Discover how to collaborate with your IT department for improved patient care

Advances in technology have made information technology (IT) a major component in any given medical facility. The use wireless tools and technologies is growing every year, with no end in sight.

Wireless systems are designed to provide “anytime, anywhere” service, enabling data entry and data access by medical personnel at the point of care —  or remotely.

If you are working with medical devices, you are touching devices with wireless technology, which is why it’s important for healthcare technology management (HTM) to work effectively with IT departments to ensure patient data remains safe and secure.

The Role of Wireless Technology in Medical Facilities

Think of a typical medical imaging unit. This equipment takes a great degree of coding and programming to enable them to work properly. Some readers might remember when data and images were stored on local IT infrastructure and sharing images was done through physical means such as compact discs.

Cloud storage now allows for the transmission of images through an off-site network of computer servers. This model makes it easier to back-up files and access those files through multiple devices – although it does create other layers of complexity related to security.

Challenges in Today’s Medical Facilities

As medical devices continue to be more mobile and connected, understanding the concepts of wireless technology is becoming more important for clinical engineers.

However, in many organizations, departments are siloed. IT staff may focus on the networking aspect of wireless but overlook the potential clinical impact.

What Can You do to Work More Effectively With Your IT Department?

Because of the integral role that your IT department has in the realm of medical facility equipment, there is no way you can ignore it.

Understand that any given medical device will need an optimized team behind it in order to make sure these systems are perfect in their operation.

Here are some tips to consider as your facility strives to improve cross-department collaboration:

  • Communicate openly to understand what your each department requires when servicing existing equipment, installing new equipment and de-commissioning old equipment.
  • Develop a common language between your HTM department and your IT department to avoid misunderstandings that might affect patient care.
  • Work toward integrated procedures that keep day-to-day operations running smoothly.
  • Put your ego aside and remember that you are working toward a common goal of superior patient care.

What your IT staff does may seem completely foreign to you, but if you approach getting involved in your IT department’s process with an open mind, you’ll get a much better idea of how you can support each other.

By doing what it takes to work more effectively with your IT department, you can increase the effectiveness of your own department and can make everything run smoother in your facility.

Looking for additional career information? We invite you to read our other articles in order to better support your medical facility.

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