Information Technologies in Healthcare

Information Technologies in Healthcare

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Information Technologies in Healthcare

Information management deals with the treatment of data that has been received by health professionals. This system concerns the capture, collection, disposal, storage, processing, sharing, and retrieval of data. In addition, it deals with data quality management, the privacy of information, and issues concerning disclosure, developing and maintaining of standards, coding, data integrity, as well as disposition. Therefore, it is clear that information management has a deciding role in the design and development of patient care technologies. It informs the design of these technologies based on ease of use, quality, and safety of the data to be used. The techniques are designed in a way that they will be able to enable the information management systems to fulfill all its roles.

The increased use of healthcare information technologies can be attributed to several factors that affect healthcare directly and indirectly. There has been a need to improve the quality of care provided, and this cannot be possible when data is not appropriately managed. Healthcare providers have to deal with vast amounts of data, and this has necessitated the use of information technologies. The storing and retrieval of data, as well as its processing, has required the use of these technologies as well. Currently, healthcare providers can offer their services in different areas irrespective of their location. Physicians working in the rural areas have limited resources including personnel; the use of information technologies has made communication easier. It has become possible to offer healthcare services to people in remote areas using information technologies.

Sharing of data between different professionals in the industry has contributed to increased use of the data as well. The US healthcare system has to deal with diverse legal challenges, which occur when those receiving the services sue or seek legal redress from healthcare facilities or individuals working within these settings. The use of information technology has helped in enhancing accountability as it demonstrates the way the information received was handled. The need to reduce human errors, become more effective and efficient in the provision of care, improve patient safety, track, analyze, and manage data over an identified period, and coordinate care has led to greater use of information technologies.

Despite the noted benefits of the technologies, some forces exist that oppose their progression and further use. Many physicians prefer concentrating on the sole task of taking care of the patients and giving them the attention they need (Kadry et al., 2010). Some of the physicians are of the opinion that the technologies are slowing them down since they have to input data, which may take some of their time away from the patients. Technology has to be purchased for its use in a healthcare setting (Pearl, 2014). Disagreements concerning the party responsible for the payment of these technologies may prevent some of the health facilities from buying these technologies.

Healthcare facilities are spending more money on the purchase and maintenance of health information technology. Unfortunately, because of the lauded benefits of health information technologies, many institutions are forced to buy them. This situation has led to increased costs and expenses. In addition, the growing use of health information technology now means that those studying different healthcare courses as well as those who are already practicing have to gain additional skills, which are needed to use these technologies effectively. The design of the technologies can prevent good workflow. It can prevent good capturing and retrieval of data when needed.

References:

Kadry, B., Sanderson, I. C., Macario, A. (2010). Challenges that limit meaningful use of health information technology. Current Opinion in Anaesthesiology, 23(2), 182-92

Pearl, R. (2014). 5 things preventing technology adoption in healthcare. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertpearl/2014/09/11/5-things-preventing-technology-adoption-in-health-care/#749917856889