Hospital-at-home options expand as APAC facilities aim for efficiency

APAC hospitals are improving clinical outcomes by incorporating diagnostic tools.

Private hospitals in Southeast Asia are increasingly focusing on integrating new technologies to enhance operational efficiency and clinical outcomes, such as hospitals-at-home, according to Saleem Butt, Principal at L.E.K. Consulting. 

A recent survey involving 600 executives from the region has unveiled a shift towards optimising hospital operations to meet the rising patient demand post-pandemic.

Butt highlighted the recovery of elective volumes across APAC, though he noted disparities in markets like Japan and the Philippines. "There is a desire to focus on efficiency as the system becomes more constrained," Butt stated.

He pinpointed workflow efficiencies, standardisation of clinical protocols, and optimised drug and medical device usage as key areas of focus. Additionally, the concept of 'hospital at home' is gaining traction, offering patients lower acuity care outside traditional hospital settings, thereby alleviating the pressure on hospital resources.

The survey also reveals a concerted effort in cost control measures among hospitals. This includes strategies such as volume discounts, preferred brand selections, and spend consolidation within departments to achieve more sustainable financial models while enhancing patient care.

Butt said that the post-COVID era sees hospitals striving to differentiate their services through better clinical outcomes. "Clinical outcomes are becoming more important as hospitals try to differentiate their value offering," he explained, underlining the significance of technological tools in diagnosis and clinical decision-making processes.

Regarding future investments, Butt identifies areas such as diagnostic imaging, dental services, nephrology, cardiology, and oncology as key focus points varying by country, reflecting the diverse healthcare needs and priorities across the region. 

He also emphasised the crucial role of medical technologies and digitalization in the transformation of healthcare services. "Medical technologies are a critical component, especially in a world where you need to differentiate what you can offer to the patient," he mentioned, pointing to the booming segments like diagnostic imaging and immunodiagnostics.

Digital investments are also notably increasing, with hospitals leveraging technology to expand patient reach and improve care. The emphasis on digital solutions comes as a response to the lower patient-to-doctor ratios in the region compared to other parts of the world.