Factors affecting success and constraints of introducing interconnected point-of-care glucose meters: findings and recommendations from the GLUMO-Study 1

Abstract

Innovative technologies play an important role within the health care sector. They not only improve the quality of treatment and enable life prolonging and life-supporting measures. Within an increasing efficiency and quality orientated competitive environment, they also support the provision of health services by medical service providers, for instance hospitals, and allow them to position themselves within the market and safeguard their competitive edge. Alongside the general financial viability is the actual adaption and acceptance of the innovation by the medical personnel essential for the success of a newly introduced medical device. Innovative technologies often impact the existing processes, making them obsolete which increases the necessity for revision and reorganisation.A redesign of the processes concerned is generally only feasible through an active integration of all parties concerned. Change management can be seen as an essential requirement to coordinate the introduction of innovations as well as the redesign of processes within hospital wards to increase the clinical and economical success and to decrease possible failings, especially during the introduction phase of the innovation.Within a study project, the Center for Hospital-Management conducted and analysed the introduction and utilisation of interconnected point-of-care meters in hospitals in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Beside constrains also factors for success which advocate a fast introduction and adaption of the interconnected point-of-care meters could be identified.