Foreword. The International Hospital Federation. IT and communications. Spotlight on point-of-care connectivity. Chris Cherrington, research analyst at Frost & Sullivan, explains to Hospital Management International that recognition of the clinical and cost benefits of point-of-care connectivity is critical to its expansion. Will telemedicine run? Progress in implementing telemedicine applications in clinical routine has been slow. Magnus Hjelm of St. George's Hospital, London, explains the shortcomings that need to be addressed if the substantial potential of telemedicine is to emerge. Accelerating the healthcare enterprise, empowering the customer. The world's largest industry needs to gear its scheduling and appointment practices to the requirements of the twenty-first century. The internet may help. Consolidating healthcare's information islands. The delivery of patient care relies increasingly on advanced information systems applications. From the procurement office to the radiology department to the ICU, IT supports every hospital activity. Infection control. The advantages of nonwovens.