Computing Architecture Innovation in Healthcare - a Case Study on the Role for Thin Client Computing at the Royal Hobart Hospital, Tasmania
S Chau, Justin Thurley, Paul A. Turner · eCite Digital Repository (University of Tasmania) · 2004
Increasing pressures on the Australian healthcare system have contributed to the significance of debates on the role information and communication technologies (ICTs) can play in improving organizational efficiency, cost reduction, information delivery and clinical safety and quality. While the argument for ICTs per se is passed, the technical, organisational and end-user consequences of ICT implementations are still central to current debates. From a computing architecture perspective, it is noticeable that many of these debates can be traced back to issues, challenges and consequences that have arisen from the transition to personal desktop computing(PC) that occurred in most organisations during the early 1990s. Although initially the PC approach marked a dramatic empowerment of end-users, with the growth of network computing and the Internet, it became apparent that it also significantly increased management overheads in data management, integrity, security and privacy. In response, many organisations have begun to re-visit the utility of a centralised server - thin client architecture. With traditional technical barriers to thin client computing addressed and new solutions leveraging web servers and wireless connectivity available, the case for this computing architecture looks strong. One major attraction of thin client computing is the ability to install and maintain applications in one central location. This overcomes issues of compliance with security and privacy conditions at a single point (Schuerenberg, 2003). Additionally, this architecture offers the possibility for lower replacement, configuration and support costs. In this context, this paper examines the role for thin client computing at the Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH) The insights presented arise from research conducted with individuals implementing a thin client trial in a number of departments of the RHH. More specifically, this research explores the rationale, drivers, potential benefits and barriers to this architecture from three perspectives: management, technical and end-user.