Evolution of Health Care Information
Health Information Systems
HCS 533
January 10, 2011
Evolution of Health Care Information Over the last 20 years dramatic changes have occurred in the health care industry. “Health care technology has exploded over the last 20 years, not just in the arena of medical diagnosis and treatment, but also in the area of health information and documentation” (The art of patient care, 2008, p. 1).
Two Major Events Twenty years ago, Riverview Hospital was limited with technology. The use of paper files for patient records is a thing of the past. Today Riverview Hospital uses electronic medical records (EMR). “An EMR is able to electronically collect and store patient data, supply that information to providers on request, permit clinicians to enter orders directly into a computerized provider entry system, and advise health care practitioners by providing decision-support tools such as reminders, alerts, and access to the latest research findings, or appropriate evidence-based guidelines” (Wagner, Lee, & Glaser, 2009, p. 1). “Paper-based records have been in existence for centuries and their gradual replacement by computer-based records has been slowly underway for over twenty years in western healthcare systems” (Open Clinical, n.d., p. 1). Riverview Hospital has also seen an increase in using personal digital assistants (PDAs). Twenty years ago, PDAs did not exist. Doctor’s and other health care providers had to look up information in books and other publications. “The use of personal digital assistants (PDAs) in medicine and the health sciences has rapidly increased. Health care professionals are using PDAs for patient tracking, medical reference, and drug dosage, as well as personal use” (Journal of the Medical Library Association, 2004, p. 1). “Health care personnel need access to updated information anywhere and at any time, and a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) has the potential to meet these requirements. A PDA is a mobile tool which has been
HCS 533
January 10, 2011
Evolution of Health Care Information Over the last 20 years dramatic changes have occurred in the health care industry. “Health care technology has exploded over the last 20 years, not just in the arena of medical diagnosis and treatment, but also in the area of health information and documentation” (The art of patient care, 2008, p. 1).
Two Major Events Twenty years ago, Riverview Hospital was limited with technology. The use of paper files for patient records is a thing of the past. Today Riverview Hospital uses electronic medical records (EMR). “An EMR is able to electronically collect and store patient data, supply that information to providers on request, permit clinicians to enter orders directly into a computerized provider entry system, and advise health care practitioners by providing decision-support tools such as reminders, alerts, and access to the latest research findings, or appropriate evidence-based guidelines” (Wagner, Lee, & Glaser, 2009, p. 1). “Paper-based records have been in existence for centuries and their gradual replacement by computer-based records has been slowly underway for over twenty years in western healthcare systems” (Open Clinical, n.d., p. 1). Riverview Hospital has also seen an increase in using personal digital assistants (PDAs). Twenty years ago, PDAs did not exist. Doctor’s and other health care providers had to look up information in books and other publications. “The use of personal digital assistants (PDAs) in medicine and the health sciences has rapidly increased. Health care professionals are using PDAs for patient tracking, medical reference, and drug dosage, as well as personal use” (Journal of the Medical Library Association, 2004, p. 1). “Health care personnel need access to updated information anywhere and at any time, and a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) has the potential to meet these requirements. A PDA is a mobile tool which has been
References: eHow. (2010). Use of personal digital assistants in health care. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/facts_7436608_use-personal-digital-assistants- healthcare.html Journal of the Medical Library Association. (2004). The use of personal digital assistants Kreidler, M.K. (2008). Health Care and Information Technology. Research Starters – Business, (1). PubMed. (2008). The use of the Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) among personnel and students in health care. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18957381 Scientific American. (2009). Will Electronic Medical Records Improve Health Wager, K. A., Lee, F. W., & Glaser, J. P. (2009). Health care information systems: A practical approach for health care management (2nd ed.)