Project Management in Health Informatics - Research Paper Example

Project Management in Health Informatics Health informatics implies to the integration of the science and technology with the relevant healthcare information for greater efficiency. In this context, Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) is an advanced technology, which is implemented in healthcare domain to increase the effectiveness of the process. The technology is used to make the process of radiography digitised so that the treatment procedure of patients can be conducted in an effective manner. With this concern, the case study intends to elaborate the various elements of PACS for future development of the healthcare segment. PACS is a process that has made radiography more effective and faster. This aspect has also helped in reducing the errors and improving the healthcare of the patients by a considerable extent. Moreover the confidentiality of the data is maintained through the effective usage of this PACS technology. There are few limitations that are faced during the implementation of PACS such as integration of the process with the earlier organisation system. From the overall analysis, it can be ascertained that PACS, as a technology, is used for the improvement of quality care and assessing varied health records of the patients in an effective manner. Table of Contents 1 Abstract 2 Introduction 4 Objective 4 Scope 4 Boundaries 4 Characteristics 4 Literature Review 5 Overview of Health Informatics 5 Methodology 6 Research Approach 6 Data Collection Method 6 Data Analysis 6 Limitations 6 Evaluation and Analysis 6 Conclusion 8 References 9 Bibliography 11 Appendix 12 Introduction Health Informatics also referred as ‘healthcare informatics’ is regarded as an approach of determining a problem and providing improved facilities towards gaining maximum opportunities. In the modern scenario, with the advancement of technologies, clinical practices have been developed at large in the form of using quality resources, equipments and tools. In other words, health informatics refers to obtaining, repossessing and using key as well as necessary information about varied issues pertaining to patients’ healthcare in a collaborative manner. Health informatics utilises the technique of information technology and improved communication means to improve the quality of healthcare. Moreover, this technique enables in applying supreme up-to-date methods of providing care by evaluating quality studies, findings of researches, expertise knowledge, theoretical concepts and skills (Sullivan & Wyatt, 2006; Yasnoff & et al., 2000). Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) is regarded as one of the significant method that has been evolved with the tremendous growth of health. PACS is the result of transformation of the traditional medical film equipments technology, which reaps the benefits of obtaining, accumulating, distributing and presenting medical based internal as well as external images concerning patients’ healthcare related issues. This technology resolves the key issues that are associated with the traditional film methods being applied in healthcare context. Besides, by using the advanced features of PACS, physicians may able to provide superior healthcare services through making it available at the right time and place (The Royal Collage of Radiologist, 2012; Backer & et. al., 2004). Objective In relation to the above context, the prime aim of the study is to address the key principles and processes of PACS that assist in developing clinical practices. Moreover, this study also focuses on highlighting the role of PACS in the healthcare industry based on its key features and challenges derived from its execution in the process. Scope PACS is a widely used technique in healthcare industry, which plays an imperative role in assessing the physical conditions of patients effectively. Thus, the scope of this clinical practice is highly involved with the application of the same in proper and safe manner in the required field. PACS tools need to be utilised effectively for producing analytic images based on which physicians conduct diagnosis through the intervention of distinct therapies (Hovenga, 2010). Boundaries In the current scenario, advancement in technological aspects and the role of the same in healthcare context have significantly led the healthcare industry into the dimension of filmless operations through the utilisation of PACS technology. Thus, PACS application correspondingly plays a key role in different departments through making ease in assessing the medical reports and images from various locations towards improving patients’ care. Hence, the tool is not just applicable in operational context, but also applicable in wider spectrum in different healthcare based operational domains (Van-de-Wetering & et. al., 2006). Characteristics PACS is increasingly becoming a noteworthy method, which helps to resolve key problems that arise from traditional imaging through the means of delivering image using wireless network. This technique will enable to make availability of films at various points, without having any significant delay in providing patients’ care by making it available for referring physicians at right time. PACS also extensively permits radiologists to avail the necessary information that will reduce delay in providing care (Patpituck & et. al., 2011). Literature Review Overview of Health Informatics As per Reddy & Yang (2011), health informatics has evolved as one of the key advancements in the healthcare domain during the previous few decades and thus plays a predominant role in providing improved care to the patients. Informatics has just not only improved or developed the manner in which information are collected and stored, but also developed the managerial practices of healthcare. Intelligent and automated data processing have never been more important than these are today. In the current scenario, health informatics and their respective intelligent systems are used largely for providing better care to the patients in the form of resolving problems. Alternatively, Talmon & et. al. (2009) argued that the improved technologies, tools, methods, techniques and interventions have been significantly recognised as the key aspects in the modern healthcare domain. Moreover, these advanced tools are found to be comparatively safer and efficient as compared to the traditional tools and techniques. It is worth mentioning in this regard that the notion of Information technology (IT) has led healthcare professionals and organisations to rely more on adopting advanced measures with the aim of offering improved healthcare to the patients. According to Cresswell & et. al. (2012), electronic health recording has emerged as one the key techniques, which founds its relevance with the notion of health informatics. Healthcare information, based on electronic records, provides substantial efficiency to administrative operations as compared to paper records. However, Romano & Stafford (2011) argued that lack of quality data will certainly increase the rate of inappropriate treatments and care services, which in turn, results in having failure of providing improved healthcare to the people (Romano & Stafford, 2011). In this regard, Dalrymple (2011) concluded the fact that health informatics is the implementation of science based tools and methods of anticipating and analysing the information related to healthcare for understanding varied problems of the patients. However, it relates with the fields of scientific as well as biomedical information of keeping records of data and knowledge through storage, retrieval and utilising the same in an appropriate time while resolving the problem of inappropriate decision making. According to Coleman & Delea (2013), accurate and reliable health information technology is quite important and significant in order to effectively monitoring, evaluating and improving healthcare practices due to increased level of complexities and higher rate of interdependence of various health issues. Similarly, utilisation of IT in healthcare domain is helpful in managing, analyzing and sharing information through better use of information science and technology in health practices such as in the form of health informatics. Overview Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) Hood & Scott (2006) referred that PACS is not only just an improved means of providing filmless images for solving varied patients’ problems, but also work as the integral part of healthcare industry in performing quality assessment of the patients. PACS play an integral role in making superior diagnostic decisions efficiently and effectively while delivering effective care to the patients. In this regard, Tzeng & et. al. (2013) stated that with having the significant advantage of PACS over the traditional tools and techniques, velocity of utilisation of PACS in healthcare domain is developing at an alarming rate. Moreover, utilisation of PACS in the modern healthcare context generates various positive outcomes that entail quicker availability of accessing the images, cost-savings and most importantly providing superior care to the patients among others. According to Kim & Farley (2011), PACS is regarded as the method of electronic feeding of the multimodal data, which includes studies of images, reporting and identification of the relevant information at proper time. PACS technology replaces the traditional hard copy storage of data i.e. paper records of the films and allow the integration image with other systems that are needful in providing superior care to the patients. Moreover, it also facilitates in gaining remote access of the information concerning patients’ healthcare records that are used by radiologists in order the perform teleradiology or interpretation of the images. Likewise, it also facilitates ‘asynchronous communication’ management and flow of information in healthcare. In this regard, Kalyanpur & et. al. (2010) signified that the PACS technology and its utilisation are rapidly growing in the current scenario, but its execution is having various practical issues and challenges. These challenges can be related to systematic planning, unavailability of the qualified as well as experienced administrators of PACS as well as radiologists and wider requirement of regular maintenance along with the need of upgrading the same regularly. Methodology Research Approach In any research study, research approach is regarded as the process based on which relevant information will be acquired. In this regard, qualitative, quantitative or using the combination of both of these approaches may get utilised based on the objectives and the aims of such a study. In this particular research study, which is mainly concerned with PACS, a qualitative research method has been utilized, as it offers higher level of flexibility in conducting research. Moreover, the major reason of utilisation of qualitative approach in this study is to provide richer explicatory data and conduct an in-depth evaluation of the phenomena dealing with human factors (Luton, 2010). Data Collection Method In this research, all the relevant data regarding the PACS have been gathered thorough the inclusion of secondary sources. Additionally, applicable information has been gathered and screened through the lately published journals, articles books and various online sources in order to ensure high level of validity of the data gathered from the process (Ritchie & et. al., 2013). Data Analysis In this research study, for determining the role of PACS and its importance in the healthcare industry along with the challenges related with the same, data has been analysed with the incorporation of varied secondary sources. Thus, iterative data analysis has been performed in this research study in order to simplify and generalise the data obtained from the secondary sources (Namey & et. al. 2007). Limitations Correspondingly, as stated earlier, the study has been conducted based on a qualitative approach of research methodology. The major limitation of the method can be ascertained as the generalizability of the results that have been acquired during the research. Since, the study has been conducted based on the extensive use of secondary data, thus manipulation made by the previous researchers may distort the validity of the inferences made in this research (Stevens & et. al., 2012). Evaluation and Analysis Information technology is considered to be a vital element in healthcare context. As reflected above, PACS is such a technology, which is mainly used by the organisations to replace the traditional technology of radiological films. This technology of PACS is principally viewed to be much effective and beneficial, as it transfers the images along with the reports required by the physicians in a reliable as well as timely manner. In this regard, it is worth mentioning taking references from the above literatures that PACS is being integrated with Radiology Information Systems (RIS) and Hospital Information Systems (HIS) for increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of varied healthcare practices considerably (Backer & et. al., 2004; Becker & Arenson, 1994). Furthermore, it is analysed from the review of literatures that PACS is incessantly making the worldwide healthcare system more enhanced as radiology aspect has been highly integrated. From the above analysis, it is clear that this technology has made the process of health informatics quick and effective. It is to be stated that before the implementation of the PACS technique, the healthcare settings usually had to undergo from a slow operational process. The turnaround period with regards to PACS in the healthcare domain before the use of PACS was six days in an average. However, with the technological expansion and use of PACS, the process of obtaining the reports and conducting the examination has reduced to 3 days in an average. This can be better understood from the following depicted figure: Fig.1 (Source: Adewunm, 2014) This implies that the process of healthcare have become smooth due to the technological implementation of PACS. Based on the above discussion, it can be analysed that the implementation of PACS has certainly made the healthcare process faster and effective. In earlier days, it can be apparently observed that the radiography films could be used in a single place. Hence, the treatment of patients gets delayed considerably. However, with the implementation of PACS, the caregivers can now go through the studies of the patients anytime and from any system making the process smooth. The relevance and confidentiality of PACS can be ascertained as it can be accessed by the caregivers who have the legitimate rights to view the patient’s images and for better treatment and diagnosis. This implies that with the help of PACS, the process of gathering relevant data has become more effective and efficient. The technology PACS is implemented in an organisation with the help of Local Area Network (LAN) so that the required data of the patients is transmitted effectively without any delay or hampering the ethical considerations as shown in appendix (refer to figure 2 and 3) (The Regents of the University of California, 2013). The PACS is used by legitimate employees for maintaining the confidentiality of the reports of various patients to reduce misuse of data, which might lead to wrong treatment. Moreover, the installation of PACS leads towards the growth of healthcare organisations, as it emphasises the digitisation of patients’ records related to health informatics. It will be vital to mention that PACS can be regarded as a subsystem of RIS. The above literature reviews reflect the aspect that reporting has enhanced depending on the strong position of PACS. This certainly helps in improving the facility and quality of medical care. It can be ascertained that with the implementation of this technology, the conventional system of radiography has been changed by a considerable extent with the deliverance of various possible benefits and positive outcomes (Paskins & Rai, 2005). Furthermore, it is revealed that due to the implementation of advanced technology, the use of radiation doses has decreased considerably for obtaining clear radiological image. With the implementation of PACS technology, it can be found that the acquisition of the pictures as well as archiving of patients has become faster and made the process of treatment more effective. Contextually, it is understandable that PACS acts as a catalyst and thus effectively triggers organisational change with raising varied positive outcomes. The major benefit that is derived from the use of PACS is that it benefits patients by enhancing the process of diagnosis as well as therapy. On the other hand, the other benefit derived from this technology is that it is based on quality aspect rather than quantified features that often generate complexities in the procedure (Adewunm, 2014). Another important aspect to be considered in this regard is that the technology of PCAS helps in providing information of patients in a rapid manner for greater efficiency. Moreover, this technology helps in maintaining privacy, confidentiality as well as promoting data security at large (Wild & et. al., n.d.). Due to the enhancement of the security level, the treatment of patients will be improved with less chances of error. The chances of error will also get reduced with the help of digitisation of the reports and the limitation of assessing the same. However, with several benefits, there are few loopholes of this technological advancement. Thus, in order to address and mitigate these loopholes, the health organisations need to adopt effective methods and ensure greater execution of the same (Strickland, 2000). Conclusion Based on the above analysis and discussion, it has been quite apparent that health informatics significantly allows integrating electronics as well as other IT related aspects for providing enhanced care to the patients. The prime intent of this study has mainly concentrated on determining the influences of PACS, an improved mean of providing quicker availability and access of image on the health conditions of the patients. In this context, based on my understanding, through the implementation of PACS, healthcare organisations will considerably be benefited in early diagnosis, treatment and improving safety along with maintaining superior quality of care delivered to the patients. In earlier times, based on the assessment of traditional film technology, films can be available for use one at a time, which delays the entire process of patient care. However, concerning the advancement of health informatics in the form of PACS, radiologists can assess the health records of the patients without having much delay by using the films in an effective manner. Conclusively, from the above analysis, it is also clear that despite of reaping several significant benefits from effective implementation of PACS, distinct challenges are also witnessed from its execution. These challenges mainly arise within the selection of vendor and integration of PACS with the early used technologies. Likewise, the unavailability of proper trained employees, radiologists and requirement of providing proper training to the administrators can also be regarded as the other challenge related with the above stated approach. Thus, it can be ascertained that the facets of PACS in offering quality care to the patients such as making quicker availability of data and accessing the patients’ health records are the major reasons of implementing this technique in different healthcare organisations. References Adewunm, A., 2014. Evaluating the Impact of Using Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) For Digital Mammography: Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust Case Study. University of Sheffield, pp. 1-15. Backer, A.I.D. & et. al., 2004. Picture Archiving and Communication System: The Impact of Filmless and Distance Radiology. JBR–BTR, No. 87, pp.300-304. Backer, A. D. & et. al., 2004. Picture Archiving and Communication System: Part One Filmless Radiology and Distance Radiology. JBR: BTR, Vol. 87, pp. 234-241. Becker, S.H. & Arenson, R.L., 1994. Costs and Benefits of Picture Archiving and Communication Systems. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, Vol. 1, No. 5, pp. 361-371. Cresswell, K. M., 2012. Comparative Case Study Investigating Sociotechnical Processes Of Change In The Context Of A National Electronic Health Record Implementation. Health Informatics Journal, Vol. 18, No. 4, pp. 251-270. Coleman, E. W. & Delea, K. C., 2013. The Use of Public Health Informatics to Improve Environmental Health Practice. Journal of Environmental Health, Vol. 76, No. 5, pp. 44-45. Dalrymple, P. W., 2011. Data, Information, Knowledge: The Emerging Field of Health Informatics. Bulletin of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, Vol. 37, No. 5, pp. 41-44. Hood, M. N. & Scott, H., 2006. Introduction to Picture Archive and Communication Systems. American Radiological Nurses Association, Vol. 25, No. 3, pp. 69-74. Hovenga, E. J., 2010. Health Informatics: An Overview. IOS Press. Kim, A. & Farley, E., 2011. PACS, SRR and the Future of Radiology. UWOMJ, Vol. 80, No. 1, pp. 22-23. Kalyanpur,A. & et. al., 2010. Practical Issues in Picture Archiving and Communication System and Networking. Indian J Radiol Imaging, Vol. 20, No. 1, pp. 2-5. Luton, L. S., 2010. Qualitative Research Approaches for Public Administration. M.E. Sharpe Publications. Neelankavil, J. P., 2007. International Business Research. M.E. Sharpe. Patpituck, P. & et. al., 2011. Research on IEEE 802.11 Wireless LANs Traffic Characteristics Analysis for Supporting Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). IJCSNS International Journal of Computer Science and Network Security, VOL.11, No.8, pp. 23-30. Paskins, Z. & Rai, A., 2005. The Impact of Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) Implementation in Rheumatology. Oxford Journals. Ritchie, J. & et. al., 2013. 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STARE-HI—Statement on reporting of evaluation studies in Health Informatics. International Journal of Medical Informatics, Vol. 78, pp. 1-9. Tzeng, W. & et. al., 2013. A Socio-Technical Assessment Of The Success Of Picture Archiving And Communication Systems: The Radiology Technologist’s Perspective. Tzeng et al. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, pp. 1-14. The Royal Collage of Radiologist, 2012. Picture Archiving and Communication System and Quality Assurance. IT Guidance Document. [Online] Available at: http://www.rcr.ac.uk/docs/radiology/pdf/BFCR(12)15_PACS_QA.pdf [Accessed December 26, 2014]. Van-de-Wetering, R. & et. al., 2006. A Balanced Evaluation Perspective: Picture Archiving and Communication System Impacts on Hospital Workflow. J Digit Imaging, Vol. 19, pp. 10-17. Wild, C. & et. al., No Date. An Assessment Of PACS The Case Study Of The Smzo Project. Institute of Technology Assessment of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, pp. 2-14. Yasnoff, W. A. & et al., 2000. Public Health Informatics: Improving and Transforming Public Health in the Information Age. J Public Health Management Practice, Vol. 6, No. 6, pp. 67-75. Bibliography Beird, L.C., 2009. The Importance of a Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS) Manager for Large-Scale PACS Installations. Journal of Digital Imaging, Vol.12, No. 2, pp.37. Slavicek, K. & et. al., 2013. MEDIMED Shared Regional PACS Center — Case Study. Chapter 3. [Online] Available at: http://cdn.intechopen.com/pdfs-wm/44610.pdf [Accessed December 26, 2014]. Appendix Fig.2: Fig.3 Read More