Consequence of HITECH Requirements, Essay Example

Information systems can potentially increase the quality of patient care in a variety of fields. In obstetrics in particular, electronic health records systems and the use of patient care databases could be used to track the health needs of patients and to analyze the full hospital system to determine where there is room for improvement (Chang, 2013). Although an ongoing medical record is not typically necessary for patients in obstetrics, researchers can use the data retrieved from these systems to determine how to improve the care that both pregnant mothers and their children receive while hospitalized.

While many hospitals have adopted the use of electronic health record systems as a consequence of HITECH requirements, these systems have enabled many health care institutions to shape the advanced practice environment by contributing to enhanced communication between health care workers (Jardim, 2013). Furthermore, once identifying information is used, both researchers and the hospital administration can utilize the data collected to generate summative understandings about the patient population generally seen within the department. These understandings will allow health care professionals to more adequately determine the needs of their patients. Furthermore, an administrative knowledge of these trends will contribute more significantly to a meaningful distribution of resources within the health care institution that could be used to address these needs.

As information systems become more regularly implemented in hospitals, the health care field will be more able to confer related advantages to its patients. Overall, this enhanced retrieval of data will allow health care PR actioners and the administration to gain a greater understanding of the needs of their patients. As a consequence, it is expected that patient quality of care will increase rapidly in the next several years.

References

Chang, K. (2013). Knowledge contribution in information system development. International Journal of Project Management. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0263786312000798

Jardim, S.V.B. (2013). The Electronic Health Record and its Contribution to Healthcare Information Systems Interoperability. Procedia Technology. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212017313002594