Trends in Health Information Systems and Applications (slp4) - Essay Example

TRICARE TRICARE continues to adopt health information systems technology, and serves as a pattern for other health organizations. Being one of the Militaty Health System’s (MHS) components, TRICARE has processed numerous health records through its technology systems, and has contributed largely to health care provision among its constituents. The TRICARE technology systems aim not only to manage the health program, but also to provide convenience to its members, of which some of their information technology (IT) programs are: electronic health records, online enrollment, online drug comparison, and automated patient safety (TRICARE, n.d.).

The military’s electronic health record is the Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application (AHLTA), which provides secure online access to MHS beneficiaries records (Defense Health Information Management System [DHIMS], n.d.). This is an effective system that allows convenient global access to needed records without requiring too much time. With AHLTA, there is an assurance of continued care and enjoyment of benefits. The online enrollment easily allows beneficiaries to update personal information.

This technology is efficient especially in cases new addresses or change of numbers. When the beneficiary logs on the website to update information or enroll in a certain health program, the rest of his or her records are also immediately updated. Online drug comparison permits TRICARE beneficiaries to “check for availability, costs, alternatives and details about the prescription medication all in one place,” (TRICARE, n.d.) thus they are given options on how health care would be provided according to their preferences and needs.

Automated patient safety technology is an important innovation that looks into past and present records and treatment of the beneficiary in order to provide the optimum care and preventing complications at the same time. Through this tool, health care providers are implied with a higher degree of accountability to provide the utmost patient safety. Although the above-mentioned IT systems are all important, the automated patient safety technology is personally seen to be highly vital. Government agencies exceedingly regard patient safety, as evidenced by the MHS patient safety system which carries out root-cause analysis and is used in patient care quality improvement (Institute of Medicine (U.S.) et al., 2003, p. 169).

Through this automated technology adapted by TRICARE, patient safety will be increased by careful consideration of the interventions previously received by the beneficiary for his or her current health plan. References Defense Health Information Management System. (n.d.). About AHLTA. Retrieved from http://dhims.health.mil/userSupport/ahlta/about.aspx Institute of Medicine (U.S.) Committee on Enhancing Federal Healthcare Quality Programs. (2003). Leadership by example: Coordinating government roles in improving health care quality J. C. Corrigan, J.

Eden, & B. M. Smith, (Eds.). N.W. Washington, DC: National Academy of Sciences. TRICARE. (n.d.). Information technology. Retrieved from http://www.tricare.mil/transparency/IT.aspx