Introduction:
“Information is believed to be the lifeblood of medicine, and health information technology is supposed to be the circulatory system for that valuable information.” These lines, aptly quoted by Dr. David Blumenthal, suggest the significance of information technology in the field of healthcare and medicine. Patient healthcare and monitoring have been drastically transformed and improved in unparalleled ways with the inclusion of health information technology (HIT) in the field of medicine, diagnostics, pathology, and even therapeutic techniques. HIT improves the overall quality of patient experience.
What Is Health Information Technology?
Health information technology (HIT) can be referred to as the information technology that is usually applied for designing, developing, analyzing, executing, and maintaining various information systems to improve the quality and efficacy of the healthcare system.
It is being successfully used not only by patients, doctors, scientists, and hospital staff but also by medical researchers, medical insurance companies, public health agencies, pharmaceutical companies for quality assurance, diagnostics, and even government at different levels.
Hence, HIT plays a key role in the advancement of the healthcare system at various levels.
What Are the Components of Health Information Technology?
HIT may include the following:
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Electronic health records (EHRs).
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Personal health records (PHRs).
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Safety and privacy.
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Electronic prescribing (E-prescribing).
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Medical billing software.
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Electronic Health Records - It is the medical history of a patient that is stored electronically in a digital format to help both the patient and the healthcare professional keep a consistent track of the patient’s health and to make follow-ups more effective. EHRs also enable doctors to consult other specialists in a fraction of the time.
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Personal Health Records - It is a health record that is being managed and updated by the patient with regard to their health data, including laboratory reports, treatment details, personal information, etc.
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Safety and Privacy - HIT systems have certain security measures like end-to-end encryption, locks, authentication, antivirus software, and safe passwords. Hence, these electronic systems increase the privacy and protection of the patient’s health information. Those having access to this important information can track and record the data easily.
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Electronic Prescribing - E-prescribing makes it possible for the healthcare professional to send an error-free, easily comprehensible prescription to the pharmacy in order to avoid confusion, provide accurate medications to the patient, and improve patient care. Prescriptions written on a piece of paper might be misread or get lost. So, E-prescribing is convenient.
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Medical Billing Software - Medical bills related problems are simplified with regard to hospital care of the patient. Medical insurance coverage, invoice bills, insurance claims, and maintaining financial reports are handled quite efficiently with the inclusion of medical billing software.
What Are the Uses of Health Information Technology in the Healthcare Industry?
Multiple uses exist with regard to the implementation of health information technology in the healthcare sector. Some of these aim to improve patient care, accurate delivery of healthcare services, and effective communication between the patient and the healthcare practitioner. These include:
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Improved Patient Data Management - Computerized entry of the patient’s health details has enabled the doctors to track the patient’s data easily without the health records being lost or misread. HIT has enabled the medical team to flag the potential errors of writing inaccurate dosages or mentioning drugs to which the patient is allergic. It has made it possible for healthcare professionals to provide medical aid error-free. Also, the doctor is able to add the patient’s X-ray reports, pathology reports, pharmacy records, or other diagnostic investigations in one place. These patient records are easy to read and analyze and can be used for future reference.
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Dental Informatics - Data related to oral health is easily maintained by information technology in the field of dental informatics. The use of digital radiology, cone beam computed tomography, and the use of computerized systems to store data has helped dentists as well as dental patients. It has improved the quality of dental care.
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Nursing Informatics - The nursing staff specialized in information technology can help collect, save, analyze, and optimize the patient’s data in an efficient manner. Nursing informatics is a rapidly growing healthcare field that helps to improve patient care and health outcomes.
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Consumer Healthcare Informatics - Information technology has helped to update the consumers with regard to consumer knowledge, medicine details and usage, disease literacy, and health education. Patients feel more empowered to make their own decisions.
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Prevention of Pandemics or Epidemics - Health information technology has immensely helped in curbing and preventing the global spread of serious epidemics such as COVID-19. Remote health tools for monitoring patients at home, apps that can trace contact spread, online health surveys, and telemedicine platforms, including advanced diagnostic tools, help prevent the spread of such infections worldwide.
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Telemedicine - Information technology has revolutionized the field of telemedicine by wireless, two-way communication, or smartphone technology. This technology has helped improve patient health, medical research, and health education to a vast extent.
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Virtual Reality Set-ups - The virtual reality environment enables the doctor and the patient to communicate through established simulated virtual set-ups. Three-dimensional anatomy models can be simulated for better learning of anatomy and physiology. Mock surgeries can be planned and executed in a virtual operating room. Simulation of emergency cases can also be done for improved patient experience.
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Improved Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Diagnostic Tools - Artificial intelligence has boosted the field of diagnostics by providing error-free diagnosis and helping to detect the medical conditions at an early stage. It suggests the best health services for a good patient experience.
What Are the Drawbacks of Technology in the Healthcare System?
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Privacy and security breaches by hackers.
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The treatment procedure has a considerably high cost.
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Excessive dependence on artificial intelligence and technology.
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Lacks Empathy as a patient is dealing with a machine instead of a live doctor.
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Risk of a cyber attack.
Conclusion:
Health information technology is an emerging new field with numerous benefits and health applications. It has allowed patients to focus on their health rather than hustling to manage their medical care. Accurate, quick, and easily accessible healthcare services, including easy prescriptions, are now possible because of the advent of information technology in the field of healthcare. More effective patient outcomes are possible due to HIT.
