The State of Healthcare Technology and Where It's Headed
Healthcare Technology Is Here To Stay
Regardless of industry, technology is no longer a supporting player—it’s an integral, driving force. And in healthcare, it’s become an increasingly critical area of focus. Emerging tools, novel approaches to existing infrastructure, and automations are improving how care is delivered, managed, and experienced.
From digital health records and AI-enhanced diagnostics to pharmacy automation and hospital pneumatic tube systems, healthcare technology is reshaping the patient journey, the clinician’s workflow, and the business of healthcare.
What Is Healthcare Technology Exactly?
Healthcare technology refers to the application of technology in the form of devices, medicines, procedures, and systems developed to solve health problems and health administration processes. It spans everything from electronic health records (EHRs) and telemedicine platforms to automated pharmacies and wearable devices.
At its core, healthcare technology aims to:
- Improve patient outcomes
- Enhance operational efficiency
- Reduce human error
- Lower costs
- Increase accessibility
- Increase security
- Reduce operational waste
Pharmacy Automation Technology
Not surprisingly, one of the most common applications of healthcare technology is pharmacy automation. And as our recent paper alludes, no, pharmacists won’t be replaced anytime soon. However, hospitals and health systems are increasingly turning to automated solutions to streamline medication management, reduce errors, and improve patient safety.
What Is Pharmacy Automation?
Pharmacy automation involves the use of robotic systems, software platforms, and inventory control technologies to manage the preparation, dispensing, and tracking of medications from picking to patient.
These systems can handle tasks such as:
- Automated dispensing of unit-dose medications
- Barcode verification for accuracy
- Inventory monitoring and restocking
- Integration with EHRs and pharmacy information systems
- Security for controlled substances
Fun fact: PillPick Octave can manage 50,000+ medications at a time.
Why It Matters
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), medication errors are the most common and preventable cause of patient injury, with 6.5 out of 100 patients being affected.
Automation reduces the risk of human error, ensures compliance with safety protocols, and frees up pharmacists to focus on clinical decision-making.
Real-World Impact
Hospitals using pharmacy automation report:
- Faster turnaround times for medication delivery
- Improved accuracy in dispensing
- Reduced waste and overstock
- Enhanced regulatory compliance
- Less staff burnout
- Leveraged economies of scale
- Workflow flexibility
Hospital Pneumatic Tube Systems
While less flashy than the robotic arms that symphonically pick pills in something like a PillPick Octave, pneumatic tube systems are the tried-and-true workhorse in hospital logistics. These systems transport medications, lab specimens, and medical supplies across large campuses much faster than any human—saving time and improving workflow efficiency.
How Pneumatic Tube Systems Work
Pneumatic tube systems use pressurized air to move carriers through a network of tubes installed throughout a hospital. These carriers can securely hold:
- Medications from central pharmacy to patient floors
- Blood samples from ER to lab
- Supplies between departments
The system is fast, secure, and integrated with hospital IT infrastructure to ensure traceability and accountability.
To get a more in depth look at tube systems, read our blog "How a Pneumatic Tube System Works".
Benefits to the Healthcare Facility
- Speed: Reduces wait times for critical items
- Efficiency: Frees up staff from manual transport tasks
- Safety: Minimizes physical contact and contamination risk
- Scalability: Supports large hospitals with multiple departments
The TransLogic pneumatic tube system is a great example of how technology can amp up performance. Things like smart routing, carrier tracking, and smart maintenance all help keep things running smoothly. To see what tube system downtime costs, use our manual transport calculator.
Emerging Trends in Healthcare Technology
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning
AI is revolutionizing diagnostics, imaging, and provider processes. Algorithms can now detect patterns in medical data faster—leading to earlier interventions and better outcomes. Meanwhile, many health facilities are using AI note-taking medical scribes to document patient visits thus allowing providers to spend more time focusing on the patient rather than multitasking.
Examples:- AI-assisted radiology scans
- Predictive analytics for patient deterioration
- Natural language processing in clinical documentation
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Internet of Things (IoT) and Wearables
Connected devices are becoming more and more common, even outside of healthcare. These devices enable continuous monitoring of patients both in and out of the hospital. Perhaps one of the most familiar is the smartwatch – which can track heart rate -- to remote glucose monitors.
Benefits:- Real-time data collection
- Early detection of anomalies
- Improved chronic disease management
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Telehealth and Virtual Care Platforms
Thanks in large part to the covid-19 pandemic, telemedicine platforms have gone mainstream in no-time, offering remote consultations, therapy sessions, and follow-ups. This is especially valuable in rural settings or for patients living with disabilities.
Advantages:- Increased access to specialists
- Reduced travel and wait times
- Lower overhead costs
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Data Integration and Interoperability Initiatives
Healthcare systems will invariably adopt more platforms. Thus, the need for seamless data exchange becomes critical. Interoperability ensures that patient information flows easily – and most importantly, securely -- across platforms and providers.
Challenges:- Standardizing data formats
- Ensuring cybersecurity
- Aligning with regulatory frameworks
Challenges and Considerations of Advancing Healthcare Technology
Despite its promise, healthcare technology faces hurdles:
- Cost of implementation: High upfront investment with the need for specialized staff
- Training and adoption: Staff must be onboarded effectively
- Data privacy: Sensitive health data must be protected
- Regulatory compliance: Technologies must meet strict standards
Successful deployment requires thoughtful planning, stakeholder engagement, and ongoing support.
The Path Forward
Healthcare technology is no longer optional—it’s essential. From pharmacy automation that ensures safe medication delivery to tech-forward pneumatic tube systems that streamline hospital logistics, innovation is driving better care at every level.
As AI, IoT, and digital platforms continue to evolve, the future of healthcare will be smarter, faster, and more connected. Organizations that embrace these tools will be better positioned to meet the demands of modern medicine and deliver exceptional patient outcomes.
Healthcare technology isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about empowering the providers that help patients.
