Since the introduction of the Internet to academic centers for routine communications, medical researchers and clinicians have used this media to disseminate information amongst their peers. This instantaneous method of knowledge exchange has improved patient care as documented in numerous publications during the past decade especially of those researchers/clinicians working in critical care medicine. A number of issues contribute to the need for rapid knowledge procurement in intensive care units.

This paper highlights the genesis and evolution of medical errors, the critical care clinician as knowledge employee and end user of information and related technology and also provides information on who is responsible for assessing, evaluating and recommending the clinicians information technology.

"Reprinted from www.futuretechnow.info with permission from David H Walker”

David H Walker MA RRT RCP currently the Clinical Consultant for the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Hospital Central California in Fresno, California. He has extensive experience in working with advanced medical and information technologies for the critical care environments for patients of all ages.

He has education at the graduate level for Respiratory Care and Cardiopulmonary Physiology. In addition, Mr. Walker has attended programs at the graduate level related to the Management of Medical Technology and has published a number of articles in this field of Health Care Management.

He serves as a clinical consultant to the departments of information technology, Biomedical Services and senior management of the hospital for ensuring the “best fit” of both information and biomedical technology for the organization.

"Reprinted from www.futuretechnow.info with permission from David H Walker”