Healthcare Communications, Reaction Paper Example

There have been recent advances in technology that promote the use of electronic health records (EHR) to help facilitate the overall quality and experience the patient experiences while receiving health care services. These electronic health tools are facilitated by information systems reliant upon the internet and enhanced communication methods both externally, with other healthcare facilities, and internally, within the same healthcare facility.  Information systems and the way they are communicating with each other are transforming healthcare by changing the way data is derived and how it is translated into useful information.  The facilitation of on demand information ultimately creates more accurate and reliable healthcare decisions.  The core of any business is dependent on how the decision makers take inputs from the business environment, calculate the data together and ultimately compute a business decision based on those inputs (Shockley-Zalabak, 1999).  This is the same for the healthcare industry.

The internet and the way information is communicated are created the potential for faster and significantly improved quality of data.  As healthcare facilities go from the antiquated legacy processes of manipulating data which could introduce human error to an internet based collaborative information delivery system, there is the possibility to remove unnecessary errors and create a competitive advantage in healthcare efficiency and effectiveness.  There are three areas in which information systems have transformed business practices.  Web-based information systems have reduced the necessary manpower to complete certain job functions, enhanced the performance and impact of those job functions or have provided a differentiating element to a new function in the business that can provide a competitive advantage(Rainer & Cegielski, 2010).  All three areas of opportunity result from the increased ability to communicate through web-based services and in turn healthcare information systems have greatly benefited from these opportunities.  With each stride forward, the healthcare services industry is conducting more activity with less human intervention as well as making the world a bit smaller.  It is doing so by providing enhanced communication tools and multiple methods for transferring information in a globalized environment. When communicating between facilities, the information about a patient can arrive at the receiving location before the patient arrives.  This ability to transferred accurate and reliable information in an expeditious manner allows the personnel to be proactive and prepared for patient arrival.

Information systems are transforming how we conduct business globally and increases the knowledge base of the industry.  Integrated systems, instant messages, email access, shared collaboration portals and virtual conferencing capabilities are just some of the information systems that allow business transactions to be conducted in near real-time across multiple time zones(Stair, Reynolds & Reynolds, 2009).  This access to information allows enhanced collaboration between disparate business healthcare entities that was not available prior to the utilization of the internet.Web-based information systems transform the business environment by providing the tools necessary to bring the right people, data and issues together at the right time in an accurate and reliable fashion.  These types of communication systems are leveraged in healthcare to break down unnecessary boundaries and walls that previously prevented transactions from occurring.  Through eliminating manual efforts, creating enhanced opportunities or creating a competitive advantage by leveraging information systems, the business is conducting themselves in new and different ways every day and in expanded capacities.These information systems help provide a closer relationship between the healthcare facility and the patient.  The information is created and available in real-time or near real-time giving the healthcare works the tools necessary to do their job to the best of their ability.

References

Rainer, R. K., & Cegielski, C. G. (2010). Introduction to information systems, enabling and transforming business. (3rd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Shockley-Zalabak, P. (1999)Fundamentals of organisational communication: knowledge, sensitivity, skills, values. Longman: New York.

Stair, R. M., Reynolds, G., & Reynolds, G. W. (2009). Principles of information systems. (8th ed ed.). Course Technology Ptr.