Introduction
The constant developments in the field of medicine are always related to information exchange. In that regard, it can be stated that one of the concerns in the medicine, IT, and patient triangle, is information exchange. One example is emergency medical responses. Thus, “[e]lectronic medical record technology has been widely recognized for its role in improving quality of care, increasing efficiency of health-care delivery, preventing medical errors and enhancing patient safety” (Regenstrief Institute, 2009). The interaction and the method of retrieving such electronic records is the main objective of a new IT solution.
Solution – Multi-Purposeful Medical Bracelet
The integration of a chip storing the data and a reader, which is connected to centralized record management system will facilitate that data exchange between the doctors and the patients. Although the main implementation can be assumed to be related to the senior population, the bracelet can be reconfigured to several modes, including allergic people, children and patients with chronic illnesses. In a normal use, the bracelet can be useful as a transferable option, eliminating the need to seek the records of a patient from other hospitals.
The Stages of Development
Te stages of the development can be seen similar, and in that regard, the main focus can be seen in the identification of the needs for which the system is being developed. The process of identification can be implemented through a series of interviews and surveys, which will report common medical failures and hindrance decreasing the efficiency of the service. Accordingly, the feasibility study will be conducted with all the information available, and based on which the cost/benefit analysis will determined and matched against available IT capacities. With the conceptual design prepared, the stakeholders will participate in a review workshop, which will establish preliminary design revisions.
System Design
The design of the system can be divided into distinct approaches, the hardware part, in which the main needs will be outlined and their appropriateness will be assessed in the feasibility study. The vital characteristics are the shape of the bracelet and the materials from which it is constructed as well as the characteristics of the microchip. In terms of the reading agents, they are basically scanners, which are capable of delivering grouped data on a small screen and to contact the central system. The main characteristics are related to the screen, power supply, and connection method.
The software part will be based on the developing the firmware of the hardware, in which the documentation should provide the basis for the firmware development. The application of the framework include the design of the database, and the exchange protocol. Other feature of the application such as the interface should be based on the initial assessment of the needs. It should be mentioned that an important factor can be seen in providing compatibility to existing HIS to eliminate the need for a whole infrastructure replacement.
Training, Implementation and Review
The extent to which the review of the product will be assessed is general to the area of service effectiveness management. The effectiveness will be assed based on the success in bringing the changes, service quality, and client satisfaction (LaMendola, Glastonbury, & Toole, 1989, p. 72)
. Considering the potential users of the bracelet, the satisfaction of the customers should be connected to their minimal involvement during use, i.e. set-up and configuration. Medical personnel on the other hand, should go through training, which includes the programs user interface, configuration of bracelet units, and the main functions of the scanner. In order for the effectiveness of the system to be evaluated, a parallel conversion can be proposed, where a study group of new system users will be compared to the output of the old system of record management in the same setting (Schoech, 1999, p. 157).
Conclusion
Computer technologies are capable of increasing the effectiveness of the human service field. The proposed Bracelet system is a demonstration of the way technology can be utilized to fulfill existent needs within the health care industry. With the bracelet being capable of fulfilling the needs of a wide range of different populations, the main emphasis is put on the older people. The implementation of the bracelet will allow effective tracking and monitoring medical records, histories, and drug prescriptions. In addition to patients, the implementation of the system will be helpful for medical personnel as well.
References
LaMendola, W., Glastonbury, B., & Toole, S. (1989). A Casebook of computer applications in the social and human services. New York: Haworth Press.
Regenstrief Institute. (2009). Health information exchange conquers new frontier: Emergency medical services. Indiana University School of Medicine Web.
Schoech, D. (1999). Human services technology : understanding, designing, and implementing computer and Internet applications in the social s ervices (2nd ed.). New York: Haworth Press.