Information Technology Human Community Health and Medical Care Discussion

125 words each with 1 reference each

One: Healthcare information technology (HIT) has been defined as “the application of information processing involving both computer hardware and software that deals with the storage, retrieval, sharing, and use of health care information, data, and knowledge for communication and decision making” (Brailer, 2004). The acceptance of Health Information Technology(HIT) in the healthcare field has been a long a continuous process. Electronic Health Records (EHR) and Electronic Medical Records (EMR) have been in use since the 1990’s but at that time the value to invest in HIT was unknown and no evidence of value was available to support the implementation. “Commercial systems started to proliferate in the 1990s, but adoption of these systems was mainly limited to large health care delivery organizations, or health systems. Evidence from these major health systems demonstrated the value of HIT for reducing cost and improving care—especially in improving patient safety”. (Knickman, et al., 2019)

The implementation and management of HIT is costly and initially slowed the implementation in health care systems and private practice. Since the enactment of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act in 2009 and the Affordable Care Act in 2010, many health systems now have interoperable EHR systems. “In recent years, EHR systems have been widely adopted in U.S. acute care hospitals and physician practice settings, largely due to financial incentives made available through the HITECH Act of 2009. The EHR incentive program has been replaced by MACRA, which has health IT implications and reporting requirements for health care providers” (Burns, et al, 2019). HIT can be managed by ensuring the software is within standards with HITECH and ACA mandates, scheduled updates to the software, training for all users and ensuring that the entire healthcare system including private practice partners utilize the system. These components allows organizations to add value to the use of HIT. One major value of HIT is that it improves healthcare quality and patient safety. “Health information technology improves patient’s safety by reducing medication errors, reducing adverse drug reactions, and improving compliance to practice guidelines” (Brailer, 2004). When accurate information is placed in the HER, it can be traced to provide information about trends in care. Healthcare organizations can then use this information to become innovative in improving the quality of care and reducing the cost of care.

References

Brailer D.,(2004). The decade of health information technology, Framework for Strategic Action. Retrieved from:

http://www.providersedge.com/ehdocs/ehr_articles/t…

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Burns, L., Bradley, E., Weiner, B. (20190102). Shortell and Kaluzny’s Healthcare Management: Organization Design and Behavior, 7th Edition.

Knickman, J. R., Elbel, B., & Jonas, S. (2019). Jonas & Kovners health care delivery in the United States. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.

Thompson, D. (2006). Ehr value: Don’t expect what you don’t plan for. Healthcare FinancialManagement: Journal of the Healthcare Financial Management Association, 60(12), 58- 62.

Two: Health information technology (health IT) involves the processing, storage, and exchange of health information in an electronic environment. Widespread use of health IT within the health care industry will improve the quality of health care, prevent medical errors, reduce health care costs, increase administrative efficiencies, decrease paperwork, and expand access to affordable health care. It is imperative that the privacy and security of electronic health information be ensured as this information is maintained and transmitted electronically.

The integration of health information technology (IT) into primary care includes a variety of electronic methods that are used to manage information about people’s health and health care, for both individual patients and groups of patients. The use of health IT can improve the quality of care, even as it makes health care more cost-effective.

References:

Health Information Technology Integration | Agency for Healthcare …

. (2020). Retrieved on December 5, 2020, from

https://www.ahrq.gov/ncepcr/tools/health-it/index.html

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Health Information Technology | HHS.gov

. (2020). Retrieved on December 5, 2020, from https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/special-topics/health-information-technology/index.html.