By Nick Heath, 9 July 2009 15:31
Here the system is displaying graphs showing the average length of stay, numbers of patients on the ward and being discharged.
In future, the hospital plans to use the system to track patients and equipment in the hospital by tagging them with RFID chips, with their movements displayed on the screen.
A number of NHS hospitals have already deployed RFID for tracking purposes, with the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley in Scotland using the tags to keep tabs on equipment and Mayday Healthcare Trust in Croydon having implemented barcodes and RFID technology for a blood-tracking pilot.
Photo credit: Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust
Comments
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1. anonymous
Nice touchscreen system....
...however, as with touch-screen reception check in systems in doctors and becoming more apparent in hospitals, the last thing you want is more things that cleaners do not clean/clean properly that with be breeding grounds for MRSA/CDiff etc due to grubby doctors/nurses who do not clean their hands effectively/regularly.
I'm sure most cleaning contractors will refuse to clean it/be banned from cleaning it, as it is an IT/computer system.
2. anonymous
Surely touch screens are a no no in hospitals because of the filthy state most are in and its an easy way to further spread the viruses.
3. anonymous
Surely they are!!! Because it is proven by Infection Controls and Hygiene departments of over 100 Hospitals implementations that touchscreens do not create or spread any further viruses to patients or care staff.
Touchscreens are no different that the devices already in a hospital and any other equipment that is kept in the hospital. It is like saying, don't buy an extra TV set for the another bedroom in the house because it will spread more germs. Really some people has to get with the new technologies available that help patients and care staff performed their more efficiently and productively.
4. drew stephenson
I'd reckon a touch screen has to be a whole load easier to keep clean than a keyboard / mouse combination...