One doctor, many experts

Technology in health care: A patient-centric model

The stuff of hospital dramas is often all too real. A patient presents with numerous symptoms. The patient’s medical history is sketchy at best. A talented doctor, with a huge caseload, works against the clock to properly diagnose and treat the underlying causes. Meanwhile, the administrative staff wrestles with an insurance provider over how to pay for it all.

The equation is extremely data intensive. The patient’s complete medical history must be considered, along with the doctor’s years of education, training, and experience; augmented by the latest in global research. Add medical suppliers, pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors, insurance companies, and legislators, all housing individual silos of valuable information. That’s why we’re working closely with industry professionals in the public and private sectors to examine the health care business and its systems. Microsoft is working to enable the transformation of health care delivery through innovative technology and healthy partnerships that help improve the quality and safety of care for patients, while reducing burgeoning health care costs.

(Innovative Technologies) Delivering Connected Health

A cooperative model for delivering connected health care solutions begins with the Connected Health Framework Architecture and Design Blueprint. It shows how institutions with deeply entrenched legacy systems can, with help, develop security-enhanced Web-based solutions that access and share their information. From a server set that automates tasks, processes, and transactions to a platform that supports open industry standards to help create custom applications that integrate disparate systems and speed the right information to qualified professionals. And deliver it when and where it’s needed. Now all those busy doctors can have all of that crucial information, patient history, up-to-the-minute research, and radiology and lab results all in the palms of their hands—on a smart, mobile device.

(Partnerships) Nurturing Partnerships, Nurturing Care

Providing accessible tools for people across all levels of health care takes a healthy dose of listening. A partnering approach that aims to understand the unique challenges of each organization is a good start. The next step is working side by side to develop end-to-end technology solutions that provide value immediately, and for generations to come. Efficient and effective services curb costs at every turn. And when these services are familiar and easy to use, people at every level benefit. While working to meet the unique needs of educators, medical publishers, associations, manufacturers, suppliers, insurers, and legislators, Microsoft remains clearly focused on the commitment to help deliver quality care in every corner of the world.

(Beneficiaries) Elevate Care, Lower Costs

Once, if you were going to get sick you wanted to live in a hub like Boston or D.C. in order to benefit from the advanced expertise of a Harvard Medical School or a Johns Hopkins. But with dependable, economical, productive software solutions available anywhere, patients can rely on the best care anywhere they are from Boston to a clinic on Africa’s Gold Coast. Once they are streamlined, new technology processes can help save labor costs and cut down on trial and error; passing cost savings down the line. Doctors become better equipped to treat symptoms and help give their patients clear paths to recovery. And patients themselves get not only the best that a hospital or clinic has to offer, they get the very best care possible. Near Hamburg, Asklepios Clinic Barmbek, a joint alliance/relationship with Microsoft and Intel is a model for connected health delivery. Doctors there access and pass on patient information from and to different departments while they are bedside, holding Tablet PCs.

Quality, affordable health care that employs cutting-edge technology is not just an ideal. It’s happening now. From patients who are more informed and in control of their own well-being to institutions that more readily respond to the shifting demands of their customers. We’ll continue to listen to, and help create viable solutions for, the men and women who selflessly dedicate their lives to quality care for all people. Healthy people and healthy businesses breed healthy communities, healthy nations, and a world where affordable, quality care for every individual, at each stage of life, is a given.