How we started...

The origins of the Center for Healthcare and Technology (CHT) begin at the University of Memphis' FedEx Institute of Technology (FIT). FIT was created to foster industry and academic collaboration while promoting technology and knowledge transfer. Scott Messmore (President and CEO of Memphis Business Interiors) became a CEO in Residence at FIT in the fall of 2005. Working with FIT Executive Director Craig Grossman, Scott put forth a vision for a center dedicated to issues concerning the use of information technology in healthcare. Scott believed more could be done to enhance the patient experience by better use of technology. Media reports and conversations with local healthcare providers confirmed his hunch, and the Center for Healthcare and Technology was formed. Paul Cornell was brought on as Director to develop the strategy and research agenda to make CHT a reality. In May of 2006, the Center received its first major grant from the Urban Child Institute, and the program began in earnest.

What We Do...

The Center for Healthcare and Technology aims to improve the future of healthcare by pursuing the following activities:

1. Observing and analyzing healthcare settings to document existing practices and identify opportunities for improvement.

2. Providing a repository of latest research, best practices and thought leadership to address current and future healthcare needs.

3. Designing, computer modeling and piloting solutions to address critical challenges in healthcare settings.

4. Developing enhancements in tools, environments and other technologies to improve healthcare outcomes.

5. Engaging in new research on the role of technology, process and the environment on healthcare practice.

The CHT takes a systems view of healthcare performance, exploring the contribution and interaction of technology, process, physical environment, organizational culture and human resources. This exploration, discovery and problem solving is accomplished through the interdisciplinary efforts of staff, University of Memphis faculty, researchers, corporate sponsors, and healthcare providers. This work is not done in a lab - the Center's efforts focus on  real world settings and addressing real world challenges.

CHT faculty and staff pursue a variety of topics relevant to healthcare. These areas include applied psychology, ergonomics, workflow analysis, process improvement, technology development, knowledge management, user-computer interface design and computer modeling.

Addressing today's healthcare issues...

Below are some of the healthcare issues where CHT focuses its efforts and innovations:

• Improvement of information flow

• Process assessment and improvement

• Investigation and discovery of new medical devices

• Stress and overload of healthcare professionals

• Role of information architecture in medical error

• Impact of the physical environment in improving practice

• JCAHO requirements and work process standards

The CHT excels through the collaboration of:

• Diverse faculty and student participation from the departments of Psychology, Health Administration, Computer Science, Engineering, Education, Communication, Sociology, Nursing, Management, Economics, Architecture and other disciplines.

• Experienced and knowledgeable healthcare partners

• Corporate collaborators and sponsors

• Other research institutions and universities