Mobile Healthcare IT has seen a rapid advance with the advent of smartphones and the newest wave of touch sensitive tablet computing devices.
While many healthcare professionals have used smartphones such as Blackberry devices and wireless phones such as iPhone in recent years, the advent of the Apple iPad has brought a dramatic upsurge in tablet usage and demand for integration into the healthcare enterprise environment. Vendors of EHR systems have quickly embraced this new device and have developed iPad applications for integrated access into their EHR systems.
Physicians have embraced tablets, especially the IPad, and are demanding accommodation of them by the IT organizations in hospitals where they practice. This has created issues with regard to network availability and security. Moreover, usage of high data rate applications on the iPad can place notable impact on the hospital network infrastructure.
The small size and easy portability of tablets makes them more subject to loss and theft, further raising security concerns. Also of concern are the HIPAA privacy and security regulations. Moreover, the use of tablets to support medical diagnosis and patient treatment can create FDA regulatory compliance issues.
Mobile HC IT Impact on Processes
While tablet computers have found favor with caregivers, best usage of these devices demands that their influence on clinical and administrative practices be examined.
The nature of working with a very mobile device is characteristically quite different than that experienced with computers on mobile carts. Indeed early adopters are recognizing that in some instances the limited screen size does not work well with applications designed for larger displays. To truly take advantage of this new technology requires planning regarding application system selection and clinical process design.
Policies must also be created regarding device usage, ownership, economic responsibility, and provision of applications that run solely on the tablet device, such as medical information databases, and dynamic information such as patient lists and medical care data.
Mobile HC IT Impact on Infrastructure
Usage of high data rate applications on tablet computing devices can place significant impact on hospital network infrastructure. This is especially true for video applications such as teleconferencing and diagnostic imaging.
Tablet devices used as portals into voice applications such as VOIP telephony place unique demands on wireless infrastructure, including latency and continuous coverage areas. Also tablet devices that are to be used for the communication of patient care information must support irrefutable proof of delivery and confirmed receipt capabilities.
For healthcare providers that intend to use tablet devices within their institution an assessment of the status of current data communications and future network planning are imperative.
CCG Mobile HC IT Initiative
CCG is committed to providing strategic information technology consulting services to the health care industry. Now, with the emergence of tablet computers, CCG has identified Mobile HC IT as one of the major new opportunities for improvement in both IT solutions and in our client’s healthcare operations.
The CCG Mobile HC IT practice builds on the broad healthcare system expertise of our team. Additionally CCG has had a long-standing alliance with Computer Network Architects, a firm that has extensive hospital network experience.
With our diverse group of experienced healthcare IT consultants and affiliates, we believe we can offer unique consulting service to support the adoption of tablet computers and other mobile IT devices into your healthcare facility.
Taking Action
We urge your health care organization to charter an assessment of your current healthcare application processes, communications infrastructure, and mobile device policies.
CCG can effectively and efficiently perform that assessment. The assessment can then serve as a basis for future strategic and tactical IT activities. Mobile Health IT Brochure
REVENUE CYCLE IMPROVEMENT
CCG through it’s affiliate MacFarlane & Associates we can offer a full range of services to address improving the front and back office operations. We have extensive experience working with clients who have powerful information technology tools for the business office that are not effectively utilized. CCG works in conjunction with our affiliate to address all sides of the circumstance. Policies, procedures, skill and resources as well as IT support and capabilities are each elements that play a part in a revenue cycle solution. We have decades of experience working as a team.
PACS and DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT
CCG utilizes the services of our affiliate DAK Systems Consulting who specializes specializing in the analysis, planning and design of electronic patient record component technologies and systems such as Document Imaging, Document Management, Output / Print Management, PACS, Telemedicine, Intranets, e-Health Solutions, Portal Frameworks and Web Services. DAK is one of the leading consulting providers for these specialized services and acts as staff to CCG Principals engaged to assess, evaluate the cost benefits of, select or implement these information technology tools. http://www.daksystemsconsulting.com
HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
CCG utilizes the services of our affiliate H.I.Mentors to provide health information management best practice consultation, coding/CDI/data integrity audits, performance improvement process mapping, and EHR/EDMS planning and implementation services. http://www.himentors.com/
UNIFIED COMMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
Unified Communications (UC) refers to a trend to integrate communication functionality into business processes to optimize results. UC is typically implemented via software and infrastructure improvements supported by effective design and change management.
UC solutions integrate the right communication tools into the context of the user and task to minimize labor content, delays, and errors while supporting requirements. For general user productivity, UC provides a single interface for all communication modes such as email, instant messaging (chat), voice calls, and video or web conferencing. In addition, UC includes “presence” which indicates the availability of co-workers for needed actions. The UC interfaces appear on phones, PCs, and mobile devices.
The CCG Unified Communications practice builds on the broad expertise of our team. In addition, CCG has formed alliances with leading consultancies that have hands-on experience with both hospitals and clinics in assessing communications status, in formulating UC strategies, and in detailing action plans to achieve those strategies.