...Information Technology in Healthcare Administration 5 November 2014 EMR/EHR Systems Between smart phones, tablets and the web technology has radically transformed our world. All of these advances have made it so that the healthcare system needs to keep up at a very fast rate. This has pushed healthcare facilities, providers to go onto and create the electronic health record/electronic medical record (EHR/EMR). We all have asked ourselves, why the need of EHR/EMRs? There are many answers to this one question, but one answer that stands out is very simple, EHRs has made it very accessible to a patient’s medical records and avoid trying to read poor penmanship that can cause medical errors. The patient’s whole medical history is there with the click of a button, medication/allergies can be crossed referenced between providers. Researchers have found benefits to having EHRs and those are clinical, organizational and societal outcomes. (healthit.gov) 1. Clinical outcome a. Improves the quality of care b. Reduces errors c. Improvements and appropriateness in patient level 2. Organizational outcome d. Standardized billing e. Operational performance 3. Societal outcome f. Improvement to conduct research (heatlhit.gov) The clinical outcome of the EHR has been most of the focus of the EHR. When we say clinical outcome, we think quality of care and patient safety. In the EHR there are six clinical dimensions researchers focus on but only three...
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...Hospital Association (AHA) commissioned iParsimony, LLC, to conduct a study to investigate hospital experiences with implementation of Meaningful Use Stage 1 electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs). The study describes the experience with and impact of eCQM implementation in four hospitals – large and small, urban and non-metropolitan – each of which had significant experience with electronic health records (EHRs) prior to Meaningful Use and uses a different EHR from a different vendor company. The findings described in the case study are derived from interviews conducted with key leaders and operational staff directly involved in the oversight and management of eCQMs. Based on the experiences of the hospitals in this case study, the current approach to automated quality reporting does not yet deliver on the promise of feasibility, validity and reliability of measures or the reduction in reporting burden placed on hospitals. Specific policy changes are needed, starting with Stage 2 Meaningful Use, to redirect the electronic clinical quality reporting requirements to focus on a small set of well-tested measures supported by a mature policy infrastructure that can guide valid and feasible measure development, testing and implementation. Background In the past 10 years, there has been an unprecedented expansion in the number and type of quality measures hospitals are required to report for federal programs. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Hospital Inpatient...
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...Individuals with Health IT to Improve their Health and the Health Care System Appendix A: Performance Measures Appendix B: Programs, Initiatives, and Federal Engagement Appendix C: HIT Standards and HIT Policy Committees Information Flow Appendix E: Statutes and Regulations Appendix F: Goals, Objectives, and Strategies Appendix G: Acronyms ONC Acknowledgements Notes 3 6 7 8 21 28 36 49 51 65 67 70 74 77 77 78 Goal V: Achieve Rapid Learning and Technological Advancement 43 Federal Health IT Strategic Plan 3 Introduction he technologies collectively known as health information technology (health IT) share a common attribute: they enable the secure collection and exchange of vast amounts of health data about individuals. The collection and movement of this data will power the health care of the future. Health IT has the potential to empower individuals and increase transparency; enhance the ability to study care delivery and payment systems; and ultimately achieve improvements in care, efficiency, and population health. However, these technologies – including electronic health records (EHRs), personal health records (PHRs), telehealth devices, remote monitoring technologies, and mobile health applications – are remarkably underutilized today. In 2010, only 25 percent of physician offices and 15 percent of acute care hospitals took advantage of EHRs. i...
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...EMR Research & Opinion Paper Produced by: Jeremy Averella EMR Course Fall 2013 EMR Research & Opinion Paper Produced by: Jeremy Averella EMR Course Fall 2013 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Advantages of EHRs 2 a. Cost Containment 2 b. Empowerment 3 c. Improved Communication 4 d. Less Waste 4 e. Compliance 5 II. Disadvantages of EHRs 6 a. Lack of Standardization 6 b. Security & Privacy Concerns 7 c. System Infrastructure Issues 8 d. Risk of Liability and Patient Uncertainty 8 III. EHR Technology 9 a. EHR Benefits 10 b. EHR Types 11 c. EHRs Future Evolution 13 d. EHR Technology versus Handheld SMART devices 14 IV. Trends and Consequences 15 a. Aggressive Implementation 16 b. High Costs 16 c. Labor Investment 17 d. Opportunity Cost 17 e. Impact on Researchers, Policymaker and Educators 18 V. Final Opinion 19 VI. Bibliography 22 VII. Appendix I 28 VIII. Appendix II 31 I. Advantages of EHRs In an effort to reign in rising health care costs and increased health care disparity and inequality in the U.S., former president George W. Bush doubled the funding for Health Care Information Technology to 100 million in 2005 (The White House). It was part of a larger plan to utilize latest information technology to standardize patient and health records, which despite spending 1.6 trillion dollars, attributed to 98,000 medically related errors in 2004. The plan was part of his campaign promise and was reiterated in his January 20...
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...doing good work, we must eliminate wasteful and frivolous medical lawsuits” (Bush, 2004). “President Bush outlined a plan to ensure that most Americans would have electronic health records within the next ten years. Bush believed that innovations in electronic health records and the secure exchange of medical information would help transform health care in America – improving health care quality, preventing medical errors, reducing health care costs, improving administrative efficiencies, reducing paperwork, and increasing access to affordable health care” (The White House, n.d.). The ten years following the 2004 State of the Union Address allowed development of electronic health records (also known as EHRs) to be adopted into health care facilities across the nation. An EHR is defined the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services as “an electronic version of a patients’ medical history, that is maintained by the provider over time, and may include all of the key administrative clinical data relevant to that persons care under a particular provider, including demographics, progress notes, problems, medications, vital signs, past medical history, immunizations, laboratory data and radiology reports” (CMS, 2012). Medical facilities had to learn to adopt to having electronic patient records which has helped cut down the percentages of medical error....
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...According to Health Services Research Information Central, the definition of health informatics is, “the interdisciplinary study of the design, development, adoption, and application of IT-based innovations in healthcare services delivery, management, and planning.” Healthcare informatics is used to gather, analyze, and interpret data and information about patients and treatments. This information, along with business and management information, is used to interpret how things are and to develop a better, more efficient and more cost effective method of operation. The big question is, how does healthcare informatics and technology effect or impact the development and implementation of healthcare law? One of the most effective technologies that has been widely adopted already is electronic health records. EHR are systems that track and record patient information. It also makes them more accessible and easier to share and communicate between doctors, patients and insurance companies. Electronic health records help control costs effectiveness of an organization by communicating information in a timely manner and helps secure payments more effectively than paper billing. With all of the changes and easier access to a patient’s confidential records, obviously healthcare laws and regulations would change in order to protect patient safety. With the positive effects of EHR, it also...
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...potentially saving millions of dollars. The EHR is a longitudinal electronic record of patient health information compiled from all the different encounters that an individual comes upon in various different medical care settings and automates all the data, allowing providers to have all the information in one electronic record. Electronic health records have enormous benefits to offer the healthcare industry, an important one being that they are permanent and cannot be lost; however, it is imperative that all facilities take the time, effort, and resources to incorporate it into their systems. Electronic Health Records: Transforming Today’s Healthcare The electronic health record and the use of clinical informatics have made great strides in improving the quality of care we provide for the population and also saving the industry millions of dollars. “The EHR has the ability to generate a complete record of a clinical patient encounter - as well as supporting other care-related activities directly or indirectly via interface - including evidence-based decision support, quality management, and outcomes reporting.” (HIMSS, 2011) Nurses play an important role in helping to facilitate the success of the EHR because they are often at the forefront in the documentation process in many healthcare settings. The EHR uses clinical document architecture (CDA) data standards. Using one type of standard and structure allows the EHR to be used in all different settings...
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...becoming increasingly useful and implemented more frequently by health care providers throughout the United States. This technology may include Electronic Health Records (EHR) or Electronic Medical Records (EMR). The shift towards implementing Electronic Health Records has a significant influence on the quality of care provided by health care providers; however, some providers still stick to the basic paper documentation due to skepticism and disregard the benefits to adopting new technologies. Many questions arise when a health care provider is interested in adopting EHR’s, such as why adopt EHR’s? What are the benefits of EHR’s in relation to paper documentation? What steps need to be taken in order to adopt and implement EHR’s? What barriers will be encountered during the decision making process and how will these barriers be addressed? A health practice interested in adopting and implementing an EHR system must establish priorities, identify potential risks and how to avoid or overcome these risks, outweigh the pros and cons, set goals, and adhere to strict guidelines to ensure adopting a successful system. The terms Electronic Health Records (EHR) and Electronic Medical Records (EMR) are often used interchangeably by health care providers when in fact there is a subtle difference between EHRs and EMRs. Electronic Medical Records and Electronic Medical Records are both digital versions of a patient’s medical history and information; however EMRs are designed to...
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...network. The Office of National Coordinator (ONC) for Health Information Technology was created in 2004. The ONC is currently collaborating with RHIOs in an effort to implement and use the most advanced health information technology and the exchange of health information. (4) Since there are multiple exchanges, varying standards and architecture, the ability to establish uniform data and transmission standards has been difficult. Thus the ONC is still in the process of collaborating working on developing standards and compliance monitoring programs. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has supported state and regional coordination of health care IT systems for years. In 2007 the Texas State legislature the Texas Health Services Authority (THSA) in promoting and coordinating the implementation and exchange of HIE in Texas. (5) In 2014, the traditional funding received from the State HIE Cooperative Agreement program had expired. The THSA has developed a strategic plan on continuing to guide the HIEs in meeting the increased demand...
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...financial incentives. The HR manager is responsible for recruitment, the fundamental role, ensuring each department within the organization is adequately staffed, compensation, and benefit packages, and keeping employees motivated. While monetary rewards have been linked to motivation so have non-monetary rewards. Some non-monetary rewards include; recognition, communication, flexible working hours, wellness programs, and education and development programs. Introduction A Forbes article investigating the significance of positive work environments mentions, a fundamental benefit creating a favorable environment is the effect it has on motivating employees. The article continues by stating, ‘Employees that are happy tend to be more productive, which is better for a business’ (Forbes, 2013). Showing that there is a correlation employee satisfaction/perception and a company’s success. Rahimli in an article refers to the changing environment, and how critical it is to keep abreast with changes in innovation, to be effective and efficient. Rahimli further remarks, if organizations aid in enhancing the skills of their employees with training, the author alleges the employee’s performance will improve. Training is indeed one way non-monetary way to motivate employees, the skills they learn can be used where ever they may go. Key words Human Resources, Human resources in Health Care, 'the function or role', (non-financial) and (non-monetary), 'motivation or incentive', motivation...
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...Case Analysis One Ronak Thesiya HEA616-90: Strategic Leadership Health Care (03/27/2015) Geisinger Health System (GHS) is a major delivery network which provides medical care in northeast and central Pennsylvania. The network is leaded by physicians. It covers population of 41 counties out of the 67. GHS is made up of approximately 700 physicians, three hospitals, and an alcohol and drug treatment center. Geinsinger Medical Center, a large tertiary/quaternary teaching hospital located in Danville, Pennsylvania is also a part of GHS. GHS has 41 community practice locations with more than 200 primary care physicians. These community practices are dedicated to provide the convenient care to the community population. The system also includes Geisinger Health Plan, one of the largest not-for-profit rural managed care companies in the country, serving approximately 210,000 members. GHS also has two research centers. Advances in basic sciences, population-based healthcare delivery models and clinical trials research are amongst the many work done by research centers. GHS has a well-developed Electronic Health Record (EHR) consisted of more than three million records. GHS generates approximately $1.6 billion revenue every year. GHS is one of the nine health systems in the United States with an AA bond rating. EHR access is provided to all participants, including physicians, care managers, and consumers. Consumer EHR features include Internet-based lab results display and results...
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...Institute for Health Technology Transformation Population Health Management A Roadmap for Provider-Based Automation in a New Era of Healthcare Acknowledgements Alide Chase, MS Senior Vice President for Quality and Service Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. & Kaiser Foundation Hospitals Connie White Delaney, PhD, RN, FAAN, FACMI School of Nursing Professor & Dean Academic Health Center Director, Biomedical Health Informatics (BMHI) Acting Director of the Institute for Health Informatics (IHI) University of Minnesota Don Fetterolf, MD, MBA Principal Fetterolf Healthcare Consulting Robert Fortini VP & Chief Clinical Officer Bon Secours Health System Paul Grundy, MD, MPH Global Director of Healthcare Transformation IBM President Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative Richard Hodach, MD, PHD, MPH Chief Medical Officer Phytel Michael B. Matthews Chief Executive Officer Central Virginia Health Network Margaret O’Kane President National Committee for Quality Assurance Andy Steele, MD, MPH, MSC Director, Medical Informatics Denver Health 2 Dear Colleagues, Population health management has been around for a while, but only recently has it gained serious attention from mainstream healthcare organizations. The reason is simple: healthcare reimbursement is changing, and hospitals, healthcare systems, and physician groups must adapt to a new world in which providers are rewarded for meeting quality objectives for their entire patient panel, and not just those actively...
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...the role of information systems on productivity? Table of Contents Introduction 1 Literature review 2 Problem analysis and discussion 3 Electronic Health Records (EHR): 4 Computerized physician order entry (CPOE): 8 Conclusion 9 Recommendation 10 References 11 Introduction The healthcare industry is undergoing a drastic change in the modern world where the imprints of information technology (IT) are expanding and the combination of these two industries is leading to a new era of computerized hospital information systems. Baker (2008). The importance of information technology cannot be over emphasized for two major reasons, first, where a high level of accuracy is required (which can be fulfilled by digital mediums) and second, where a large size of transactional data exists and the requirement of analyzing this data supersedes (which can be fulfilled by having large databases and analyzing them using IT tools). There are numerous IT based applications in the environment and it has really become a challenge for the CTO of a healthcare facility to decide over the progressive plan for adoption of IT based systems in the purview of health information technology (HIT), computerized physicians order entry (CPOE), electronic health record (EHR) and many other similar programs found across the world. The primary question raised against any kind of IT investment is “how the proposed IT system will improve productivity, tender financial benefits and achieve...
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...evolution of the market and there are descriptions of what Greek companies offer. Moreover implementation measures are presented, along with progress achieved with respect to national and regional eHealth solutions in EU and EEA Member States. Table of Contents 1. The National Health System 1 1.1. Organizational structure 1 1.2. Some facts & figures 1 2. What is eHealth, definitions, areas of application, benefits 5 2.1. What is eHealth 5 2.2. Forms of eHealth 5 2.3. Benefits of eHealth 6 3. eHealth framework in European Union countries 7 3.1. eHealth Action Plan 2012 - 2020 7 3.2. eHealth in the European Countries 8 4. Application of eHealth practices 10 4.1. Electronic Health records (EHR) 10 4.1.1. Examples of current EHR use 10 4.1.2. Electronic Health Record in Greece 12 4.1.3. Summing up 14 4.2. Interoperability 15 4.2.1. Defining Interoperability in Healthcare Systems 15 4.2.2. Most widely used contemporary Interoperability standards in Healthcare 16 4.2.3. EPSOS (European Patients Smart Open Services) 17 4.2.4. Interoperability in Greece Healthcare Informatics 18 4.3. Telemedicine & Telecare 19 4.3.1. Types of Telemedicine 20 4.3.2. Services Provided by Telemedicine 20 4.3.3. What Delivery Mechanisms Can Be Used? 20 4.3.4. Telemedicine in Greece...
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...record (EHR) system. Currently, the clinic still conducts patient care using paper health records. Mr. Magone and the physicians have discussed the option, and they realize that EHR usage is proven to improve the quality and safety of patient care. In fact, they all believe in implementation of the EHR so much that Mr. Magone has incorporated EHR implementation into Yorkshire Clinic's strategic plan. Recently, the company determined that your organization qualifies for government incentives—under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical (HITECH) Act of 2009—with successful EHR implementation. Mr. Magone and the physicians realize that EHR implementation will be costly and will take time, but they are willing to make the investment. There is widespread support for the endeavor, and everyone has agreed to be part of the steering committee to guide project development. The various stakeholders include physicians, nurses, administrators, and patients. There have been several meetings in which the end-users have been afforded the opportunity to ask questions and provide their feedback about the initiative. There is growing enthusiasm among physicians and clinicians about the possibilities that EHR implementation will bring. Mr. Magone has made it clear that patient needs are driving the project. He wants to ensure that EHR design is driven by patient care and satisfaction. He also wants to make sure that proper work-flow planning occurs and areas where EHR use could...
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