Importance of Health Care Information Structures, Research Paper Example

A variety of health care information structures are in place in majority of healthcare settings and they play a significant role in enhancing the service delivery to the patients. The most common health care information structures include electronic medical records decision support as well as point of care systems (Keenan, Yakel, Tschannen & Mandeville, 2008).

The significance of electronic medical records in a health care setting involves enhancement of the level of efficiency in providing services to the patients by the health care providers. The electronic medical records also facilitates in easy payments of medical bills. The health care providers duties are also simplified because the examination of the previous records of the patient is done instantaneously and all the information concerning the patient can be accessed at any point of healthcare delivery. The patient is able to access safer as well as easier care on account of ease in the sharing of information. The most vital information that facilitate in the improved service delivery to the patient include drugs prescription, the blood type of the patient, the medical condition and history of the patient. The time spent by the physician in attending to the patient is also minimized and lifesaving in emergency situations becomes realistic (Skov & Hoegh, 2006).

The systems of point of care are equally important as they allow the clinicians to deliver the products of health care as well as services to the patient at the opportune time that care is being given. It also facilitates for flexibility among the clinicians. Decision support systems also contribute significantly in assisting the physicians with the tasks of decision making including the determination of patient information diagnosis. Healthcare institutions must have a thorough understanding of the patient in order to achieve a swift response to their needs.

References

Keenan, G.M, Yakel, E., Tschannen, D., & Mandeville, M. (2008). Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidence-Based Handbook for Nurses. Rockville.

Skov, M. B., & Hoegh, R.T. (2006). Supporting Information Access in a Hospital Ward by a Context-Aware Mobile Electronic Patient Record. Personal and Ubiquitous Computing, 10 (4), 205-214