Artificial intelligence is one of the fastest-growing trends in technology at the moment, with generative AI getting closer and closer. More industries are embracing the technology every single day and the healthcare industry is no different. Providers are striving to achieve better final mile delivery, and AI can be the tool to support that. Find out more about the role of AI in the healthcare industry and how emerging technologies can help to improve outcomes for patients across the sector.
What is artificial intelligence?
Despite being one of the most discussed technologies around at the moment, a lot of people don’t fully understand what AI and machine learning are. Artificial intelligence refers to a computer’s attempts to replicate human intelligence and thought. This goes a step further when discussing machine learning, in which an artificial intelligence system adapts and adjusts as it takes in more information. These systems are primarily used for providing assistance with problem-solving and logistical problems due to the software’s ability to examine an issue and create a rational, logical response.
The benefits of AI in final mile delivery
There are a few major benefits of implementing AI in your healthcare processes. Knowing more about these benefits means that you can target them, helping you to make the most of the opportunities artificial intelligence can offer. These include:
Real-time tracking
Real-time tracking involves an AI system tracking the levels of resources that an organisation has available. By tracking this more accurately as the organisation runs, you have a better idea of when to complete procurement processes and the rate at which you use goods. Elcom’s DistributIN solution is ideal for tracking the goods that a company needs for its daily operations.
Greater automation
Artificial intelligence has allowed companies to automate a lot of their more menial processes, taking less skill-intensive tasks away from highly skilled employees. That is especially useful in the healthcare sector, with nurses and doctors able to focus on the final mile delivery of healthcare services rather than logistical struggles.
Better patient experiences
Patients experience more time with experts when AI plays a bigger role in healthcare provision, and they receive their treatments more quickly and without disruption thanks to ongoing procurement processes. The ultimate goal of a healthcare organisation is to help people to achieve better healthcare outcomes, so artificial intelligence and machine learning are things that need to be implemented in any forward-thinking organisation.
How can we better integrate AI?
Understanding the benefits of effective AI implementation is a good start, but without proper integration, there are no real benefits to those systems. See some of the main steps to take when integrating AI into your processes, and learn why they are so effective:
Examine how you work
Start the process by thoroughly examining the way that the organisation works. This means building an understanding of everything from ordering processes to the way that you do inventory, in addition to the people responsible for these tasks. All of these roles can be made more efficient with artificial intelligence, but it is significantly more difficult to address any of these concerns if you don’t properly understand them.
Use a dedicated team
Have a specific team dedicated to running the transition from manual systems to artificial intelligence. The first benefit of having this approach is that it encourages specialisation. There is plenty of expertise and a range of webinars available for people looking to develop their skills. Furthermore, this gives people a clear point of contact within the organisation to reach out to, with less confusion around internal communications and raising tickets when people know who to go to.
Make adjustments
Don’t be afraid to modify the way that an organisation uses artificial intelligence. Machine learning is built on the idea of taking in new information and adapting to it, so there’s no benefit to be had by sticking rigidly to the same routine if it isn’t working. Look for flaws in your AI implementation and modify the way the platform works over time, helping to significantly limit any delays in your logistics and evolving into the best possible AI-augmented organisation over an extended period. Make sure that you consider any changes that you do make carefully, as this reduces the risk of mistakes.
Conclusion
Ultimately, there are plenty of benefits to using AI in the medical industry, the main question is around how an organisation can effectively unlock these benefits to increase efficiency. By understanding your internal processes, doing thorough research, and tracking the quality of your implementation throughout, you can introduce machine learning to an organisation quickly and effectively. Get started, learn more with Elcom’s live webinar and reap the benefits of innovative technology for years to come.
