Like any business, healthcare providers are increasingly relying on information technology to streamline operations, reduce operating costs, and increase profits. IT projects deliver value by improving efficiency, allowing administrators to access and manage business-critical data that keeps the operation running smoothly. However, healthcare providers also use IT for critical patient care and applications beyond simply improving efficiency. Unlike other businesses, hospitals, clinics, doctor's offices, and pharmacists have to be concerned about patient security and patient data accuracy. Maintaining efficient, accurate computing can literally be a matter of life or death.
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Technology is the disruptive force shaping our future, which is why teaching technical literacy has become a vital part of today’s classroom. Students are being introduced to technology at an earlier age, using smartphones and computers to play games, search the web, and to talk to family and friends. Today’s students are comfortable with technology and have become accustomed to the rapid pace of technological change. The task educators face is to show students how to apply technology to do more than just play games and chat with friends. Teachers need to challenge students to apply technology in new and disruptive ways that will shape our future. Read More >
With new enterprise technology comes new security concerns. Cloud computing, social media, mobile technology, the Internet of Things (IoT), and other technologies are making it easier to access and use business-critical data, but each new technology seems to bring its own risks. With more businesses relying on digital information, the thing that keeps owners of small businesses and CIOs up at night is keeping that information safe from cyber threats.
Every business runs on computers these days, which means every business needs some form of computer support. Someone has to be responsible for configuring and maintaining computer systems, keeping the Internet up and running, managing the web site (especially if you are dealing selling using e-commerce), and even dealing with paper jams in the printer. At the same time, staffing is one of the biggest expense items for any business, typically consuming more than 50 percent of itemized expenses when you take into account compensation, benefits, insurance, and worker’s compensation. But do you really need a dedicated IT team to keep your network systems up and running? Read More >
HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, was passed to secure patient records. It applies to health care providers, hospitals, insurance companies, and any organization that has access to protected health information (PHI), especially electronic health records (EHRs). While EHRs have become a real asset for medical practitioners, making it easier to store and share patient data, EHRs also pose a new challenge for IT professionals who have to meet the informational needs of caregivers while still maintaining privacy as outlined under HIPAA. Read More >
