Maximizing Healthcare Delivery and Management through
Technology Integration
Visit the link below to download the full version of this book:
https://medipdf.com/product/maximizing-healthcare-delivery-and-management-throug
h-technology-integration/
Click Download Now
Table of Contents
Foreword.............................................................................................................................................. xvi
Preface................................................................................................................................................. xvii
Chapter 1
Intelligent Risk Detection in Healthcare Contexts of Hip and Knee Athroplasty and Paediatric
Congenital Heart Disease......................................................................................................................... 1
Hoda Moghimi, RMIT University, Australia
Nilmini Wickramasinghe, Deakin University & Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne, Australia
Jonathan L. Schaffer, Cleveland Clinic, USA
Chapter 2
Managing Knowledge towards Enabling Healthcare Service Delivery................................................. 15
Tiko Iyamu, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa
Sharol Sibongile Mkhomazi, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa
Chapter 3
Non-Invasive Data Acquisition and Measurement in Bio-Medical Technology: An Overview............ 27
H. G. Sandeep Patil, Manipal University, India
Ajit N. Babu, Saint Louis University, USA &Center for Advancement of Global Health, India
P. S. Ramkumar, Applied Cognition Systems Pvt Ltd, India
Chapter 4
Healthcare Services for Nomadics through a Mobile Framework......................................................... 46
Suama Hamunyela, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Namibia
Tiko Iyamu, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa
Chapter 5
An Investigation of the Role of Using IS/IT in the Delivery of Treatments for ADHD in
University Students................................................................................................................................ 58
Bader Binhadyan, RMIT University, Australia & Ministry of Education, Saudi Arabia
Nilmini Wickramasinghe, Deakin University & Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne, Australia
Chapter 6
Radio Frequency Identification Technology in an Australian Regional Hospital: An Innovation
Translation Experience with ANT......................................................................................................... 76
Chandana Unnithan, Victoria University, Australia
Arthur Tatnall, Victoria University, Australia
Chapter 7
Introducing Mobile Device for Health Services: The Semantics of Language Translation................ 101
Phathutshedzo Nemutanzhela, Namibia University of Technology, Namibia
Tiko Iyamu, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa
Chapter 8
An Analysis on the Utilisation of Health Information Technology to Support Clinical Operation
of Chinese Medicine............................................................................................................................ 113
Catherine Han-Lin, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
Angela Wei Hong Yang, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
Siddhi Pittayachawan, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
Nilmini Wickramasinghe, Deakin University & Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne, Australia
Chapter 9
Strengthening Implementation of Guidelines at Primary Health Care................................................ 133
V. Horner, University of South Africa, South Africa
A. Coleman, University of South Africa, South Africa
Chapter 10
General Practitioners’ Adoption and Use of ICT................................................................................. 152
Quazi Omar Faruq, Victoria University, Australia
Chapter 11
Utilisation of Health Information Systems for Service Delivery in the Namibian Environment........ 169
Ronald Karon, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Namibia
Chapter 12
RFID Applications in Healthcare-State-of-the-Art and Future Trends............................................... 184
Amir Manzoor, Bahria University, Pakistan
Chapter 13
Integrated Hospital Information System Architecture Design in Indonesia........................................ 207
Putu Wuri Handayani, Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia
Puspa Indahati Sandhyaduhita, Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia
Achmad Nizar Hidayanto, Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia
Ave Adriana Pinem, Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia
Haya Rizqi Fajrina, Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia
Kasiyah M. Junus, Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia
Indra Budi, Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia
Dumilah Ayuningtyas, Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia
Chapter 14
Lessons Learned from the Implementation of an Emergency Department Information System........ 237
Paraskevas Vezyridis, University of Nottingham, UK
Stephen Timmons, University of Nottingham, UK
Heather Wharrad, University of Nottingham, UK
Chapter 15
Human Interaction in the Use of Health Information Systems: A Case of a Developing Country..... 257
Irja N. Shaanika, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Namibia
Chapter 16
Toward Integrating Healthcare Data and Systems: A Study of Architectural Alternatives................. 270
Timoteus B. Ziminski, University of Connecticut, USA
Steven A. Demurjian, University of Connecticut, USA
Eugene Sanzi, University of Connecticut, USA
Thomas Agresta, University of Connecticut Health Center, USA
Chapter 17
On Piloting Web-Based Rabies Surveillance System for Humans and Animals: Web-Based Rabies
Surveillance System............................................................................................................................. 305
Maulilio J. Kipanyula, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania
Camilius Sanga, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania
Anna M. Geofrey, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania
Kadeghe G. Fue, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania
Compilation of References................................................................................................................ 324
About the Contributors..................................................................................................................... 369
Index.................................................................................................................................................... 376
Detailed Table of Contents
Foreword.............................................................................................................................................. xvi
Preface................................................................................................................................................. xvii
Chapter 1
Intelligent Risk Detection in Healthcare Contexts of Hip and Knee Athroplasty and Paediatric
Congenital Heart Disease......................................................................................................................... 1
Hoda Moghimi, RMIT University, Australia
Nilmini Wickramasinghe, Deakin University & Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne, Australia
Jonathan L. Schaffer, Cleveland Clinic, USA
Rapid increase of service demands in healthcare contexts today requires a robust framework enabled by
IT (information technology) solutions as well as real-time service handling in order to ensure superior
decision making and successful healthcare outcomes. Contemporaneous with the challenges facing
healthcare, we are witnessing the development of very sophisticated intelligent tools and technologies
such as Business Analytics techniques. Therefore, it would appear to be prudent to investigate the
possibility of applying such tools and technologies into various healthcare contexts to facilitate better
risk detection and support superior decision making. The following serves to do this in the context of
Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty and Congenital Heart Disease.
Chapter 2
Managing Knowledge towards Enabling Healthcare Service Delivery................................................. 15
Tiko Iyamu, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa
Sharol Sibongile Mkhomazi, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa
In every living being, health is essentially important, and as such, requires attention. Health related
matters are at one point or the other embedded into humans’ strategic, tactical and operational activities.
However, due to human complexity, manifesting from factors such as food consumption and weather
effect, healthcare services have increasingly become essential to individuals, groups and organisations
in their daily life activities. As healthcare services increase in significance, the knowledge acquired and
used in carrying out its services also becomes vital. The management of knowledge has increased in
its relevance over the years. This could be attributed to the complexity in human activities. Thus, the
management of knowledge has many challenges, which are never straight forward, and does not always
produce positive result. Based on the challenges, it is critical to understand the enabling and constraint
scenery of knowledge management. This article applied Structuration Theory to examine the different
types of knowledge within the healthcare environment, using one of South African healthcare service
providers as a case. This was done in order to gain better understanding on how certain knowledge are
managed to give the result that they do. A better understanding of how knowledge is acquired and used
within the healthcare environment would assist practitioners and managers, including Government and
academic researchers in their roles and responsibilities.
Chapter 3
Non-Invasive Data Acquisition and Measurement in Bio-Medical Technology: An Overview............ 27
H. G. Sandeep Patil, Manipal University, India
Ajit N. Babu, Saint Louis University, USA &Center for Advancement of Global Health, India
P. S. Ramkumar, Applied Cognition Systems Pvt Ltd, India
Non-invasive medical measurements have expanded into several types of diagnostic and monitoring
activities in health care delivery. They are being used in handling a number of non-infectious diseases
such as diabetes, asthma, hypertension, congestive heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia, etc., as well as
infectious diseases such as cholera, malaria, etc.. Non-Invasive Medical Devices (NIMDs) are naturally
preferred over invasive methods considering patient convenience, reduced patient risk, increased speed,
and operational simplicity. However non-invasive methods are often perceived to be less accurate than
their invasive counterparts. Over the last decade, technological advances and mathematical techniques
have improved significantly, challenging this perception across the board. The chapter will discuss this
important transformation in health care diagnostics and monitoring. The chapter will also provide further
insight into some of the currently available non-invasive measurement products and explore how futuristic
techniques and technology trends which have great potential to transform healthcare into a significantly
different paradigm than the one we experience today.
Chapter 4
Healthcare Services for Nomadics through a Mobile Framework......................................................... 46
Suama Hamunyela, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Namibia
Tiko Iyamu, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa
Many patients are often associated with various types of health related records, needing care and attentions.
Healthcare system is intended for all that live in the country. Normally, there is spread of people across
the geographical locations, of both the rural and urban communities. Even though the healthcare service
is intended to spread across the country, the services are not always available as individuals require
it. Hence, there is need for Mobility of healthcare services at both primary and secondary healthcare
levels, particularly in the developing countries such as Namibia. In Namibia, the population is scantly
spread far apart in the average of about 175 kilometres between major towns, necessitating movements
of individuals and groups, particularly the old, poor, and nomadic people. The challenge is, healthcare
records in the country are not centralised or virtualised, making accessibility into patients’ records
difficult or impossible. As a result, healthcare service delivering is challenged. This chapter explored
the possibility healthcare services through virtualisation or centralisation as empowered by different
translation of activities. The objectives of the study were to identify and discuss actors in the mobility of
healthcare services. Mobility in this paper refers to the availability of services to the nomadic patients.
The study employed the qualitative approach, within which data was gathered from primary healthcare
services providers using open-ended questionnaires. The moments of Translation from the perspective of
ANT was used a lens to analyse the data to examine and understand the power and factors which could
influences mobility of healthcare service in Namibia.
Chapter 5
An Investigation of the Role of Using IS/IT in the Delivery of Treatments for ADHD in
University Students................................................................................................................................ 58
Bader Binhadyan, RMIT University, Australia & Ministry of Education, Saudi Arabia
Nilmini Wickramasinghe, Deakin University & Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne, Australia
Over the last decade, the popularity of incorporating advances in information systems and information
technology (IS/IT) has been steadily growing. IS/IT can improve the delivery for better intervention and
treatment with many different mental illnesses; however, there appears to be great potential for IS/IT
in the context of young adults with mental disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD). ADHD affects approximately 11% of the university population; negatively impacting students’
academic performance, study skills, and social life. The study design outlined in this paper suggests a
possibility for the role of IS/IT in the delivery of treatments and management of ADHD in university
students to be examined with the view to introduce IS/IT into the traditional treatment context. This
research involves collecting data from psychologists in the form of semi-structured interviews and a
grounded theory methodology using multiple cases is adopted.
Chapter 6
Radio Frequency Identification Technology in an Australian Regional Hospital: An Innovation
Translation Experience with ANT......................................................................................................... 76
Chandana Unnithan, Victoria University, Australia
Arthur Tatnall, Victoria University, Australia
Australian hospitals had begun exploring Radio Frequency Identification, a wireless automatic identification
and data capture technology for improving the quality of their services towards the end of 2000s. After
many an unsuccessful pilots, a breakthrough for large hospitals came in 2010, with a key learning rendered
by a large regional hospital that not only experimented with the technology, but also have made it all
pervasive in their operations. In this chapter, we present the case study, through an innovation translation
perspective, focusing on the socio-technical factors captured through elements of Actor-Network Theory.
Chapter 7
Introducing Mobile Device for Health Services: The Semantics of Language Translation................ 101
Phathutshedzo Nemutanzhela, Namibia University of Technology, Namibia
Tiko Iyamu, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa
On one hand, healthcare has taken the centre stage of attention in recent years, due to many more activities
of both natural and manmade. On another hand, the use of mobile technologies is increasingly growing
across the world, particularly in developing countries. Mobile devices, including phones and computers
are becoming significant ICT tools for many activities and process of healthcare service delivery in both
urban and rural areas, by organisations and individuals, literates and educated. Also, both businesses
(organisations) and individuals are involved in the delivering and accessibility (recipient) of healthcare
services at different levels and locations. The nature of the diverse tribes and languages within some
developing countries make it difficult to deliver or receive the services which are provided by some
Healthcare organisations. This is so because particular language, such as English, as in the case of
South Africa, is often used for communication. Even though majority of the citizens make use of Mobile
devices (such as cellular phones), the media of communication exchange is English language. Due to
the sensitivity, confidentiality, and private nature of healthcare information and services, a one-on-one
and the use of language which the patient is comfortable with is critical. Otherwise, the services and
objectives of the healthcare organisations continue to be challenged. As such, there is need to address
the semantics of language through the use of electronic devices for healthcare services.
Chapter 8
An Analysis on the Utilisation of Health Information Technology to Support Clinical Operation
of Chinese Medicine............................................................................................................................ 113
Catherine Han-Lin, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
Angela Wei Hong Yang, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
Siddhi Pittayachawan, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
Nilmini Wickramasinghe, Deakin University & Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne, Australia
Chinese Medicine (CM) has become increasingly demanding globally. Recent World Health Organisation
traditional and complementary medicine strategy of integrating CM to Western Medicine (WM) indicates
that it is crucial that CM developments have strong literature, scientific, and evidence-based medical
approval and support. To achieve this, there is a need to form a synthesis foundation or platform for
future studies. This chapter serves to discover this synthesis that is suitable for CM by discussing the
basics of inquiring and Knowledge Management (KM) systems. It suggests that CM should follow a
combination of Hegelian and Kantian inquiring systems with the support of Singerian and Leibnizian
inquiring systems and KM features. This proposed synthesis is one of the first, if not the first study to
apply Churchman’s inquiring systems into the context of CM and differentiate them from WM.
Chapter 9
Strengthening Implementation of Guidelines at Primary Health Care................................................ 133
V. Horner, University of South Africa, South Africa
A. Coleman, University of South Africa, South Africa
Implementation of guidelines in the health system is a complex and considerable undertaking. After
the health administration has developed guidelines, a dissemination strategy needs to be put in place.
Dissemination involves distribution of printed guidelines booklets, training of health care providers,
provision of the equipment needed for implementing the guidelines, improvements to facilities, and
supervision and monitoring by managers. This chapter reports on the Basic Antenatal Care Information
System (Bacis) study in South Africa which pertains to an e-health decision support systems that is
intended as an aid for nurses and managers at primary health care. The Bacis program study is important
because there are few published studies from developing countries on implementation of e-health decision
support systems at primary health care and their effectiveness in improving care.
Chapter 10
General Practitioners’ Adoption and Use of ICT................................................................................. 152
Quazi Omar Faruq, Victoria University, Australia
The influence of ICT in General Practice varied from a solo practice to a GP specialist of a primary
healthcare team. Different factors influence the GP to use ICT. After 2nd World War the national legislative
requirement influenced more to adopt ICT, of which most important is the Medicare or Medicaid payment
and also the richness of the environment (measured by network readiness index). Shift to group practice
or corporate level practice requires ICT support to handle automated actions (i.e. completing repetitive
jobs, answering frequently asked questions by webpage). Role of telecommunication and IT service
providers, and that of entrepreneurs for information management are also discussed. While discussing the
challenges in implementing ICT in future model of GP service it focuses on the slow usage of computer
and other IT products by doctors, as noted in the past decades.
Chapter 11
Utilisation of Health Information Systems for Service Delivery in the Namibian Environment........ 169
Ronald Karon, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Namibia
The use of Health Information Systems (HIS) is considered to be a major contributing factor to healthcare
service delivery. However, the utilisation of HIS which includes use and management is critically
challenging in the public health sector in many developing countries. The manifestation of the challenges
results in poor service delivery, which includes patient deaths. This is the main motivation for this study,
to investigate how HIS can be used to improve service delivering in the hospitals from developing
countries perspective. The study was carried out in Namibia, using two hospitals in the public healthcare.
The study adopted the qualitative case study. The study revealed that the use of parallel systems, lack
of systems integration, lack of portable devices and users’ incompetency are some of the factors which
impact the use and management of HIS in hospitals.
Chapter 12
RFID Applications in Healthcare-State-of-the-Art and Future Trends............................................... 184
Amir Manzoor, Bahria University, Pakistan
Implementation of RFID technology-based healthcare services is on the rise. The purpose of this chapter
is a thorough, systematic review of the existing literature to provide a discussion of current trends and
future directions in this domain. Findings indicate that tracking is the key RFID enabling function.
Automatic data collection and transfer is an RFID function also frequently used in relation to assets,
staff, and patients. Finally, RFID is employed for sensing, most often in relation to patients, but also to
assets. The chapter concludes by highlighting future research directions where the deployment of RFID
technology is likely to transform the healthcare sector.
Chapter 13
Integrated Hospital Information System Architecture Design in Indonesia........................................ 207
Putu Wuri Handayani, Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia
Puspa Indahati Sandhyaduhita, Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia
Achmad Nizar Hidayanto, Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia
Ave Adriana Pinem, Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia
Haya Rizqi Fajrina, Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia
Kasiyah M. Junus, Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia
Indra Budi, Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia
Dumilah Ayuningtyas, Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia
Implementing Hospital Information System is an ultimately important practice that should be performed
by hospitals in order to deliver accurate, timely, complete, and easily accessible data/information in an
integrated manner. Given the specific characteristics of Indonesia, the objective of this research is to
design an Information System Architecture as part of the Enterprise Architecture based on The Open
Group Architecture Framework in order to support the Hospital Information System implementation
in Indonesia. This research focuses on the hospitals basic processes, viz. the emergency processes,
the inpatient processes and the outpatient processes. The integration aspect of the architecture should
connect the hospitals with other related stakeholders. This research is a qualitative study by conducting
interviews and observations in three government public hospitals, several directorate generals of the
Indonesian Ministry of Health and a representative from the WHO. The result of this research is an
integrated Information System Architecture model.
Chapter 14
Lessons Learned from the Implementation of an Emergency Department Information System........ 237
Paraskevas Vezyridis, University of Nottingham, UK
Stephen Timmons, University of Nottingham, UK
Heather Wharrad, University of Nottingham, UK
Clinical information systems are increasingly used in emergency departments across the English National
Health Service. The implementation outcome is unpredictable and success is not guaranteed. This
study identifies facilitating social and technical factors for implementing an Emergency Department
Information System. This is a qualitative study, using interviews with 28 emergency department clinicians,
administrators and managers. Project management documents, user guides, design blueprints and
internal reports were also analysed. Lessons learned include the importance of acquiring an established,
customised and user-friendly system, attracting funding, establishing communication channels between
stakeholders, developing detailed implementation plans and tailored training programmes, investing in
peer-support, and analysing the workflow impact of the system. Socio-technical factors, both in and out
of the hospital, influenced the success of the implementation. By being systematic in addressing these
socio-technical factors certain implementation barriers can be overcome.
Chapter 15
Human Interaction in the Use of Health Information Systems: A Case of a Developing Country..... 257
Irja N. Shaanika, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Namibia
In developing countries, Health Information Systems (HISs) are increasingly used to enable and support
both clinical and administrative processes for healthcare services. The use of the HISs in developing
countries’ healthcare centres is influenced and impacted by humans’ interactions which manifests from
culture and traditions. Due to the diverse nature of culture and traditions, it is near impossible to have
single formula in addressing the patients’ needs. As a result, the aim to improve quality of healthcare
through HISs is challenged, and many stakeholders do not seem to understand the problem. The challenge
continues to significantly contribute to poor service delivery, as the need for healthcare services increases.
This study focused on the interaction between the healthcare professionals and the HISs, to understand
how and why the challenges of using the ICT systems exist. This includes examining the implication,
and how the challenges impact the recipients of healthcare services.
Chapter 16
Toward Integrating Healthcare Data and Systems: A Study of Architectural Alternatives................. 270
Timoteus B. Ziminski, University of Connecticut, USA
Steven A. Demurjian, University of Connecticut, USA
Eugene Sanzi, University of Connecticut, USA
Thomas Agresta, University of Connecticut Health Center, USA
The adoption of health information systems and the integration of healthcare data and systems into efficient
cross-institutional collaboration workflows of stakeholders (e.g., medical providers such as physicians,
hospitals, clinics, labs, etc.) is a challenging problem for the healthcare domain. This chapter studies
the way that well-established software engineering concepts and architectural styles can be employed
to satisfy requirements of the healthcare domain and ease health information exchange (HIE) between
stakeholders. Towards this goal, this chapter proposes a hybrid HIE architecture (HHIEA) that leverages
the studied styles that include service-oriented architecture, grid computing, publish/subscribe paradigm,
and data warehousing to allow the health information systems of stakeholders to be integrated to facilitate
collaboration among medical providers. To demonstrate the feasibility and utility of the HHIEA, a
realistic regional healthcare scenario is introduced that illustrates the interactions of stakeholders across
an integrated collection of health information systems.
Chapter 17
On Piloting Web-Based Rabies Surveillance System for Humans and Animals: Web-Based Rabies
Surveillance System............................................................................................................................. 305
Maulilio J. Kipanyula, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania
Camilius Sanga, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania
Anna M. Geofrey, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania
Kadeghe G. Fue, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania
Rabies is a neurodegerative viral zoonotic disease that affects all warm blooded animals. It is estimated
that about 99% of human rabies cases are caused by dog bites. High prevalence of rabies has been
reported in different parts of Tanzania. The disease has continued to cause public health threat to the
communities due to weak passive and active surveillance systems. The data piloted in this study was
based on the information gathered from Kilosa district. The geo information collected was used to develop
a geospatial based system that can easily show the hotspots of rabies. The use of WEB GIS is likely to
strengthen disease surveillance in Kilosa and other Districts of Tanzania. This approach offers a model
for sharing both human and animal diseases surveillance information. Adoption of this approach is likely
to increase awareness and timely response to rabies incidences.
Compilation of References................................................................................................................ 324
About the Contributors..................................................................................................................... 369
Index.................................................................................................................................................... 376
xvi
Foreword
Many people consider health informatics as innovation concept in the future and not a concept of continu-
ous improvisation of health processes and systems. The attitude has led to extensive knowledge sitting
in academic research output on how health information technology has been used to improve health
care across the globe. Therefore reading this book will enable the readers to understand and interpret
the process of improvisation of health care delivery processes in relation to adverse health incidences
in various regions and settings of this world.
The chapters in this book bring to bear the opportunities in the health care delivery industry and the
need for multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary empirical research where findings make health care ac-
cessible and affordable. The researchers who have immensely contributed chapters have not only brought
readers and other researchers closer to creative, innovative thinking and ways to improve health care
delivery in the different countries, but have also brought it closer to effective technology-in-practice in
underdeveloped countries.
It is imperative that with today’s knowledge economy where technology is mushrooming, contribu-
tions such as the chapters in this book compel technology architects and systems developers to take a
cue from where health care delivery will need the power of informatics.
Also, it is interesting to note how social theories have been used to help the readers to understand
how socially constructed health phenomena have been interpreted. Furthermore, where system theory
has been used, the underpinning principles of process and systems integration have been made critical
for low cost and accessible health care. This is of course, represents an admirable approach as it serves
to teach, stabilize, and give meaning and future direction to immerging and existing researchers in the
health informatics discipline.
This book is recommended for both practitioners and researchers in the health care delivery industry.
It can further be used as the basis for further research in an attempt to improve access to affordable health
care in developing countries. The book should assist in the conscious development of future health care
practitioners and researchers in health informatics.
Michael Twum-Darko
Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa
May 2015
xvii
Preface
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AND HEALTHCARE
Many Information and Communications Technology (ICT) practitioners, including healthcare profession-
als and managers, find themselves struggling and challenged with problems of integration, consolidation,
configuration, development, technology planning, software management, management of hardware and
processes. These widely shared problems have remained within the healthcare environment across the
globe over the last decade.
The need for improved healthcare services continues to increase in both developing and developed
countries around the world and in consequence, governments along with various non-governmental and
private organisations continue to strive to improve upon the healthcare services that they provide to their
citizens and clients. In this book factors influencing the delivery of healthcare services have therefore
been explored from both technical and non-technical perspectives, making use of case studies from a
number of different countries.
Healthcare information systems and related technologies are now widely used to support and improve
both clinical and administrative process in the provision of healthcare services. As revealed in this book,
information systems and technologies aim to promote the quality of healthcare through improving ac-
cess to information and its use as well as to its transmission and storage. Through improved information
systems and technologies, accuracy of information will be improved and data-related errors will be
reduced as well as improving decision making by practitioners and managers of healthcare services.
This book presents details of how various information systems and technologies are used to examine,
understand and provide solutions to some of the challenges that are currently experienced by both health-
care service providers and receivers. The need for reliable and accurate information which continues to
prevail in the healthcare sector makes the roles and actions of the agents (both technical and non-technical)
even more critical. The impacts of various technologies for healthcare services are covered in the book.
Empirically, the book reveals that the activities and processes within the healthcare sector are not
as straightforward as some agents had originally expected. This complexity is attributed to the fact that
healthcare data comes from many different sources, is used for various purposes, and has numerous dif-
ferent users. Another factor that makes the data even more complicated is its heterogeneous nature in its
form, accessibility and storage. The book pays great attention to heterogeneity and roles of agents in the
use and management of information systems and technologies for the delivery of healthcare services.
The inevitably diverse nature of agents and the structure of the healthcare sector in many countries all
work to increase this complexity as a societal phenomenon. The healthcare sector in some countries,
particularly in developing countries, adopts and uses only minimal technologies. This can often be at-
tributed to lack of know-how and accessibility.
Preface
The book presents a combination of the factors, rigour and relevance related to healthcare and tech-
nology from the perspectives of in-depth theory and practice, looking at how information technology
can add value to the development of healthcare in a bid to continually improve services. The quality
and the credibility that are instilled in the delivery of healthcare services through rigour and relevance
increase the level of stakeholder confidence. This book will therefore benefit both academics and profes-
sionals in the healthcare sector in the continued process of improving the services to healthcare through
information systems and technologies. This includes the development of human skills in the area of
healthcare informatics.
The book is truly international with authors from Australia, USA, South Africa, India, Namibia,
Tanzania, Pakistan, Indonesia, UK and Cyprus, and chapters covers a diverse set of issues ranging from
healthcare risk management and non-invasive data acquisition to rabies surveillance.
The first chapter: ‘Intelligent Risk Detection in Healthcare Contexts of Hip and Knee Athroplasty and
Paediatric Congenital Heart Disease’ was contributed by Hoda Moghimi and Nilmini Wickramasinghe
from Epworth Healthcare and RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia and Jonathan L. Schaffer from
Cleveland Clinic, USA. The chapter notes that a rapid increase of service demands in healthcare contexts
today requires a robust framework enabled by information and communication technology (ICT) solutions
as well as real-time service handling in order to ensure superior decision making and successful health-
care outcomes. With the challenges facing healthcare, at the same time in other areas we are witnessing
development of sophisticated intelligent tools and technologies such as Business Analytics techniques
and so it would be prudent to investigate the possibility of applying such tools and technologies into
various healthcare contexts to facilitate better risk detection and support superior decision making. The
chapter discusses this in the context of Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty and Congenital Heart Disease.
Next, Sharol Sibongile Mkhomazi from Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa and Tiko
Iyamu from University of the Western Cape, South Africa discuss: ‘Managing Knowledge towards En-
abling Healthcare Service Delivery’. The chapter describes how, at one point or another, health-related
matters are embedded into strategic, tactical and operational activities of In every living being including
humans. Healthcare services have increasingly essential to individuals, groups and organisations in their
daily life activities due to factors such as food consumption and weather effect. This chapter applies
Structuration Theory to examine the different types of knowledge within the healthcare environment,
using one of South African healthcare service providers as a case study example so as to gain better
understanding on how knowledge is managed.
‘Non-invasive Data Acquisition and Measurement in Bio-Medical Technology’ by Sandeep Patil HG
from Manipal University, India, Ajit N. Babu from Saint Louis University, USA and Ramkumar PS,
Applied Cognition Systems Pvt Ltd, Bangalore, India looks at how non-invasive medical measurements
have expanded into several types of diagnostic and monitoring activities in health care delivery, including
handling a number of non-infectious diseases such as diabetes, asthma, hypertension, congestive heart
failure and cardiac arrhythmia, as well as infectious diseases such as cholera and malaria. Non-Invasive
medical devices are preferred over invasive methods for considerations of patient convenience, reduced
patient risk, increased speed and operational simplicity. Non-invasive methods are often perceived to
be less accurate than their invasive counterparts, but over the last decade, technological advances and
mathematical techniques have improved significantly, challenging this perception across the board.
Suama Hamunyela from Namibia University of Science and Technology then discusses: ‘Healthcare
Services for Nomadics through a Mobile Framework’. In many counties both the rural and urban commu-
nities are spread across geographical locations and there is significant mobility of individuals and groups
xviii
Preface
within the country. Even though healthcare services are intended to spread across the whole country these
services are not always as mobile as individuals are, creating a need for mobility of healthcare services at
both primary and secondary healthcare levels, particularly in the developing countries such as Namibia.
The following chapter: ‘An Investigation of the Role of Using IS/IT in the Delivery of Treatments
for ADHD in University Students’, is by Bader Binhadyan from RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
and Nilmini Wickramasinghe from RMIT University and Epworth HealthCare, Australia. Their chapter
points out how, over the last decade, the popularity of incorporating advances in information systems
and information technology into healthcare has been steadily growing. ICT can improve the delivery of
better intervention and treatment in relation to many different mental illnesses, but there appears to be
great potential for its use in the context of young adults with mental disorders such as Attention Defi-
cit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) which affects approximately 11% of the university population. It
negatively impacts students’ academic performance, study skills, and social life. This chapter outlines
a study that suggests a possible role for ICT in the delivery of treatments and management of ADHD
in university students. Their research involved collecting data from psychologists in the form of semi-
structured interviews and a grounded theory methodology using multiple cases.
Chandana Unnithan and Arthur Tatnall from Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia next present
a chapter titled: ‘Radio Frequency Identification Technology in an Australian Regional Hospital’. In the
chapter they present a case study of a large an Australian regional hospital, focusing on socio-technical
factors, through an innovation translation perspective informed by Actor-Network Theory. Radio Fre-
quency Identification (RFID) a wireless automatic identification and data capture technology and in the
last few years Australian hospitals have been exploring use of RFID for improving the quality of their
services. After many unsuccessful pilots a breakthrough for large hospitals came in 2010 when a large
regional hospital began not only experimented with the technology, but also making it all pervasive in
their operations. The chapter presents a case study of the use of RFID in this hospital.
Again returning to mobile technology, Phathutshedzo Nemutanzhela and Tiko Iyamu from University
of the Western cape, Cape Town, South Africa present: ‘Introducing Mobile Device for Health Services:
the Semantics of Language Translation’. They point out how healthcare has taken centre stage of atten-
tion in recent years, due to many activities, both natural and man-made. The use of mobile technologies
including phones and computers is increasingly growing across the world, and particularly in develop-
ing countries. ICT and mobile devices have become significant tools for many activities and process of
healthcare service delivery in both urban and rural areas, and are used by organisations and individuals.
The nature of the diverse tribes and languages within some developing countries makes it difficult to
deliver or receive the services which are provided by some Healthcare organisations and this is particu-
larly so because languages such as English in the case of South Africa are often used for communication
and the media of communication exchange is English language. Due to the sensitivity, confidentiality
and private nature of healthcare information and services, a one-on-one use of a language with which
the patient is comfortable is critical as otherwise services and objectives of the healthcare organisations
continue to be challenged. The chapter then stresses that there is need to address the semantics of lan-
guage through the use of electronic devices for healthcare services.
Chinese Medicine has come into increasing demanding globally in recent times and is a fascinating
topic. Catherine Han-Lin, Angela Wei Hong Yang and Siddhi Pittayachawan from RMIT University along
with Nilmini Wickramasinghe from RMIT University and Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne, Australia
offer a chapter titled: ‘Utilisation of Health Information Technology to Support Clinical Operation of
Chinese Medicine’. They note that a recent World Health Organisation traditional and complementary
xix
