We say we are preparing students for their future, not our past. Let’s take a look at the future of health care.
St. John Providence Park Hospital, a state-of-the-art facility, is scheduled to open in Novi, Michigan next year. Great Lakes IT Report highlighted its information technology and medical features that will make this facility cutting-edge:
- all drugs ordered via computer (no reading doc’s messy handwriting)
- software to check for drug interaction
- measuring devices with smart sensors in drug pumps
- beds that notify nurses when a patient gets out of bed
- in addition to a traditional ICU unit, 152 of the 182 remaining beds will transition from stepdown, general care, or rehab. No more moving the patient between sections of a facility.
- a “war room” for monitoring patient status
- sophisticated electronic medical records
- all patient rooms are sleepover capable, with flat screen monitors and entertainment options
- ability to isolate the air in sections of the hospital
- several days backup power and water
- wireless personal communicators for staff
- aesthetic architecture that flows with its environment
- and more!
Thinking about CTE, also known as career and technical education. As adults we never had this type of health care experience. Are our classrooms equipped to help our students not only gain the clinical skills but the technology literacy skills they need? In IT we often stress skills, and in addition to the technology-specific skills, our students need to understand the needs and systems of the technology users (in this case, both patients and hospital staff). How can we help our students develop the proficiencies required in a 21st century workplace? This question is especially intriguing if rephrased - How can we help our students develop the proficiencies required in a 21st century workplace from a 20th century classroom, filled with 20th century products, practices and perspectives?
Imagine this world for our students interested in health and IT careers - what an exciting work place!
Preparing our students for their future. How are we doing?
