Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
is power efficient, programmable, and generally
reliable in terms of devices and communication
connectivity.
Of course, introducing information systems
to remote sites with no communications facilities
may prove of little use. Wireless communications
from reliable local service providers can facilitate
telemedicine consultations and lead to fewer pa-
tient transfers from a remote to a better-staffed
facility. It is vital to set realistic targets for what
technologies can be deployed, and what level of
deployment is possible. The low level of adoption
of EHRs in developed countries, for example,
indicates that change management, policy, and
strategy issues are the primary problems, rather
than technology (HFMA, 2006; Jha et al., 2009,
Khoja, Durrani & Fahim, 2009). Training and
managing healthcare staffs to deal with technologi-
cal systems are significant issues (Royal College
of Nursing, 2009). Adopting electronic records
without significant changes in the way doctors
and medical facilities operate will not result in
improved quality of care or lower costs. You must
make sure your system will support new work
processes and true interoperability.
(i) the deployment of telecommunications and/or
Internet services, (ii) provision for the transmission
of data, images, or interactive video, (iii) commu-
nications provision between a healthcare provider
and central medical facility, and (iv) identification
of the telecommunications carriers and Internet
service serving the area, to determine needs and
to learn about available services.
5.1. Target Rural Communities
The project implementation is taking place in the
State of Gujarat, India. The targeted rural sites are
within Ahmedabad as well as villages in various
Gujarat districts. An overall description of these
districts is offered via an example of the Kadi
taluka (administrative division) of the Mahesana
agricultural district situated in the north part of
the Gujarat. Mahesana occupies an area of 4371
km2 with a population of 1.8M. Estimated 3.6%
is urban area occupied by 22.4% of the popula-
tion. Unemployment stretches to 54.9% of the
population, although literacy rate is 75.2%. The
target rural sites are villages in the Kadi taluka
(administrative division) of the Mahesana agri-
cultural district situated in the north part of the
Gujarat state of India. Mahesana occupies an
area of 4371 km2 with a population of 1.8M.
Estimated 3.6% is urban area occupied by 22.4%
of the population. Unemployment stretches to
54.9% of the population, although literacy rate
is 75.2%. In Mahesana, there are 593 inhibited
villages, with 62 only having a population of 5000
or more. Kadi has 119 villages, out of which 61
have a population between 500 and 2000, and 12
below 500. Around 39.5% of villages have primary
health sub-centers, with only 20.2% having a well
for water supply, although 100% have electricity
supply and bus services.
With the assistance of local volunteers within
the solution team, the field test identified several
sites covering various districts in Gujarat. Two
sites are described in the following.
5. FIELD TEST
This project implements a real-time electronic
individual identification and tracking system for
rural healthcare. The system is planned upon in-
ternational standards, defining public health in vil-
lages, allowing for trauma and emergency as well
as disease response, control and studies, clinical
healthcare, disease surveillance and prevention.
The solution team worked with local medical
centers and representatives of target rural sites. The
developed solution defines rural healthcare based
on the concept of health economics, hence pro-
viding a viable business model defining solution
components, customers, distribution, marketing
and operational plans. The local healthcare pro-
gram is assessed to determine its needs, including
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