Today not only large corporations and big companies make lot of efforts to go green but even smaller corporations and medium sized businesses are putting their best foot forward in terms of going green. It has to be admitted that many companies in the beginning were using ‘going green’ as their marketing tool to project themselves as an environmentally responsible company. Today however thankfully there is a noticeable shift in the trend. Many companies today are making genuine efforts to help the environment and to leave as small a carbon footprint as possible. Many companies are becoming increasingly responsible in this area.

One of the most effective ways of going green is by using dynamic forms or digital forms instead of paper forms. It is not enough just to add notes such as, “Think of the environment before you print this email.” and “Don’t print this email unless you really need to.” Though such efforts are to be appreciated, they are just passive approaches. You need to take a more proactive and positive approach towards going green and that is the need of the hour. If your company uses a lot of surveys or questionnaires or any other form of information gathering as any part of your business for which you are currently using the conventional paper and pen method, then here is your chance to take that proactive step towards going green.

The whole idea about the ‘going green’ concept is using less resources. When we use digital forms, we will reduce the amount of paper that we use in our operations, this will contribute towards reducing the number of trees that are cut every year and reduce the carbon that is emitted into the environment. That is not everything, you will also use less electricity because you will not need a large team of back office executives processing your forms, and the list of green benefits continues.

When you choose to go green by using digital forms, the benefit is not only to you but also for your budget and profit. Except for the initial setup costs, you will save a considerable amount of money month after month and year after year. This will bring down your overhead costs dramatically. Isn’t this what every company is trying to achieve? Here again, is your chance for cost cutting. Here in this case going green also has an element of selfishness but in the good sense. Going green by the use of web forms, PDA forms and digital forms after all creates a win-win situation for you. When you have nothing to lose but have everything to gain, do not hesitate to make that shift in your organisation.

Productivity and patient care could be improved by remote IT access for community health workers.

Is it the end of the clipboard in hospitals?

Mobile technology for community health workers could increase productivity by a quarter, reduce travel time by a third, and improve patient care, according to the results of an NHS trial.A three-month pilot run by Nottinghamshire Health Informatics Service allowed community clinicians and therapists to securely access clinical systems and patient records on the move.Electronic versions of NHS forms were downloaded on staff’s PDA, to enable them to complete patient forms remotely. Such forms and patient records can be completed off-line and in remote locations. User’s  were given PDA’s to carry out their daily patient checks.

iGroup’s ‘Dynamic Forms’ can assist the NHS, as the device allows real time access allowing nurses to respond to referrals while on their rounds. Using a paper system, if a patient requires a blood test, they must wait until a nurse comes off their rounds to see the note. The nurse can receive the request and respond immediately.

"Because a quicker blood test means a quicker diagnosis and quicker treatment, people can get out - and no one wants to be in hospital," said Salford staff nurse Jenny Quilliam.The results of the trial showed the potential for a 25 % increase in productivity, reduction in travel times of 32 %, with the potential to reduce commuting by 50 %.On average 96 % of patient notes were completed on the day - without mobile working, there is typically a delay of up to 48 hours as workers report back to the office to write up notes.Users perceived an average of 70 % improvement in facilities to do their job.

‘The mobility trial has helped to transform the way community clinicians and therapists work,’ said Stuttle.‘Users have access to real-time information, enabling them to plan their day better and have direct contact with colleagues and hospitals. This solution is helping to deliver the highest quality care for patients.’

With iGroup's solution, ‘Dynamic Forms’, which will help increase productivity in the NHS and reduce travel times, as well as giving maximum ROI will mean to end of hospital clip boards.