The Evolution Of Health Information Systems

However, health informatics is the kind of application system normally used by most hospitals and clinics to deliver high quality and cost efficient healthcare service to the community. According to Bacon County Hospital press release (2002), the informatics system was implemented to make the delivery of medical services such as surgical treatment and other general treatment faster. In this paper, therefore we look into how the informatics systems/applications has evolved since it was implemented by the Bacon County Hospital; discuss the future trends for healthcare informatics and how these trends impact the healthcare delivery system.

Latour, Kathleen and Eichenwald-Maki, eds. (2009). HI300: Information Technology & Systems for Healthcare. Chicago: American Health Information Management Association

2008). Another system focused on patient scheduling in a rehabilitation setting (Ozbolt, J.G., Saba, V.K. 2008). Nurses at a California hosptial assisted in developing the first comprehensive hospital information system and helped integrat the system for nursing care planning, documentation, and feedback (Ozbolt, J.G., Saba, V.K. 2008). They developed the standard care plans that are used throughout the world today (Ozbolt, J.G., Saba, V.K. 2008). Another big achievement of this decade was the introduction of the first commercial electronic medical record (Thede, L. 2012). This new system was patient-oriented and was implemented throughout the hospital (Thede, L. 2012).

The health care sector is impacted by numerous changes and challenges, such as increasing need for health care provision, changing demands from patients or rapidly evolving technologies. In the context of evolving technologies, the developments occur not only in the actual provision of the medical act, but also at the level of the complementary operations, such as health care information management.

Advances in modern technology surrounds us in our day to day lives, allowing conveniences and efficiency at our fingertips. Great strides have been made over the years with technology, and the healthcare industry along with many other industries have adopted this new way of functioning; electronically. The effects of technology have come to the forefront in where our government has acknowledged the benefits and opportunities. “The promise of Health Information Technology for improving quality and safety of health care while reducing costs has caught the eye of policy makers and other leaders in health care” (Hersh, 2006). It deeply affects how we connect, interact, and communicate internally and externally, but also gives us a sense of control on how we engage ourselves to the innovative software and systems.

It is important to understand the history of how the healthcare industry decided to embrace the use of computer databases. Typically healthcare was often the last to employ new technology; especially when it came to assembling and disseminating data. As a Director of HIM (Health Information Management) it would be beneficial to remember this as there will undoubtedly be some resistance when attempting to implement new and improved systems to track everything from patient outcomes and laboratory tests to prescriptions and medications.

In order to meet the requirements set forth by the Federal Government many health care institutions began the painstaking process of seeking out an electronic program. These institutions sought to purchase a system that would have the capacity to interact with other programs, and the flexibility to allow all clinical personnel easy access to pertinent medical information such as labs, diagnostic test results and past medical history.

In my opinion the 1980's was one of the significant event in the 20th century that created the impetus for healthcare organizations to begin to adopt information systems. Although the use of health care information systems in the 1970s could be considered an extension of the applications used in the 1960s with a slight increase in the use of clinical applications, the 1980s saw an entirely different story. Sweeping changes in how Medicare reimbursed hospitals and others for services, coupled with the advent of the microcomputer, radically changed how health care information systems were viewed and used. In 1982, Medicare shifted from a cost-based reimbursement system for hospitals to a prospective payment system based on diagnosis related groups

Introduction: Technology is a constantly changing and evolving field. Those changes can be used to make the lives of people easier in every single way. With the creation of computers and the internet we have been applying technological changes in the health care world for years now. Patients can access their records with a few swipes at their keyboard and share records with other providers. In addition, providers can share reports with each other just as easily.

A significant, impactful trend on healthcare organizations (HCOs) is the implementation of technology-based information systems (IS). The systems consist of hardware and software used in gathering and processing data that supports the provision of patient care. There are administrative systems, which have been in place for decades and their usefulness are highly recognized. They track services rendered, billing processes used for third party payers and patients, as well as payroll for employees. Administrative systems are essential for the financial component of a business. More recently, the importance of clinical information systems has moved into the spotlight. They are intended to

The health plan means any individual or group plan that provides, or pays the cost of, medical care. The health care provider means a provider of medical or health services. Health care clearinghouse means a public or private entity, ("Covered entity (hipaa)," 2005).

Implementation of Healthcare Information Technology potentially reduces cost yet, remains a continuous challenge. The adoption of improved healthcare infrastructure is compelling and significant barriers remain such as technical issues, cost, concerns about privacy and confidentiality, system interoperability and lack of well trained staff to lead the process (Palvia, Love, Nemati, & Jacks, 2012).

While many people believe that health information exchange is a relatively new thing, it has been around for over four decades. However, in the beginning phases it was nowhere near as complex as it is now. Sometime in the middle of the 60’s, an early form of a data processing system was formed and it focuses on clinical data management. This system began to catch on even though they were nowhere near as sophisticated and or functional as the health records in today’s time.

Health information is a very important topic as it impacts patient care. It can be a wonderful addition to the ever-changing healthcare system. In addition, health information technology can be very useful in assisting medical personnel, however,

The major change from traditional systems to electronic record systems in the healthcare field within the last couple decades has made a huge impact. Patient records, risk management, planning, staff, and more in the organization are affected by the IT staff. “The penetration of Internet access, mobile technologies and social networks collectively offer a future in which it is possible to deliver highly personalized care without necessarily having to do it in person, or even with a doctor.”(Healthcare IT News, n.d.) Many hospitals use paper records for patients long after electronic record technology was available. According to forbes.com in an article published two years ago, less than 2 percent of all healthcare organizations within the United States had and properly deployed information systems.