White Paper: Improving Patient Outcomes While Managing Costs

Healthcare, the most information-intensive of all industries, evolves rapidly as new information supplants old. Information technology not only offers an effective way to collect, store and distribute vital clinical information, but also improves interactions with patients, optimizes clinician training, boosts diagnostic accuracy and provides fast access to current patient information. Information systems reduce costs, eliminate errors, enhance communication among healthcare professionals and improve services to patients. Technology actually helps healthcare organizations turn regulatory and competitive pressures to their advantage.

Complex issues surround the rising costs associated with healthcare. The introduction of managed healthcare in the 1990s appeared successful. However, from the increasing size and soaring costs of pharmaceuticals to the impact of an aging population and an ongoing need for qualified professionals, these and other increasing pressures on the system have forced healthcare executives find creative ways of managing costs while maintaining, and when possible, improving services. Providers and payers are responding to pressure from patients, grassroots organizations and legislative bodies to improve the quality of care by evaluating and adopting new ideas, new technologies and new strategies. The adoption of innovative pharmaceutical, diagnostic, software and hardware products has altered how and where services are being delivered—and who is delivering them.

The increasing use of mobile computers has augmented the frontline healthcare worker's capacity to recall and process large numbers of relevant variables and to support information management, general administration and clinical practice. Wireless networks combined with mobile devices effectively support the intensive data management and delivery requirements of healthcare facilities by bringing clinical information right to the patient—wherever and whenever it is needed most.