A practical mobile computing solution for healthcare institutions

In this paper we look at information technology (IT) trends in the healthcare sector. We analyse recent changes in IT implementations in the healthcare sector to identify critical factors and technologies that are likely to be an integral part of healthcare institutions (HIs) in the new millennium. We contend that the recent advances in Biomedical Knowledge coupled with the Genetic Engineering revolution are likely to bring about an increased understanding of known diseases and will lead to the identification of new risk factors. We then highlight the fact that, despite appreciating the importance of ensuring integration between different Healthcare Information Systems, HIs are not allocating sufficient funds for this. We highlight the case of US based HIs who face IT challenges in light of a marginal percentage decrease in financial resources for IT purposes. We identify the lack of an Integrated Healthcare Information System to be the most fundamental obstacle that is denying the productivity explosion needed in the healthcare sector. To provide a realistic solution, we look at some of the technologies that together could provide solutions. We use data from our collaborating organization to present a possible low cost IT solution.