Emerging Techoolgies

¶ … Technologies

The recent changes to the hospital's it protocol, means that more solutions must be introduced to address the needs of patients and staff members. One of the best ways to deal with these challenges is to use GPS technology, to keep track of the location of patients throughout the facility. This is because staff members are continually overwhelmed by increasing numbers of patients and they have greater responsibilities. The combination of these factors increases the chances that patients could become lost or misdirected. Once this happens, is when the odds improve that there will be some kind of mistake that is made. This is the point that the facility will face the possibility of lawsuits and damage to their reputation. (Michael, 2006) (Noimanee, 2007, pp. 80 -- 92)

Moreover, the multiple points of entry and the large number of people make monitoring the whereabouts of patients more difficult. If this problem is left unaddressed, it could have a negative impact on the ability of the facility to maintain tight security procedures. This exposes the hospital to possible regulatory issues by allowing these problems to become larger. (Michael, 2006) (Noimanee, 2007, pp. 80 -- 92)

To avoid these challenges in the future, a new strategy must be used that will address them. The best way to deal with these problems is to use GPS enabled chips. These tools will monitor, where all patients and staff members are located. This will allow the staff to pinpoint specific individuals inside the facility. At the same time, the use of these chips can help to monitor changes in the patient's vital signs (regardless of where they are located in the hospital). In the event that there is some kind of emergency, the staff and the patient can be located quickly. This will reduce the chances of errors from occurring by actively monitoring the whereabouts of the employees and patients. (Michael, 2006) (Noimanee, 2007, pp. 80 -- 92)

During the process of implementing this system, there will be a lead in time to train and apply these procedures within a specific department. The way that this will take place is a unit will receive the training and support for implementing these solutions (using fixed as well as mobile devices). This will allow sufficient time to integrate the different it support functions together. At the same time, the staff members can be highly trained in using this protocol. Next, administrators need to monitor these changes and the impact they are having on addressing these issues. This will allow for any kind of adjustments to be made in the strategy. Once the process has been streamlined is when this protocol could be introduced to the entire facility. (Michael, 2006) (Noimanee, 2007, pp. 80 -- 92)

The biggest risks associated with using this kind of technology is that the security and storage of personal information could be compromised. If this were to happen, it could give hackers unprecedented access to the location of staff members and employees inside the hospital. At the same time, they could use this as a way to look up personal information about patients or employees. (Michael, 2006) (Noimanee, 2007, pp. 80 -- 92)

To deal with these challenges a new approach must be taken that will limit the kinds of files and data that are stored on wireless devices. Furthermore, none of the technology (i.e. wireless devices) should be allowed to leave the facility. This will prevent any kind of internal security threats from within. (Michael, 2006) (Noimanee, 2007, pp. 80 -- 92)