Health_Information_Exchange

Devry 11 Health Information Exchange A Necessary System' James Parkinson Health Information Exchange A Necessary System' By James Parkinson TABLE of CONTENTS Pg 3……..Introduction Pg4, 5…..Chapter 1, The History of Information Exchange Pg 6, 7…. Chapter 2, Challenges and Benefits of an HIT System Pg 8……..Chapter 3, The Role of Networks, How Multiple Users Need for Data and Data Exchange are met Pg 9…….. Bibliography INTRODUCTION Ever since the beginning of the keeping of patient medical records, there has been a need for a more efficient way of retaining the information pertaining to the treatment and medical history of individuals. The challenge was to make a more uniform method for all physicians to use, this would make it easier to understanding another doctors notes. Accessibility was an issue just as well. When medical records were requested from another treating physician, it was done thru the U.S Mail or thru carriers, this often took days if not weeks. The length of time often was too late and affected the health of the patient. The information in this report will hopefully give enough facts in order to form an intelligent opinion as to the necessity of a health information exchange system. CHAPTER 1 The History of Information Exchange In the early stages of medical treatment, patient’s medical records were paper based and crude. The formatting of the records was basically up to the treating physician, this lead to numerous problems. It was not only difficult for other physicians to read each other’s notes, but the time it took for them to receive the records was slow and sometimes too late to help the patient. A need for a more uniform and efficient system of record keeping was implemented, although this did not solve the time it took requested medical information to be sent and received. “In the 1960s, a physician named Lawrence L. Weed first described the concept of computerized or electronic medical records. Weed described a system to automate and reorganize patient medical records to enhance their utilization and thereby lead to improved patient care. Weed's work formed the basis of the PROMIS project at the University of Vermont, a collaborative effort between physicians and information technology experts started in 1967 to develop an automated electronic medical record system. The project's objectives were to develop a system that would provide timely and sequential patient data to the physician, and enable the rapid collection of data for epidemiological studies, medical audits and business audits.”1(: http://EzineArticles.com/'expert=Kent_Pinkerton ). Even Presidents are getting involved to ensure the transaction “In 2004, President Bush proclaimed that we would have electronic medical records for most Americans within 10 years"2(http://abcnews.go.com/Health/President44/story'id=6606536&page=1). The History of Information Exchange In January, 2009 President Obama also took a stand on HER some of his points were; * Provision of $40,000 in incentives (beginning in 2011) for physicians to use an EHR * Creation of HIT Extension Programs that would facilitate regional adoption efforts * Provision of funds to states to coordinate and promote interoperable EHRs * Development of education programs to train clinicians in EHR use and increase the number of healthcare IT professionals * Creation of HIT grant and loan programs * Acceleration of the construction of the National Health Information Network (NHIN) He also adds. All of these changes (and more) are accompanied by the infusion of $20B into the healthcare sector.3 (http://www.emrandhipaa.com/emr-and-hipaa/2009/01/24/details-of-obamas-emr-stimulus-package/) Today electronic health records systems allow the Health Information Technician the ability to exchange information around the world in a matter of minutes if not seconds. CHAPTER 2 Challenges and Benefits of an HIT System The challenges and benefits of an HIT system are everlasting, with improvements always being added, the need for education is always important. In this chapter we will look at methods in which information is exchanged, and how to maintain the legal issues. Methods in which information is exchanged; Medical records are maintained in two types Electronic and Paper Based and each has a different method of exchanging information. Paper Based record information is exchanged by three different ways, telephone, fax, or courier. Whereas Electronic based information is exchanged by way of the internet or satellites. How to maintain the legal issues; In regards to widespread EHR adoption, one of the top concerns among physicians and patients is maintaining privacy and security of sensitive medical information. Interoperable health information is another worry, as federal standards for an EHR require that it have the capacity to share health data between physicians, medical facilities, and state and federal governments. These are justifiable concerns that may be restraining physicians and medical practices from racing onto the health information highway. “Privacy can be defined as the right of individuals to control access to their personal health record”4 this can be done by consent to release information forms which list only the individuals allowed CHAPTER 2 Challenges and Benefits of an HIT System to receive certain information. “Security is the protection of privacy of individuals and the confidentiality of health records. In other words, security allows only authorized users to access health records”4(Health Information Management Technology, An Applied Approach, Chapter 2, pg. 49) Benefits of having a HIT system; “Widespread adoption of HIT and related technologies, applied correctly, could greatly improve health and healthcare in America while yielding significant savings. A range of policy options could be used to speed the development of HIT benefits. Government action is needed; without such action, it may be impossible to overcome market obstacles. Our findings strongly suggest that it is time for government and other payers to aggressively promote the adoption of effective Health Information Technology.”5 (http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9136/index1.html) Chapter 3 The Role of Networks How Multiple Users Need for Data and Data Exchange are met Most commercial EHRs are designed to combine data from the large ancillary services, such as pharmacy, laboratory, and radiology, with various clinical care components (such as nursing plans, medication administration records [MAR], and physician orders). The number of integrated components and features involved in any given AMC is dependent upon the data structures and systems implemented by the technical teams. AMCs may have a number of ancillary system vendors that are not necessarily integrated into the EHR. The EHR, therefore, may import data from the ancillary systems via a custom interface or may provide interfaces that allow clinicians to access the silo systems through a portal. Or, the EHR may incorporate only a few ancillaries.6 (http://www.ncrr.nih.gov/publications/informatics/ehr.pdf) Bibliography 1. http://EzineArticles.com/'expert=Kent_Pinkerton 2. http://abcnews.go.com/Health/President44/story'id=6606536&page=1 3. http://www.emrandhipaa.com/emr-and-hipaa/2009/01/24/details-of-obamas-emr-stimulus-package/ 4. Health Information Management Technology, An Applied Approach, Chapter 2, pg. 49 5. http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9136/index1.html 6. http://www.ncrr.nih.gov/publications/informatics/ehr.pdf