Health Information Technology (IT)

In 2009, a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act enacted. The U.S. federal government contemplates using health information technology (health IT) in improving the quality of patient care and reducing the cost of healthcare. Current federal acts as the Patient and Affordable Care Act, and activities as creating the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMI) impact the adoption of health information technology. This legislation drives the federal government to set specific regulatory standards to ensure effective use of health IT.

With this legislations and laws not all providers and hospitals are using Electronic Health Record (EHRs) efficiently. Consequently, the meaningful use of EHRs plan was created to support the use of EHRs. This plan ensures adoption of certified technology that supports clinical decisions, improved healthcare and patient outcomes. Meanwhile, healthcare organizations work on stage 1 and some reach stage 2, but stage 3 is scheduled to being in 2016. These phases guide healthcare providers to use EHRs in meaningful ways.

Further, the privacy and security of health information concern providers. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) rules are followed to protect the privacy and security of health information. The HIPAA security rules have been practiced for a while; however, after the passage of the HITECH Act, the rules applied directly to healthcare organizations. These rules required healthcare facilities to evaluate leadership safeguards, the physical areas where the records and the data are maintained, and the authority of who can access these records. Each organization must ensure that there is no potential vulnerability of inappropriate access or use of EHRs to avoid penalties. Fines and penalties can be up to $1.5 million.

In brief, the U.S. federal government intended billion of dollars to decrease healthcare cost and improve the quality of patient care. This Act obligates health care organizations to adopt EHRs and the exchange of health data. HIPAA security and privacy rules are practiced to protect the security, integrity, and confidentiality of the EHRs. Moreover, The Joint Commission (TJC) agency accrediting hospitals for meeting federal standards and practiced HIPAA security and privacy rules. As these standards continue to develop and facilitate the change in how healthcare is delivered, the continued use of IT will enhance the creation of new healthcare delivery models.

References

Murphy, J. (2010). Nursing Informatics. The Journey to Meaningful Use of Electronic Health Records. Nursing Economic$, 28(4), 283-286.

Narcisse, M., Kippenbrock, T. A., Odell, E., & Buron, B. (2013). Advanced Practice Nurses' Meaningful use of electronic health records. Applied Nursing Research, 26(3), 127-132. doi:1016/j.apnr.2013.02.003

Nelson, R., & Staggers, N. (2014). Health informatics: An interprofessional approach. Elsevier Mosby.

Scherb, C. A., Maas, M. L., Head, B. J., Johnson, M. R., Kozel, M., Reed, D., & ... Moorhead, S. (2013). Implications of Electronic Health Record Meaningful Use Legislation for Nursing Clinical Information System Development and Refinement. International Journal Of Nursing Knowledge, 24(2), 93-100. doi:10.1111/j.2047-3095.2013.01235.x

Studeny, J., & Coustasse, A. (2014). Personal Health Records: Is Rapid Adoption Hindering Interoperability?. Perspectives In Health Information Management, 1-17.

Health Information Systems & Workflow

Today, health information systems required new nursing competencies and innovative nursing workflow strategies to accommodate the electronic health record systems (EHRs) installed in many healthcare facilities. Nursing workflow defined as the nursing care interventions that delivered to improve the quality of care and outcomes. However, with the adopting of technology in healthcare, the electronic documentation has become a part of the workflow that need to be considered. It is crucial to maintain that functional flow to enhance patient care and outcomes. Equally important is to examine the current information management flow and nursing strategies in containing new technology such as the EHRs.

On the subject of the EHRs, technical issues have been determined in my healthcare organization. For instance, electronic devices such as computers and laptops were too slow, freeze frequently and keep restarting. Also, network issues were associated with these devices such as printers stop working, or the scanners. Nursing documentation in the system took a long time that expected because of these problems. Moreover, data loss was a major issue when all of the hospital information systems crashed and wiped out some vital data. However, considering these issues and work hard to make a difference help my organization to overcome obstacles. Modifying the current technologies was the solution, and different strategies have been utilized for nursing staff, other providers, leaders, and informatics department. 

A data warehouse management system was implemented in my organization over a period of seven months. This project has three models: Oracle warehouse management system, Oracle mobile supply chain Applications, and interface with bar coding system. The goal of this project is to make effective changes to the hospital information systems and solve all the previous problems. The main objectives of this project are:

• Introduce the best practice in warehouse management.

• Optimize resource utilization.

• Ensure inventory accuracy with online updates and ability to raise alerts or to count at the optimal time.

As a result of this project, nurses, and other providers can maintain efficient workflow. By providing the resources and ensuring proper training on the appropriate EHR systems that help nurses to have more efficient workflow and work environment.

Here is an example of tutorial in an organization on EHR system:

References

Frank, J. (2015). These EHR strategies can optimize your workflow. Urology Times, 43(5), 32-34.

Laird-Maddox, M., Mitchell, S. B., & Hoffman, M. (2014). Integrating Research Data Capture into the Electronic Health Record Workflow: Real-World Experience to Advance Innovation. Perspectives In Health Information Management, 1-10.

Retrieved from http://www.himss.org/files/HIMSSorg/content/files/Code%2053%20Workflow%20Analysis%20of%20Nursing%20Documentation%20in%20EHR.pdf

Retrieved from https://www.kfshrc.edu.sa/wps/portal/En/!ut/p/c0/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os_jQEH9nSydDRwN33wA3A09D_1BXc2cjA4MQE_2CbEdFAKZdrrQ!/?WCM_PORTLET=PC_7_UTOC9B1A0GMPF0I1OUE7C20032_WCM&WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/wps/wcm/connect/kfshrc_lib/KFSH_BP/About/MCA+Departments/Medical+And+Clinical+Information/

Yeung, M. S., Lapinsky, S. E., Granton, J. T., Doran, D. M., & Cafazzo, J. A. (2012). Examining nursing vital signs documentation workflow: barriers and opportunities in general internal medicine units. Journal Of Clinical Nursing, 21(7/8), 975-982. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2702.2011.03937.x

Nursing Leadership & Technology

The integration of technology in healthcare system transforms patient care from a physical, activity-based care model to a virtual, consumer-driven model. The challenge to nursing leadership is the integration of rapid technological advances with safe clinical practice. The adopting of the electronic health record (EHR) and informatics has become a core competency at every level in the practice of nursing including nursing leadership. The rapid nature of change requires a framework for design and integration into practice. For this integration to be successful, the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) sets guidelines to assist nurse leaders in leveraging technology.

 

Nurse leaders play a vital role in navigating the needs and requirements of technology to enhance clinical outcomes. Leveraging programs such as The Alliance for Nursing Informatics (AN) Emerging LeaderProgram can help nurse leaders to have better understanding of informatics and their roles in utilizing this change. Also, nurse leaders should plan for long-term goals and a well-defined roadmap with clear steps to successful integration and adoption of technologies. Moreover, the communication and decision-making process should be defined and understandable for all participants. It is important that nurse leaders ensure engagement for all to be part of the change. Thus, identifying evidence base practices and guidelines for nursing leadership will facilitate the process of leveraging technology. For more information please visit: (AONE) guiding principles.

An example to the future of utilizing technology in healthcare: 

References

Page, C. K. (2011). Leveraging Technology for Excellence. Nurse Leader, 9(5), 32-34. doi:10.1016/j.mnl.2011.07.005

Retrieved from http://nursing.advanceweb.com/features/articles/informatics-the-future-of-nursing-practice.aspx