Computer
science and telecommunications make it possible to achieve integrated health
care. Computers and networking offer
health organizations an opportunity to provide excellent service to patients
while decreasing costs due to streamlining operations. Integrated health care will consist of
merging these technologies to improve the delivery of health care.
In the past patients needed to call the
doctor’s office and make an appointment and then get to the doctor’s office for
the appointments and check-ups. Today
telecommunications have played a vital role in changing this environment. Telecommunication transmissions mean that a
patient will have access to medical treatment or care no matter their location. These services offer the capability of
preventative medicine and monitoring of biomedical telemetry devices such as electronic stethoscope, digitized X-rays, microscopy, blood
pressure monitoring and EKG strips.
Interactive video equipment can also provide patients with access to
specialists and services not available in rural areas (Kennedy, 1995). Telecommunications is not only for the use of
medical care; videoconferencing and webinars have become the norm. These are used to educate providers and staff
without having to travel reducing time out of the office and travel expenses. Physicians will have access to the most
current health care information available through these interactive sessions
according to Kennedy (1995) states “physicians also report that they have
learned how to treat more cases through their collaboration with the
specialists at the Medical College” (Sec. Hospital and Physicians, para
2). Telecommunications have improved the
face of health care by the ability to share information.
Telecommunications and networking
make it possible to share information.
Networking has provided the platform to integrate normally segregated
areas into one unified sharing of information.
This is an example of how networking links all the different aspects of
health care together for unified collaboration.
What objectives
should be considered when selecting which networking solution to use? Several factors should be considered:
·
evaluate
and prioritize users’ networking goals
·
find
networking solutions that support a variety of standards and the existing
networking
·
Find
a solution that compliments existing systems without having to replace them
·
Networking
that supports enterprise wide access so it is usable for future growth
·
Flexibility
to third party users for the development of ‘special’ applications
·
Networks
that allow access to all systems from a desktop device
(Hax, 1990).
These are some of the key features that must be
considered for an organization to remain cost efficient and have room for
future infrastructure growth.
The
delivery of health care is changing because of computer technology. Telecommunication and networking infrastructures
provide increased efficiencies and protocols for patient safety. The objectives of merging these technologies
with health care are to create continuity of care, uniformity, and patient
safety, while this is being accomplished facilities are experiencing overall decreased
costs for improved care.
Thanks Chelley
References
Hax, M. A. (1990). Toward enterprise-wide networking.
Computers in Healthcare, 11(11), 53. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/195652421?accountid=32521
Kennedy, M. (1995). The role of networking in the health
care environment. Telecommunications, 29(9), 55. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/210536518?accountid=32521
Telecommunications and Networking Concepts (n.d.).
Retrieved from http://hilp.blog.com/telecommunications-and-networking-concepts-for-health-care/
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