| Name |
Kulkarni N.K. |
| Title |
Information Technology in Hospitals |
| Authors |
B. K. Kulkarni -
Siemens Information Systems Ltd |
| Institution |
Siemens Information Systems Ltd. - Bangalore, India. |
| Abstract |
Information technology is becoming pervasive and providing the nerve for modern day communication within and among hospitals. By facilitating information access anywhere anytime, information technology has shed the barriers of time, speed and distance for all participants in the healthcare delivery. This has been effectively harnessed by a few leading hospitals worldwide in bringing closer the patient and doctor community, improving hospital efficiencies to reduce cost of care, thereby resulting in enhanced quality of care.
The real Information Technology revolution started in the late 70s with the advent of computers and particularly the development of application program packages. Before we examine the expansive role IT has played in enabling operational effectiveness and improving efficiencies, it is important to trace the evolution of IT within the microcosm of a hospital environment.
Healthcare solutions have been migrating from administrative solutions to being more clinical and device centric. Picture Archival & Communication Systems (PACS) which leads to digitizing of images from the medical modality, coupled with the explosion of internet has made Teleradiology a child’s play. The industry buzz words “filmless” and “paperless” health facility is a reality today.
IT has a lot to offer to healthcare not only in Information Systems like Hospital Information Systems, Clinical Practice Management and Physician desk top, but in integrating the breadth of administrative, clinical & back office solutions, extending on to integrating with medical devices like laboratory equipments and bed side monitors.
HL / 7 & DICOM standards have led the integration challenges in Healthcare both for information and images. The wide presence of the internet has brought vast amount of knowledge at the finger tips of both patients and healthcare providers, shedding barriers of time, speed and distance. Hand held devices are making the tasks of paramedics and nurses easier and efficient. Falling hardware prices leading to cheaper and more powerful computers with massive disk capacity is making IT solutions more affordable. The most valuable historical patient data a medical professional needs at the time of diagnosis is available faster, comprehensively in a better presentable and authenticated manner. A good integrated HIS, physician desk software, and PACS are the solutions for the same. |
| Presentation Type |
Power Point Slides |
| Requirements |
Data Projector |
