Health Information System - Assignment Example

? Health Information System Health Information System Having an easy way of communicating between the different departments within the health center is a key attribute for the betterment of service provision. As a health center, these are options that need to be considered within the first instance rather than as a by the way. Migrating from one electronic health record system to another may be quite a hurdle especially given the different technologies, attitudes and economic effects that require proper analysis. As a communications officer, moving with the advancing technology is not a subject for discussion; it is mandatory. The rapid development and the increased number of records that required sharing within any health facility will always make this journey tiresome or demoralizing. However, the benefits accrued from such a migration will also be tenfold of the disadvantages outlined initially. However, this cannot be occasioned without having a pre-planned migration plan that offers a chance for each department to understand what is initially required for the migration and what may be added on later. Including all these is critical as they will inform on the steps to take and when these steps need to be taken and how this will be actualized. Having a migration path is essential. The whole facility depends on the communications officer to direct them on the most appropriate means of achieving their goals as well as attaining the maximum output while on duty. This schedule also provides an avenue through which high-level objectives may be achieved. It offers a creative and effective health information strategy that helps to identify all current applications and those proposed over time (Latour and Maki, 2009). This path also provides various dependencies and interrelationships among the applications recommended. This means that the chief information officer (CIO) must offer a chance for all the health officers within the facility to understand what is expected next and why these older applications need to be discarded. Nevertheless, the discarding process must be done in an orderly manner given the significance of interoperability. Bringing together systems such as the laboratory information system (LIS) and the health information system (HIS) may be quite a hassle but this can be eliminated only if the legacy applications are slowly eradicated and the new edge technology applied gradually (Latour and Maki, 2009). The path also brings about a chance to explore the current technical infrastructure and all the new technology that is needed to support these new applications. Another key use of a migration path is showing the position of all the operational elements within the center. This includes the people, the policies and the processes that must be put in place or are already in place for the application and technology to be utilized. Acquiring new technology will affect the way transactions are carried out in the facility (Latour and Maki, 2009). Doctors and pharmacists need to interact and offer the best care to the patient through the new systems. If the systems are not changed uniformly, there may be some delays and this could be dangerous to the patient under treatment. The strategy must include early planning strategies while looking for the optimal means of achieving their goals in case of any delays. The internet may be good in such cases but any snag may hamper the processes within the organization (Latour and Maki, 2009). Given the Real World scenario, there are some significant attributes that need to be critically thought about. As the CIO, the inclusion of all the departments into the process is not a matter of dilly dallying with. Instead, this should be the first stage after coming up with the vital strategies required for such a migration. As stated herein, the significance of having a migration path is to meet the aspect of including all the operational elements and assure them of efficiency once the process is complete. This means that the CIO must offer the necessary tips for each of these elements to be incorporated and educate on the positions (Latour and Maki, 2009). The first step is thus to list all the current technologies that are used in the center and the people-policy-process elements and their interrelationship. This will provide the situation on the ground and what needs to be done to reassure the workforce of its position after the transition (Latour and Maki, 2009). The next step is coming up with the high-level objectives and how these will be incorporated into the next-generation technology within the facility. This will also imply coming up with a way of replacing some of the applications that it expects to contribute to clinical information applications and then expand to the rest later. This will ensure that the interfacing strategies take into greater consideration and incorporated during the migration and thereafter (Latour and Maki, 2009). Another aspect that needs to be considered and taken care of is the security and confidentiality of this system. New systems are known to have some flaws before they are incorporated into the mainstream operations. This means that the authentication process has to be foolproof to secure patient information and maintain the doctor-patient confidentiality (Latour and Maki, 2009). Therefore, each department requires a server that will be entirely used for the key applications before the final migration takes place. This will ensure that each department, for instance, the LIS and the HIS, can communicate without having to get into the internet. This will include working extra time as a way of ensuring that activities are not stalled during this period. It also requires proper planning to ensure that patients access their services without any problem, whether within or without the premises (Latour and Maki, 2009). Coming up with a timeframe for this accomplishment is essential. Given the significance of all applications within the center, taking into consideration the strategies, objectives, policies and the aims of the facility will hugely assist in offering the best health care. As a CIO, the issue of applications, legacy computers and the operational elements takes center stage. This is the most salient aspect since the transition will always depend on how well these elements are handled (Latour and Maki, 2009). Furthermore, these are the ones involved in the whole migration process and require proper attention to ensure patients receive the right diagnosis and prognosis. Creating policies that explain the essence of the new process procedures will aid in reducing medical errors and creating a better reconciliatory program between the different departments. Therefore, a migration plan needs to be detailed and in line with the policies and strategies of the health care facility. The CIO is thus mandated to come up with the central plan and explain its contents to all the involved personnel. This will ease in the plan’s utilization in the facility. Reference Latour, K. M., & Maki, S. E. (2009). Health information management: Concepts, principles and practice. Chicago, IL: AHIMA. Read More