Integr8 has made it clear that most of the healthcare and technology professionals agree that the integration of a cost-effective, manageable solution to facilitate the centralization and collaboration of patient data will add significant value.
These professionals stress that a differentiation must be made between public and private healthcare service providers when it comes to technology integration and application. While there are isolated cases of proactive technology investment and use in certain state hospitals, from a private point of view there is a vested interested in technology but this is conditional and still impacted by a ‘wait-and-see’ approach.
Executive leadership at Integr8, a South African ICT managed service provider, have combined a significant amount of information about the integration of technology to reinforce systems and strengthen relevant processes and procedures.
One of the main reasons for the continued integration of next generation infrastructure is to source and house patient information from every point of contact in the health system. This model translates to improved communication, more efficient management of data and ultimately an improved level of patient care.
Technology also supports and in many circumstances compensates for the potential shortage in required skills in the healthcare sector. In practice technology affords medical professionals the opportunity to experience first world technologies, particularly algorithms, failsafe mechanisms, warning signals and similar features included in medical devices.
In another example of how technology addresses the issue of skills development and application is in facilitating a network of forums and support structures to strengthen interaction between doctors and patients.
“We have witnessed an increase in interest in mobile solutions and flexible platform applications and integration to centralized systems to widen the communication network between medical professionals and patients,” explains Robert Sussman, joint CEO, Integr8.
This supports the notion that the sector is in need of advanced infrastructure and compatible mobile integration provides users with the opportunity to access the knowledge and latest medical technologies without restriction.
“It has been a long time coming and, although we are not entirely there yet, there has been significant progress made…we are excited at the front running position healthcare has taken in terms of ICT managed service integration and application,” Sussman continues.