Skyrocketing costs, reports of medical errors, consumers demanding better care, and the growing need to move away from paper charts are all driving a restructuring of the health system.
Richard Creighton, regional manager for sub-Saharan Africa at Honeywell Building Solutions, says hospitals are slowly but surely implementing electronic medical record and IT systems. These and other technologies that enhance patient safety and help hospitals to operate more efficiently are supporting nurses and doctors in performing their jobs.
He says the future will see the establishment of digital hospitals which will use technology and process redesign to deliver higher quality healthcare and optimised facilities.
According to Creighton, a digital hospital is the one in which information, images and clinical know-how are all connected via IT. This connectedness, he says, leads to better efficiency and information flow, laying the groundwork for better patient care. “The digital infrastructure within these facilities provides the foundation for electronic health records within the hospital.”
According to Creighton, a digital hospital goes beyond advanced clinical systems and includes additional integration between IT, medical, communication and building technologies to create a real-time hospital information environment.
Labour pains
But the health sector has been slow to adopt technology to drive its business, says Creighton.
He explains that the health sector lags behind in deploying technology because there are often conflicting priorities for available capital. “This leads to reduced levels for investment in new infrastructure.”
A major concern for hospitals is infection control, says Creighton, but this is a problem because of shortages in qualified workforce. “Many hospitals are struggling with retention of staff,” he points out, causing concern around patient safety and security.
The health sector has also been faced with the challenge of improving access of patients and wait times, he adds.
Health practitioners view IT as an effective solution to problems that are facing the health sector, notes Creighton. He adds that many agree IT saves costs, improves operations, and helps in information management, leading to an effective hospital system.
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