In February, International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM)’s supercomputer Watson, which is best-known for appearing on Jeopardy, found a new purpose as a medical assistant. In May 2011, Watson received the training equivalent to a second-year medical student. The following March, International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM) made a deal with Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center to process and analyze the institution’s patient records, histories, and research.
As a medical assistant, Watson can provide treatment options with varying degrees of confidence, and if an optimal treatment is suggested, it provides supporting evidence for the claim. Using an iPad, doctors can type in a medical question and receive an analysis within half a minute. 90% of the nurses using Watson directly follow its guidance, according to IBM Watson business chief Manoj Saxena. Watson is also much smaller than before, with a server roughly the size of a pizza box, compared to its prior bedroom-sized versions, making it easy to install in hospitals.
What better connectivity means for hospitals
Of course, cutting-edge services like Watson won’t be available if hospitals lack reliable Wi-Fi connections. Many other companies, especially those focusing on EHRs, are relying on companies like Cisco and IBM to be successful at modernizing hospitals so their technologies can be used. One major company that will benefit from a smarter hospital is Cisco’s partner Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc (NASDAQ:MDRX).
Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc (NASDAQ:MDRX) recently introduced the second version of its native iPad app, Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc (NASDAQ:MDRX) Wand. Whereas the first version was used as a reference tool for physicians, the new version adds mobile EHR capabilities, including order entry, clinical documentation, and the ability to directly use the iPad’s camera to take photos for medical records. Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc (NASDAQ:MDRX) Wand 2.0 also adds an App Store with 54 apps that can be used for specialized needs.
Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc (NASDAQ:MDRX) and Cerner Corporation (NASDAQ:CERN)’s native iPad apps with EHR capabilities represent the type of product that many physicians are looking for. According to a recent survey from Black Book Rankings, 83% of surveyed physicians expressed the need for a viable mobile EHR app, and other companies have been scrambling to meet that demand.
A Foolish final thought
In conclusion, equipping hospitals with better Wi-Fi connections will be the first step in creating “smart hospitals” in America. Plenty of companies like Allscripts and Cerner Corporation (NASDAQ:CERN) are developing incredible new technologies to improve the efficiency of hospitals and the quality of patient care, but first we need companies like IBM and Cisco to lay down the wireless networks for their products to operate on.
The article These Companies Are Creating the Hospital of the Future originally appeared on Fool.com is written by Leo Sun.
Leo Sun has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO). The Motley Fool owns shares of International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM).
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