Digital Health news round-up for October-November 2020

Telstra Health is sharing its latest instalment of the leading digital health news stories from the past month. 

Throughout the end of October and beginning of November, we have come across a number of thought-provoking articles centred around the digital healthcare disruption and what this could mean for the future of healthcare. From articles focused on the impacts of a growing appetite for telemedicine and virtual care, to a new framework for nurses and midwives to assess their digital health knowledge and skills – here are the top stories for October and November across the digital health sector.

2021 flu jab demand predicted to be high, Australian Journal of Pharmacy (19 October 2020)

Acting Chief Medical Officer of the Commonwealth, Professor Paul Kelly, wrote to health sector leaders pointing out the urgency to begin preparations for an expected increase in demand for the 2021 flu season. Available here.

Medtasker rolled out at Royal Hobart Hospital ahead of schedule, Medical Republic (26 October 2020)

In a partnership between Telstra Health, the Tasmanian Health Service (THS) and Department of Health, clinical communication and task management system Medtasker has been rolled out to various teams in the Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH) Emergency Department (ED). Available here.

Nurses and midwives lead healthcare digital transformation, GregHunt.com.au (28 October 2020)

The National Nursing and Midwifery Digital Health Capability Framework has been developed by nurses and midwives which allows Australia’s healthcare workforce (of more than 400,000 nurses and midwives) to assess their digital health knowledge and skills against a new professional development framework. Available here.

How digital health has responded to COVID-19, Medical Republic (5 November 2020)

While Australia’s health and aged care sectors have been fragmentally digitised for a number of years, the pandemic has rapidly accelerated the adoption of digital solutions as a whole, and not just virtual health consultations. Available here.

Maryborough district rolls out Telstra Health’s virtual monitoring service, Pulse+IT (5 November 2020)

Victoria’s Maryborough District Health Service has rolled out Telstra Health’s Virtual Health Monitoring service, an integrated, at-home solution which allows patients to track and submit their pulse and oxygen saturation using a SpO2 pulse oximeter, temperature, blood glucose, weight and blood pressure. Available here.

How global healthcare disruption can make you money, Australian Financial Review (17 October 2020)

Technology driven healthcare, such as the telehealth boom, is accelerating monumental changes across the digital health sector and re-imagining the future of medicine.  Available here.