The medical community would not be able to improve people's lives without the help of new and improving technology. Here are 5 milestones in public healthcare that have changed our lives:
1. Seatbelts (1966)
Seatbelts may not seem like a milestone in public healthcare, but they do serve an important task concerning patients in an automobile accident. When someone is in a car accident, the momentum will move their body away from the impact. Without a seatbelt, emergency workers would have difficulty finding the patient and the patient will experience more trauma.
2. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (August 28, 1980)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses radiology to look further into the human body and the different processes that occur. MRI uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of different organs and tissues inside the body. Without this technology, we would not be able to accurately diagnose a patient.
3. Artificial Hearts (December 2, 1982)
Dr. Robert Jarvick created the first artificial heart that was implanted by Dr. William DeVries. The first patient with an artificial heart was dentist Barney Clark. He was able to live another three and a half months after a successful surgery. With the help of Dr. Jarvick and Dr. DeVries, we are able to better understand the heart and how to improve cardiovascular health.
4. Coronary Stent (1986)
Dr. Ulrich Sigwart and Dr. Jacques Puel are the creators of the coronary stent. Coronary stents are used to help clogged arteries circulate blood and oxygen. When an artery is clogged, it may cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and a heart attack in extreme cases. Coronary stents are one of the many medical interventions used to begin treatment of clogged arteries.
5. Electronic Health Records (2004)
Former President George W. Bush called for medical professionals to create electronic files for all patients. This new system would make patient information easily transferrable from office to office, especially when a patient is experiencing an emergency. Pros of electronic files include: the ability to be backed-up onto another drive, the ability of medical professionals to find patient information quickly, and there are less files around the office.
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