IM/IT Governance and Decision Rights
Give five different examples of simple systems and include the input(s), conversion process, and output(s)? Ensure that there is some feedback between your examples. Appointment –scheduling process of an ambulatory care center as a simple system. Inputs to the system consist, of appointment request from patients; physician schedules; and clinic resources, including personnel, set of actions; the scheduling clerks collect information from patents, match patient requirements to available time slots, and make appointment. Output of this simple system becomes the input for several other functional systems of the clinic, such as, medical records, patient accounting, and others. The conversion process includes a set of actions; scheduling clerks collect information from patients, match requirements to available time slots, and make appointments. The feedback will occur in the form of adjusted information on the number of time slot available as patients are scheduled for the clinic. (Austin and Boxerman’s, 2007).
Admission- the admissions representative works in a team environment to facilitate admissions recruitment and the registration processes for that specific ambulatory care center. This position requires heavy outbound call volume, appointment scheduling, and handling of telephone, mail-in, walk-in, and internet-based (Alpine-college, 2009). The output for this simple system also becomes the input for several other functional systems of the clinic, such as, building a strong relationship with prospective clients and current clients by having the ability to listen and identifying the needs (Alpine-College, 2009). The feedback consist of setting personal goals based on established departmental enrollment requirements, document the admissions process for compliance, make phone calls, set appointments, and do follow-ups (Alpine-College, 2009). Unit coordinator- work in medically related organization and often serve as liaison between the patients and doctors. Health care unit coordinators benefit from being able to connect everyone involved in the hospital, which gives them a level of confidence due to their knowledge of the inner workings of the facility (Ralph Quovardis, 2011). The input consist of greet and check in patients, ensure appointments are scheduled and perform other office duties. To draft and verify birth and death certificates, order supplies, ensure patient schedules are in sync with the physician and nursing staff, graph temperatures and make sure the patients are properly admitted and discharged (Ralph Quovardis, 2011). In addition the output is the same as the input. This feedback comes in the form of managing and ordering equipment that makes the facility functions correctly.
HR management- the input consists of maintaining up-to-date recruitment progress report, talent database and all related staffing communication. Process all local recruitment requests in an effective and efficient manner, and managing orientation program for employee to the business and culture (HRVInet, 2011). The output in some instances becomes the input such as, interface with Group HR and external vendors and suppliers for the implementation of corporate training or training programs to meet the business needs where appropriate. The conversion process include, identifying key skill and propose training needs accordingly. The feedback is managing, communicating, and delivering important projects that affect other parts of the organization. Janitor- The input is to keep office buildings, hospitals, schools, and other places clean. The output consist of Janitors and Cleaners sweep, vacuum, mop and wax floors, clean carpets, dust and polish furniture, clean and supply restrooms, collect and throw out trash, wash walls and ceilings, replace lights, and polish metal work. The conversion process consists of employees working majority of the time alone. Janitors and cleaners may be assigned to work shifts when 24-hour service is needed. The feedback is usually done inside buildings, which are heated and well lit. Sometimes they may work outdoors sweeping walkways and mowing lawns (Calmis, 2011).
Why do closed systems eventually die, while open systems may continue to be upgraded and modified? A closed system is completely self- contained and not influenced by external events. In an open system, the component of the system exchange materials, energies, of information with their environment in which they operate. All closed systems eventually die, and open system can adjust to the environment can survive as systems over time (Austin and Boxerman’s, 2007). Open systems may continue to be upgraded and modified because the environment in which they function and exchange information with the environment influences them. The key environment factors include political, social, and economic variables that influence system performances as well as the physical environment in which the system functions (Austin and Boxerman’s, 2007).
Find examples of the use of cybernetic systems in healthcare, other than the examples provided. According to Pangaro (1994), the example was contrasting artificial intelligence to cybernetic systems. Many individuals mistaken AI as the same as cybernetics, when in reality they are two separate things with two separate meanings. In this article, the author broke down each example for artificial intelligence and cybernetic as followed:
Artificial intelligence Cybernetics
Cognitive systems have an inside and outside. Cognitive systems are autonomous
Organisms map external objects to internal state. Organisms map through an environment
Nervous system stores information back onto them-selves
Truth exist in the world Nervous systems reproduces adaptive relationships Social Agreement is primary objectivity
Find two RHIOs currently in existence. Provide an overview of each RHIO and then determine the differences between them. A Regional Health Information Organization (RHIO) is a group of organizations within a specific geographical area that share healthcare-related information electronically according to national standards. A RHIO typically oversees the means of information exchange and develops healthcare information technology (HIT) standards (search health, 2011).
The RHIO is the essential element of the proposed National Health Information Network (NHIN) in the United States. The key components of the health IT infrastructure is electronic medical record systems lie at the center of any computerized health information system. Meanwhile, without them other modern technologies such as decision support systems cannot become effectively integrated into routine clinical workflow. The paperless, interoperable, multi-provider, multi-specialty, multi-discipline computerized medical record, which has been a goal for many researchers, healthcare professionals, administrators and politicians for the past 20+ years, is however about to become reality in many western countries (Open clinic, 2011).
In addition, personal health records (PHRs) are "electronic application[s] through which individuals can maintain and manage their health information (and that of others for whom they are authorized) in a private, secure, and confidential environment. They have been under development since the mid- to late 1990s. One of the earliest PHR projects was PCASSO (Patient-Centered Access to Secure Systems Online) by the Science Applications International Corporation and the University of California, San Diego (Open Clinic, 2011)..
What governance challenges do RHIOs pose for healthcare organizations in general and specifically for healthcare IM/IT? The governance challenges that RHIO pose for healthcare organizations in and specifically for healthcare are only 14 percent of respondents report that their organization participates in RHIO, and nearly three quarters of respondent report that their organization has not yet begun to plan to participate in a RHIO. This will be a vocabulary item for CIO in the future, and prevalence of RHIO will rise immediately after interoperability is resolved (Austin and Boxerman, 2007).

Reference Page
Alpine College (2009).Admission representative description. Retrieved on July 16, 2011 at alpine college website
Austin, C. J., & Boxerman, S. B. (2008). Information systems for healthcare management
(7th ed.). Chicago: Health Administration Press.
Employment Development Departments Labor Market Information (1997). Janitor and Cleaners. Retrieved on July 16 at calmis.ca. gov website
Human Resources (2011). HR Manager job description. Retrieved on July 16, 2011 at HumanResources.hrvinet website