A report from the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives and KLAS Research indicates that wearable devices have the potential to empower patients in their own healthcare. However, for wider adoption, health systems need to improve security and connectivity. Healthcare organizations that are making the most progress in this area are measuring the effectiveness of patient engagement tools and making changes to produce optimal results.

Healthcare organizations are working to combine personal technologies with healthcare, with a focus on data security and interoperability. This has the potential to lead to more effective, proactive, and patient-centric care. According to the report, the top uses for wireless technology among health IT executives surveyed included telehealth for clinicians, wireless Voice over Internet Protocol, video monitoring, cellular connectivity throughout premises, Radio Frequency Identification/Real-Time Location Systems, telemetry over Internet Protocol, wander management/patient elopement/infant abduction, and patient wearables integrated with the EHR. These findings are based on a survey representing about 40% of U.S. hospitals’ digital footprint.