The Application and Impact of Information Technology in Healthcare
The Application and Impact of Information Technology in Healthcare
What is healthcare information technology, and what are its benefits?
From transportation to manufacturing to education, information technology is influencing virtually every industry today. The healthcare industry has experienced a significant transformation brought in by information technology. From electronically checking in patients and updating their medical records to digitally forwarding blood test results to patients, information technology is transforming the healthcare industry by leaps and bounds. Experts estimate that by the end of 2024, the healthcare information technology market could reach USD 390.7 bn. This post examines how information technology and healthcare benefit medical professionals and patients.
What is Healthcare Information Technology (HIT)?
While information technology refers to the usage of computers and telecommunications and other systems to store, retrieve and share information, HIT refers to the secure use of technology to manage health-related information. The most common examples of healthcare information technology are e-prescriptions, electronic health records (EHRs), and other tech tools that help patients meet health goals, such as managing blood sugar levels or quitting smoking. Information technology has paved the way for more accurate EHRs/ EMRs that help patients access various healthcare facilities easily. Additionally, it has given patients more control over their health through various mobile apps and information platforms.
Healthcare information technology’s primary purpose is maintaining privacy while improving patient care. HIT enables medical professionals to take better care of patients and improve their communication with patients.
A few examples of Health IT are:
- Computerized disease registries
- Consumer health IT applications
- Electronic prescribing
- Electronic medical record systems such as EMRs, EHRs, and PHRs
- Telehealth
What is the significance of healthcare information technology?
The goal of using information technology in healthcare is to enhance the overall health of the people by improving the quality of care provided to the patients.
Healthcare information technology is significant because it:
- Helps in delivering more accurate, actionable, and accessible information related to a patient’s health that can be customized to meet the individual’s needs.
- Allows better and faster decisions about health risks that affect individuals and the public.
- Supports communication between patients and healthcare professionals and helps in decision-making.
- Helps build networks of social support for both patients as well as healthcare professionals.
- Improves awareness among patients and the general public about health-related matters that can lead to positive outcomes.
Uses of information technology in Healthcare
Information technology is used to improve patient safety, healthcare delivery, and communication between providers and patients. One of the most remarkable applications of HIT is patient records and data management.
Previously, paper charts were used to maintain patients’ records that were easily lost, misinterpreted, or damaged. It has helped healthcare professionals track patients’ records easily and securely. A medical professional can add pharmacy records, X-rays, test results, and even vital signs to the virtual chart that is easy to read, share, and check against other records.
Also, an entirely new discipline known as nursing informatics has been formed by combining IT and clinical care. This discipline combines the practice of nursing with IT management and helping people with a passion for science and data in the service of medical patients and improving healthcare. This field is gaining more popularity daily with the increased demand for technology.
According to a survey by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, it was found that nurses who use IT are more likely to spot medical errors. As less time is spent on documenting patient care, nurses can get more time to spend on patient care. Also, as more and more people are getting insured and seeking quality care, the demand for information technology that can help track patients’ records accurately and improve healthcare will only grow.
As the HIT field expands, it will create more jobs for IT professionals in hospital settings. From medical transcriptionists, medical coding specialists, clinical IT consultants, and healthcare system analysts, roles in the field of healthcare are growing every year. Besides creating jobs, IT will stay relevant for hospital administrators and policymakers to increase their volume, speed, and quality of service in the care centres.
In conclusion, technology has revolutionized healthcare, ushering in a new era of enhanced patient care and streamlined processes. Custom software development plays a pivotal role in this transformation, providing tailored solutions to address specific challenges in the industry. From electronic health records (EHR) systems that ensure seamless data management and accessibility to telemedicine platforms that bridge geographical gaps, technology has improved the efficiency, accuracy, and accessibility of healthcare services. Moreover, cutting-edge advancements like artificial intelligence and machine learning have empowered healthcare professionals to make data-driven decisions and deliver personalized treatments. As technology continues to evolve, its positive impact on healthcare is set to grow exponentially, benefiting patients and healthcare professionals alike.
