Health Information Exchange Technology, Essay Example

Introduction

Technology in healthcare practice requires a high level of technical knowledge and skill in order to make effective decisions and to provide valuable support in this regard. An article by Unertl, Johnson, & Lorenzi (2012) addresses the significance of health information exchange technology and how it impacts direct patient care and treatment. The researchers adopted an ethnographic qualitative approach across six separate emergency departments and eight ambulatory clinics in the Memphis area, using tools such as semi-structured interviews, informal interviews, and direct observation in order to identify different patterns of workflow and how these impact the data that is derived using the technology that is available (Unertl et.al, 2012).

Body

The health information exchange (HIE) provides an approach to workflow that requires further evaluation, as this plays a role in how nurses respond to the technologies that are available for use in the workplace environment (Unertl et.al, 2012). This process requires nurses to adapt to changes regarding technology and to be receptive to these tools as part of their daily routine, and it is believed that the level of receptiveness is likely to impact implementation and utilization rates in many ways (Unertl et.al, 2012). It is expected that nurses who embrace these technologies will recognize their benefits and how they support an organization’s objectives to improve workflow as best as possible (Unertl et.al, 2012).

Conclusion

The following questions must be considered in a further discussion of the chosen topic:

• What are the areas in which the health information exchange might have a direct impact on clinical workflow activities?
• What is required for nurses to embrace these tools and to support their implementation in the workplace setting?
• What are the important steps required to facilitate nurse-led support of these technologies to positively impact the nursing unit?

References

Unertl, K. M., Johnson, K. B., & Lorenzi, N. M. (2012). Health information exchange technology on the front lines of healthcare: workflow factors and patterns of use. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association,19(3), 392-400. Retrieved from http://jamia.oxfordjournals.org/content/19/3/392