Integration of Smart Wearable Devices and Cloud Computing in the Kenyan Public Health Care System

The utilization of smart wearable devices and cloud computing in the Kenyan public health care system will facilitate real-time patient monitoring and management. The shortage of certified healthcare professionals and the limited access to quality specialized care for individuals in remote settings has prompted the adoption of wearable devices and cloud computing strategies in Kenya. However, there lacks a clear framework design of integrating the technologies in the public health sector. This article evaluates the current status of healthcare systems in Kenya. It also investigates the existing mobile health and cloud computing services in the country while evaluating the main legal concerns inherent to the utilization of the technologies. The document further outlines a framework design for a mobile application named GB Health. The application incorporates cloud computing and smart wearable devices in the Kenyan public health care system. The design will enhance workflow and patient outcomes in the sector. Keywords: Smart wearable devices, cloud computing, GB Health DOI: 10.7176/IKM/11-4-04 Publication date:June 30th 2021

AN INFORMATION SYSTEMS ARCHITECTURE FOR UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS: A CASE STUDY AT HOSPITAL DAS CLÍNICAS OF UFPE

Enterprise Architecture (EA) has been present in the literature since the 1980s and has been widely applied in several fields, bringing notable benefits in supporting the management and governance of organizations. However, this concept is still little explored when we refer to the application of EA in health systems. The objective of this research in the area of Business Architecture applied to health is to investigate and propose an Information Systems Architecture Model for University Hospitals through a case study carried out at the Hospital das Clínicas of the Federal University of Pernambuco (HC- UFPE). The methodological path covered two main stages, with a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) followed by a case study at HC-UFPE. The SRL was developed from a protocol, using the methodology addressed by Kitchenham (2007) and Dybå & Dingsøyr (2008). Nine specific research questions were selected to explore quantitative and qualitative aspects of state of art in applying EA in health. The Cohen's Kappa method was also used to assess the level of disagreement between the two teams of researchers involved in this SLR. The case study considered two primary data collection methodologies, semi-structured interviews, and second participant observation. The data analysis was based on a data triangulation of collected data through open coding, including technical and normative documents from the HC-UFPE. Lastly, the development of an initial Information Systems Architecture modeling the hospital IT sector's current and future business processes. With the SLR, it was possible to identify, from specific research questions, which environments of EA application; what are the positive impacts that EA has brought to the organization; what are the problems and challenges encountered during the application of the EA; and what are the critical success factors for the application of EA. The main publication channels and authors who publish on the topic were also identified. In the case study, the Information Systems Architecture of HC-UFPE was built, using the TOGAF 9.2 framework and the Archi software as a construction tool, aligned with the Archimate language. The data presented here can help IT, and health professionals search for methods to support management hospitals. Regarding the case study, it was possible to present tools that can help in the governance of the HC-UFPE and open doors for new studies to be started for future implementation of EA in the network of university hospitals in Brazil