Technology's impact on the health care industry
Project Award Date: 08-01-2006
Description
According to the federal government, as much as $300 billion is spent annually on unnecessary, inappropriate, inefficient, or ineffective health care. With multiple doctors caring for a patient, it is difficult to quickly access complete, up-to-date medical histories. Emergency room personnel may be forced to treat patients without knowledge of their allergies, current medications, and prior diagnoses. Handwritten chart orders and prescriptions may be misunderstood. Patients may not have important information about their health or the hospitals and doctors that may best treat them
A paper-based records’ system does not enable the free flow of information between health care professionals and patients. Information technology will help fix many deficiencies in the trillion-dollar industry.
Webb is exploring a system to judge the quality of care, using clinical data. This will help people make informed decisions about their own treatment. He is also examining how robotics can be used in surgery or rehabilitation.
Investigators
Faculty Investigator(s): Arvin Agah (PI)
Student Investigator(s): Russell Webb
Project Sponsors
Primary Sponsor(s): Self Fellowship
