Information Systems
Information systems encompass various aspects that were adapted within an industry such as computer networking, analysis and design systems, information security, database management, and decision support systems among many more. Within the health care organizations, for example, the information systems bring about greater prospective because it minimizes costs while at the same time enhancing service outcomes (Markus, 2010). In addition, the information systems have much to offer in the process of managing healthcare costs as well as improving the quality of services offered. Although greater benefits are attributed to its implementation, it did not lack various issues. By illustration, it encountered greater resistance from the medical personnel. That would be attributed to the fact that the system was to change their normal culture within the industry as well as change the way things were done (McGee, 2009). Moreover, the patient’s had issues with the adaptation of the information system mainly concerning their personal information. Bearing in mind that their information were be stored in the system, security and unwanted access to their personal information was an apprehension.
There are various specific illustrations were revealed of information systems applications as used within the health care organization. Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and Laboratory Information System (LIS) were the major examples. However, Policy and Procedure Management System, Radiology Information System (RIS), and Picture archiving and communication system (PACs) are some of the illustrations where information systems are used within the health care industry (Kolodner, Cohn & Friedman, 2008).
Equally, there are numerously organizational benefits that are attributed to the implementation of the information systems in the healthcare industry. Apart from the fact that they enhance information integrity while minimizing the duplication of information bringing errors, the industry benefits from the accuracy in the administration of finances, In addition, in the distribution of medical aid not forgetting to mention the fact that hospital growth would be more likely. There is enhanced monitoring of drug use something that results to appropriate pharmaceutical utilization in the organization (Agarwal et al, 2010). Likewise, the information systems improve the costs control while increasing the appropriateness and accuracy of patient care. That was, as a result, of easy access to patient’s previous medical records by doctors who will thereafter be in a position to offer treatment to the patient (Hoch & Ferguson, 2005). On the same note, information systems increase service capacities and reduce the medical personnel costs without necessarily compromising the quality of services that the patients were offered.
Bearing the fact that its implementation would transform the manner in which activities were to be carried out in the industry, there were major resistances from the medical practitioners themselves. That would be attributed to the “fear of unknown” considering that it was a new venture that were not tested within the industry. An additional challenges or problems during the implementation or use of these information systems within the health care industry resulted from the patients. Since their private information that were held in the system, privacy issues were raised (Fernandopulle, 2010). That hindered or reduced the pace at which the systems were rolled into the industry. It was only after various security measures were adopted assuring them that their information were safe did they allow the system to be a success as it is in the recent times.
In closing, it was deduced without a doubt that the information system was imperative and essential within the health care industry. The benefits it brought to the organization were expounded exceedingly something that truly indicates that it is essential for the organization, and it is not a secondary support tool at all (Aspinall & Hamermesh, 2007). Worth noting also is the fact that once the information system gets implemented in the health care organization, the exceeding mentioned benefits spontaneously starts to take shape benefiting not only the medical personnel, but also the patients seeking medical attention.
Reference
Agarwal, R., G. Guodong, C. DesRoches, & A. K. Jha. (2010). The digital transformation of healthcare: Current status and the road ahead. Inform. Systems Res.21(4) 796–809.
Aspinall, M. G., & Hamermesh. (2007). Realizing the promise of personalized medicine. Harvard Business Rev.85(10) 108–117.
Fernandopulle, R., N. Patel. (2010). How the electronic health record did not measure up to the demands of our medical home practice. Health Affairs 29 622–628.
Glaser, J., D. E. Henley, G. Downing, & K. M. Brinner. (2008). Advancing personalized health care through health information technology: An update from the American health information community’s personalized health care workgroup. J. Amer. Med. Inform. Assoc.15 (4) 391–396.
Green, L. W., J. M. Ottoson, C. García, & R. A. Hiatt. (2009). Diffusion theory and knowledge dissemination, utilization, and integration in public health. Ann. Rev. Public Health 30 151–174.
Hoch, D., & T. Ferguson. (2005). What I’ve learned from E-patients. Health Action 2 (8) 728–730.
Kane, G. C., R. G. Fichman, J. Gallaugher, & J. Glaser. (2009). Community Relations 2.0. Harvard Business Rev. 87 45–50.
Kolodner, R. M., S. P. Cohn, C. P. & Friedman. (2008). Health information technology: Strategic initiatives, real progress. Health Affairs 27 w391–w395.
Markus, M. L. (2010). On the usage of information technology: The history of IT and organization design in large U.S. enterprises. Entreprises et Histoire 60 17–28.
McGee, M. K. (2009). Medical IT gets personal. InformationWeek (1248) 24–30.
Timmermans, S., & A. (Mauck. 2007). The promises and pitfalls of evidence-based medicine. Health Affairs 24 18–28.
