HITECH Legislation - Research Paper Example

Insert Insert Insert February HITECH Legislation in Healthcare Organizations The enactment of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act focused on the adoption and meaningful use of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) in Health Information Technology. The passage and enactment of the HITECH Act along with the Medicaid EHR and Medicare incentive programs act as incentives to healthcare providers with regards to improving the efficiency, quality and confidentiality of healthcare information and service delivery.

In addition, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) states minimum requirements for transmitting EHRs as well as auditing and storage of health care records in enhancing efficiency of healthcare systems (Murray et al., 2011). The 2011 study on the use of EHR in respiratory care revealed that the use of Bridge Tech’s Medical Connectivity Solution streams data directly to the EHR interface staging for fast and reliable patient care (Hanlon, 2011). In this regard, the meaningful use of EHR devices facilitates the acquisition and utilization of EHRs in healthcare delivery in organizations.

The adoption and implementation of EHRs in respiratory care impacts positively to healthcare service delivery provided in hospitals. The use of Bridge Tech’s plug and play Connectivity Solution acquires data and sends it directly to the clinical validation application thereby facilitating point of care verification of data and signing off by the practitioner. The availability of various kinds of EHR devices stimulates fast and reliable bedside patient care delivery of services. EHR devices with in-built calculations facilitate lung protective strategy calculation, weaning assessment, documentation and record progress in spontaneous breathing trials (SBT).

The availability of diverse workflow specific modules addressing various needs in respiratory care such as MediLinks improves health care delivery (Hanlon, 2011). Other positive impacts of using EHRs in hospitals include improved portability of medical information relating to patients as well as efficient delivery of health care services. EHR systems reduce medical errors in relation to the manual keyboarding and transcription of patients’ medical data. Similarly, the use of computerized practitioner order entry (CPOE) as an aspect of health information technology also reduces medical errors on dosage and use of drugs.

They also encourage significant savings on cost due to the installation of wireless devices and new software rather than the costly wired interface devices, administrative costs, file storage and management and duplicative tests. EHR systems provide opportunities for increased revenues by means of reduced billing errors, generating follow up reminders on patient car and an enabled tracking of services provided. Lastly, EHR systems improve the ability of medical practitioners to conduct evidence based medical research studies (Pipersburgh, 2011).

Yang et al. (2006) conducted a survey regarding the protection of patients’ health data with a focus on the scrutiny of EHRs based on hospital billing systems. HIPAA remains one such proposal governing billing systems in hospitals. The right of privacy protection of patients’ medical information remains justified as an element of patient autonomy. Also, EHR systems in healthcare systems enable a timely sharing of medical information between various departments. As a result, EHRs have demonstrated clinical effectiveness in service delivery in hospitals.

Other principles enhancing the effectiveness of EHR systems relate to minimum requirement, respect and consent seeking, justice and equality and compliance with law. In addition, the direct collection of medical information, non-disclosure and the protection of public interest and life also constitute principles guiding the use of EHR systems. Hence, these principles provide an effective legal framework useful for enhancing efficiency, quality and confidentiality as well as strengthening healthcare organizations.

References Hanlon, P. (2011). Going HITECH: Improving Efficiency and Safety and Providing EffectivePatient Care requires Targeted Technology. The Journal for Respiratory CarePractitioners, 20-21.Murray, T. L., Calhoun, M. & Philipsen, N. C. (2011). Privacy, Confidentiality, HIPAA, andHITECH: Implications for the Health Care Practitioner. The Journal for NursePractitioners, 7(9), 747-752.Pipersburgh, J. (2011). The Push to Increase the Use of EHR Technology by Hospitals andPhysicians in the United States through the HITECH Act and the Medicare IncentiveProgram.

Journal of Health Care Finance, 38(2), 54-79.Yang, C., Lin, H., Chang, P. & Jian, W. (2006). Taiwan’s Perspective on Electronic MedicalRecords’ Scrutiny and Privacy Protection: Lessons Learned from HIPAA. ComputerMethods and Programs in Biomedicine, 82, 277-282.