Definition of Health Information Technology

Given advances in technology, the transmission of medical records has been made faster and more effective. Health information technology allows the instant exchange of health information. Though this may not seem important, advances in health information technology have improved the kinds of medical care given and have helped to reduce medical costs.

Minimizing Errors

• One of the main benefits of medical information technology is that it helps minimize errors from transcriptions. Before advances in technology, everything was transcribed by hand, which sometimes led to pharmacies making mistakes when dispensing medication. However, pharmacists can now use computerized provider order entry (CPOE), a medication ordering and fulfillment system. More advanced CPOE also includes lab orders, radiology studies, procedures, discharges, transfers and referrals. Using a program such as this allows records to be stored in a database, rather than in files.

Payroll and Billing

• Physicians, especially in private practice, also use medical information technology for administrative tasks, such as billing and payroll. Using technology for these purposes reduces the cost of billing and allows for speedy disbursement of salaries to the employees. This usually results in savings for the physician, who can then use those savings to improve his practice and hire qualified specialists.

Bar Coding

• Bar coding mainly impacts hospitals. An optical scanner electronically captures information encoded on a product. This serves as an additional level of security to prevent administration of the wrong drug to a patient by nurses or doctors.

Electronic Health Record

• Electronic health records (EHRs) are another form of health information technology. Originally EHRs were used as an electronic filing system. However, now the technology is used as a patient tracking system. This helps medical professionals avoid having to go through numerous files trying to find a patient's medical history, and keeps a continuous record of the patient's care.

Picture Archiving and Communication System

• Picture archiving and communication system (PACS) keeps other types of necessary information ready at hand. This technology captures diagnostic and radiological images such as X-rays and MRIs, files them into a database, and integrates and links them with a specific medical record.

Benefits

• All of these forms of medical information technology help medical professionals provide swift and effective treatment of patients. They also help reduce the cost of treatment.