Paperless Research Articles

A Review of Ghana’s E-health Strategy

Background and Purpose: Ghana has been faced with weak health systems leading to preponderance of communicable diseases, under-nutrition, and poor reproductive health resulting in difficulties in meeting some of the targets of the MDGs. There are also increasing incidence of non-communicable and chronic diseases, and severe inequities in access to health services resulting in large disparities in health outcomes across the country. In light of these, the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service in 2007 developed a National Health Policy which has three broad objectives. These are: (a) To ensure that people live long, healthy and productive lives and reproduce without an increased risk of death. (b) To reduce the excessive risk and burden of morbidity, mortality and disability, especially in the poor and marginalized groups (c) To reduce inequalities in access to health, reproduction and nutrition services. However, achieving these objectives require a change in the way health business is run and that the health sector must find new and innovative ways of reaching more people with information and resources to help them make informed decisions. Under these circumstances the Ministry of Health and its agencies have identified e-health as the best means to achieve the above objectives and hence formulation of Ghana’s e-health strategy in 2010. The research seeks to: give an overview of the 2010 Ghana e-health strategies as a driving force in achieving the health sector goals; enumerate success chalked from implementation of e-health strategies; identify the barriers to the implementation of e-health strategies in Ghana. Methods: Ghana’s e-health policies and strategies since 2003 have been reviewed. Situational analysis approach was used in this review. Several stakeholders such as the Ministry of health, Ghana health service, Development partners, National Information Technology Agency, Academia, Telcos etc were consulted and they made very valuable contributions to this review. Results: Within 10 years Ghana has seen the development of five documents on e-health policies and strategies: ICT for Accelerated Development (ICT4AD) Policy; Proposals for Ghana eHealth Strategy; Health Sector’s ICT Policy and Strategy; ehealth plan: 2007-2011 and Ghana E-health strategy 2010. Ghana’s 2010 e-health strategy seeks to: streamline the regulatory framework for health data and information management; build sector capacity for wider application of e-health solutions in the health sector; increase access and bridging equity gap in the health sector through the use of ICT and develop strategies towards paperless records and reporting systems. Ghana has chalked some success since the implementation of e-health strategies which are categorised as (1) Capacity building – Msc in Health Informatics ; C ertificate and Diploma in Health Informatics; e-learning project in all Health training institution. (2) mHealth initiatives - Sene smart phone project, MoTeCH, MVP Project – telemedicine, SMS for life, EWS, Fio-GHS and RDT smart reader. (3) Health Management Information Systems – LMIS, HIS, iHost (GHS), NHIA – eClaims, eRegister and DHIMS2. Conclusions: Full execution of this strategy is expected to lead to developing a robust ICT system to capture, store, exchange health information thereby improve patient care services throughout the country and facilitating the achievement of the health sector goals. Keywords: E-health strategy, National Health Policy, Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service

Development of University Ontology for aSPOCMS

In these days, ontology is the most popular and widespread formalism of knowledge representation. With the requirement of our system aSPOCMS (An Agent-based Semantic Web for Paperless Office Content Management System), we present the construction of university ontology to retrieve the information and accomplish the proc ess of files of various sections by using the predefined w orkflow in university ontology. The aSPOCMS aims to provide the facility to manage and process the files/documents of various departments and sections of higher educational inst itutions (i.e. universities) in paperless environment. This paper reveals the conceptualization of university knowledge through construction of university ontology. Generalized structure of Indian universities and workflow processes have been taken for ontology development by describing the class hierarchy, and demonstrate the graphical view of ontology. We also demonstrate the ability of univer sity ontology to execute intelligent query to retrieve t he information.

Research on management system of paperless electronic medical record

This paper discussed on the importance of management system of paperless electronic medical record and pointed out that we would encountered lots of problems during the construction of paperless electronic medical record management system including authenticity,legal effect,similarity,safety,mistakes and missing of medical records.This paper analyzed these problems and proposed corresponding countermeasures including developing safety management system,whole-process monitoring of medical record quality,enhancing archive management,developing backup and recovery mechanisms,improving secrecy and authorization system,promoting borrowing management,performing copy system,strengthening electronic signature management,implementing unique number management and enhancing overall quality of personnel Key words: Paperless; Electronic medical record; Management system

Improvement and application of management process for pathologic specimen in operation room

Objective To investigate the method to improve the management for pathologic specimen in operation room,to ensure the sample quality timely and accurate submission.Methods We improved the existing problems in the operation management of samples,such as the specification of specimens,refinement for handover procedures and frozen pathological examination diagnosis report using the hospital information network paperless submission,and the specimen defect rate and time consuming were compared before and after the improving management methods of operation.Results Frozen section examination of pathological specimens residence time in the operation room reduced from (11.58 ± 3.64) minutes to (0.38-± 0.14) minutes; specimen defect incidence frequency decreased from 267 cases in 2011 to 25 cases in 2012,operation specimen defect rate dropped from 7.40％ in 2011 to 0.59％ in 2012,(P＜0.05).Conclusion The improved management method can improve the operation sample management quality,reduce operation specimen defect rate,improve patients' satisfaction,and to prevent medical disputes. Key words: Operation room; Management; Pathological specimen

DUMPSTER DIVING FOR DISCARDED MATERIALS: A SECURITY CONCERN

As the notion of the paperless office gain popularity, increasingly data is being inputted, appraised and transferred to the required destination within split seconds. Sometimes this information are printed on documents or stored in electronic devices. When these materials are no longer needed they are dumped in trashcans which continue to attract dumpster divers and form hazards in the environment. The exposures of the contents of some trashcans debris are classified information on paper or disks. Sometimes dumpster divers dig through garbage cans in search of these classified materials. When such sensitive information is in the custody of an identity attacker, the resultant harm can be devastating. This paper discusses a form of computer attack known as dumpster diving. It analyzes dumpster divers‘ profile, motivation for divers and types of dumpster diving attacks. Recommendations are proffered that addresses vulnerable users‘ practices that reduces the success level of dumpsters

Development of Universal Namespace for Workflow of University Domain for ASPOCMS

In recent years, the term paperless environment has almost become essentialto manage various office contents. We have proposed a system aSPOCMS (An Agent -based Semantic Web for Paperless Office Content Management System) to provide paperlessenvironment based on workflow ontology to ma nage the files and documents of various departments and sectionsof higher educational institutions.The metadata of explicit information of various workflows of the university playsthe important role in aSPOCMS. Though a number of semantic workflow syst ems services based on OWL-S ontology, WSDL and SAWSDL/WSDL -S languages are available to provide Semantic Web services in various domains , however to define the terms (metadata) of workflow in universityotology, a universal namespaceis required. Therefore, we discuss the development of universal namespacesto define the workflow for university domain and their management for an ontology-driven office content management system . Furthermore, we described the information of workflow in TRIPLE and validate the m from W3C RDF Validation service.

SPECULATIONS . . . What If . . . Paperless classroooms were to be made mandatory?

SPECULATIONS . . . What If . . . Paperless classroooms were to be made mandatory?

An Observational Study of Outdated Technology

The use of paper-based approaches is still alarmingly prevalent in corporate environments. The objective of this paper is to explore paper usage in corporate and higher education institutions by observing the use of traditional technology versus electronic technology mechanisms. A mixed-mode methodology was utilised for collecting data, via an observational (n = 13) and quantitative survey (n = 123) method. Permission was obtained to observe participants at work, regarding their use of the fax machine in the administrative department at one Higher Education Institution (hereafter HEI) in South Africa. This was followed up by a survey among several business organisations, randomly sampled from the local business directory. The findings showed that paper abuse was being perpetuated and the paperless office is not a reality. Therefore policymakers in the organisations will have to mount campaigns to facilitate the use of electronic media, to rein in paper usage via training and awareness campaigns.

Designing a multi-slate reading environment to support active reading activities

Despite predictions of the paperless office, most knowledge workers and students still rely heavily on paper in most of their document practices. Research has shown that paper's dominance can be attributed to the fact that it supports a broad range of these users' diverse reading requirements. Our analysis of the literature suggests that a new class of reading device consisting of an interconnected environment of thin and lightweight electronic slates could potentially unify the distinct advantages of e-books, PCs, and tabletop computers to offer an electronic reading solution providing functionality comparable to, or even exceeding, that of paper. This article presents the design and construction of such a system. In it, we explain how data can be mapped to slates, detail interactions for linking the slates, and describe tools that leverage the connectivity between slates. A preliminary study of the system indicates that such a system has the potential of being an electronic alternative to paper.

Electronic publishing and paperless scientific communication, are we ready?

Electronic publishing and paperless scientific communication, are we ready?

A Study on the Implementation of Paperless Trading for the past 20 years and Lessons for the Future

A Study on the Implementation of Paperless Trading for the past 20 years and Lessons for the Future

Securing information in a paper-efficient environment

A secure, IT-based paperless office has been ‘just around the corner’ for the past four decades. For many businesses, however, the prospect of replacing paper documents with digital files can be a daunting one. Paper is part of our cultural DNA: since our ancestors started trading, we have relied on physical records. Many business processes and information management systems have been designed around paper, and even the most technologically minded may well print out the occasional email or word document to read on the train home. Removing paper is therefore a huge operational and emotional challenge for many organisations – and may explain why the supposed utopia of the paper-free office has yet to materialise.

From One Who's Taken Leap: Advice for Going Paperless

From One Who's Taken Leap: Advice for Going Paperless

Beyond “green buildings:” exploring the effects of Jevons’ Paradox on the sustainability of archival practices

The sustainability of archival institutions will be greatly affected by attempts to mitigate their carbon footprint to meet the challenges of global climate change. This paper explores how recordkeeping practices may enhance or undermine the sustainability of archives. To enhance sustainability, it is a common practice to increase the efficiency of recordkeeping practices. However, increases to efficiency may lead to a phenomenon known as Jevons’ Paradox. Jevons’ Paradox occurs when improvements in efficiency to a system or process result in an increase in use (instead of a decrease) of a resource. The failure of the paperless office demonstrates Jevons’ Paradox, and it has wide implications for the future sustainability of repositories. This paper advances the notion that “green” technologies alone are not enough to ensure sustainability. They must be deployed in concert with a systematic use of archival practices and theories for environmental sustainability to be ensured.

The origins of new ways of working

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the origins of today's new office concepts, focusing on the emergence of mobile and flexible working practices in the 1960s and 1970s. Thereby it intends to add a sense of historical awareness to the ongoing debate about the work environment.Design/methodology/approach – The historical description is based on literature study, looking at research reports, design handbooks and depictions of office life in popular culture such as movies and advertisements.Findings – The paper demonstrates that today's “new ways of working” are by no means new. It shows that the concepts of mobile offices, paperless offices, videoconferencing and flexible workplaces all originate from the end of the 1960s and the early 1970s. It also shows that these concepts were far from mainstream, standing in stark contrast to the rigidity and conservatism of everyday office life at the time.Research limitations/implications – This paper is the first result of a larger historical analysi...

Analysis and Design of Data Management Information System for the Enterprise of Wooden Door

In some companies, there are a lot of data exchange between head office and branch offices. Based on the situation and the actual requirements of a wooden door enterprise, a data management information system is researched and designed for the enterprise, which adopts B/S and C/S combined architecture as well as is developed on .net platform of Microsoft. The head office can monitor purchase, inventory and sales of products in branch offices in real time through the system to improve the efficiency of information management and to achieve the supervision with paperless office. It is of practical significance for the promotion of internal data management system of enterprise.

Mission impossible? The future of “paperless” library operations

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the current state of the “paperless office” and explore how likely it is that libraries will be administered by librarians in paperless offices in the near future.Design/methodology/approachThis paper surveys the literature on forecasts for the paperless office to determine whether library operations and offices could be as paperless as some of their collections might be in the near future.FindingsThe paperless office was once seen as inevitable, but is looking less far less likely given how we access and organize documents, how we read and understand information, and how we analyze what we read online and in print. Nonetheless, certain routine library operations would lend themselves almost immediately to paperless storage and retrieval processes and systems.Research limitations/implicationsMore research is required on records management systems in libraries with a view to establishing largely paperless operations in the future. Implications for future research involve the establishment of processes and the testing of systems which would most easily lend themselves to standard library operations.Practical implicationsRecent research on reading and cognitive function indicates that there are certain practical implications involved in doing away with paper entirely. Nonetheless, certain routine library functions could be made paperless operations once practical considerations such as the choice of systems, establishment of work flow, policies and processes have been realized.Originality/valueThe paper makes the case for more research and exploration of the viability of paperless or near‐paperless library operations.

Facing with office and judiciary formalities in the field of prevention due to forge governmental documents' crime

One of the most important crimes against public trust and tranquility is forgery. To forge official and government documents that is to say, the documents which is to be regulated by officials in order to their legal duties, because of it's proper credit and worth and also having a stronger feedback proportionate to common documents, causes to be called intensified forgery and legist labors are going to prevent penal crimes via intensification of punishments. Unfortunately, nevertheless acute punishment the toll is increasing, and re-punishment could not do any thing, and prevention must be at the level of nation wide, area and ever in offices, official office system should not assume that their maximum duty is in litigation of official deeds, forgery in justice ministry and merely to plead for punishment but they should confront and prevent it at the first priority. In the present paper, after mentioning the most usual and common methods of state deeds' forgery, it has been suggested to constitute a preventive council about office special crimes with the purpose of legislation for proper regulations and submission of identical procedures. In this essay, besides social preventions, several thematic procedures such as anti citation for office special paper application, stapler instead of stamp, signature education to employees, leaving affairs of decals to special part utilization of coding system and paperless office system have been suggested. Key words: Prevention, forgery, state deeds, coding, and intensified punishment.

Delivering Radiotherapy in a Fully Networked Paperless Satellite Department

Delivering Radiotherapy in a Fully Networked Paperless Satellite Department

Information and Communication Technology and International Business Travel: Mobility Allies?

Like forecasts about the paperless office, technological solutions to the problem of international business travel continue to be deferred. As with the increased use of office paper, international business travel is defying predictions of its decline. There is growing evidence to suggest that business sectors which seem ideally placed to substitute information and communication technology (ICT) for travel, are actually generating more physical travel than other sectors. This paper develops a case study of the Irish software industry to exemplify why international travel is not diminishing in importance how and the ICT and business travel relationship is changing in this sector. The paper presents research findings that suggest that a cycle of substitution, generation and modification relationships have occurred as mobility interdependencies have developed.