Using the Computerized Management Systems - Research Paper Example

Computerized Management Systems Introduction The use and adoption of computerized health care systems in recent times has seen a considerable improvement in the quality of patient health care management. Such benefits accrued to computerized health care systems include the following: first there is proper management of sound information (Frans Turisco, 2008), enhanced capability of maintaining professional standards in health care delivery, lower operation costs and efficient utilization of equipment as well as automation of repetitive tasks. How using the computerized management systems could increase quality of care Computerized management systems have increased quality of care in in several ways that include the following: Improved communication between doctors With the adoption of interoperable health care systems, sharing of information such as lab results and patient information has been well facilitated between medical practitioners, clinics, healthcare providers and pharmacists. This tends to harmonize consultation process that improves the delivery of healthcare. There is improved quality in support in emergency room The cumbersome nature of doctors in Emergency room(ER) that operate without computerized systems always delivers (Goldsmith, 2010) dismal performance as they have to work with manual student records. It is through the availability of interoperable tools that clinicians are well able to make sound decisions that improve their chances of saving lives and minimizing suffering. Furthermore it is through the consistency of computerized health care systems that provide personalized patient experience. There is easier access to evidence-based medicine Through computerized management healthcare systems, its interoperability nature is able to provide clinicians with access to updated medical decision support. Furthermore they are capable to provide (Goldsmith, 2010) standard protocols to multiple medical situations. Clinicians and especially doctors will be better placed to select the protocol they find suitable and which can be revised from time to time to improve the standards health care practices. Types of computerized health care systems There are many types of computerized health care that can be adopted in any clinical settings. Common to these are electronic medical record systems (EMR). These are systems that provide for a paperless interoperable medical recording system. The present reality of these systems have been greatly favored on grounds of offering quality and cost effective means of handling medical information and data. Secondly we have the electronic healthcare record systems (EHS). This unlike the electronic medical recording systems (EMS), provides a means for which patient records are distributed across several institutions (Frans Turisco, 2008). This furthermore allows for knowledge and decision-support systems that improves quality and safety of patients care across different healthcare sectors. These are just but a few among several computerized healthcare systems that are used in the medical scene and which can be implemented at clinical level to improve the quality of health care services. Roles nurses in the planning, choice and implementation of the computerized healthcare systems Just like physicians nurses provide an important view of the in the implementation of healthcare systems (Goldsmith, 2010). Assuming the hospital is to deploy an Electronic healthcare recording system (EHR). It would be recommended that nurses are given a participatory role in the implementation process. These would be in the following areas: Data security Since nurses are more informed on how data security can be breached, there input would be essential in providing strategies in which securities will be placed around EHR systems. Documentation process Deployment of HER systems requires a detailed documentation process that will harness decision making process. This will entail the choice of hardware as well as its placement in a hospital setting. The involvement of nurses in this process will be essential as they have an in-depth understanding of their hospital environment. User training Not much can be expected in training system users if nurses are involved in the training process. This is considering the fact that nurses are more involved with these systems as compared to any other entity (Frans Turisco, 2008). Therefore their participation will be deemed useful even in training physicians as they are always in direct contact with them. This is important in the onset of implementation of such systems. Health care maintenance The adoption of computerized management healthcare systems comes with changes that interrupt convectional workflow process. Nurse input in the planning and implementation of such systems helps streamline and harmonize recurrent workflow processes that evolve with the adoption of such systems. How handheld devices used by the nursing staff could be integrated into the management systems for better quality of care. By adopting the use of handheld devices, nurses will be facilitated with a point-to-point communication with enhanced capability to interface with other technologies. These interfacing devices can be integrated through use of various capabilities which includes: messaging, use of mobile applications so as to link people, data as well as patient events. Also handheld devices can achieve this through two fundamental approaches which are: connectivity and reporting (Frans Turisco, 2008). Through connectivity, the use of handheld devices allows for sending and receiving of information via the use of multiple communication systems, sensor devices and medical equipment. Reporting entails keeping note of all events. This involves the use of handheld devices to monitor resources and events as well as provide for a response mechanism. These are some of the ways handheld devices can be integrated in computerized healthcare systems to allow for delivery of quality healthcare delivery as rendered by nurses. How the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements impact the use of the systems The use of HIPAA security rules best applies to protection of health care information, this affects health based information either communicated or managed in electronic media. The implementation of HIPAA is designed to: minimize healthcare administrative costs, facilitate confidentiality (Data Preserve, 2010) as well as mobility of patient information, creation of consistent standards in healthcare industry as well as delivering incentives for electronic communication. HIPAA further seeks to establish contingency plans that are implemented in three key plans. These are a data back-up plan that aims to establish procedures that develop and manages copies of electronic health information. Secondly the requirements for disaster recovery plans aimed at establishing procedures responsible for restorations of lost data (Data Preserve, 2010). Also an emergency mode operation plan which is critical to facilitate continuous protection and security of electronically protected health care information during emergency situations. How new systems can affect health care costs Investing in computerized healthcare systems should be considered as an investment rather that a cost. This is due to the its long term returns on time savings, improved and quality healthcare, saved lives and reduced paper works. However it is worth noting that implementation of computerized healthcare systems presents an incomplete implementation as such costs are evaluated speculatively rather that as an exact quoted value (Data Preserve, 2010). Since it is therefore considered as an investment, true returns will only depend on how thoroughly they have been implemented and integrated in healthcare institutions. Benefits these new systems can offer to patient care and nursing care delivery. The new systems would benefit the hospital in the several ways which include: improved quality and safety of patients by facilitating adequate timely response to changes in patient conditions (Goldsmith, 2010). Secondly the new systems would be beneficial in maintaining clinical guidelines through timely compliance. Furthermore these systems would enhance user compliance through advanced notification features aimed at addressing timely delivery of medical services. Recommend the system you think the team should purchase. I would recommend the purchase of a computerized health care alert system. This system would be essential in providing a decision support system that aims at providing continuous monitoring of patient data. I would this system as it would ensure efficient responses to changes in patient conditions. Presently there exists such system provider such as Horizon Care Alerts that develops and provides support for alert based systems. Reference Data Preserve. (2010). Online Backup and Storage and HIPAA Compliance. Data Preserve LLC. Frans Turisco, J. R. (2008). Technology, Equipped for Efficiency: Improving Nursing Care Through. Oakland: Carlifornis Health Care Foundation. Goldsmith, S. B. (2010). Principles of Health Care Management: Foundations for a Changing Health Care System. Jones & Bartlett Learning. Read More