Hospital of the Future--not just technology "talk"

Technology is gaining increasing attention and competitive importance in the healthcare industry, but healthcare administrators need more than just talk to make effective technology investments. Andersen Consulting and the American College of Healthcare Executives have created Hospital of the FutureSM, in Dallas, Texas, as a dynamic, evolving research and demonstration forum that allows healthcare administrators and providers to see potential technology solutions in action--in healthcare settings specifically designed to look and feel like the real thing. This article discusses the functionality and technical structure of Hospital of the Future, as well as the integration issues among disparate healthcare systems addressed in developing the display.