Computer and Information Systems in Healthcare

Computer and Information Systems in Healthcare

Healthcare Informatics Use in an Emergency Room

In the Emergency Department, where I have worked, we rely extensively on healthcare informatics, which is made possible by the EPIC system. EPIC is critical in improving patient care and increasing overall efficiency. EPIC is primarily utilized for managing electronic health records (EHR), allowing to seamlessly access and update patient details (Isakari et al., 2023). EPIC provides us with a wealth of crucial information, such as patients’ medical histories, vital signs, lab findings, medication lists, and diagnostic imaging reports. This system also allows us to track and control patient flow, assuring timely care and lowering the chance of medical errors. It also provides decision support tools to assist healthcare workers in making informed clinical decisions based on evidence-based guidelines and best practices. Finally, EPIC healthcare informatics enables our unit to provide high-quality care and enhance patient outcomes by allowing data-driven decision-making and improving communication among healthcare practitioners.

Type of Hardware and Software used

The hardware infrastructure in our Emergency Room is sturdy and designed to meet the demands of healthcare informatics. We use a mix of desktop computers and mobile devices, including tablets and laptops, all of which have safe access to the EPIC system. These gadgets include barcode scanners and RFID readers to help with patient identification and medicine administration. Furthermore, we use specialized medical devices such as ECG machines, vital sign monitors, and diagnostic imaging equipment that seamlessly interface with the EPIC system to record real-time data. Consistently, we use a variety of software applications for tasks such as order entry, radiology and laboratory information systems, and communication tools such as encrypted messaging platforms to promote successful collaboration among healthcare practitioners. These software solutions allow us to provide prompt and accurate patient care while also assuring data security and compliance with healthcare standards.

Intranet and Electronic Documentation

The healthcare facility does have an intranet, which is an essential platform for communication and information sharing within the healthcare system. The intranet is primarily used to disseminate key announcements, share internal policies and procedures, and provide staff workers with access to educational resources and training materials (Bartlett, 2021). The intranet also includes discussion forums and collaborative places where multidisciplinary teams may exchange ideas and work on patient care plans. Subsequently, electronic documentation is widely used in our unit, thanks to the EPIC system, which enables electronic recording of patient assessments, progress notes, orders, and treatment plans. Electronic documentation streamlines documentation processes, reduces errors, and ensures that all authorized healthcare professionals have access to up-to-date patient records (Yogesh Kumar Jha, 2023). We’ve been using electronic documentation successfully for a while now, and it’s helped us provide better patient care. However, we are constantly looking for ways to improve and increase its capabilities in order to improve patient outcomes.

Type of Standardized Terminology

We use standardized terminologies in our healthcare practice to promote uniformity and precision in capturing patient information and treatment processes. SNOMED CT (Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine — Clinical Terms) is one of the primary standardized terminologies on which we rely. SNOMED CT is a comprehensive and globally recognized clinical terminology that provides a standardized method of representing clinical concepts and interactions (Chang & Mostafa, 2021). It enables us to consistently code and document clinical findings, diagnoses, procedures, and other healthcare data, making information transmission across healthcare systems easier and improving interoperability.

In addition to SNOMED CT, we employ LOINC (Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes) codes for laboratory test and clinical observation coding, as well as CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) codes for billing and procedural documentation. These standardized terminologies not only increase the accuracy and completeness of our electronic health records, but they also help us with data analytics, research, and quality improvement programs in our healthcare practice. We ensure that our documentation adheres to industry standards and enables the seamless interchange of health information while ensuring data integrity by adhering to these standardized terminologies.

References

Bartlett, J. A. (2021). Knowledge Management: A Practical Guide for Librarians. Rowman & Littlefield.

Chang, E., & Mostafa, J. (2021). The use of SNOMED CT, 2013-2020: a literature review. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 28(9). https://doi.org/10.1093/jamia/ocab084

Isakari, M., Sanchez, A., Conic, R., Peretti, J., Saito, K., Sitapati, A. M., Millen, M., & Longhurst, C. (2023). Benefits and Challenges of Transitioning Occupational Health to an Enterprise Electronic Health Record. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002864. https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000002864

Yogesh Kumar Jha, Y. (2023, June 12). Development of a Centralized Electronic Medical Record System – in HealthCare & Governance. Social Science Research Network. https://doi.org/10.2139/

ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE

We’ll write everything from scratch

---

In this writing assignment, you will describe computer and information systems in healthcare.

Step 1 Think about your own experience with computers and information systems in healthcare. This may be a current employer, past employer, or clinical site.

Step 2 Analyze information systems in your workplace and write a two-page paper in which you address the following questions:

What does your unit use healthcare informatics for?
Specifically, what type of data, information, and knowledge does your unit obtain through the use of healthcare informatics?
What type of hardware does your unit use?
What types of software does your unit use?
Does the facility have an intranet? If so, what is it used for?
In what ways does your unit use electronic documentation? If you currently do not use electronic documentation, describe your unit’s future plans for implementing electronic documentation.
What type of standardized terminology do you use in your practice?
See rubric Download rubric for grading details.