“PATIENT PRIVACY AND DATA PROTECTION ARE OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE”
Future Medicine India|November 2020
ResMed, a global leader in digital health with many cloud-connected devices such as ventilators and bilevel respiratory devices, recently stated that there could not be a clearer case for the use of digital health tools than in the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. However, the company has always maintained that patient privacy is critically important while using these technologies. With reference to the recent IMA protest against the proposed National Digital Health Mission in India, SEEMA ARORA ResMed India’s National Marketing Head said that there should be strict data protection laws in place and only that will ensure that patient data is secured and protected when implementing digital health policies at the national level. Edited excerpts of Straight Talk with DIVYA CHOYIKUTTY
DIVYA CHOYIKUTTY
“PATIENT PRIVACY AND DATA PROTECTION ARE OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE”

ResMed is an established player in the respiratory care segment, and caregivers would naturally expect more innovative solutions from your company to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Do you think you has been able to rise up to such expectations?

ResMed has always been futuristic and proactive in adopting new technologies and solutions. Yes, there is a paradigm shift that has been observed globally in the immediate past, but we see multiple challenges in the adoption of these technologies in India, mainly due to low awareness. Our cloud care connective solutions for devices have been a step forward in this direction by enabling remote monitoring of patients and online consultations. In the recent past, the production of these cloud-care connected devices has gone up drastically, resulting in a surge in demand across the globe. Apart from products, we have used technology extensively to leverage our expertise and information for handling these crises by giving online advice and by giving ventilator training to our health care professionals through these virtual tools.

Cloud-connected platforms are key enablers of digitisation in healthcare. But resource separation failure, privilege abuse and other privacy issues remain a big challenge. As a platform provider, how do you perceive and address these issues?

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