Current and Emerging Information, Term Paper Example

Twenty first century health care organizations have to their disposal several information technology systems. These include electronic health records (EHR); clinical decision support systems(CDSS); personal health records system(PHR); national health service (NHS) ‘detailed care records;health information networks (HIN); emergency department information system (EDIS) and wearable health IT systems are just a few being utilized in health care settings currently. The most popular among them is electronic health records since most hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, acute care facilities have adopted the system for storage of patients’ records (Sheikh, Cornford, Barber & Avery, 2011).

For example, a study conducted among hospitals in England evaluating the implementation and adoption of the national health service (NHS)‘detailed care records service in “early adopter” hospitals in England’ (Sheikh et.al, 2011, p.1) provided data leading analysts to believe that although the venture was time consuming and challenging the process was essential to emerging trends in the health care industry. No distinct advantages to patients could have been discerned at time of evaluation, but the long term goal of becoming aligned with modern technology practices superseded these setbacks (Sheikh et.al, 2011).

Meanwhile in the United States of America while data regarding electronic health record adaption has been limited experts have revealed statistics showing where in 2005 an estimated 23.9% physicians utilized electronic health records (EHR) in their practice. It was discovered thatalso 5percent of hospitals nationwide had used computerized physician application order entry systems. Huge knowledge gaps exist in gathering data pertaining to electronic health records’ (EHR) use in United States of America. This includes safety-net providers’ applications and many other private practices across the nation (Jha, Ferris, & Karen, 2006).

Prioritize and describe three technology systems that would provide the most immediate and substantial benefits to the committee’s organization.

Three technology systems which can be implemented to enhance patient care as well as efficiency within the organization are electronic health record system (EHR); clinical decision support system (CDSS) and emergency department information system (EDIS). Electronic health records will establish movement into a paperless capacity whereby each hospital center would no longer have to maintain paper copies and files of patient records being managed separately and stored at each facility. Physicians would no longer have to enter clinical information and orders on paper forms that are included in patient files neither copy orders, lab results, and patient information in paper form among the various departments (Berner, Tonya & La Lande, 2007).

Essentially, the electronic health record system will store and share this data making them available through a network exchange program. Precisely, it is a digital format record with capability of sharing information across diverse health care settings accurately eliminating paper files completely. Once this is set in motion and working a clinical decision support system (CDSS) could be established to facilitate the decision making process among physicians and nurses(Berner et.al, 2007).

This system evaluates patients’ data entered in the system by providers and all health care workers utilizing the technology. When a diagnostic decision is required the technology reviews lab data, medication records along with the patent’s history and offers the health care workers options for making a precise clinical decision. Many emergency department data are difficult to manage in the current electronic record system. This being a multi-facility regional hospital a separate emergency department information system is recommended. Such technology is specifically designed to improve communication among nurses, doctors, laboratory technicians stationed in the emergency department and outside staff(Berner et.al, 2007).

Summarize how the committee’s organization would benefit from each of the technologies, and identify which departments and personnel would be involved.

Benefits emergingfrom these systems are numerous. As evidenced in the present scenario within this organization, errors have been a huge problem within health care across the world. As such, measures ought to be adapted to reduce them to the minimum. Electronic health records (EHR) system target three important errors, medical, medication and adverse drug events. These involve interactions among physicians and nurses particularly functioning in clinical hospital settings. When combined with a clinical decision support system (CDSS) the entire organization quality of care delivery improves due to accuracy in the decision making process. An emergency department information systemwould reduce overloading system complications since it would ease the pressure off the electronic health record system by storing emergency data separately (Berner et.al, 2007).

Identify and explain what, if any, potential risks might be associated with each of these technology systems.

A major collective risk pertains to vendors implementing incompatible systems. As it relates to electronic health records (EHR) many errors could occur if the software and hardware features are incompatible. Data could become inaccessible and response time very lengthy. If providers do not enter accurate data in the system decisions could be inaccurate also. Emergency department information systems could suffer the same risks as electronic health records system if vendors do not implement programs of integrity (Farley, Baumlin & Hamedani, 2013).

Describe any apparent limitations or constraints that may interfere with successful implementation of each system.

Two remarkable limitations towards implementation these three types of electronic health record systems could be encountered. They are finances and finding appropriate vendors. It certainly takes time to screen vendors for integrity and honesty before selecting ones that would createmoreharm within the organization. Health information systems are costly and besides budget adjustments the organization may have to try accessing funding for the venture(Farley et.al, 2013).

References.

Berner, E. Tonya, S., &La Lande, J. (2007). “1″. Clinical Decision Support Systems: Theory andPractice. New York: Springer Science and Business Media.

Farley, H. Baumlin, K., & Hamedani, A. (2013).Quality and Safety Implications of Emergency Department Information Systems. American College of Emergency Physicians.

Jha, A. Ferris, T., &Karen, D. (2006).How Common Are Electronic Health Records In The United States? A Summary of the Evidence.Health Affairs, 25(6); w496-w507

Sheikh, A. Cornford, T. Barber, N., &Avery, A. (2011).Implementation and adoption of nationwide electronic health records in secondary care in England: final qualitative results from prospective national evaluation in “early adopter” hospitals.BMJ. 17;343:d6054.