Health Care System: Evolution
Health Care System: Evolution
Abstract.
Health care system of delivery shares characteristics that are similar to productive and service organizations but depict special characteristics that reflect the diversity and complexity in health care provision. This paper will examine the evolution information system in health care. Another aspect that the paper will specialize on is the development of financial information and why early focus was on this department.
Evolution of information systems in health care
The evolution of health care information system has greatly been influenced by technological advances and requirements happening in health care. Aspects that have taken places in information system in health care are;
- The information system in healthcare has diversified because of the need to adopt various types of organizations in health care.
- There have also been changes in the role of information systems. This is because of the changes that have occurred in levels of management and delivery in health care.
- The integration of health care organization with information systems requires the need of networking and organization with in the communication system.
- Technological advances in communication and in structure of the system have facilitated integrated health care network implementation.
A health care provision is centered to the patient. This calls for networking in health care information which allows coordinated and comprehensive management giving detailed data of n individual. Information that gives details of a patient is useful in development of a database that is collective in nature. Administrative data and aggregate clinical data are also useful in the process of management evaluation and planning. These components are only possible if administrative and patient clinical care have detailed information of and individual. The collocated data assist in planning how resources will be utilized, performance of procedures, and development of data standards and common criteria.
The changing demands of health care information and health care have contributed to the evolution of Health care information system (HIS.) The evolution is contributed by the possibility and need of applying technological advances that are new to healthcare organization. Before the 1980,s, the focus was on supplying information for the operation of the business. This became better known as price performance of computers which later dropped. Attention after that was on the technology of imaginative application. This change from supply to demand introduced new issues which were related to the demand for information system in healthcare organization. The mid 80’s was characterized by the development of new techniques which were helpful in analyzing the operation methods and setting the objectives of the organization. This was with the aim of discovering innovative opportunities in the system of information. This marked a shift to information and how it can be used.
Computer based information system have been developed since the past 30 years. This is compared to earlier decades characterized by pencils, people paper, and mechanical punch card and so on. The task then was cumbersome and also expensive. The computers that were in use in those times dealt with inventory control, accounting and billing (Pererk, Nazaraian and Lim ,2004, pp 553-560)
Since then, information system has been improved to be extensive central computer station. Micro computers allowed passive terminals replacement. These terminals were then connected to becoming networked and later developed into workstations and, multimedia. With the development of microcomputer network, HIS evolved to be more decentralized and flexible network. Mundane activities such as transfer, admission, discharge, and patient billing were change to be sophisticated tasks. HIS has constantly been revised to improve information accessibility. Emphasis has been placed on solution delivery to help organizations to achieve efficiency and meet the strategic goals. The aim of every health care organization is the provision of improved quality in an efficiency and effective way.
A major paradigm shift in the processing of health care information is notable in the Organization. Emphasis has been placed on information rather than the traditional emphasis of data especially the financial data. This is because health care organizations are currently concerned with working with each other in the exchange of patient information and service exchange. Therefore, institutions have been forced to do away with traditional physical boundary of a health care institution. Health care enterprises view HIS as the strategic provider through information exchange to improve care to patients, reduce costs, and increase the level of service to clients.
Sharing of Administrative data and patient clinical record is a perfect example of new requirements brought about by the HIS. This has changed the traditional approach of health care providers treating patients for a medical problem that occurs or on episodic basis. Health care providers like family practitioners, orthopedist, and surgeon can easily communicate on the different ailments faced by and individual client, administrative and financial information such transactions with the payer was addressed when there is need for economic interest such as by a private health insurance. This aspect has been outweighed in ensuring individual well being and management plans to care for an individual from birth to adulthood improvement his has made this possible (Lee , Chong, F & Ooi, 2000, pp 107-15).
Reference
Lee F, Chong, F & Ooi, S(2000)the emergency department medicine; study of effects of computerization on quality medical record. Eur. J Emerg , Med . Vol 8 pp 107-15.
Pererk .S, Nazaraian D and Lim C(2004)comparison of handled computer assistant and conventional paper chart documentation medical records. A randomized trial control JOURNAL OF Bone and Joint Surgery. Vol 86 pp 553-560.
Is this your assignment or some part of it?
We can do it for you! Click to Order!
