Healthcare Information Technology

Healthcare Information Technology

The modern healthcare environment has embraced the use of information technology, which is implemented through healthcare information technology. This paper begins by defining important terms in the implementation of information technology in healthcare organizations, such as computer literacy, healthcare information technology, medical informatics, and Nationwide hospital information networks. The second section discusses the cultural orientations of a health management information system. The third section reviews the uses of different computer information systems in a typical hospital, and the final section discusses significant components of healthcare information technology.

 Definition and significance of terms

• Healthcare information technology

Healthcare information technology refers to the application of computer software and hardware in sharing and storing healthcare information in a healthcare environment (Mostashari, 2014). The central significance of healthcare information technology is presenting many opportunities to improve and transform healthcare, including reducing human errors, facilitating coordination in the provision of healthcare, improving clinical outcomes, tracking patient data, and improving the efficiency of medical practices.

• Computer literacy

Computer literacy is having a general awareness of computer aspects. This includes being able to identify major components of a computer system and describing the function of each element, being aware of the parts of a computer and issues relating to computer capabilities, and being able to use a computer to meet both business and personal needs. The significance of computer literacy is that it helps in enhancing work efficiency by using computers to simplify work, such as online translation of large documents.

• Medical informatics

Medical informatics is the application and study of approaches to improving the management of population and patient data, medical knowledge, and other data relevant to community health and patient care (Chen et al., 2006). The main significance of medical informatics is that it allows patients to easily access their health data to know the medical care given to them. It also allows patients to communicate with their physician through an online portal and get updates on their health progress, therapies, medications, diagnoses, therapies, and tests.

• Nationwide Hospital Information Network

National Health Information Network (NHIN) is a network connecting all government agencies, healthcare organizations, and other organizations in the healthcare sector to facilitate the exchange of information about health (Moghaddasi et al., 2017). The significance of this framework is that it provides a safe set of standards, policies, and services for implementing the secure exchange of healthcare information over the Internet.

Cultural orientations of a health management information system (HMIS)

• Information functional culture

Information functional culture considers the traditional perspective that information is power and that losing information implies losing the authority to control others (Tan, 2018). It also restricts the sharing of information within a practice area.

• Information-sharing culture

Information sharing culture endorses trust among employees of various units within the same healthcare organization (Tan, 2018). It includes sharing information among physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers.

• Information inquiring culture

According to Tan (2018), an inquiring culture enhances the transparency of the core beliefs, purpose, and values of an organization. It ensures that crucial data about the procedures and functions in an organization are available to all employees in the entire organization.

• Information discovery culture

Tan (2018) argues that an inquiring culture states that an organization can freely share insight and encourage its employees to work together in providing new services and products that serve the needs of new and existing customers.

Uses of different computer information systems in a typical hospital

• Hospital information system (HIS)

A hospital information system is used to securely store data and control data access in the healthcare environment. It also provides information on a patient’s health status and visiting history whenever it is needed.

• Financial information system (FIS)

A financial information system manages costs in the healthcare environment sto, res financial data, provides patient billing information, and calculates healthcare costs.

• Clinical information system (CIS)

A clinical information system is used to store, capture, process, and transfer data to decision-makers in the healthcare providers on time for a rapid and right decision. It can also import data from various instruments such as ventilators, health signs monitors, and infusion devices and display them in specific formats and tables.

• Pharmacy information system (PIS)

A pharmacy information system is used to support the management and distribution of drugs, identify the type of intervention to be used, establish the amount of inventory, improve the accessibility of healthcare data, and report and manage costs. It also alerts users about drug allergies, vital drug-drug interactions, possible side effects, and drug use patterns.

• Nursing information system (NIS)

According to Nursing, the information system is used to manage clinical information from various healthcare environments and ensure that it is available in an orderly and timely manner to help nurses improve patient care (Keser, 2016). It is also used to evaluate patients, define the aspects of disease relating to nursing, prepare care plans, evaluate and provide care, and share healthcare information with other healthcare professionals in a similar clinical practice.

Major components of healthcare information technology (IT)

• Content and data (data, information, and knowledge)

Data is collected to improve treatment plans. It includes data on the performance of health systems, such as the accessibility, availability, use, and quality of health services and information and how the system responds to patients’ needs, health outcomes, and health inequities.

• Infrastructure (hardware, software, firmware, and server)

Hardware includes input and output of computer data and CPU. The software consists of programming, application, and operating software such as spreadsheets, word processors, multimedia applications, databases, and communication programs. Additionally, infrastructure also includes Wide Area Networks and Local Area Networks. Wireless networks are used to connect information systems.

• Data analytics (process, task, and system)

Data analytics improves more accurate and faster diagnoses, personalized treatment, and effective preventive measures. Predictive analytics is used to alert healthcare professionals on possible health risks by focusing on behavioral data.

• Network compatibility and communications (systems network integration and media interoperability)

Network compatibility and communications include using an information network based on common standards, internet protocols, transparent government processes, and timely transfer of knowledge with the capability for the flow of information across personal health, public health, and healthcare providers.

References

Chen, H., Fuller, S. S., Friedman, C., & Hersh, W. (2006). Medical informatics: Knowledge management and data mining in biomedicine. Springer Science & Business Media.

Keser, İ. (2016). The Use of Nursing Information Systems in Nursing Care İlkay KESER. The Journal of MacroTrends in Health and Medicine, 4(1).

Moghaddasi, H., Rabiei, R., Asadi, F., & Mohammadpour, A. (2017). National Health Information Network: Lessons Learned from the USA and the UK. Journal of Paramedical Sciences (JPS), 8(2).

Mostashari, F. (2014). Health information technology and healthcare. Healthcare, 2(1), 1-2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hjdsi.2013.12.008

Tan, J. (2018). Health Management Information Systems: A Managerial Perspective. In Foundation Concepts of Health Management Information Systems. Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

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St. Augustine’s Hospital System is seeking a chief information officer (CIO) for its Healthcare Information Systems Department, and you are a candidate for an interview for the position.
Respond to the following interview questions:

1. Explain the terms health care information technology, computer literacy, medical informatics, and nationwide hospital information network and highlight their significance. List each term in bullet point format for your descriptions.

2. Describe briefly the 4 cultural orientations of a health management information system (HMIS):

• information functional culture
• information sharing culture
• information inquiring culture
• information discovery culture

3. Discuss the uses of different computer information systems in a typical hospital. Here are the main 5 systems that should be used in your discussion: Give a brief but thorough description of each.

• Hospital information system (HIS)
• Financial information system (FIS)
• Clinical information system (CIS)
• Pharmacy information system (PIS0
• Nursing information system (NIS)

4. Describe the 5 major components of health care information technology (IT): Again, be brief but thorough.
Content and data ( data, information, and knowledge)
infrastructure ( hardware, software, firmware, and server)
Data analytics (process, task, and system)
Network compatibility and communications (systems network integration and media interoperability)