A new study commissioned by Ricoh Europe claims that new printing technologies are having on European healthcare.
According to the research, 68 percent of healthcare professionals believe new printing technologies have the potential to fundamentally transform the health sector.
Including advances in customised prosthetics and on-demand drug manufacturing, 74 percent of healthcare experts now use new printing technologies to improve accurate diagnostic rates and lower mortality rates.
In addition, 51 percent say applying new printing technologies to rapidly manufacture customised implants, such as bone and dental grafts, significantly reduces the time patients need to spend in hospital and are crucial for improving recovery times.
David Mills, CEO, Ricoh Europe said: “Tasked to do more with less, making use of innovative printing technologies will prove essential in enabling Europe’s healthcare systems to continue to provide high-quality care. New techniques such as printing aquagel organs means it’s now possible for surgeons to practice suturing and the removal of tumours before real-life operations. Printing medicines layer-by-layer to target specific diseases could soon be commonplace.”
With life expectancies increasing and the prevalence of chronic diseases rising across Europe[1], treatments are becoming more complex in nature as ailments affect patients later into their lives. In response, 65 percent of healthcare providers are using new printing technologies to tailor printed materials to differing needs including those of older and remote patients.
More than 46 percent of healthcare professionals go so far as to say that without investment in 3D-printing they will struggle to meet the needs of patients in the next five years.
Mills added: “It’s not just through cutting-edge developments that healthcare facilities are benefiting from advances in printing technologies. Healthcare is an intensely admin heavy sector. By digitising their systems, providers can reduce paperwork to save time, cut costs and improve security.”
