Information technology is fast gaining popularity in its practice. Institutions and cooperates are in cooperating and effectively practicing the use of information technology in their undertakings. Integrating the use of information in the health sector has also been in the rise recently. This process is very vital due to a number of reasons. Health care institutions and hospitals in general have upgraded from the manual modes of work transmissions to the use of computers and other information technology gadgets (Currie & Finnegan, 2011, p 148). The role of information technology in the health care sector is massive. Its consequent importance in the said sector cannot be overlooked.
Medical records for numerous individuals are considered highly sensitive by themselves. The privacy and high-sensitivity nature accorded to personal medical records therefore calls for various handling and processing of the information in question (Pozgar, 2008, p 256). A proper and safe method of storing this information is therefore a crucial matter. With technological advancements, various modes of information technology can be used in ensuring this importance has accordingly been addressed. With proper methods of storing useful and confidential records of patients, privacy is assured.
Retrieving of vital health information for individuals is made not only easy, but also fast and convenient. Therefore, demographic information and consultants’ reports, radiology and other tests are within the reach of the concerned medical practitioners.
Health records of individuals are very useful in determining current health problems being faced. Therefore, medical histories of individuals can be used effectively in gauging and/or predicting existing health complications and consequently their respective solutions. With the endorsement and practice of proper information technology, the records of individuals can be easily kept and maintained and also conveniently retrieved when need arises.
When health care institutions are actively involved in ensuring that they have effectively endorsed information technology in their respective institutions, free flow of information will be experienced (Bennett, 2011, p 312). In this case, the possibility and allowance of computer generated prescriptions will be easily generated. The end positive result is that incidences of medication errors which may in some instances be fatal are significantly reduced.
Computerization of medical records is also very useful in integrating medical activities and processes distantly. In this case, telecommunications around the world with other medical practitioners are enabled. For instance, transportation of images and graphics images which has made tomography scans that are computed is possible.
Productivity of processes in the medical realm is positively enhanced by the adoption of information technology in the said sector. As a result, quality and presentable works are availed to not only the concerned patients but also to other third party individuals with interests in the subject matter, such as the government (Lovaglio, 2011, p 142). Further, the long-run effect of proper medical record keeping is that it helps in reducing costs of operation. Therefore, profit plough back into areas of research and general service improvement of the individuals is enabled.
However, the advantages of endorsing and incorporating information technology in the health sector have been overshadowed by one major disadvantage. The high initial costs of set up and maintenance of equipment that is used in the processes of creating proper information technology infrastructure in the health sector is one major advantage (Bennett, 2011, p 313). At a time when healthcare organizations need to cut down on their costs, allocating major capital and high startup costs to information technology system is a major challenge. However, with the advantages outweighing the disadvantages of information technology in health care systems, the end result is that it is vital to have these systems in place. Therefore, a solution to this problem is necessary in ensuring that information technology is endorsed by all health institutions. The government should step in to help the health organizations create these vital infrastructures in their systems. Provision of funds and grant to setup and run these programs is therefore very important. Further, the government should be in the forefront of ensuring these modes of operations are used by all health units in the United States. This can be done especially through widespread campaign of the government towards the importance of information technology in the health care systems.
The role and importance of information technology are therefore numerous in the health sector. As a result the medical practioners have an obligation of ensuring that they are in line with the requirements and trends in the current world especially with regard to the advancement in technology. It is the duty of the United States government in ensuring that the importance of adoption of information technology in the health sector is fully comprehended and appreciated by the concerned individuals. Further, the medical centers should go well in line in adopting information technology to not only enjoy the benefits of the practice but also to stay in line with other competitors in the market.
REFERENCES
Pozgar, G. (2008). Legal Essentials of Health Care Administration. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Lovaglio, G. P. (2011). “Patient safety analyses using Lombardy administrative archives.” International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, 24 (2), 136-148
Bennett, C. C. (2011). “Clinical productivity system- a decision support model.” International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 60 (3), 311-319
Currie, W. L., & Finnegan, D. J. (2011). “The policy-practice nexus of electronic health records in the UK NHS: An institutional analysis.” Journal of Enterprise Information Management, 24 (2), 146-170
Pozgar. G. D (2007). Legal aspects of health care administration.
