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ABSTRACT: Healthcare institutions globally are currently having major problems accessing and maintaining the large amounts of data that are continuously being generated. Examination of the clinical procedures relating to patient management reveals that many of these activities are repetitive. Workflow Management Systems (WFMS) can automate these repeated activities. Moreover, the introduction of WFMS would enable healthcare institutions to face this challenge of transforming large amounts of medical data into contextually relevant clinical information and knowledge. In order to emphasise the dynamic connection between healthcare, workflow and internet technologies, the intelligence continuum is introduced.
International Journal of Electronic Healthcare 02/2007; 3(3):382-93.
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ABSTRACT: Recent healthcare trends clearly show significant investment by healthcare institutions into various types of wired and wireless technologies to facilitate and support superior healthcare delivery. This trend has been spurred by the shift in the concept and growing importance of the role of health information and the influence of fields such as bio-informatics, biomedical and genetic engineering. The demand is currently for integrated healthcare information systems; however for such initiatives to be successful it is necessary to adopt a macro model and appropriate methodology with respect to wireless initiatives. The key contribution of this paper is the presentation of one such integrative model for mobile health (m-health) known as the Wi-INET Business Model, along with a detailed Adaptive Mapping to Realisation (AMR) methodology. The AMR methodology details how the Wi-INET Business Model can be implemented. Further validation on the concepts detailed in the Wi-INET Business Model and the AMR methodology is offered via a short vignette on a toolkit based on a leading UK-based healthcare information technology solution.
International Journal of Electronic Healthcare 02/2007; 3(2):261-78.
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ABSTRACT: A quiet transformation has taken place in health related research in the last twenty-five years. This transformation can be traced to the coming of age of new scientific domains like bioinformatics and cybernetics which have evolved thanks to trans-disciplinary research. The success of the human genome project is perhaps the most significant pointer of this silent transformation. We believe that in the future, as a result of synergistic interaction between bioinformatics and other paradigms, healthcare systems would have an increased interest in knowledge recycling of the collaborative learning process acquired from practices. In this context, the knowledge management (KM) paradigm could assist twenty-first century clinical practitioners to acquire proficiency in understanding and interpreting clinical information so as to attain knowledge and wisdom whilst dealing with large amounts of clinical data.
Information Technology Applications in Biomedicine, 2003. 4th International IEEE EMBS Special Topic Conference on; 05/2003
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ABSTRACT: In recent years, a number of countries have introduced plans for national electronic patient record (EPR) systems. This paper argues that, in the near future, both patients and healthcare stakeholders will be able to access medical records from WWW-based EPR systems. We contend that the primary impediment to the successful implementation and widespread uptake of the EPR concept is the fact that current healthcare information security (HIS) applications are not sufficiently robust. This paper identifies two main Information Security technologies: 1) Public key infrastructure (PKI) and 2) Biometrics that hold a lot of promise in a healthcare context. The key contribution of this paper is to propose a novel multi-layered HIS framework based on a combination of PKI, Smartcard and Biometrics technologies. We argue that this new HIS framework could assist healthcare institutions to provide a truly secure infrastructure for the electronic transmission of clinical data in the future. This paper also makes a case for the creation of a new nodal HIS body because existing information security bodies like the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams are for general-purpose organizations and not specifically suited for the healthcare sector.
Information Technology Applications in Biomedicine, 2003. 4th International IEEE EMBS Special Topic Conference on; 05/2003
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ABSTRACT: 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.
Engineering in Medicine and Biology, 2002. 24th Annual Conference and the Annual Fall Meeting of the Biomedical Engineering Society EMBS/BMES Conference, 2002. Proceedings of the Second Joint; 11/2002
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ABSTRACT: Despite substantial investments in information technology (IT), organizations have not been able to exploit the advantages of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) revolution to the desired extent. This is also true for the healthcare sector. Twenty first century healthcare practitioners face the challenge of transforming large amounts of data into information, which then has to be converted into contextual knowledge. This process of knowledge creation and conversion is further accentuated as transformation of information into knowledge calls for: (1) contextual recognition of Information and (2) a mechanism to support effective transfer of knowledge. Also reinforced is the recognition that it is essential to have a framework that supports the dissemination of the contextual knowledge acquired. We argue the Knowledge Management (KM) paradigm is aptly suited for this purpose. However, the lack of an explicit and generic framework for adopting KM has hindered its rapid acceptance in the healthcare sector. Using data inputs from a collaborating organization, we then present the Organization Current Knowledge Design (OCKD) model - a holistic and generic KM framework that could help healthcare organizations to navigate this difficult change process.
Engineering in Medicine and Biology, 2002. 24th Annual Conference and the Annual Fall Meeting of the Biomedical Engineering Society EMBS/BMES Conference, 2002. Proceedings of the Second Joint; 11/2002
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ABSTRACT: Advances in information and communication technologies (ICT), together with the search for effective and efficient ways to deliver healthcare, have resulted in the emergence of new heath delivery systems such as Community Health Information Networks (CHIN) and Telemedicine applications. The technical infrastructure for this is often dependent upon connecting different types of computer networks, each running on different types of technologies so as to present to the user the image of a single virtual electronic health highway. It is generally agreed that current software development technology cannot deliver this due to limitations of restricted scalability, fragmented management, and inflexibility in providing business support. One of the potential solutions may be the use of Object Oriented (OO) technology. This paper explores the feasibility of combining OO technologies with healthcare-based workflow management systems (WFMS). We introduce the concept of workflow technologies and discuss the main advantages and limitations of WFMS. We detail the circumstances in which the use of WFMS could be considered and the technological factors necessary for its successful implementation. We also present an Object Management Group (OMG) model analysing it in the context of the support offered for WFMS. The main advantages and disadvantages of the model are discussed. A workflow managerrient coalition (WFMC) model is then contrasted with the OMG management model in order to identify the architectural differences between them. We focus on the relationship between workflow concepts and the position of the two reference models (WFMC and OMG) and on the use of UML in the design of information systems. We conclude by summarizing our findings on the extent to which OO technology can be used to build collaborative applications in healthcare and medical information systems.
Electrical and Computer Engineering, 2002. IEEE CCECE 2002. Canadian Conference on; 02/2002
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ABSTRACT: In the last 10 years, the Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) revolution has redefined the structure of the 21st century healthcare organization. It is clear that the 21st century healthcare organization will bring about new healthcare services and that traditional management and technological concepts would not be the appropriate conduit for disseminating these new healthcare services. The fundamental challenge faced by the 21st century clinical practitioner is to acquire proficiency in understanding and interpreting clinical information so as to attain knowledge and wisdom. An additional challenge that must be considered is that clinical practitioners make potentially life-saving decisions whilst attempting to deal with large amounts of clinical data. We focus on the emergence of telehealth as an alternative implementation for transfer of medical information using futuristic Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). We contend that current healthcare applications are being used in a static manner; futuristic applications will need to be dynamic in nature and would call for the transfer of context-based healthcare information. A Knowledge Management (KM) solution would allow healthcare institutions to give clinical data context, so as to allow knowledge derivation for more effective clinical diagnosis. It would also provide a mechanism for effective transfer of the acquired knowledge in order to aid healthcare workers as and when required Using data inputs from our collaborating organization, Applied Network Solutions (ANS), we argue that healthcare institutions that integrate KM and ICT into their main organizational processes are more likely to survive and prosper. These organizations would have a profound understanding of how to use clinical information for creating value in tangible and intangible terms.
Electrical and Computer Engineering, 2002. IEEE CCECE 2002. Canadian Conference on; 02/2002
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ABSTRACT: We examine the factors necessary for telehealth implementations in healthcare organisations. We focus on the transfer of medical information using information and communication technologies (ICT). The paper identifies current applications of telehealth and telemedicine. It contends that we are using such applications in a static manner, whilst futuristic systems would be dynamic in nature and would support the transfer of context-based information. This could make web-based multimedia patient administration systems the norm for healthcare institutions. Such a scenario is likely to lead to a situation where healthcare institutions would be flooded with large amounts of clinical data. The introduction of the knowledge management (KM) paradigm would enable healthcare institutions to face the challenge of transforming large amounts of medical data into relevant clinical information. A KM solution would allow healthcare institutions to give clinical data context, so as to allow knowledge derivation for more effective clinical diagnoses. It would also provide a mechanism for the effective transfer of the acquired knowledge so as to aid telecare workers, as and when required.
Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 2001. Proceedings of the 23rd Annual International Conference of the IEEE; 02/2001
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ABSTRACT: In recent years, healthcare institutions have had problems accessing and maintaining the large amounts of data they deal with. This paper identifies current approaches and technologies which relate to patient administration systems. It argues that, in the near future, WWW-based multimedia patient administration systems would become the norm for healthcare institutions. The development and acceptance of web-based multimedia patient administration systems is likely to aggravate the problem of healthcare institutions being flooded with large amounts of clinical data. A large amount of clinical procedures relating to patient management are repetitive and Workflow Management Systems (WFMS) can automate these repeated activities. We believe that the introduction of WFMS would enable healthcare institutions to face this challenge of transforming large amounts of medical data into contextually relevant clinical information. The central contention of this paper is that there is a dynamic connection between healthcare, workflow and internet technologies, which is being ignored. This paper further establishes that it is possible to build a virtual electronic health record database based on the client server architecture using current internet and object-oriented (OO) technologies.
Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 2001. Proceedings of the 23rd Annual International Conference of the IEEE; 02/2001
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ABSTRACT: Contemporary thinking amongst different healthcare stakeholders (HSs) indicates tremendous interest in new paradigms, concepts and frameworks like Clinical Governance (CG), Evidence Based Medicine (EBM), C ommunity Health Information Networks (CHIN), Knowledge Management (KM) and Integrated Care concepts like Integrated Health Care Delivery Systems (IHCDS), Integrated Quality Development, Integrated Patient Pathways (IPP). We explore the rationale behind these frameworks and analyse them based on their support for people, processes and technology. We conclude that KM is the only paradigm that holds potential in enabling HSs to realise the vision of a holistic and integrated healthcare management solution in the 21 st millennium.
