Healthcare information technology (HIT) is the systematic gathering, storage, retrieval, and interchange of healthcare data that may include electronic health records (EHRs), personal health records (PHRs), and electronic prescribing (E-prescribing). Recently, the healthcare system has become increasingly dependent on information systems to improve patient care and quality of life.
Healthcare practitioners rely on information technology capabilities and software to compile data and make it easily accessible to other healthcare professionals, patients, and the general public. Electronic Medical Record software, for instance, helps gather patient health information, including their medical history, test results, and specialist visits, and stores them electronically for staff and patients to access through various portals. EMRs also minimize healthcare professionals' reliance on physical records or hardcopy forms that patients may be required to fill.
Other software, like the Master Patient Index (MPI), which contains information for each patient registered with a healthcare organization, builds an index for all patient records online and connects them to many databases. The MPI also ensures patient data accuracy, minimizing duplicate medical records that could lead to patient claim denials.
Big data, another area of healthcare information technology application, has enabled healthcare professionals and organizations to collect data from a large population and in large volumes faster than before. Scientists and researchers have used information technology to conduct health-related studies, identify disease trends, and perform clinical trials to improve disease treatment and prevention.
Emerging healthcare technology has also enhanced and revolutionized communication within the healthcare sector and between clinicians and patients. Healthcare personnel can communicate via email, cell phones, and text messaging or schedule meetings and conferences through webinars or videos. Similarly, doctors no longer need to schedule or remind patients of appointments by mailing out letters since they can easily call or use reminder apps.
Through improved digital records and communication channels, healthcare information technology also enhances coordination between healthcare facilities because it allows them to access patient health information and efficiently manage combined treatment. Better coordination enhances the patient's experience and lowers the possibility of making potential errors, such as prescribing drugs that are not appropriate for patients.
The development of thousands of healthcare and medical apps is also transforming how the healthcare community approaches patient care. These apps have enabled medical professionals to check prescription dose recommendations and medical information, among other things they may urgently require. Patients can also keep tabs on their health and illnesses, receive medical information, access test results, and receive reminders when it's time for checkups.
Health institutions that invest in information technology can reduce operations costs in various ways. By improving the effectiveness of care delivery, health institutions can reduce the amount spent on resources necessary to give the same quality of care. Health information systems can also enable institutions to streamline and consolidate administrative operations, substantially cutting labor hours and minimizing the need for an additional workforce.
Lastly, telemedicine (the remote delivery of healthcare services through technology) has proven helpful in hard-to-access areas or those with a shortage of healthcare providers. Telemedicine has enabled doctors, and other medical professionals to monitor patients remotely and deliver care and counseling for patients who cannot get to the hospital due to physical inabilities and other issues. Healthcare professionals also use telemedicine to educate and train other workers in rural or remote areas, reducing distance and communication barriers.
Healthcare practitioners rely on information technology capabilities and software to compile data and make it easily accessible to other healthcare professionals, patients, and the general public. Electronic Medical Record software, for instance, helps gather patient health information, including their medical history, test results, and specialist visits, and stores them electronically for staff and patients to access through various portals. EMRs also minimize healthcare professionals' reliance on physical records or hardcopy forms that patients may be required to fill.
Other software, like the Master Patient Index (MPI), which contains information for each patient registered with a healthcare organization, builds an index for all patient records online and connects them to many databases. The MPI also ensures patient data accuracy, minimizing duplicate medical records that could lead to patient claim denials.
Big data, another area of healthcare information technology application, has enabled healthcare professionals and organizations to collect data from a large population and in large volumes faster than before. Scientists and researchers have used information technology to conduct health-related studies, identify disease trends, and perform clinical trials to improve disease treatment and prevention.
Emerging healthcare technology has also enhanced and revolutionized communication within the healthcare sector and between clinicians and patients. Healthcare personnel can communicate via email, cell phones, and text messaging or schedule meetings and conferences through webinars or videos. Similarly, doctors no longer need to schedule or remind patients of appointments by mailing out letters since they can easily call or use reminder apps.
Through improved digital records and communication channels, healthcare information technology also enhances coordination between healthcare facilities because it allows them to access patient health information and efficiently manage combined treatment. Better coordination enhances the patient's experience and lowers the possibility of making potential errors, such as prescribing drugs that are not appropriate for patients.
The development of thousands of healthcare and medical apps is also transforming how the healthcare community approaches patient care. These apps have enabled medical professionals to check prescription dose recommendations and medical information, among other things they may urgently require. Patients can also keep tabs on their health and illnesses, receive medical information, access test results, and receive reminders when it's time for checkups.
Health institutions that invest in information technology can reduce operations costs in various ways. By improving the effectiveness of care delivery, health institutions can reduce the amount spent on resources necessary to give the same quality of care. Health information systems can also enable institutions to streamline and consolidate administrative operations, substantially cutting labor hours and minimizing the need for an additional workforce.
Lastly, telemedicine (the remote delivery of healthcare services through technology) has proven helpful in hard-to-access areas or those with a shortage of healthcare providers. Telemedicine has enabled doctors, and other medical professionals to monitor patients remotely and deliver care and counseling for patients who cannot get to the hospital due to physical inabilities and other issues. Healthcare professionals also use telemedicine to educate and train other workers in rural or remote areas, reducing distance and communication barriers.