Healthcare Information
Technology was put front and center when the Affordable Care Act was put into
effect, and thousands of Americans flooded to the new health care exchanges.
The information system (IS) was not able to handle the traffic and many lost
confidence in the government to administrate the new health care system. This
is just one illustration of how important information systems and their
supporting technologies are to an organization, and especially in large scale
industries such as healthcare. A person might put up with an ineffective or
outdated IS when they go to buy a pair of shoes, but when it comes to their
health they want to know that they will be taken care of in the best possible
way. A good IS not only gives the perception of competence, but empowers health
care providers to treat their patience with timely, relevant information. Science
is advancing at such a rapid rate – organs are being made with 3D printers to
match a patient’s DNA! – and health care providers need to keep up their
information systems not only to meet government regulation, but also provide
the best care available to their customers. With healthcare being such a vital established
industry, it is also one of the largest growing industries. Healthcare is
experiencing growth in a vast number of areas, for example, facilities,
machines, personnel, medicines, and the varieties of patient needs. With all of
this growth there is only one thing that can keep all of this new data up to
date and functional; and that is a reliable information system. Just think, do
you enjoy filling out the same forms every time you go to the doctor or would
you prefer for your information to be updated monthly? Would you trust a doctor
to care for you who still uses typewriters and paper filing systems? The simple
solutions for these questions all revolve around information systems. So what
do you think?
I totally agree that the healthcare industry should utilize information systems. No one really enjoys going to the doctors, so why not make the experience as easy as possible! What I look forward to learning about this particular subject is not only how an IS can automate existing processes, but how technology can facilitate innovation that would not have been possible before.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment Lauren! We will be sure to focus more on the innovative process made possible through technology.
DeleteI think it is extremely interesting to see the evolution of IS even in my own doctor's office. I remember using the palm scanner for the first time to check-in. I was so impressed with this piece of technology then was sadly faced with the nurse in the room having to key in a bunch of information into a chart on the computer. Wouldn't you think the doctors and nurses would be using a more sophisticated system like the palm reader at the front desk? It is so interesting.
ReplyDeleteI agree that doctors and nurses should have a better method of entry into the computer. Creating a solution that utilizes a more direct approach to information entry would both decrease wasted time as well as cut down on translational errors thus cutting costs.
DeleteI believe the nurses do all the keying into the system but doctors normally used a tablet to looked up information. Not sure about other family doctors but that's what mine did. He has all my information in the palm of his hand. The only thing the nurse keyed into the system were my weight, height and blood pressure which is the normal. I also notices that their computer is pretty up to date and I was told that they just renovate their computer system last year. This new IS really does help improve healthcare tremendously.
ReplyDeleteGreat comment, your personal experiences are a perfect example of just how helpful IS are in the way the automate information and increase efficiency in the healthcare field.
DeleteInformation systems has not just made it easier for the health industry but it has also opened the door for many job opportunities! Now people who enjoy working in the technology and health care industry have something to invest in, and look forward to as I am sure there is much more to expand on within these two fields!
ReplyDeleteI mean if you just think about it for a second. Technology is advancing so fast now a days, and with further exploration within the science field and the help of technology.. I can only imagine what is in store. It's fascinating to think about! The two strongest fields coming together as one.
Great blog! Easy to follow and straight to the point.
These two growing fields truly are incredible, if you continue to keep track of our post you will continue to learn about more specific ways that these fields are growing and how powerful IS is making them.
DeleteThis is sort of like the Carolina Healthcare System's Commercials you hear on TV and the radio about a system working together as "One". This is a good example of an IS that is stable and ready to perform, even at high capacities!
ReplyDeletethat will show the patient know what are they deal with.
ReplyDelete