Nurse Developer Column

By Raymund John Ang, RN, MAN

Raymund is currently a PhD student at the Holy Angel University (Philippines), and works as a clinical analyst in Pennsylvania, USA. He is the project lead of the Open Nursing Information System (Open-NIS) Project

Citation: Ang, R. J. (2025). Free and open-source operating systems in the healthcare setting. Nurse Developer Column. Canadian Journal of Nursing Informatics, 20(4). https://cjni.net/journal/?p=15660

Operating Systems (OS) quietly support the everyday work of nurses in healthcare settings. An OS is the basic element that enables computers, devices, monitors, and medication scanners to function smoothly. For nurses, this means access to the patient charts, vital signs display correctly, and medication administrations are recorded accurately. Operating systems also help devices communicate with each other and keep information secure – ensuring patient privacy. Updates and built-in safety features reduce technical worries. By keeping technology stable and updated, nurses can concentrate more on patient care, clinical decisions, teamwork, and compassion.

Micron Technology announced that it will exit the consumer memory business, ending sales of one of its unit’s consumer-grade products by February 2026 as it refocuses supply toward high-performance chips for AI data centers amid a tight global memory market (Reuters, 2025a). The move reflects broader supply constraints in memory chips essential for both consumer electronics and enterprise systems and follows years of increased demand for AI-oriented products. In a related development, Samsung Electronics has raised prices for certain memory chips by as much as 60%, driven by an escalating shortage as demand for memory outstrips supply due to demand for servers and AI systems (Reuters, 2025b). Together, these developments show how artificial intelligence growth is tightening supply, increasing prices, and reshaping strategies across the global memory chip industry. This could potentially affect applications and devices used in healthcare in terms of availability and cost-efficiency.

The Linux Foundation Sustainability Initiative highlights how open-source projects support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by showing how technology benefits people, the environment, and economic growth (The Linux Foundation, n.d.). The initiative maps digital public-good projects to specific SDGs and helps communities focus resources where impact can be strengthened. Examples include AgStack for sustainable agriculture, Zephyr for cost-efficient Internet-of-Things systems, C2PA for authenticity in the media, and OS-Climate for tools on climate finance. By promoting collaboration and transparency, the Linux Foundation encourages open innovation that addresses global challenges and advances sustainable development worldwide.

Linux is a type of OS that could enable the transformation of Nursing Informatics globally in the next decade by offering reliable and affordable computer systems that support patient care, particularly in terms of cost-efficiency and environmental sustainability. Many healthcare tools, such as electronic health records and reporting systems, can run on Linux or can be modified to be interoperable, helping nurses access patient information quickly and safely – particularly in countries or regions that are not able to update to a secure OS at a timely pace. Its strong security features protect patient data, while its stability reduces system crashes that can interrupt work. Although, this can be true for proprietary systems as well. As healthcare uses more digital tools and data, Linux can support nurses in improving care quality in a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable approach.

References

Reuters. (2025a, December 3). Micron to exit consumer memory business amid global supply shortage. https://www.reuters.com/business/micron-exit-crucial-consumer-memory-business-2025-12-03/

Reuters. (2025b, November 17). Samsung hikes memory chip prices by up to 60% as shortage worsens, sources say. https://www.reuters.com/world/china/samsung-hikes-memory-chip-prices-by-up-60-short age-worsens-sources-say-2025-11-14/

The Linux Foundation. (n.d.). Sustainability. https://www.linuxfoundation.org/projects/sustainability