Evolution of Health Care Information Systems - Essay Example

Introduction There are a great deal of revolutions in the mode of data collection, storage and dissemination of health information in health organizations around the world. These changes have been noticed especially in the 21st century where the advancement in technology has played a great role. U.S. health care organizations take the lead in efficient and effective service provision due to adoption of technology in the health sector. Health care organizations all over the world are investing much of their resources in improving the way information is stored and analyzed for use. The use of health care information systems in United States has changed considerably during last twenty years (Tichenor, 1998). Comparison/contrast of either health care facility or physician’s office operation with the same 20 years prior U.S. health organizations have modernized most of their health facilities in order to improve service delivery. A great deal of investments has been made in implementation of the information systems that are applied in clinical operations. In an effort to improve service delivery and decrease costs, health organizations have adopted computerized systems such as Electronic Medical Record systems. In the past, before the development of the EMR, health organizations used paper based record systems (Tichenor, 1998). At the time, half of the patient’s information was computerized and stored as computer printouts. The automated systems were used as primary source for analyzing patients’ information by the physicians or the clinicians. This contrasts sharply with the modern Electronic Medical Recording systems which are used as passive storage devices in many health organizations. Using this system enables physicians to access knowledge resources, reminders and alerts. Health professionals can use the system in decision making due to the fact that it enables them to access the decision support capabilities. Most of the health facilities present in the health centers could not be used to manage the patient health effectively. With the introduction of the electronic system, clinicians and physician have used the system to manage health of patients. The health facilities in the past could not provide the physician with comprehensive view of the patient’s health. Even though there is sharp contrast between health care facilities in the past and at the present, there exist some similarities. Medical records kept whichever the system is used, is very useful for documenting patient care. The information is used in both cases as tool of communication by the health practitioners. In many cases, most records or health information are still kept in paper form. Other information systems in health organization set up Health organizations strive to have improved health information systems in order to improve quality and decrease costs. The change in technology has fostered the development of more useful electronic systems. The health care information systems carry patient information which is vital for the management of their health during various stages. Electronic Patient Record system which is more advanced than the EMR since it contains health care information of particular patients. This system contains the clinical information required. The system shows all the relevant stages that the patient went through from the time they were admitted (Kohane, 2000). Medication Administrative Systems are widely used in many health organizations in the modern days. The system is improves the safety of patient. It uses bar coding technology that can be combined with the decision-support capabilities hence it can be used for the managing patients. The system is used to identify which patient requires what treatment at what time. Combination of the Medication Systems with enabled alerts and warnings is useful in prevention of errors during treatment of the patient (Tichenor, 1998). Telemedicine is another modern system used by most clinicians in caring of the patient. This system involves various electronic delivery mechanisms. The work of physicians and health clinicians has been made easy with the development of the telemedicine system since they can easily deliver their services to the patients. The system has been received overwhelmingly by most health organizations since its development in early 1990s due to the fact that it decreases transmission costs. Telemedicine systems enabled people living in the rural areas to access special treatment since they can consult with specialists living far from them hence eliminating high costs of delivery arising from travelling (Kohane, 2000). Some other systems are registration systems, ancillary clinical systems, accounting systems, knowledge-based reference systems among others. Analysis of how data was used 20 years ago and how it is used today The use of data in the past differs from how it is today. With the invention of electronic systems, patient information has been widely used extensively by the clinicians and other health professionals. Health data has been used for diagnosis and medication. In the past, the systems that were used could not enable the physician or the clinician to access the decision support capabilities. Advancement in technology enables health managers to effectively analyze patients’ information and store them electronically. This can be used for management purposes in any further complications in the future. Data has been employed as a tool for reporting on health management of a given population. The electronic information system establishes standardized data formats which can be used to meet public needs of accessing health information. Data use was very remote in the past twenty years. At this time, document imaging systems were common in most health organizations. These systems could be used as passive tools for control due to limited information. Document imaging systems carried data that could be used for accessibility and retrieval concerns. EMR can be used as a reminder that the patients’ need some medication. Accounting systems are used to store and retrieve accounting information which is used in patient billing information, charges and respective dates of services. Registration systems present in health organizations reveal the health insurance which is supposed to pay for the hospital bill, the name of the provider of the subject and so forth (Kohane, 2000). Events that lead to development of information system The development of the current health care information system has been made possible with the improvement in technology. Technology advancement is the prime reason for the growth in health information system. The system incorporates knowledge of computerization. The EMR, EHR and the Telemedicine come up due to technological progress and increased knowledge of computerization. Conclusion The pivotal aim of new system development in health organizations is to improve service delivery and safety of patients. It is imperative for all health organizations to have the modern health facilities and efficient information system to aid in improved healthcare delivery. The benefits of the modern information system are immense hence the systems are inevitable. EMR, medication administrative system, telemedicine and telehealth are of the fundamental systems to any health care organization as discussed above. In general, the systems have led to improved efficiency and productivity, improved service delivery by health practitioners and safety of the patients (Balch, 1999). References Balch, C. (1999). Telemedicine: Improved Health Care Information System. East Carolina University School of Medicine Press, pp. 36-89. Kohane, S. (2000). Building National Electronic Medical Records Systems. Center for Health Sciences Communication, USA, PP. 80-129. Tichenor, M. (1998). Internet Technology and Distribution of Medical Information. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 3: 1-14. http://www.mitre.org/news/digest/enterprise_modernization/08_09/health.html Read More