The Pros of Health Information Technology

Health information technology is essential for today's patients and health care providers. Without an adequate form of compiling information on any given patient that follows his care from the moment of initial contact with a physician, confusion, misdiagnosis or even conflict of treatment plans would occur. Understanding the benefits of health information technology will help individuals to understand why private information is complied, how it is used in their health care and how technology will ultimately advance patient care and treatment in the future.

Definition

• Health information technology basically defines how health information is formatted and structured. Health information professionals manage documents and data compiled on every patient. Such information is found via electronic or paper sources. Health information technology encompasses the entire patient-care experience and includes processing health data and documents for treatments to coding and billing for those treatments and making sure that physicians and facilities comply with standards, rules and regulations in the health care field that ensure quality patient care.

Function of Health Information Technology

• Patient information involves a multitude of people and departments that utilize various forms of technology, from electronic medical records to handwritten notes by doctors to document and follow patient care scenarios. To be more precise, the greatest benefits of health information technology relies on information, which can be used for analysis, quality management, productivity and research. Health information records are used by health providers, health insurance companies, research organizations and law-making bodies to assess compliance or accredit or compare health care providers and organizations.

Benefits of Computerized Systems in Health Information Technology

• Today's health information technology takes advantage of computers and computer software to input, organize and analyze health care data. One of the greatest benefits of computerization offers an efficient method of managing enormous amounts of data compiled in the care of every patient. For example, a physician may utilize a decision support system (DDS) when making decisions regarding patient care. Management information systems are often used by nursing as well as medical records departments to create and manage budgets and facility schedules and care, while medical billers and coders often utilize transactions systems to keep track of every procedure or supply offered to patients during the course of their care. These computer systems allow every individual involved in a patient's care to access the medical record via computer and assess treatments and care from a variety of departments involved in that patient's care. This all-around approach increases standards and quality of care, another great benefit of this type of system.

Electronic Effeciency

• The benefits of computerized systems in health care enables health care providers and even patients to learn more about disease processes, medications and practices that enhance health care options and delivery methods. Nearly instant access to information is another one of the greatest benefits of modern technology that offers health care providers the opportunity to take advantage of PDAs, electronic medical records at computer stations throughout a facility, voice recognition software (for fast, efficient patient encounter dictations) and portability to provide faster, more precise care.

Healthcare Information System Applications

• Today, the health care industry is advancing toward all-electronic records and technologies in all aspects of care. Clinical information systems are working hand in hand with administrative and management information systems in both inpatient and outpatient care scenarios. As a result, nursing, radiology, pharmacy and laboratory services are all able to access up-to-date information regarding a particular patient at the same time, reducing the risk of delays, long wait times and misdiagnosis.