Computer systems are in every health care facility and used for many purposes, from the simplest process of gathering data down to the expert systems that are assisting physicians. Patients are making informed decisions based upon the technological advances readily that are readily available. The purpose of this paper is to examine the role that technology plays
ILHIE allows healthcare providers and professionals to exchange electronic health information in a secure environment, which helps prevent duplicate tests and procedures, and ensure the accuracy of prescriptions and other medical orders. HIE allows for improved healthcare quality and outcomes, patient safety, and promotes greater
Future Trends and Effects of EHR Angelene Sears HCIS/265 September 28, 2014 Lucinda Shipley Future Trends and Effects of EHR Electronic health records are enhancing patient overall health care across the country today. We have a system that allows doctors, hospitals, and all health care providers to communicate securely and warehouse patient records. So if you’re at home or in another state, get ill or wounded, the information about your medical state is available to medical providers attending you. Hospitals and physician that utilize digital systems see many benefits of EHR’s over paper records, and this exchange of health information means providing better quality of patient care. New technologies are continuously in advancement
Consumers are more interesting in the way technology has advanced with in the health care era. Patients are aware that all medical information is safely kept in a computer, but are concern of possible typos or errors that happens with the use of computers. On the flip side consumers understand that retrieving the health information can be done faster for test results and other important information that may usually take weeks to retrieve. Consumers now know it is easier for them to request refills on medication, and sent to the pharmacy quicker. Consumers realize medical providers are gaining a better way to manage the medical information, which will help improve the health care industry, and provide positive medical care.
NHS Connecting for Health described it as: The utilization of electronic systems to facilitate and enhance the communication of a prescription or medicine order, aiding the choice, administration and supply of a medicine through knowledge and decision support and providing a robust audit trail for the entire medicines use process. (Tolley 35) This new found system of prescribing can offset the problems occurring within the old system of prescribing. It has been stated in many different ways that E-prescribing can reduce the error in handwritten prescriptions. Some said that E-prescribing reduces “the risk of medication errors caused by illegible or incomplete handwritten prescriptions (New study finds 19),” another article said that “E-prescribing systems can reduce prescribing errors and their harm (Electronic Prescribing Improves 530).” There is a reason why many articles say that E-prescribing can reduce error. There is a reason why there are so many articles explaining and going into great detail about E-prescribing.
The use of computer applications in analyzing assembled patient data helps to improve patients’ care and costs. Coding diagnoses and procedures is another area that RHITs handle. The coding is done for research purposes as well as reimbursement. A Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) is someone who is an expert at managing patients’ medical records and health information. They collect and analyze patients’ data, administer computer systems, and use systems for classification and medical terminology.
Communication and Information technology Melissa Liesmann HCS 320 September 19, 2011 Sue Cox Communication and Information technology When thinking about communication and information technology, not many think that they can go hand in hand. This paper is going to discuss one type of information technology that can provide information but also be used as a way of communication. By now many know what electronic medical record is or EMR. It is a computerized medical record created in an organization that delivers care such as a hospital or physician’s office. It is a way to transmit patient information electronically and allow for physicians and staff to communicate by EMR instant messaging.
On the surface, just being able to simply send the basic patient chart to another doctor in the practice, the front desk, the nearest hospital or even a specialist is an improvement on the current paper process (Source One). However, even more important than ease of use, is the ability of the EMR software to track patient systems across multiple providers in the same practice or across hospital in an entire integrated health network (Source Seven). The physicians would have the option to view other patient charts with similar patient symptoms to a patient they were currently treating in real-time, which would allow them to see what they were ultimately diagnosed with, potentially saving the life of the patient on the table. It could essentially cut out the ‘learning curve’ of that doctor, especially if it was a set of symptoms that they were not as familiar with (Source Sixteen). Further, the EMR software is capable of alerting the doctors to trends that are taking place across the health system, making them aware of current bugs that may be floating around the area, which can help with quicker, accurate treatment of diseases and illnesses (Source
Some examples of technological revolutionary applications in healthcare that allow us to make better decisions, are the use of computers and other electronic devices. Electronic devices make it easy for you, your doctor, and other health care providers such as, hospitals, labs, and X-ray facilities to store, share and access your health information in a fraction of the time that use to take, prior to the digital and electronic revolution. Health information technology can improve the quality of care by decreasing medical errors and assuring that all health care providers have accurate and timely information. With more accurate information and access, consumers have the opportunity to view all their information, analyze and discus treatments with physicians, even from the convenience of their own home. Patients can also have multiple opinions on diagnosis and treatment, by simply forwarding their medical files to other providers, without the need of additional expensive test; therefore, giving patients around the globe the opportunity to obtain the best informed care.
There are many benefits of utilizing a patient portal, capabilities of a patient portal, and how it affects EHR access for consumers, healthcare organizations, and their employees. By the time you reach the end of this paper, you will have complete understanding of everything a patient portal has to offer its consumers and healthcare professionals and organizations. You may be asking yourself, “What is a patient portal and how is it going to benefit me?” The answer is not as complex as you might think. A patient portal is an online application and/or secure website that patients can use as an alternative form of communication between themselves and their provider. Some portals are modules that are added onto an electronic health record system, while others are used as stand-alone websites, and others are integrated into the existing website of a healthcare organization.