Technologies in the healthcare sector provide distinct benefits like
- instant access to patient health data,
- clinical decision support at the point of care,
- transmission and receipt of lab requests and results,
- information aimed at avoiding medication errors and
- physician-performance measurement, in addition to improvements in the quality of patient care (Tooker, 2005).
The application of technology in the healthcare information filed also provides significant financial benefits to the organization.
In the up to date technology for healthcare information exchange, wireless communication technology can be used by the healthcare organization chosen. Wireless technology provides inexpensive wireless based laptops, portables and CD-ROM based problem resolution and diagnostic technology. These mobile computing devices improve service productivity, efficiency and profitability of the organization.
By using wireless technology, the organization will be able to allow transmission of 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) waveforms from remote locations to the handheld computers of cardiologists. There seems to be no significant differences in the interpretation of results using the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) of the handheld computers. The results are the same as that given by the traditional paper based results except that when analyzed through the computer there is less treatment time involved (Igbokwe).
Wireless cardiotocography is another technological measure that can be used by the organization. This system uses the RF telemetry to monitor the conditions of the fetus during labor. The system has also the potential of being used for other multi-patient monitoring applications.
Wireless technology can also be used at the basic level to by using radio or infrared signals instead of physical connections to connect different components through a wireless network. Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) is the application, which is used to cover a smaller area within the hospital. This functions more like a wire LAN. The use of Wireless LANs are enhanced when coupled with multimedia capabilities like CD-ROM drives and MEPG decoders. These are able to support the functions of major portable devices within a healthcare organization.
The organization can also use a wireless reporting system using a wireless LAN. The system comprises of a DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) that works based on picture archiving and communication system and a diagnostic sever. The system also uses portable laptops which comes handy to the radiologists, physicians and technologists to review the current radiology reports and images. This will also help them to compare the reports and images instantly with the reports and images from the previous examinations of the patients.
This system has the capability to provide same functionality as that of a wired system. However there is lesser cabling infrastructure needs. This system can be made use of in the emergency and radiology departments of the hospital. In future, this can be extended to operating rooms, outpatient departments, hospital wards and intensive care units.
Bluetooth technology that supports voice and data transmission is another technological innovation that enhances the communication facilities. Blue tooth uses short-range ratio networks for personal networking. Originally, the Bluetooth concept was developed to meet the universal wireless connection needs for laptops to cellular phones. However, this technology has found many uses in the healthcare industry also to promote communications and quality of patient care. Bluetooth enabled laptop helps in data mining of research studies and the findings can improve the quality of patients care.
References
Igbokwe, O. (n.d.). Wireless Technology and Healthcare. Web.
Tooker, J. (2005). Health Information Technology: Improving Quality and Value of Patient Care. Web.