are used in and around the provision of health care services. Technology “tools” have been
introduced at an increasing rate during the past 100 years and include the use of techniques,
instruments, materials, systems, facilities, and information. Of all the factors and resources
that will shape the future of the health of humankind, the one that most often stretches the
imagination is medical technology. However, medical technology is often blamed for contributing
to the escalation of health care costs without receiving recognition for improving
access to the system and the quality and efficiency of the system.
The past decade has shown a trend toward increased legislation in support of more regulations
in health care. These and other pressures will require technology managers to be
familiar with the regulations and to be able to manage a program that demonstrates compliance
with these requirements throughout the life cycle of the technology. If you subscribe
to the saying, “You cannot manage what you do not measure, and you cannot
measure what you do not define,” then the need for the development of a systematic and
comprehensive planning process for technology adoption is obvious. In terms of defining
the scope of technology to be managed, the health care organization must develop a
rationale for adoption. Without this most basic tool, the process becomes increasingly
randomized over time until no consistent system of management can survive. One example
of a ranking of rationale for technology adoption is the following list: