Stroke care post-COVID: Technology & out-patient programs lead the way
Richard Russo, Jr., chief financial officer and interim chief executive officer, BIONIK Laboratories, explains what he feels is needed for stroke care post-pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought several challenges to the healthcare system, and through those challenges it has been made evident that technology and out-patient facilities offer real solutions to gain positive patient outcomes. As hospitals across the country once again face high patient volume due to the Omicron variant, keeping non-COVID related patients safe from potential infections is a priority. The out-patient market is rising to the occasion to meet this demand, and in doing so, is setting the foundation to support not only the needs of a population facing a healthcare emergency, but a society with an ageing population and one increasingly using telehealth services. Outpatient facilities access to new technologies paired with their ability to keep prices for care lower than hospitals further exemplifies their staying power.
For stroke care specifically, technology and out-patient care programs have transformed how patients recover. AI-powered robotics is advancing care by uniting clinicians, patients, and technology for optimal recovery results. For COVID patients experiencing an increase in stroke, advanced care post treatment is necessary to return to normal activities. According to a study on the impact of COVID-19 on neurological events, more than 80% of patients hospitalised with COVID-19 have had neurologic symptoms at some point in the course of the disease, including stroke. In looking at ischemic stroke in COVID-19, patients who experienced severe illness from a COVID-19 diagnosis saw a 6% increase in the incidences of stroke.
Technology adoption will allow clinicians to provide better care for patients
Robotics and targeted therapy have been effective treatment plans to enhance a stroke patient’s recovery using their brain's neuroplasticity. Where traditional therapy will track 30 to 60 movements per hour, therapy utilising robotics such as BIONIK’s InMotion devices to assist and guide a patient’s upper limb movements can track upwards of 600 to 1,000 movements in an hour. AI allows the robot to adjust the response to the patient’s individual needs as it measures the speed, position, and acceleration of each movement. These technological advancements in care for stroke patients allows for a less gruelling recovery process and more timely results.
The BIONIK InMotion Robots utilised at healthcare facilities nationwide have seen a 72% increase in patient use in the past year. In addition, the amount of session hours and repetitions on the devices have all increased. Where technology adoption is often one of the biggest barriers to success within clinics, offering a solution that can engage clinicians and management teams by increasing the adoption and utilisation of the investment leads to more effective use of any new technology.
Technology is also helping to allow clinicians to keep distance between themselves and patients, further maintaining infection control protocols in place during the pandemic. While human touch has been a hallmark of medicine, robotics like InMotion help outpatient facilities administer therapy for stroke patients, while removing the amount of direct contact needed as clinicians oversee the robot’s movements.
As hospitals continue to get back to ‘Normal’, out-patient facilities will become leaders in recovery
COVID-19 put a massive strain on hospitals across the country. The sheer volume of patients entering hospitals who are battling COVID has made it difficult for healthcare management teams to provide inpatient staff and services for rehabilitation care. Outpatient facilities have and continue to serve as needed supplements in recovery, specifically for stroke patients. After suffering a neurological event such as a stroke, rehabilitation services must begin to drive the process of neuroplasticity. Access to these services and technology allow stroke patients to begin performing activities with their upper limbs to stimulate function and motor learning in a timely manner.
The growth for outpatient facilities and telehealth services continues to be well documented. According to McKinsey, a recent report showed that telehealth use has increased 38 times since before the pandemic began. JLL Healthcare Capital Markets reported outpatient care is estimated to grow more than 20%, representing an added 540 million annual outpatient visits over the 10 year period. The report also notes, in 2030, outpatient encounters are expected to top more than 3.2 billion serving the expected U.S. population of 355 million individuals in 2030.
Equipping these ambulatory facilities with the latest technology will only further positive patient outcomes. While technology adoption has been a hurdle in healthcare, equipping clinicians with ongoing training, support, and education will aid in their success. Patient data is at the core of new technologies being made to both inpatient and outpatient programs. In stroke recovery, data intelligence can improve efficiency with insights, while management teams can continue to increase asset utilisation of devices within these facilities. For the patients, the ability to track their own progress and stay motivated through recovery is especially important in stroke recovery to maintain progress.
COVID-19 has forced the healthcare system to look at new ways of advancing care for patients. As the world moves past the pandemic, new technologies will be adopted to provide better care and the rise of new facilities will bring these technologies to more people, regardless of their location. With strokes continuing to increase due to COVID, these timely solutions will make a long-term impact.