Skip to main content

Role of Technology in Transforming Healthcare



It is a fact that technology is being used heavily in the healthcare industry, although a bit later than other industries and health informatics is one evolving specialization.  Health informatics is a term given to the process of acquisition, storage, retrieval and use of patient information by various healthcare providers of a patient with a combined use of communications, information technology, and healthcare. A major factor in the increased use of health informatics is the increased use of electronic health records as a result of incentive programs for ‘meaningful use’. 

Electronic health records are designed with a view to collect, store and share a patient’s health information from all providers who are involved in the patient’s healthcare. In a scenario where healthcare providers are quickly adapting EHR solutions in their facilities, health informatics will see a tremendous growth as facilities implement new systems and upgrade their existing databases. Let’s see how this evolving technology of health informatics helps in the transformation of healthcare.

Cost reduction:
Its a known fact that healthcare is expensive and usually, more than half of the expenses are due to the procedures being performed repeatedly, delayed care provision, and conventional methods of sharing information among various healthcare providers. With the help of EHR solutions, health informatics result in cost reduction to facilities as a result of better connectivity among various people concerned. Health informatics increases communication, reduces errors, and thus improves efficiency.

Access to knowledge:
With appropriate use of EHR systems, different healthcare providers have access to abundant knowledge about patients and their health history. With this access to knowledge and with the help of health informatics, the patient information can be easily shared between physicians and patients that aids in providing better healthcare.

Patient involvement:
When patients have access to their health information, it gives them an opportunity to actively participate in their own healthcare as they get to know about their diagnoses, medications, and treatments. This helps the patients to interact with their doctors with more ease and discuss their issue that helps in better healthcare provision.


Healthcare industry is evolving rapidly due to the immense use of technology in maintaining electronic health records and with the empowerment of health informatics, all can expect more efficient, coordinated and improved care. 
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

That’s Hilarious! Funny Must-Read Medical Transcription Errors!

Doctors every now and then come across some very critical bloopers from medical transcriptionists. Some of these can be downright funny! It’s common for transcription errors to creep in for various reasons like the dictation might not be clear, too many medical terms stuffed in, or misunderstanding at the transcriptionist’s end. Medical transcriptionists vary in experience and skill and may not be well versed with some medical terms. Here is a compilation of some very funny transcription mistakes you could note to avoid being on the receiving end of the laughter! 

   ·"Eyes and nose continue to be within normal limits" (I & O).    ·"History of sick as hell disease" (sickle cell)    ·"She was a bitch and grinned" (a bit chagrined).    ·"The last day the patient took their meds was for beaver."  (forever).    ·“49 year old occasional male”(Caucasian male).    ·“Borderline respectable pancreatic cancer”. (Resectable).    ·“Patient is alert and orien…
Post a Comment
Read more

Healthcare Documentation – A Promising Career Option -Avontix

Picture courtesy: explorehealthcareers.org
With ever-changing legal and medical requirements, it is mandatory that all the procedures and processes performed by healthcare practitioners are recorded accurately not just for evidential purposes but for future references also. However, it is not possible for the physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to keep documenting each and every process performed by them in a written format. Hence, physicians take advantage of the technological advancements and record the procedures performed by them in audio files using an electronic device. Although these can serve as records, it is not easy to comprehend a physician’s voice file when the information is required. So, these voice files are transcribed into electronic documents and this process of transcribing is called medical transcription or healthcare documentation.  
The voice files given by the physicians for healthcare documentation include their office visits, emergency room …
Post a Comment
Read more

Continuous Improvement – The Secret of Self Improvement -Avontix

What is that we typically do for self-improvement? Set a large goal; try to accomplish that in the least possible time. At the outset, this seems perfectly alright but does not work in practicality. It often leads to exhaustion, frustration and failure. This pattern needs to change; instead, we should aim for simple path of continuous improvement by slowly fine-tuning our everyday behavior and habits. Continuous improvement means, making minor changes and adjustments in our everyday life with the anticipation of a remarkable change over a period of time.

It’s not that easy to believe that small changes can lead to big shifts of improvement because we can’t see any notable accomplishments on a daily basis, BUT IT WORKS. Minor alterations don’t show results at that particular point of time but add up over a period, hence, we can see the results only in the long run; in fact, it is possible that we may happen that we may not even recognize it initially.



How do we go about it?


Avoid mistak…
Post a Comment
Read more