Introduction
Rapid revolution in information and technology is believed to be one of the significant changes that are taking place in the modern society. The emerging technologies have fundamentally redefined the way we live and work, the values we place on social institutions like health and education and even the family. Currently, there are some emerging technologies in the health sector, which are being used to manage healthcare information. It is also widely believed that the technologies have the potential of enhancing health care quality, improve the safety of patients and physicians, and reduce the healthcare cost. However, there are some challenges that affect the adoption of the new technologies, especially when it comes to cost and patient privacy. The essay, therefore, focuses on the emerging technologies in the health care sector and their use in healthcare information management. It also goes further to look at the major issues affecting the adoption of the identified technologies.
Electronic Healthcare Records (EHR)
EHR is one of the main technologies that are fundamentally changing the healthcare sectors, especially when it comes to information management. Sometimes the term HER is used interchangeably with electronic medical records (EMR). However, the two terms are different in that EMR only focuses on data collected in the provider’s office while EHR goes beyond that and it includes comprehensive patient history (Tarmizi, Khazanchi & Noteboom, 2006). EHR, therefore, refers to systems that gather and store patient medical data in a digital way. EHR systems come in different shapes and sizes. There are some EHRs that only gather, store, and share patient data only within a given health center, while others are applicable to a wide information network.
Therefore, EHR plays an important role in managing healthcare information. First, effectively functioning EHR system can collect and store patient information (Tarmizi, Khazanchi & Noteboom, 2006). Secondly, it can be used to supply patient information to health providers on request, and it can also allow health practitioners to enter patient care orders. Consequently, EHR health providers can make informed clinical decisions that are based on evidence, as EHR helps in coordinating patient information and reducing potential errors.
The system can also help health providers to monitor patient data over time and to categorize patients whose dates for hospital visits are due. EHR also give physicians an opportunity to monitor and evaluate how patients fulfil the expectations of certain parameters like blood pressure (Goodman, Gorman & Herrick, 2010). The EHR also ensures the safety of information because it cannot easily be shared with providers who have no authority to access the data. EHR, therefore, helps in healthcare information management and it improves the general quality of health services. However, there are some main issues that affect the adoption of EHR in the health care systems. The primary issue is the implementation cost because it requires a lot of money to be fully implemented in health institution (Gray et al., 2011). Another issue is the difficulty of finding computers to talk to each other. Furthermore, it is not clear the person who owns the data in the EHR, as so many parties can access it (Tarmizi, Khazanchi & Noteboom, 2006). Despite the challenges, EHR has been adopted in many health care institutions across the globe.
Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE)
CPOE refers to the process of health provider entering orders instead of using the traditional paper charts. The design of the system is in such a way that it mimics the workflow of the paper chart. It is a crucial part of EHR system, as it also allows health providers to order for drug prescription and laboratory test through the use of the digital platform. However, the CPOE is sometimes used as a standalone system.
Like EHR, CPOE also helps in effective management of health care information. The main advantage of CPOE in information management is that it significantly reduces errors associated with handwriting when making medication orders (Goodman, Gorman & Herrick, 2010). Some studies have found that CPOE can reduce medication errors by about 55% because it ensures that orders are complete and eligible. Furthermore, it helps in lowering the cost of maintaining data, and it helps physicians to make interventions that are based on evidence. Nevertheless, there are some issues that accompany the adoption CPOE. Time and money that is required to install CPOE are some of the major challenges that are affecting its implementation. The system also has high maintenance and employees training cost. Moreover, it takes years to implement a functioning CPOE fully. Its adoption is also facing resistance from health providers because it disrupts the existing health systems (Liddell, Adshead& Burgess, 2008). Therefore, only a few healthcare institutions are using the technology to tackle a myriad of challenges associated with the adoption of CPOE.
Mobile Technology
The rapidly evolving mobile technology is now changing how the health services are provided in the modern society. Health providers are now using smartphones, tablets, and healthcare applications to enhance the quality of health services (West, 2012). Mobile technology is not only improving the quality of services, but it also improves the communication between patients and physicians and easy access to information. Many health providers are now using iPad to look securely for lab values, X-rays, and to reach out to patients and another staff. Also, Smartphones and tablets are used to collect, store, and access patient information (West, 2012). Health care applications in mobile phones also help in healthcare information management, as they can be used to provide rich information. Mobile technology also helps in information sharing through portals. Many hospitals now have patient portal and provider portals to facilitate easy flow of information, which helps healthcare information management. Also, portals provide limitless communication and access to information, as they are not tied to a given location.
Telehealth is another mobile technology that is now common in the health sector. Telehealth enables doctors to perform robotic surgery, even when they are in different locations and facilities. Currently, telehealth is performed by wheeled robots through the use of telecommunication technology (DuBose-Morris, 2014). It enables health providers to examine and consult patients from remote places. Like many emerging technologies in the health sectors, privacy is the major concern in the provision of health services as far as the use of of mobile technology is concerned. The use of mobile technology can compromise the confidentiality of health information. Additionally, many elderly patients cannot use mobile technology, which limits it to young people who are techno savvy and a few older people who can effectively use mobile phones (Mallenius, Rossi & Tuunainen, (2007).
Conclusion
Technology has significantly changed the manner of provision of health services in various health institutions across the globe. They have helped in enhancing the accessibility and delivery of quality health care. Moreover, these emerging technologies have significantly improved the management of health care information. However, there are still some challenges affecting the full adoption of emerging technologies in health care sectors. The two main challenges are high cost and resistance. The adoption of the emerging information technology can help in the effective management of healthcare information.
References
DuBose-Morris, R. A. (2014). An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Telehealth Champions.
Goodman, J., Gorman, L., & Herrick, D. (2010). Health Information Technology: Benefits and Problems. National Center for Policy Analysis, Washington.
Gray, B. H., Bowden, T., Johansen, I., & Koch, S. (2011). Issues in International Health Policy. The Commonwealth Fund Pub, 1565(28), 1-18.
Liddell, A., Adshead, S., & Burgess, E. (2008). Technology in the NHS. Transforming the patient's experience of care. London: King's Fund.
Mallenius, S., Rossi, M., & Tuunainen, V. K. (2007). Factors affecting the adoption and use of mobile devices and services by elderly people–results from a pilot study. 6th Annual Global Mobility Roundtable, 31.
Tarmizi, H., Khazanchi, D., & Noteboom, C. (2006). Electronic medical records: Barriers to adoption and diffusion.
West, D. (2012). How mobile devices are transforming healthcare? Issues in technology innovation, 18(1), 1-11.
