There is limited understanding of what Health Informatics (HI) or Health Information Technology (HIT) is outside of their respective realms. (Hersh, 2009, p. 1) When confronted with the question of what HI and HIT is, I first reach into my past for an early encounter with HI and HIT. A physician I was shadowing about a year ago, Dr. Zamir, attempted to explain the system he used that contained his patient’s electronic health records (EHRs). My limited understanding of the system he was using at the moment was analogous to my grandparent’s understanding of a cellphone. Little did I know, that Dr. Zamir guiding me through an intricate EHR system was but one of many examples of how HIT is used. Now, a year later, with a more thorough understanding of HI and how HIT is used, this essay is written to …show more content…
Informatics, as defined by The New Oxford American Dictionary, is “the science of processing data for storage retrieval” also known as information science. Hence health informatics is information science applied to healthcare or as Hoyt put it, “…is the field of information science concerned with management of health care data and information through the application of computers and other technologies”. (Hoyt, 2014, Chapter 1, Section…). The different names for Health Informatics include, clinical informatics or medical informatics in some cases also biomedical informatics (Hoyt, 2014,…) Since health informatics is more focused on information than actual technology, HIT can be thought of as being a tool to HI. (Hersh, 2009, p.2) Health information technology is simply defined as being the “application of computers and technology in health care settings.” (Hoyt, 2014, Chapter…Informatics Definition). Some examples of HIT include EHRs, personal health records (PHRs), E-prescribing and personal health tools (i.e. apps that monitor fitness). (HealthIT.gov, "Basics of Health
Health information technology (HIT) is revolutionizing the way we interact with health-related data. One example of this is the obvious rise in
Over the next decade, significant advances were made on the technology front, and in 2009 president Obama signed into law The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH). The HITECH Act introduced the concept of “meaningful use” as a way to
Frisse, M. E. (2009). Health Information Technology: One Step At A Time. Health Affairs, 28(2), w379-w384. doi:10.1377/hlthaff.28.2.w379
Health informatics and health information technician have some similarities, however, different job responsibilities. Health information technician (HIT) focus more on the medical record side of health care, whereas, health informatics (HI) focus more on the IT portion of health care. Health information technician (HIT) responsible for the accumulation, storage and accuracy of patient data, medical record, billing, and data regulatory compliance, and coding. Health informatics (HI) utilized the computer technology, involving, designing database, development information systems.
In 2009, the U.S. Government passed The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, to promote the adoption and meaningful use of health information technology (Mangalmurti, Murtagh and Mello 2060). The HITECH Act authorizes grants and incentives to promote the “meaningful use” of electronic health records (EHR) by providers (2060). The effect is a high commitment to a technology-led system reform, urging a renewed national commitment to building an information infrastructure to support health care delivery, consumer health, quality measurement and improvement, public accountability, clinical and health services research, and clinical
For over 10 years, all areas of industry have been investing in informational technology (IT). IT offers faster and more proficient care especially for the healthcare industry. Health information technology (HIT) is making significant changes in how care is being delivered and addressed for patients and healthcare workers. HIT includes electronic health records (EHR), personal health records (PHI), electronic prescribing and more. The potential list is endless. HIT provides for more accurate and efficient documentation, prescriptions, and education. The Obama administration came up with an answer to help in HIT by instituting the meaningful use. This paper will discuss the overview of meaningful use, its’ core criteria, and recommendations for additional criteria.
Use of EHR (electronic health records) in United States has increased in past years and have gained widespread use in the country. The use of EHR-Electronic Health Records or EMR-Electronic Medical Records and the systems that support them have gained standardized collection of health information and data for patient and healthcare providers. Because of these technologies, healthcare providers now have information about their patients at their fingertips, which has led to better and more accurate care. There are debates on using EHR. According to Mushtaq (2015), one of the most common debate is the use of EHR compliance and the value of these technologies that surround them (Mushtaq, 2015). Providers wonder if EHR use is useful and what is to be gained for the HCP-Healthcare provider. In regards to such debates and ongoing conversations, it is important to understand the definition of meaningful use and whether these technologies have resulted in meaningful use. According to Burchell (2016), The government developed the HITECH (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health) Act of 2009, which incorporates the meaningful use program (Burchell, 2016). The program has goals that tell us how to use the meaningful use with EMR or EHR. It helps HCP and organizations alike attain, use and keep goals like patient and clinical outcomes, individual patient autonomy, and increased transparency for providers. When these goals are attained and kept it will greatly
As the emergence of electronic health records (EHRs), the subject of transforming the delivery method of healthcare is prominent in the United States. The use of EHRs is a major key in the way physicians practice in healthcare organizations through communication and management of patient information. Henricks (2011) points out that EHRs are a part of an objective aimed at improving all aspects of health care and reducing health disparities, making the healthcare of patients and families appealing to them, refining the direction of healthcare, along with population and public health improvement, continuation of privacy maintenance and the security of health information, and finally reducing costs. In the perspective of health information technology
To ensure the protection of patient information, it is vital to provide adequate training in health information technology. Without proper training, the evolution of HIT as a public health resource will prevent populations to receive health benefits.
What is informatics and how is it utilized in the context of the health industry? Furthermore, how does it relate to the 5 components of governance? Informatics is the use of information systems to improve efficiencies within a corporation. Since its inception in 1949, informatics has grown exponentially to encompass a broad array of clinical services designed to aid the consumer in areas such as patient records, data processing, and so forth. As of today, the field is continuing to grow, with the International Medical Informatics Association at the forefront of this growth. One such application of this process I would mimic is that of the VA hospital. Currently they use a system called Vista. This system has allowed the VA to dramatically improve efficiencies which directly transfer to better customer service and cost savings. These three components of cost savings, efficiencies, and better customer service lay the foundation for the next two components of the plan. In our current economic condition, efficiency with both federal and private funds is absolutely essential. The flow of excess capital and the days of arbitrary spending have abated to a mere trickle. Many individuals question the integrity of not only the financial markets, but those of the medical industry as well. Practices
In this paper, I will discuss the issue of health informatics and will be focusing on electronic
Health information management involves the practice of maintaining and taking care of health records in hospitals, health insurance companies and other health institutions, by the use of electronic means (McWay 176). Storage of medical information is carried out by health information management and HIT professionals using information systems that suit the needs of these institutions. This paper answers four major questions concerning health information systems.
My understanding and definition of healthcare informatics (HI) developed gradually from the very basic to a more integrated concept of HI. In the 1990’s when I started nursing, I associated nursing informatics solely with the use of the computer for order entry by the unit clerk. However, through the years, the concept of nursing informatics dawned on me in “bits and pieces” (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2015, p. 7). I had worked in three hospitals that utilized different programs; some were more advanced or had the capability to interphase with the other programs utilized in the same hospital. While others, had very limited functionality or were not maximized as intended. In the first two hospitals I worked, the physicians were very adamant
Healthcare uses informatics to improve patient care. Informatics is a term that is used to describe the use of computers and information systems (Blais & Hayes, 2016 pg. 301). Informatics also includes data, knowledge, and education along with the use of computers and information systems.
Informatics is the study and practice of science and technology. It is a practice of creating, storing, finding, manipulating and sharing information (Ong, 2014). Informatics turns data and information into knowledge that people can use everyday. In today’s world informatics is the bridge to all useful things; it helps to shape our relationships, our organizations and our world. Informatics is an every changing field. It uses computer science to help analyze big issues especially within healthcare. People using informatics are able to help solve problems that directly impact our lives and our society. We use informatics within healthcare. Health informatics is an evolving specialty that links information technology, communications and healthcare to improve the quality and safety of patient care. Health informatics allows health information management professionals to gather and analyze large amounts of data into useful information.