The Popular Healthcare Information Systems - Essay Example

Healthcare Information Systems Executive Summary Healthcare Information System (HIS) is a crucial system that is used by modern health facilities to ensure that there are normal operations. As such, most health facilities have taken their staffs through various training to ensure that they are conversant with this kind of technology. Consequently, healthcare information system is divided into three distinct parts which comprise of inputs, processes and outputs. Needless to mention, HIS has six key components that should work collectively in order to be effective in health facilities. These six components are Health Information System resources, indicators, sources of data, management of data, information products and dissemination and use. Once these components are incorporated and utilised in health facilities then it is evident that operations will be effective and efficient. Health Information Systems Apparently, Healthcare Information System is one of the most crucial systems in the health facilities. According to Health Information Systems (2010), there are numerous definitions of the HIS that have been utilized by numerous health facilities. One common definition is that HIS has provision of features that the information management is required by health facilities necessary for the normal operations. Of importance to note is that, information must be sound and reliable to facilitate the basis of making decisions across health system through policy development, governance, health education, training development and other related services. Tan (2005) points out that a section of scholars have equated HIS with monitoring and evaluation of health systems to come up with good health information. Essentially, Healthcare Information Systems are crucial in ensuring that information is dispensed through organizations particularly via EMR, Telehealth, and HMR among others. Key Components of Healthcare Information System Apparently, the HIS has six components that are necessary in ensuring that health facilities are run in a smooth manner. These components include health information systems resources, indicators, information products and dissemination and use, sources of data and management of data, Healthcare Information System Resources According to Sahay, Monteiro & Aanestad (2009), numerous physical and structural requirements should be put in place to ensure that there is building of a strong system for health facilities. These resources comprise of planning, regulatory and legislative frameworks that are crucial in ensuring that HIS functions effectively and efficiently. It is imperative to comprehend the involvement of resources such as personnel, financing, logistic support, IT and Communication systems. In addition, resources further comprise of system needs that range from offices supplies, computer systems, and policies among other issues. Indicators Wager, Lee & Glaser (2013) articulates that indictors have a sole purpose of ensuring that systems within health facilities are monitored effectively. To achieve this, there has to be measurable sets of data that gives reflection of change over time. According to Wolper (2004) before indicators are utilised, they should be checked for validity, reliable, sensitive and specific. It is worth noting that indicators should involve determinants such as health, health system inputs, outputs outcomes and the status of health. Data Sources Data sources entail a combination of sources that are both periodic and continual. Moreover, it provides the best quality information that is efficient. In most cases, data sources are divided in two main sections namely; population based approaches and institutional based data. Population based approaches are civil registration, census and population surveys. On the other hand, institution based data include individuals records, service records and resources records. Nevertheless, some data collection approaches and sources are not inclusive in the two main categories although they might provide crucial information that might not be easy to retrieve from other sources. For instance, occasional health surveys, extensive research and information that revolve around community based organizations. Mechanic (2005) argues that an integrated HIS should be capable of pulling together data from a wide range of sources and further incorporates them into information products that are meaningful through accessibility and usage. Data Management Data management component is one of the most crucial component in HIS and it is a process where all aspects of data handling ranging from collection, storage, quality –assurance and flow which are later processed compiled and analyzed. Moreover, an integrate data repository is mandated to ensure that there is combination of different sources which leads to a wider distribution of data within the designated HIS in health facilities. Consequently, after the collection and storage of data, it is imperative that processing and compilation is immediately done in order to facilitate easier comparison and collation with similar information that is drawn from other sources to ensure that there is no duplication of information. During this time, errors are noted and corrected in order to pass the set standard levels (Health Information Systems, 2010). Information Products This component is dependent on the data collection that is transformed into useful information that is mostly utilised by decision makers in the improvement of healthcare. According to Tan (2005), effective information products must have a strict cycle that ensures proper presentation and implementation that results to a strengthened HIS and thus resulting to a more effective health system. For instance, user dashboards, report, queries and alert allows for easy access of results related to value added information from data analysis. Dissemination and Use This is referred to as the last key component of the HIS that enhances information value to facilitate its availability to decision makers and giving provisions for incentives based on information. In addition, dissemination of information is likely to be utilised in daily basis to facilitate management of health systems. Of importance to note, proper management of health systems can be easily achieved through the placement of greater value on information collection, management and use (Mechanic, 2005). For instance, through connection of data production with its functions the HMN framework that empowers a high percentage of people who make a contribution to strengthening the system. In a general sense, the Healthcare Information System framework has three main categories that are known as inputs, processes and outputs. Scholars have argued that HIS should be simple and sustainable to ensure that it does not overburden health facilities through a high cost of running. Moreover, health workers should be in a position to understand the essence of coming up with data that is of high quality for the general improvement of health. References: Top of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Health Information Systems. (2010). Journal of Hospital Medicine, 5, 100-101. Mechanic, D. (2005). Policy challenges in modern health care. New Brunswick, N.J: Rutgers University Press. Sahay, S., Monteiro, E., & Aanestad, M. (2009). Toward a political perspective of integration in information systems research: The case of health information systems in India. Information Technology for Development, 15, 2, 83-94. Tan, J. (2005). E-Health Care Information Systems: An Introduction for Students and Professionals. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons. Wager, K. A., Lee, F. W., & Glaser, J. P. (2013). Health care information systems: A practical approach for health care management. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Wolper, L. F. (2004). Health care administration: Planning, implementing, and managing organized delivery systems. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Bottom of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Read More