Essay on "Healthcare Technology"

Quoted Instructions for "Healthcare Technology" Assignment:

I would like to use *****: *****’s Username: *****

The obstacles, barriers or pitfalls that may influence the success of the plan you described in the last module

The factors that may influence those obstacles, barriers or pitfalls

EXPECTATIONS

Length: This assignment should be between 2-3 pages (500-750 words) in length, excluding references.

References: At least two references should be included from academic sources (e.g. peer-reviewed journal articles).

Organization: Subheadings should be used to organize your paper

Format: APA format is recommended. While APA formatting of references is not a requirement, the references need to be presented in order using a standard citation style (APA, AMA, MLA etc). When material is copied verbatim from external sources, it MUST be enclosed in quotes. The references should be cited within the text and also listed at the end of the assignment in the References section. See Syllabus page for more information on APA format.

Grammar and Spelling: While no points are deducted, assignments are expected to adhere to standards guidelines of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence syntax. Points may be deducted if grammar and spelling impact clarity.

The following items will be assessed in particular:

Achievement of learning objectives for assignment Relevance (e.g. all content is connected to the question) Precision (e.g. specific question is addressed. Statements, facts, and statistics are specific and accurate). Depth of discussion (e.g. present and integrate points that lead to deeper issues) Breadth (e.g. multiple perspectives and references, multiple issues/factors considered) Evidence (e.g. points are well-supported with facts, statistics and references) Logic (e.g. presented discussion makes sense, conclusions are logically supported by premises, statements, or factual information) Clarity (e.g. writing is concise, understandable, and contains sufficient detail or examples) Objectivity (e.g. avoid use of first person and subjective bias)

Paper below from module 4 that the information needs to come from. thanks

The problem is that there are currently a myriad of regulations, standards and requirements demanded of the healthcare industry that makes providing products and services in a timely and efficient manner a very difficult venture. This is true even now when the Federal government is overstepping its bounds by mandating a healthcare system that is unconstitutional. One recent study determined that “passing national legislation relating to public health and cooperation between states or territories can be difficult because of the lack of authority federal governments have in dealing with health on a local level” (Katz, Komblet, 2010, p. 2350) but that does not stop the Feds from attempting to do so to control the entire healthcare industry. Many of the new rules and regulations are cumbersome, time consuming and expensive to implement and maintain, but most physicians and other medical professionals believe that the new standards are here to stay and that health care organizations should address them sooner rather than later. Dr. ***** Shulkin, President of the Morristown Medical Center and Vice President of Atlantic Health System says “It really is clear to us that healthcare is going to change and there is going to have to be leadership from doctors and health systems” (Evans, 2011, p. 7). Some of the answers to the problem come from the leadership, but many of them come from the rank and file, and better yet, many of the solutions are technology based. One of the number one solutions being offered across the board is an improved method for communicating important information to the stakeholders; including, physicians, administrators, patients and officials. Much of the communication is now being handled electronically. This is being accomplished, in many cases, by implementing the EPICare Electronic Medical Record (EMR) or similar systems that allow patient input, including treatments and other important data, to online systems that are then immediately available to other medical professionals. The EPICare system seeks to create and maintain a “one record for one patient” (EPIC, 2011) scenario. Electronically tracking and monitoring patient data in an ongoing manner allows physicians to collaborate on the most effective treatments, patients to view and understand their own prognosis, treatment regime and expenses, and administrators to monitor the entire process. The system seeks to ensure that only one patient record is created for each individual, and that it is their permanent record. Many users believe that the system is effectively cutting record redundancy as well as improving the entire efficiency of the overall healthcare industry. One a more individual level the same technology can be implemented (and is currently being used across the United States) through the use of Personal Digital Assistants (PDA’s). A number of studies have determined that the effective use of PDA’s is on the rise, especially in healthcare scenarios. One study showed that the use of PDA’s “presents an opportunity for collaboration between clinicians within nursing informatics and critical care nurses that could benefit the profession of nursing, improve patient care and increase the quality and efficiency of health care” (Faulk, Savitz, 2009, p. 59). The study also determined that PDA’s are capable of offering such items as ‘medical dictionaries, drug references, dosing calculations and clinical guidelines’ (p. 58). Another advantage to PDA’s is the fact that they are portable and easy to maintain. Nurses and doctors can easily transport gigabytes of information in a pocket by carrying a PDA with them. No longer do healthcare professionals have to search out and find patient information, now it is at their fingertips. Additionally, patients have access to the material as well and can offer their personal input on treatment options and other important decisions.

References EPIC (2011) Choose what fits, or have it all, accessed on November 3, 2011 at: http://www.epic.com/software-index.php Evans, M.; (2011) Forging the way, Modern Healthcare, Vol. 41, Issue 35, pp. 6 – 24 Faulk, J.F. & Savitz, L.A.; (2009) Intensive care nurses’ interest in clinical Personal Digital Assistants, Critical Care Nurse, Vol. 29, Issue 5, pp. 58 - 64 Katz, R. & Komblet, S.; (2010) National models for international health regulations, American Journal of Public Health, Vol. 100, Issue 12, pp. 2347 - 2352