Healthcare on the Move

With the rapid growth of technology, patients continue gaining easier and more convenient access to medical services better than before. Today, with the more extensive capability of doctors and hospitals plus the advancement of technology, patients can undergo procedures without having to spare an extra dime by opting to be an outpatient. This allows them to be more efficient on how they use their time, energy, money, and other resources. More importantly, patients are able to take advantage of the many innovations of medical technology now being made available worldwide - in both developed and developing countries. This way, their lives are made easier than before especially when considering their current health situation and their daily healthcare needs. With the ongoing rise of demand for urgent care comes the establishment of ambulatory care.

Ambulatory care refers to personal healthcare services that include consultation, follow-ups, X-rays, and minor surgeries given on an outpatient basis. This means that the patient's stay in the hospital, from registration process to treatment and eventually leading to discharge, is limited within the same-calendar day. Ambulatory care could be given at a hospital, healthcare facility, doctor's office, or clinic along with institutions such as schools and prisons.

Medical needs on the rise
Making ambulatory care more in demand worldwide is the aging population. In Asia Pacific alone, well-developed countries such as Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea continue to face a rising proportion of its aging population. South Korea tops the list of having a high percentage of its population above 65 years old followed by Taiwan and then Singapore. Along with the rise in number of older citizens are increased healthcare needs. Medical demands are attended to more efficiently through the help of ambulatory care. With the shorter span of time needed to attend to the patients' health needs and concerns, more patients are welcomed in a day and more services are provided for.

Gearing up for ambulatory care
The popularity of ambulatory care continues to spiral upwards. With faster and reliable healthcare and the reduced need for traditional medical requirements and services along comes the increased need for medical equipment that is durable, cost-efficient, and convenient. Patients who would not stay long at the hospital but would still need ample time of recovery would still prefer to experience convenience in their own homes and when going back and forth to the hospital for their regular checkups.

As the elderly continues to advance in age, there's an apparent rise of basic health needs and an accompanying rise in health concerns and geriatric diseases. This translates to a global demand for health equipment that covers assistance, mobility, and comfort needs. Equipment such as assistive devices for standing and walking ranging from canes, crutches, and walkers to wheelchairs and scooters become highly in demand. Also included are geriatric chairs, hearing aids, trolleys, lifts, and bathroom aids such as commode chairs and shower chairs.

The aging population not only continues to fan the demands for such medical devices but also is paving the way for home healthcare and the further development of related equipment. Manufacturers worldwide are fueling this demand by constant innovation of products designed to address the aging market's needs.

Select industry players
One of the leading healthcare suppliers of ambulatory care products is Taiwan-based Nova Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Appliances (www.novaortho.com.tw). Nova is "a family-owned and operated company providing patient aid equipment worldwide since 1981." With a long history of manufacturing high-quality innovative products, Nova offers a wide range of products and has also entered the U.S. marAir Maxs