The healthcare sector is under constant pressure to improve the quality and efficiency of patient care whilst making cost savings. Improving the management of patient information and streamlining processes are fundamental to achieving these goals.
The UK Healthcare industry is changing and with change comes opportunity. Efficiency targets, driven by the Gershon review and the more recent Operational Efficiency Programme have increased the pressure for Healthcare organisations to improve their processes and cut costs – transforming the ICT infrastructure is increasingly becoming a key enabler in the drive to redesign and improve services in the NHS.
Implementing a leading edge ICT infrastructure provides a strategic resource capable of delivering the agility and flexibility necessary to meet the changing demands of a healthcare system which include:
- Asset and patient tracking
- Patient safety
- Improve workflow and productivity of patient wards
- Improve and speed-up patient record processes
- Effective use of medical equipment
- Theft prevention
- Improve inter-hospital communication
The Role of ICT in Healthcare
By understanding the challenges faced by healthcare organisations and listening to the needs and objectives of our customers, Capita IT Services have a range of solutions to help overcome these challenges:
- LAN/WAN infrastructure - including Wireless LANs, to facilitate care at the bedside.
- IP telephony, unified communications and video conferencing – to improve inter-hospital communication and enable more effective collaboration to speed up both diagnosis and treatment.
- Asset Tagging - RFID tagging to help locate both equipment and patients - saving significant, time and money.
- Contact centre solutions to facilitate callers getting through to the services they need.
The role of technology can also have a positive impact on carbon reduction to help healthcare trusts to meet efficiency targets.
Capita IT Services can help to change the way healthcare organisations and staff work through the proactive use of ICT. For example:
- High definition video solutions can provide a real-time high-quality experience - either to provide remote access to primary care, or potential outbound specialist services from a hospital. This can save on travel, time and costs.
- By adopting a homeworking policy, non-critical staff can work remotely to reduce staff travel. Our tailored solutions offer a homeworking environment with the look and feel of a normal office environment, including video and collaboration tools.
- Collaboration technologies allow documents, presentations, images and case notes to be shared across the network, supporting virtual conferences and other meetings without the need for travel.
- Virtualisation technology can help to maximise the use of ICT while minimising power and cooling requirements, reducing the overall energy footprint.
- 'Energywise' technology can make use of the network to track, monitor and control the power utilisation of network-connected devices and systems. This includes IP Phones, Wireless Access Points and Building Management Systems.
"NHS Hounslow was keen to appoint an ICT partner who had expertise in the healthcare market and could understand our specific requirements and translate these into a tailored managed service arrangement. We have been impressed by the expertise and true partnership approach of Capita IT Services and we feel confident that with our ICT in safe hands, staff will be able to concentrate on providing the highest quality of care for patients."
Nick Relph
Chief Executive
NHS Hounslow |
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“We chose Capita IT Services for this project due to their excellent credentials in the healthcare market and a track record for technology delivery within a specified budget. In particular their partnership with Cisco proved an important factor in allowing us to harness the full potential of the network in the future and make the most of the technology advances that can further increase efficiency and help us provide true 21st century care for the people of Grampian.”
Paul Allen
Head of ICT Infrastructure
NHS Grampian |
Contact us now for more information.