Knowledge Management and Healthcare Services in U.S.

The problem with healthcare these days is that hospitals are resistant to change. They could be more efficient and effective if they would stop using paper-based systems, and implement a good knowledge management system. With a good KMS, there would be less errors in prescriptions and doctors would be ensured that they don't treat the same patient twice, or have them fill out a form every time they enter the hospital. KMS enable doctors to make sure they get the right patient that needs the right procedure. This is a matter of life-and-death.

If doctors use collaborative knowledge management, such as wikis, they will be able to share their findings with colleagues and find cures for diseases faster. This is not only beneficial for building good practices, but it is also beneficial to society as a whole.

This doesn't come without a cost though, as healthcare is becoming ever more expensive due to Healthcare Reform and the baby boomer generation retiring. However, we may benefit from the bill passed by Congress not in the short run, but the long run. By creating better systems, we are ensuring that the job will be done more efficiently and effectively.