Strategic Plan for Improvement of Australias Health Information - Essay Example

Strategic Plan for Improvement of Australia’s Health Information System, Based on Assessment 1 Introduction It is apparent from assessment 1 that a health information system is a combination of processes and components with the aim of generating information purpose to enhance management decisions of healthcare of a given health system at all levels (Rodrigues, 2009). The information system ensures that the right information is available to the right people at the right time and therefore it can be used by clinicians for planning purposes (Rodrigues, 2009). In Australia, a number of agencies are involved with the country’s health information system. These are the Australian bureau of statistics and the National Health and Research Council (NHMRC), the health insurance commission as well as the commonwealth (Boyden, 1995). Using the health information system, measuring the health care statistics, notifiable diseases, service delivery as well as the reporting of health care systems has been very easy. Evidently, Every Australians is able to do all these at the comfort of their homes. This paper seeks to develop a strategic plan for improvement of Australia’s health information system, based on assessment 1. The strategic plan will include a brief description of the key areas needing improvement, prioritization of the key areas for improvement and an identification of the strategies for improvement. Additionally, the paper will outline the agencies, groups and committee who will perhaps take responsibility for the improvements. Lastly, the paper will establish a broad timeline for the areas for improvement. Key areas of improvement The Australia’s health information system requires an additional investment in the health system infrastructure such as information storage and telecommunications. This is to support the capabilities necessitated by the health information system. It is vitally, important for a health system to acquire the right infrastructure in which it can operate (Armoni, 2000). Appropriate networks provide a channel for data exchange amongst computers easing the communication between the health practitioners (Tange et al, 1998). Therefore, the health sector of Australia needs an improved virtual network to better the health services. Acquiring the right infrastructure will also lessen the chances of getting the wrong data regarding the patient’s records of treatment and erroneous data because of the data being recorded manually (Jan, et al, 2010). Additionally the health sector of Australia will require maintaining quality electronic health systems for the storage of the patient’s records and information especially on ongoing treatment (Armoni, 2000). Apparently, the right information helps in the decision making of the health care. The high quality information systems are meant to ensure complete and accurate data as incomplete and inaccurate data leads to misguided decisions (Tange et al, 1998). For instance, it is clear in assessment 1 that due to inappropriate test results of Down syndrome led to the termination of two pregnancies, as the ages of the pregnant women were not recorded appropriately (Kwok and Jones, 2005). This therefore means that it is significant to have appropriate records within the Australian health sector, as these will ensure timely and reliable and timely health information as this is the basis of an effective public health action and health system management (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 1994; Tange et al, 1998). Another key area of improvement is getting skilled personnel. It is evident from the first assessment that the Australian health information system is struggling with the increasing demand and cost pressures and inadequate skilled health care workers. As a result of this, efforts need to be put in place to ensure there are sufficient health workers to translate data to information. The Australian government also needs to invest in training adequate personnel to input data that will generate appropriate health information. By so doing, the health sector will ensure accurate as well as complete data for the decision making process of health care management. The users of this system also need to be trained so that they are able to access information and be able to translate it (Crooks et al, 2002). This will enhance health workers and consumer relationships since the health workers will not have a difficult task of explaining literally everything to the consumer (Jan, et al, 2010). Prioritization of the key areas of improvement The Australian health information system is meant to enhance quick access and quality healthcare for all Australians. The information systems of Australia are the best performing in the universe. However due to the demands of the Australian health sector to meet the needs of the ageing populace, the rising rates of chronic diseases for instance cancer and diabetes as well as take lead of improvements in medical and other technology there is need that the identified key areas of improvements be prioritized (Australian Institute of Health and welfare, 1994). To begin with, the government of Australia should begin with improving the health care infrastructure via the health and hospital funds. The government should, through its reforms to the health care programs, support development and design of individually control electronic health record systems (Productivity Commission, 2005). It should be ensured that the system provides the standards as well as tools deemed right to ensure that the key health information of an individual is availed when and where it is needed. Moreover, it should be within the entire health and hospital system while at the same time safeguarding the security and privacy of the patient’s information (National Electronic Health Records Task Force, 2000; National Library of Australia, 1996)). By so doing the government will not only achieve appropriate networks to provide channels for data exchange within the health sectors in the country but also it will enhance long term capability as well as quality and safety of the health care systems of Australia (Jan, et al, 2010). Secondly, the government as well as those in charge of the health sector will ensure that it fights the shortage of skilled personnel by getting highly skilled practitioners and clinicians. In addition, the government will ensure that the staff undergoes training. This is for the reason that the staff needs to be up to date with technology for efficient and reliable to the customers (Carter, 2012). Through training the employees, the health sector will benefit from accurate and complete data deemed right for decision making as well as planning by the health experts (Productivity Commission, 2005). Strategies for improvement The government of Australia is offering around 425 grants for infrastructure to all the general health practices across the country for them to enhance their services (WHO, 2008). The grants are meant to support the extension of the health sector to allow the health practitioners, physiotherapists, diabetes educators, practice nurses and the mental health workers to work in an upgraded environment with modern equipment. Similar to the capital investments the government will venture more in the information technology; electronic health records as well as the modern technology which will ensure the improvement of the health information systems for the delivery of better and safer health services. Moreover, the improvements in technology will ensure that more services are provided within homes of the patients allowing for greater convenience (WHO, 2008). The government will endorse the utilization of health identifiers denoted as (HI). This they can achieve by promoting enforcement projects over a number of health care settings, availing the information on the utilization of health services delivery as well as working together with the territories and states to enhance the utilization of electronic health standards and tools. Besides the government will also ensure an exchange of information amid the territories and states, engage with international institutions as well as take part in the pertinent global, regional and bilateral forums on health issues (National Library of Australia, 1996). The government of Australia has also invested 467 million dollars to develop a secure individually controlled electronic health system, which is meant to enhance the safety of care as well as lessen waste and duplication. Moreover, as a part of the national health reform, Australian government has also invested 1.2 million dollars in training more of the medical specialists as well as the medical staffs to ensure their efficiency (National Library of Australia, 1996). They have also increased the areas into which they offer the training so that they can deliver staff that is more qualified. In addition, the government has committed 390 million dollars to generally aid the nurses’ practices (WHO, 2008). This will allow the nurses to be in a position to practice their full scope ability in an attempt to take care of the patients. Over the next decade, the national government aims at doubling the clinical training scholarships for the students to ensure that the health sector has adequate qualified staff to help achieve the set goals and objectives (National Library of Australia, 1996). In an attempt to ensure that the health sector and the system remains efficient and reliable in delivering safe and secure health services, the government plans on working with other stakeholders to ensure that the health care industry has the right mix of professionals to deliver the health services (Carter, 2012). Agencies/groups/committees taking responsibility for the improvements It is apparent from assessment 1 that the Australian government is the main body taking the responsibilities for improvements and is receiving help from the common wealth organizations. The government is in agreement to work with the common wealth government to deliver a National Health and Hospitals Network, which is perceived as the most important reform to the hospital and health system of Australia. Since, the introduction of Medicare as one of the largest reforms to the federation in the history of the nation (National Library of Australia, 1996). A number of other bodies are involved in this process. They comprise of theAustralian bureau of statistics and the National Health and Research Council (NHMRC), the health insurance commission, all specialist, Medicare practitioners as well as the healthcare workers. All these bodies have their roles to play in the key improvements (Boyden, 1995). Overseeing the Health Information Network Agency has been successfully established is the role of the National Health Information Management Advisory Council (NHIMAC) (Boyden, 1995). On the other hand, the commonwealth government has the role of planning, policy, service delivery arrangements, progress monitoring and the general management of the improvement procedures (Win et al. 38). The main aim of these agencies of improvement is to ensure that the health sector of Australia provides quality services to its customers effectively and efficiently through improved infrastructure such as information storage and telecommunications for the smooth exchange of information across the system and qualified personnel (National Library of Australia, 1996). Timeline for improvements In order for the key areas to be improved in time so as to deliver quality services within the Australian health sector, different duties have to be assigned different duties and given duration within which to deliver. Agency Action Time frame Australian Government and commonwealth government Introduction of Medicare Construction of infrastructure 1 year 5 years Australian government Enhance modern technology Endorse the utilization of health identifiers Enhance a smooth exchange of information Work with other stakeholders Long term 1 year Short term Long term Commonwealth government planning policy service delivery arrangements progress monitoring general management of the improvement procedures Long term Long term Long term Long term Long term Head of medical management Offer training to staff Long term Conclusion It is apparent that the information system ensures that the right information is available to the right people at the right time and therefore clinicians for planning purposes can use it. A number of agencies are involved with the country’s health information system in Australia. The agencies including the Australian bureau of statistics and the National Health and Research Council (NHMRC), the health insurance commission, all specialists, Medicare practitioners as well as the healthcare workers are all taking the responsibility to ensure the improvements of the key areas of improvement identified in the first assessment. They include shortage of trained personnel and inadequate health care system facility. The improvements of these areas will guarantee the health practitioners, physiotherapists, diabetes educators, practice nurses and the mental health workers an upgraded environment with modern equipment. Besides, it will also enhance its service delivery. For the key areas to be improved the assessment has provided a timeline whereby different parties including the Australian government and the commonwealth government have been assigned duties and a duration of time within which to deliver. In conclusion, health informatics is the most substantial infrastructure required to manage health care. Studies indicate that the infrastructure should be independent and in a position to withstand changes. This is because they are the catalysts of the health information systems, establishment, enforcement and utilization. References Armoni, A., (2000). Healthcare Information Systems: Challenges of the New Millennium. London: Idea Group Inc (IGI). Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (1994). Australia’s health 1994. Canberra: AGPS Boyden, K. (1995). Encyclopedia of Medical Organizations and Agencies, 6th Ed. Sydney: Gale Carter, K.M. (2012). Integrated electronic health records and patient privacy: possible benefits but real dangers. The Medical Journal of Australia, 172 (2000), 28-30. Crooks, H. S., Stuart, P. J., and Porton, M., A. (2002). An interventional program for diagnostic testing in the Emergency department.” Medical Journal of Australia Jan,P. 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