Challenges of iSCSI in Healthcare
The challenges of IoT in healthcare are numerous, ranging from the integration of patient-related data to improved connectivity. Healthcare organizations have to consider how to secure patient data to minimize chances of unauthorized access or leaks. Hospitals must also manage and monitor patient applications and data remotely to comply with legal and ethical guidelines governing patient records. Further, healthcare providers must ensure that they implement solutions that are able to address the needs of their patient base, whether these needs may be in relation to diagnosis, treatment, or even emergency room care. A lack of reliable and cost effective IoT solutions can have a negative impact on healthcare operations, affecting both quality and operational productivity.
One challenge that all hospitals and other health care centers face is the inability to communicate with each other. Many devices used in hospitals fall short of the required standards for enabling communication between different departments. Interoperability among devices is important for ensuring seamless patient care. The absence of real-time patient communication can lead to missed opportunities for improving the care of patients and can also negatively impact hospital staff morale. In order to address this issue, leading healthcare corporations are implementing enterprise software systems that will provide the necessary real-time communication links.
Another challenge facing hospitals is the integration of medical devices to enhance patient monitoring. This is where the internet comes into play. The introduction of new healthcare services such as electronic health records has opened up possibilities for sharing information between doctors and nurses. Patients no longer need to worry about being able to view their records or about whether or not their doctors are using the appropriate information to make treatment decisions for them.
As mentioned earlier, healthcare organizations face a variety of challenges when integrating IT systems to deliver patient care. Security must be a major consideration in any plan for implementing an iHVAC system in a hospital. Improper security can lead to data leaks and the leaking of sensitive information. This can lead to ineffective treatment decisions as well as costly mistakes. Security must also include strong encryption methods to protect the vital information stored on patient electronic devices. Many hospitals are making the decision to implement smart hospitals devices that include secure internet connections, smart card technology that generate a digital pin code to gain access to patient medical records, and the implementation of biometric solutions that require patients to physically present their fingerprints at the time of check-in.
Other obstacles to the development of innovative and integrated technologies are the devices themselves. In many hospitals, old CRT monitors are being replaced with flat screen, high resolution monitor devices that are much more convenient for healthcare workers. These devices are also more energy efficient when compared to older CRT models. This is another factor why many hospitals are considering making the change from CRT to LCD.
Another challenge facing the IT department of a hospital is data security. Data security must be a major consideration not only in IT infrastructure but in all aspects of the organization. Every device must be protected and every employee must be trained to use devices to prevent theft. This is particularly important in smaller organizations that do not have the budget to cover the expense for a data security team to manage the threats to their information. By employing a variety of techniques and systems to prevent and detect threats, organizations can greatly reduce the risk of data security issues.
Hospitals must also address issues regarding patient safety and security. As more patients rely on virtual suites of applications and data across the enterprise, a number of issues can arise if patients are given access to these applications without being adequately protected. This includes securing the critical information necessary to allow authorized users to perform financial transactions. Ensuring that end-users are trained on the risks of unsupervised use of iSCSI and NVRAM is one of the most significant challenges of iometrics in healthcare.
The challenges of IoT in healthcare facilities are certainly significant. However, they can be addressed by using cutting edge solutions from vendors such as Belkin, Honeywell, and Qualtrics, along with secure storage and access solutions from trusted manufacturers such as Dell, BlackBerry, and Verisign. By combining all of the necessary components together, these innovative systems can provide a complete solution that will help your organization secure, protect, and even manage the assets it holds as well as streamline the workflow associated with patient care. While this may seem like an overwhelming task to undertake, organizations should consider all of the benefits iSCSI and NVRAM can bring to the table.
Deepak Wadhwani has over 20 years experience in software/wireless technologies. He has worked with Fortune 500 companies including Intuit, ESRI, Qualcomm, Sprint, Verizon, Vodafone, Nortel, Microsoft and Oracle in over 60 countries. Deepak has worked on Internet marketing projects in San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange Country, Denver, Nashville, Kansas City, New York, San Francisco and Huntsville. Deepak has been a founder of technology Startups for one of the first Cityguides, yellow pages online and web based enterprise solutions. He is an internet marketing and technology expert & co-founder for a San Diego Internet marketing company.