Success of wireless systems in healthcare: the case of the MARGE Wireless Bed Management System (WBMS) in a New Zealand hospital

Abstract

As the demand on the health dollar increases, many healthcare facilities throughout the world are now starting to take advantage of mobile technologies as part of their key initiatives to provide better quality healthcare. However, not enough research has focused on the benefits mobile technologies (e.g. wireless Tablet PCs) have brought to healthcare, specifically in the New Zealand context. This research aims to capture the specific development activities that will enhance the functionality and efficiency of a Wireless Bed Management System (WBMS) in the HawkesBay DHB. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyse a real case study and to identify the success factors of the MARGE Wireless Bed Management System (WBMS) in a New Zealand hospital. In addition, the DeLone & McLean (D&M) (2003) IS success framework was used as the theoretical foundation for this study and the subsequent framework. Case methodology was used to study and analyse the HawkeBays Hospital's wireless Bed Management system through undertaking interviews from the Bed Manager and the IT support person for the MARGE WBMS. In determining the variables for success, the study found that mobility (i.e. portability, coverage, device selection, immediacy) and IT governance all contributed to the success of the MARGE WBMS in the HawkesBay DHB. Consequently the DeLone & McLean's (2003) IS success framework was adapted to reflect this systems success for a wireless in health context. The proposed framework is a useful tool which can be used to evaluate the success of a wireless Bed Management system in other similar hospital contexts. Future research may focus on testing this phenomenon quantitatively across multiple cases. The adapted DeLone & McLean (2003) framework for wireless in health could also be investigated and critiqued in other similar health contexts with other types wireless systems.