the last few years, advances in wireless technology, product durability and hygiene have been incorporated into healthcare equipment to make it even more reliable, efficient and easy to keep clean.

Downtime is the greatest enemy of a stressed system, and LINAK is very focused on keeping products running smoothly and efficiently even under challenging conditions. LINAK is helping healthcare equipment manufacturers prepare for upcoming challenges by offering robust, future-proof solutions and easy-to-use solutions.

Helping manufacturers pass on the benefits of a digital system

The healthcare sector is just starting its digital journey, and the LINAK OneConnect™ platform opens the doors to a world of digital opportunities for manufacturers to create seamless solutions for the benefit of their end users.

Using the OneConnect app, service technicians and end users get an overview of important system status and information from healthcare equipment with LINAK systems. Technicians can search for and identify products that indicate if scheduled maintenance, cleaning or charging is required. This directly impacts uptime as pre-emptive maintenance can be planned to ensure system uptime.

Remote access to system data from worldwide optimises the technical support process.

Tomorrow’s healthcare is wireless

On a more practical level, simply using wireless connectivity can significantly boost efficiency and ease the lives of end users. The wireless hand control can be placed wherever is most convenient and ergonomic for both patient and caregiver.

It dramatically improves working environments for caregivers by eliminating cabled hand controls and reducing the risk of trip hazards while allowing caregivers to move freely around applications such as hospital beds or patient lifts.

A wireless solution reduces service visits or application downtime costs due to damaged cables. Pinched or sheared cables can be inconvenient for both caregivers and patients and could cause the application to stop working.

Cables require extra attention when sanitising, as bacteria can hide within the coils. Eliminating the cable minimises the spreading of hidden bacteria between caregivers and patients and cross-contamination on mobile applications such as patient lifts. The time needed to sanitise applications properly and the potential spread of bacteria are highly reduced with wireless hand control.

Giving healthcare standards a real lift

The LINAK LIFT50™ has been explicitly designed with caregivers in mind to improve quality of life. Ergonomically designed to make day-to-day tasks less physically demanding and stressful. With practical, easy-to-use interfaces, the LIFT50 makes daily work less complicated. And talking of lifts, making products easy to clean, effortless to read and straightforward to interact with can make a significant difference to caregivers and patients.

With optional wireless control, future-ready BLUETOOTH^® data exchange and protective maintenance, end users can view information remotely via smartphone or tablet using the LINAK OneConnect.

Tested to improve performance

Improving the longevity of lift equipment while maintaining an uncompromising approach to safety has resulted in a new battery system for the LIFT50. Li-ion batteries are lighter and longer lasting, which makes them an obvious choice.

LINAK tests battery cells for many months to simulate product lifetime in the field. This means that manufacturers always get a safe and reliable product.

LINAK Protect™ helps create an infection-free environment

To help end users fight against bacteria, manufacturers can now design healthcare equipment that can withstand aggressive washing conditions. With IPX6 Washable, a LINAK system is wash tunnel ready. When combined with other elements of LINAK Protect, which permits thorough and repeated cleaning without affecting product performance, manufacturers can contribute to an infection-free future for their customers.

Over 30 years ago, LINAK introduced the concept of ‘washable’ components, which exceeded the low IP ratings. Over the years, this concept became a standard adopted by the industry. In 2017, LINAK raised the bar for lasting hygiene with their range of Washable DURA™ components which are 5X more washable than existing standards demand.

COVID-19 is not the first and will not be the last challenge our struggling healthcare system will face. Antibiotic-resistant infections remain one of the most significant health risks of our time. Addressing this threat is still a public health priority.

But the advances in hygiene standards have not stopped here. By incorporating a tried and trusted antimicrobial additive in manufacturing selected hand controls and attendant controls, LINAK has significantly reduced the potential for cross-contamination from surfaces end users interact with.

Technology and hygiene combined for maximum efficiency

Today, LINAK continues to develop new advances in washability and is constantly pushing the limits for what can be achieved. By focusing on new technology and digital solutions, LINAK helps enhance patient safety and increase the efficiency of hospital hygiene logistics and working routines. LINAK supports the healthcare system in facing future challenges.

To find out more about LINAK technology medical solutions, visit www.linak.com.au/MEDLINE-CARELINE.