How to write an essay on The Future of Health Care Informatics

How to write an essay on The Future of Health Care Informatics

Introduction

Nursing informatics is a field in nursing that entails integrating knowledge and information in nursing with information science and communication technology to promote the health of individuals worldwide. Health workers need the information to care for the safety of patients in the hospital or outside the hospital premises. They need to access data on medical histories, physician notes, list of medication, imaging results, laboratory results, nutrition, and physiotherapy notes to get the whole picture of a patient’s health status. This information is essential in making decisions efficiently and improving patient outcomes. Nurse Informatics plays a vital role in developing and enhancing health care technology which contributes to the reduction of medical errors, patients care delays and health care costs. By documenting and sharing information electronically, health workers can manage health conditions effectively. There are minimal medical errors because all information about the patient can be easily accessed when coming up with diagnoses and interventions leading to improved quality of care and reduction of cost (Wager, Lee & Glaser, 2017). This paper entails a discussion on the roles of nurse informatics, its impact on health, predicted future roles of nurse informatics, and some aspects of connected health.

Roles of the informatics nurse

The major role of an informatics nurse is to manage, interpret and communicate data in and out of the hospital to improve patient quality of care inside and outside the hospital (Farokhzadian et al.,2020). This is done by collecting data and information using electronic medical records and electronic information standards. Technology in nursing has led to improved documentation whereby individual needs and medical histories are recorded electronically. The nurse informatics use analyzed data to find out what is working and what isn’t. The findings will dictate areas for improvement and implementation strategies needed.

Nurse informatics are responsible for, research, development, and implementation of new technology that improves the quality of care and be efficient to the institution, health care providers, and patients. They are required to train staff to use technology, respond to their grievances and do a follow-up, then measure data to determine whether it has improved quality of care or not. Nurse informatics is expected to support and train nurses, lead and manage projects, manage the institution’s resources, develop system-related policies, and maximize system functioning.

Predicted roles of nurse informatics

Nursing is a growing field, and it ever faces changes and challenges. With informatics in the nursing field and predicted advancements of nursing informatics, there is a projection that health institution will have improved operations because activities will be computerized and easily tracked.  There will be simplified methods of collecting data from the field and easy access to patient information by health caregivers anytime. This will improve efficiency and reduce potential errors, which will improve patients’ outcomes.  Nurses always face challenging situations while providing care; advancement and competence in informatics promise to improve decision-making skills. It’s projected with increased connectivity, there will be sharing of information and collaboration of health workers from different hospitals, which will favor the advancement of medical research, which will help manage various medical conditions both locally and worldwide (Wilson et al.,2017). Future trends in nursing informatics supports patient data analysis, which will allow the capture of unstructured data, patterns identification, and addition of data to offer insights that will be useful in managing patients’ conditions.

 Connected health

Connected health is a term that has generally been used to describe the new technology-enabled healthcare delivery model. It is a theoretical model where technology and interventions are used to manage patient needs and health data to receive the necessary care proactively and efficiently. There are several stakeholders involved in this health care delivery network. These stakeholders are “connected” through the timely communication of patient status using data, devices, and communication platforms intelligently. Pattichis and Panayides (2019) suggest that this approach in definition facilitates a more proactive approach to healthcare delivery than the previously used reactive, episodic approach. Additionally, this approach puts patient care at the center of the process, and stakeholders can connect from any environment, including home and acute care settings (Pattichis & Panayides, 2019). Ultimately, a connected health approach empowers everyone in the process: healthcare providers and patients by delivering relevant information at the touch of a button.

An example of connected health is the use of telehealth. This tool allows for quicker and more convenient connections between patients and their health care providers. Telehealth offers two modalities through which health care services are transacted. First is the direct-to-consumer modality where patients communicate to healthcare providers via video conferencing (Pattichis & Panayides, 2019). On this platform, providers can provide accurate diagnoses and treatment plans after analysis of the video conferences. The second modality is where healthcare providers in different or the same health care setting can communicate with one another to share knowledge, expertise and consult inpatient care (Pattichis & Panayides, 2019). For instance, a clinician in a more remote rural setting can consult one in a bigger hospital, with more equipment and knowledge, which are not available in the rural environment.

One of the advantages associated with the use of telehealth is high rates of patient satisfaction. This is evident in how this technology has increased accessibility to basic healthcare needs on “convenient technology platforms” (Pattichis & Panayides, 2019). Most patients can access care that they would have otherwise gone without. Also, sharing knowledge, information, and expertise among healthcare providers has led to improved patient care.

On the flip side, it is not feasible to conduct every visit via telehealth. Some services, such as diagnostic procedures and laboratory tests, will require that a patient goes physically to the healthcare setting. Also, some diagnoses that require more than a remote approach will require the patient to make an effort and see a clinician.

Another example of connected health is the secure messaging tools that are hosted on patient portals. These tools support better access to patient care by permitting patients to communicate with their providers, for example, when they have a medical question (Pattichis & Panayides, 2019). Even though they do not replace provider care, secure messages reduce patient concerns and worries. An advantage associated with this tool is that it can save both patients and the health care organization time and money by avoiding unnecessary visits to the doctor’s office. However, the security of personal health information transmitted is a growing concern.

Another example of connected health is use of wearables, remote patient-monitoring devices, and health fitness apps. These tools empower patients to take charge of their health care. For instance, diet and fitness apps help patients set goals, keep on track, and monitor their progress on major lifestyle changes to achieve a healthy lifestyle (Pattichis & Panayides, 2019). Some benefits associated with these tools are improved patient perception of their health care, increased patient empowerment, and self-esteem (Pattichis & Panayides, 2019). On the other hand, extensive education on the use of the tools is required before a patient can be entrusted to use the devices themselves, especially the elderly.

Impact of informatics on health

Research findings indicate that with the use of technology to obtain, store, and process patients’ data and information, there is a reduction in cost that was previously incurred when using traditional methods.  The use of electronic devices and connected system to transfer data from the source to the required destination is firster compared to conventional methods where one must present information physically. For example; Initially, lab technicians were initially supposed to deliver the test results to clinicians, but currently, with informatics in the field, the authorized personnel can access the test results by logging in to the laboratory site. This has reduced medical errors and increased communication in the health system.

With the use of technology in providing health care services, there is frequent sharing of information among healthcare providers and sometimes patients; this may include information about patients, conditions, drugs, and therapies. This act has provided an avenue for sharing knowledge and skills, which is important in improving health workers’ satisfaction when providing care and increases the quality of care and patient outcomes.

Due to increased specialization in the health care system, there is a need for increased coordination provided by health informatics. For example; Concerns from the pharmacy, nutrition department, physiotherapy, Imaging department, admission and discharge results will all be communicated and coordinated to various fields of concern by the health informatics. This has helped to minimize medical errors by eliminating confusion because one can consult and inquire about the patients from any department.

The better way by which health informatics are impacting health is improved outcomes and reduction of cost. The use of electronic health record results coordinated from different departments will result in better diagnoses and minimal chances of error.

Due to efficiency created by technology in health saves time previously used for manual jobs to spend with patients, which improves the quality of care and reduces costs for health delivery not just for health institutions but also for government, insurance agencies, and patients.

Health informatics has provided an avenue for patient participation. Patients can access their health histories, interventions, and recommendations by login into their health portal. This has enabled them to be responsible and take a role in their health care. They can educate themselves on the diagnosis and prognoses; they are able to keep track of medications they are taking and symptoms. Health informatics has also allowed patients to interact with health care providers quickly, which has improved outcomes at health institutions or at home. Patients are involved in the research process via medical portals, which brings a sense of belonging in the provision of their care.

Conclusion

The benefits associated with health informatics facilitate easier implementation of nursing activities and catalyze healthcare organization transformation. The concept of connected health is especially significant in revolutionizing health care service delivery through increased access and improved patient care. Therefore, rising concerns such as privacy of patient information should be addressed with promptness; they deserve to maintain the quality of healthcare services

References

Farokhzadian, J., Khajouei, R., Hasman, A., & Ahmadian, L. (2020). Nurses’ experiences and viewpoints about the benefits of adopting information technology in health care: a qualitative study in Iran. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 20(1), 1-12.

Pattichis, C. S., & Panayides, A. S. (2019). Connected health. Frontiers in Digital Health, 1, 1.

Wilson, B. S., Tucci, D. L., Merson, M. H., & O’Donoghue, G. M. (2017). Global hearing health care: new findings and perspectives. The Lancet, 390(10111), 2503-2515.

Wojciechowski, E., Pearsall, T., Murphy, P., & French, E. (2016). A case review: Integrating Lewin’s theory with lean’s system approach for change. Online journal of issues in nursing, 21(2).

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