The Growth of Health Information Technology and Its Effect on the Cost and Quality of Healthcare - Research Paper Example

Health Information Technology Introduction The application of Health Information Technology in thecontemporary society has been increasing on a daily basis with new ideologies being implemented in the health sector. This concept fundamentally involves application of Information Technology ascribed to health issues with the aim of: Exchanging health data in electronically (Johnson pg.112) Research has shown that an extensive application of information technology in the health sector has had a tremendous positive impact on various facets of health service provision for instance: Improved health care service provision through; reduced medical errors that may be caused by manual modes of operation, reduced costs associated with health care service provision as well as well escalated efficiencies in health care service provision (www.annals.org). Despite the fact that Health Information Technology has been greatly recommended in most health care centers, there development and implementation requires a substantial amount of resources such as high amount of finances. This may pose a great challenge especially in societies characterized by high levels of poverty (www.annals.org). Initial Costs of Implementing HIT The costs associated with the implementation of the Health Information Technology are human capital which has been identified to the most crucial capital requirement. The successful implementation of such technology requires skilled persons with ideas and knowledge on how to implement their usage. Other skilled persons are also required to utilize these technologies in the real health care field. These pre-requisites have made the overall implementation cost of health information technology relatively expensive (Ashish pg.26) However, recent cost-benefit analysis health studies have shown that the ultimate benefits of Health Information Technology supersede the costs. To begin with, the use of new health information technologies such as the Electronic Health Records, are proved to be fundamental in provision of consistent health data and high quality health services. Electronic Health Records are imperative in keeping consistent information concerning health issues like HIV AIDS in various societies. Risks of Implementing Health Information Technology There are a myriad risks that governments, researchers and health specialists may have to undertake when implementing Health Information Technology. The first risk occurs in the sense that the application of such technology may require large amounts of capital; governments, donors and scientists may have to direct large amount of financial resources towards implementation of the Health Information Technology. These may jeopardize the development of other societal aspects such as; education and security (Ashish pg.27) The other risk that may occur in the implementation of Health Information Technology is the fact that there may be some cases of resistance from the society especially by people who may feel threatened that such technology will make them loss their jobs. Studies have shown that there have been cases where some health practitioners held a series of strikes to oppose the implementation health information technology. The Use of HIT in the Modern Society Most of the global population has had high hopes in the implementation of Health Information Technology facilities in most of health facilities. The sense of hope on these facilities emanates from the fact that scientists and researchers have provided significant research that proves that such technology will have a great positive impact on health service delivery (Johnson pg.114). In the United States for instance, the federal government together with other researchers have conducted several cost-benefit analysis programs on HIT and found various results including: Reduction of medical errors that may occur as a result of poor dosing activities or administration of other drugs. The technologies are also believed that will enhance information sharing among health practitioners concerning the health issues of their patients hence promoting efficient service delivery (www.chita.org) The United States Government has also estimated through its feasibility studies that the application of Health Information Technology will assist the government to save the costs ascribed to health service provision by approximately USD 77 billion annually after fifteen years of successful implementation. This will be achieved through the efficiency created by the Health Information Technology that will assist in reduction of errors that may cause extra costs. Moreover, various programs have also been implemented by governments to facilitate the implementation of the Health Information Technology in the contemporary society for instance: In the United States, the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology has been established as from the government of the former President George W. Bush in order to: To facilitate the implementation of information Technology in the Health Sector. This program was meant to operate up to the year 2014 in accordance to the objectives of the government (www.chita.org) Costs Ascribed to the HIT in the Contemporary Society In order to successfully implement effective Health Information Technology in the current Health Sector, there are various barriers that stakeholders have to overcome. To begin with, there are costs related to provision of training staff to be acquainted with the technology; a research has also indicated that health centers may spend tens of millions of dollars to offer training to their staff so that they may access the proper operational skills (www.healthcare-informatics.com). The application of Health Information Technology also involves installation of several imperative networks like the interoperability system that enables the system to provide information by use of a common language. There is also the Health Information Exchanges (HIE’s) that facilitate sharing of information between different health facilities and organizations (www.healthcare-informatics.com). Consequently, research has shown that currently most health facilities through the national government fund are focusing on implementing the Computerized Physician Order Entry also known as the CPOE. This is a component of the Electronic Health Record that enables the Physicians and other health practitioners to order required drugs as well as laboratory tests in a digital mode. It is believed that the CPOE system reduces medical errors by approximately 55% (LeapFrog Group pg.37) Despite the advantages of the technologies used in the health sector, studies have shown that they may cost large amounts of financial resources which may affect other aspects of the society. The application of the Computerized Physician Order Entry for instance, is estimated to cost USD 150 million (LeapFrog Group pg.41) The other costs associated with the implementation of the Health Information Technology are the wages and salaries of various health technology experts. Studies conducted indicate that an amount of USD 8,500 may be used to pay Electronic Health Information operators on an annual basis. The Electronic Health Information systems also have extremely hefty price tags of approximately USD 44,000 UD (Department of Health 26). Discussion Usability of the Health Information Technology Systems The operation of the current health information technology systems has posed a great challenge to both health practitioners and policy makers. The first imperative challenge has been on how to handle this technology effectively; the complexity of some of the health information technologies requires thorough training to equip the operators with proper operational skills. Such kind of training may lead to extra costs. The operation of the Electronic Health Records requires special skills of both health records and the electronic aspects of the system; this may not be easily handled by health practitioners who do not possess the desired electronic skills (info@allhealth.org). However, much effort has been directed towards providing efficient training to health practitioners on how to successfully handle the gadgets. Studies have also shown that governments and other stakeholders are investing substantial amounts of funds to promote training of health specialists on the use of HIT: This is as a result of its complexity. Interoperability of the Health Information Technology The corpus of interoperability encompasses the capacity of various health information technologies, systems and health software to transfer information, to share imperative health data consistently with high levels of accuracy and efficacy. The modern health information technologies have been designed in a manner that they exhibit high level of connectivity by communicating through the same medical language (info@allhealth.org). One example of the modern health information technology that has exhibited characteristic of inter-connectivity is the Health Information Exchanges: This system involves the collection of pertinent health data by use of digital materials; the information is collected from various organizations or health facilities within a society in a certain region. The fundamental function of the Health Information Exchanges is to enable health service providers to exchange and share health information as they maintain its accuracy and meaning. Health Information Exchanges are majorly operated by Regional Health Information Organization (RHIO); the Regional Health Information Organization is a characteristically multi-stakeholder organization that conducts most of its functions in a certain geographical area to ensure that there is security in the manner in which fundamental health data is exchanged. This crucial function of the RHIO also promotes the provision of high quality health care services (info@allhealth.org). Health Information Technology and Legislative Requirements There are various rules and regulations that have been applied to guide the application of the Health Information Technology in the Health Sector. Some of these rules have been formulated to govern the privacy of information in the health sector while others are ascribed to enforcement issues. One of the rules that have been implemented to ensure there is privacy in Personal Health Information Technology is the HIPPA Privacy rule in the United States that was formulated and implemented to establish certain limits in which an individual can access his/her as well as other people’s personal health information. The specifics of this privacy rule also extends towards setting benchmarks on how to store pertinent personal health information and the pre-requisite with which an individual must posses before he/she accesses the health information. The HIPPA Privacy rule also stipulates the ground under which an individual may be denied access to certain health information for instance: An individual may be denied access to certain Personal Health Information concerning certain psychotherapy data, data meant to be used in some legal proceedings or if the information is kept for laboratory use. The HIPPA also stipulates certain requirements that govern the access of Protected Health Records; under the HIPPA, such health records may not be accessed by any other third party without the authority of the owner of the records (healthit.hhs.gov). Reasons for Institution’s Implementation of Health Information Technology The current global population has been increasing on a daily basis; this has created pressure on the available health facilities. The pressure has been as a result of the manual modus operandi which consumes a lot of time; there have also been issues of high level of human error leading to consumption of more time in making corrections. This has create the need for a more efficient and effective mode of operation in health service provision; the Health Information Technology (healthit.hhs.gov). Availability of financial capital mobilized through the use proposal writing to various stakeholders, donors and government has created a condusive environment for investment in a more efficient method of providing health care services; this is another reason that has driven most health care centers to implement Health Information Technology (healthit.hhs.gov). Consequently, owing to improved formal education in most societies, there have been adequate human resources that have also driven the desire to implement Health Information Technology. Qualified Human Capital is imperative in promoting successful and effective heath information services through their services. This is also another driving force that has made most health care centers to invest in health information technology. Availability of Qualified Workers to Manage Health Information Systems Health Information Technology is a new concept in the Health Sector; the initial stages of implementing such technology requires various specific skills that may not be possessed by some o the health practitioners in most health centers. This scenario may force most d the health centers and other health institutions to hire external health information experts to provide comprehensive training to their staff. The external experts may be hired specifically to offer training on how to handle; electronic health records that requires high levels of accuracy skills as well as basic knowledge on how to effectively manage electronic materials associated to health service provision. Other areas in the health information technology where external assistance may be required, are the management of the Health Information Exchanges (HIE’s) and the Computerized Physician Order Entry. These are extremely sensitive aspects of health information technology that requires persons with adequate knowledge and skills for efficient operation (healthit.hhs.gov). Effects of Health Information Technology on Privately Owned Physician Health Offices The implementation of the Health Information Technology has a significant effect on the privately owned health centers. To begin with, a good number of population are currently seeking health services in health institutions that utilize new technologies due to the belief in high quality health services ascribed to these technologies. In the privately owned health offices, the managements may not be in a position to afford such facilities hence may end up losing their clients. Reduced number of clients in the privately owned health offices has led to low income to the private health practitioners (info@allhealth.org). However, a few private health centers that have taken the initiative to implement such modern technologies have recorded high level of performance. This has been due to the efficiency in operation resulting to increased number of clients who are majorly attracted to their high quality service provision. Fees Paid to Licensing Committee There are fees paid to access operational licenses which permit the ownership and the utilization of various Health Information Technologies. The amount of fees varies from one region to another depending on the type and the modes of use. Certified health practitioners and health centers have to provide the legal permits that give them the authority to act as health service providers in order to be given the mandate to purchase the equipment. This fundamental reason for conducting this process is to ensure that illegal health practitioners do not have access to these health technologies. Additionally, the process promotes the eradication of health issues that may arise due to misuse of the health information technologies. Conclusion The world is rapidly changing in many aspects, health issues being one of the main areas of focus; increasing human population and ever rising incidences of disease outbreaks has created the need for proper medical care. Technological development has been recognized as one of the most imperative solution to the provision of quality human health services. Therefore, it is imperative for any society to encourage research and innovation in the technological dimension in order to encourage proper health service provision. The development of such technology may also be studied from organizations that are considered pioneers in health information technology for instance: The Community Health Information Technology Alliance (CHITA) that operates in Washington DC with the aim of disseminating information concerning the use of technology in health care (www.chita.org). The use of HIT has had a great impact on health service provision, although the initial stages in the use of such technology has been characterized by slow modes of operation since most of the health service providers may are not familiar with their usage. Individual training on how to use the new technologies may costs high amounts of financial capital, however, the long term benefits are more imperative. Work Cited Journals of Annals Internal Medicine." 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N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2012. . Johnson, Wood . Health Information Techology. New York: Alliance for Health Reform, 2008. Print. Read More