Current Health Information Systems

           

 Health care information systems have been being upgraded more recently due to the need to transition to electronic medical records. “Health care information systems replace medical history paper trails with electronic data” (Weinblatt, 2014). With the need to have space for paper records, electronic records can help organizations save space and possibly expand patient rooms. With the use of electronic medical records, physicians will now have access to patient records immediately. Not only will patient records be readily available to physicians, patients can gain access to their records via patient portals and have the ability to receive e-mails from physicians about testing and diagnoses. With these tools at hand, not only is patient care being improved upon, but productivity is increased as well. In order for the transition to electronic medical records to be successful, organizations “must allow the new technology to transform its procedures and policies while being given sufficient top-down support from central management” (Weinblatt, 2014).

            When an organization makes the decision to transfer to an electronic medical record, health information systems may have to be upgraded in order to keep up with the software. One area that is always questioned is the legal aspects of health information management and the security of patient records. “Access to patient-specific health information is a complex issue governed by a variety of legal rules” (McWay, 2010). It is with these legal rules that health care providers are obligated to keep patient information protected and confidential. Each organization must have a notice of information practices readily available to patients which “dictate that the patient be notified of these uses and be given the opportunity to consent, reject, or request restriction of this information for any or all of the many uses the health record serves” (McWay, 2010). Without written consent being obtained by the patient, patient records cannot be shared, even if records are electronic.

            When examining legal aspects of health information management, there are many areas that may come into question by the person who is dealing with the patient’s health information. Ethics is considered “listening to one’s conscience or making judgments between right and wrong” (McWay, 2010). With ethics comes autonomy; beneficence and nonmaleficience; best-interest standard; fidelity; justice; rights; and veracity. In all of these areas, the ethics of self, situations, best interest of an individual, and obligation are questioned by the health care professional when making decisions about patient information and the types of health information systems that should be used within an organization.

            Telecommunications and networking concepts are extremely important concerning current health information systems. This is because without telecommunications and networking concepts, it would be impossible to electronically share information. “Among clinical care technology, telehealth includes electronic transmission of information that gives health care professionals improved working capabilities like continuing education, electronic medical records systems and research collaboration” (Gray, n.d.). With the use of telecommunications, patients are staying more connected to their primary care physicians while discovering ways to better monitor their health.

Again, telecommunications circles back to the electronic medical record and the ease of retrieving patient records. “This increased access to information and level of collaboration between patient and provider has brought about a more patient-driven health care system” (Gray, n.d.). It is because of the increased access to information and collaboration between patient and provider that patients are finally taking charge of their medical treatments.

With the rise in social media, networking is a concept that health care industries must integrate along with the adoption of new technologies and health information systems. Younger generations are more apt to use smart phones and social media, however, with networking, organizations can put out current information to patients which may help answer questions about current illnesses that are present in the community. Networking in healthcare is advertisement to help draw new patients in and show what type of facility patients will be joining. By health care organizations taking advantage of networking, this can make people curious and want to try services at the organization.

References:

Gray, A. (n.d.). The advantages of telecommunication in health care. eHow. Retrieved from

            http://www.ehow.com/info_8378675_advantages-telecommunication-health-care-html

McWay, D. C., JD, RHIA. (2010). Legal and ethical aspects of health information management

            (3^rd ed.). Clifton Park, NY: Delmar-Cengage Learning. ISBN: 9781435483309

Weinblatt, V. (2014). Health care information systems. Live Strong. Retrieved from

            http://www.livestrong.com/article/216744-health-care-information-systems/