Challenges in Implementing a Portable Patient Identification System for Ubiquitous Healthcare in Developing Countries

Patient identification in healthcare information systems (HIS) is often claimed to have been solved by globally accepted information representation standards. This paper illustrates that unfortunately the patient identification problem is not entirely solvable by standards and ubiquitous computing, especially in developing countries. The issue is investigated in the significant context of infectious and drug-resistant diseases within a healthcare facility located in a developing country. The paper investigates and systematises the patient identification issues found, followed by identifying the likely root causes and challenges. This is followed by the definition of a high-level list of the most relevant HIS requirements that could assist in addressing the non-trivial patient identification conundrum, thus clearing the way towards the design and implementation of the next generation pervasive healthcare-enabling HIS

Enhancing Collaborative Healthcare Synergy

Part 15: Stimulating Collaborative RelationshipsInternational audienceWorldwide, the constant ageing of the population brings significant challenges to the traditional style of health care systems. Rapidly spreading pandemics triggered by new disease strains, increased population mobility and displacements fuelled by conflict and climate change add another dimension to the health care predicament. In this context, proper cooperation and interoperability of the participants in the healthcare effort becomes paramount. Collaboration is an essential factor but also a major challenge, as typically healthcare institutions are hierarchical and heterogeneous, owing to various administrative, geographical and historical reasons. As the pressure on healthcare availability, quality and cost is constantly increasing, governments can no longer rely on traditional models for managing population wellbeing. Innovative holistic and integrated models and procedures taking into account all essential aspects, elements, participants and their life cycle are necessary if these challenges are to be successfully met. Based on previous research and applications, this paper argues that such necessary artefacts can be built using a life cycle-based whole-system paradigm enabled by advances in Collaborative Networks and Enterprise Architecture. This approach aims to provide a sound platform for efficient response delivered by agile and synergic teams to short and long-term challenges to population health and well-being