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Healthcare Information Technology Essay 

At present, great demand in health services are of the fastest growing career opportunities (“Prepare for a Career in Today’s Fastest Growing Field”). Professionals with the expertise in the design, operation and maintenance of the different developments in health technologies are indeed highly needed.

It is then expected that ten out of twenty jobs likely to grow quickly in the next several years are focused in the medical field. Healthcare Information Technology Essay Paper

Maintaining patients’ records to examining vital information are careers in health and medical information technology which permits work in active domain that’s rich with chances and radical development.

Health Applications Developer As a health applications developer, it is his duty to help others do their work more efficiently as they supervise their patients. Thrilling tests in the field will be very much enjoyable as he designs, builds, and integrates higher technological tools for the healthcare vocation. Technological expertise as well as problem-solving skills, works hand in hand together with analytical capabilities in explaining the different patient data, and its further reformation (“Prepare for a Career in Today’s Fastest Growing Field”).

Health Information Technicians or Medical Records Managers Whenever a patients submits himself for general check-up in any hospital, or when a patient obtains any medical intervention, a record of all the remarks, therapy, surgeries, medical history and the like are taken for further use. The records also include all the basic information needed so that anyone that gets the information could immediately understand the patient’s condition. This is the duty of a health information technician, to organize and to systemize this data so everything would be put to order. Healthcare Information Technology Essay Paper

Technicians collect patients’ health data, being certain that the patients’ primary medical information and charts are well accomplished, that every form are properly recognized and true, and that all needed data is in the computer (“Medical Records and Health Information Technicians”). They habitually are in contact with doctors and other health care specialists to refine diagnoses or get further information. Technicians also tabulate programs regularly and investigate data to expand patient concern, betterment of the cost, and supply documentation for utilization in lawful actions, or use in investigation studies.

The responsibilities of medical records and health information technicians’ also differ with the volume of the amenities present in their work place. Technicians could concentrate in a specific field of health data or could manage health information clerks and transcriptionists in medium to large-scale services whereas a medical records and health information manager supervises the division. On the other hand, a certified medical records and health information technician could have the chance to supervise the division in small facilities. Healthcare Information Technology Essay Paper

Some of them concentrate in coding patients’ medical data for insurance reasons. These technicians are also known as health information coders, medical record coders, coder/abstractors, or coding specialists (“Medical Records and Health Information Technicians”). The said technicians allocate a system to every diagnosis and method, on the basis of their familiarity and skill in disease progression. Hence, they utilize classification schemes software to allot the patient to some individuals out of a hundred “diagnosis-related groups,” or DRGs.

They decide the quantity for what the hospital will be repaid if the patient is shouldered by Medicare or other insurance plans under the DRG scheme. Furthermore, coders utilize other coding schemes, like those needed for ambulatory situations, physician function, or long-term therapy. Another specialization of this field is on cancer registry. Cancer registrars preserve all types of information of their cancer patients. Registrars evaluate patient data and files and pathology statements, and allocate codes for the judgment and management of distinguishing cancers and chosen benign tumors.

Registrars carry out yearly follow-ups on every patient in the registry to trace their therapy, endurance, and revitalization. Certain health organizations like public health and physicians then utilize this data to compute survivor degree and success percentage of a variety of sort of therapy, situate geographic portions with increased instances of particular cancers, and recognize possible partakers for clinical drug experiments. Public health officers also utilize cancer registry information to aim areas for the provision of resources to offer intercession and selection. Healthcare Information Technology Essay Paper

The technicians have a pleasant and comfortable workplace. This is just one in the small number of health-related professions where there is small or no absolute connection with their patients. Since precision is vital in their work, technicians should be attentive to every feature. They who work in front of computer monitors for long spans of time should watch incidents of eyestrain and muscle soreness. Medical records and health information technicians generally labor a 40-hour week and several overtime could be necessary.

Health information divisions frequently are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Technicians could work day, evening, and night time shifts in hospitals. Health Information Managers Health Information Manager plans and coordinates all services offered by the Health Information Department that includes the Medical Records division (“Health Information Manager Job Description”). A health information manager has several duties, some of which are the following: • Organizes, guides and assesses everyday routines of every file room procedure at the facility.

• Evaluates purposes and methods of medical records. • Does service area and departmental excellent assurance duties needed for conformity, recognizing agencies and regulatory matters. • Offer on-going guidance to specialized, clinical and clerical personnel concerning the medical record details, coding, discretion, and safety. • Directs the study of medical documentation records for regular accomplishment and certification. • Organizes methods for discharge of medical data and correlation demands according to regional policies, nation and federal decrees and laws. Healthcare Information Technology Essay Paper

• Makes new strategies and updates on hand policies in association to gist and context of the medical details. • Expands and monitors departmental finances. • Manages clinical data and records completion scheme to remain method and workflow constant with specialized standards and official necessities. • Systemizes the storage, recovery, archiving and obliteration of medical files according to state laws. • Serves as connection between medical, secretarial, and executive force in issues concerning coding, information acquisition and investigation.

• Presents instructions, discussion and execution of recent agenda associated to medical records. Health Services Managers In the healthcare industry, efficient management is necessary to guarantee excellent services are offered to those needy. Health services managers are people who oversee, guides and organized healthcare (“Medical and Health Services Management Careers, Jobs and Training Information”). Health services managers should battle with complex rigid schemes, due to the fast-changing budget and arrangement of healthcare.

Greater focus on preventive care, reconstruction of work, delivery schemes, and technological developments are implemented as well. These managers have a vital role in the medical field. Working together with certain organizations, the health service managers try to find alternatives in making interrelated services, like outpatient follow-up care and inpatient care, more effective. The clinical manager is accountable for organizing different activities consisting of diverse managers, assess, work and staff, rising budgets and reports, as well as making and performing methods, rules, and purposes for their department. Healthcare Information Technology Essay Paper

Clinical management titles practice or trains in particular clinical fields. Say a manager over medical records and health files usually has a bachelor’s degree in whichever in medical record administration or health information while a director of physical therapy must have wide understanding as a physical therapist. Managed care amenities are being worked on by the health services and medical manager. Their duties are not far from each other which corresponds a specific manager for group practices.

However, they manage bigger group of workers and does work in preventive care and society outreach. They also are responsible in supervising numerous health system services that provide various inpatient and outpatient services. Hospitals and nursing care facilities present a twenty-four hour round the clock care, thus make the majority of health services and medical managers work in long hours and could be on-call at no specific time. Travel may also be needed to investigate satellite spots or to be there on meetings.

They also should be able to provide efficient decisions, analyze information, and comprehend information schemes and budget, because health services and medical managers are accountable for a great number of employees and very exclusive equipment and amenities. Tough headship expertise is required to encourage and implement their decisions. Communication competence mediation, litheness, and judgment are grave because of their consistent communication with people. Getting a career as a health services or medical manager may evolve by progressing to a bigger competence or by achieving a title as a subordinate or partner administrator. Healthcare Information Technology Essay Paper

These titles not only pay much, but obligate greater accountability. Biomedical Engineering Technologists Bioengineering and biomedical engineering technologists lastly, concentrates on biomedical apparatus (“Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering Technology”). They could labor on draft or appliances, or could be accountable for setting up, preparation, procedure or preservation for the biomedical equipment. Bioengineering technologists may also labor on the improvement or execution of biomedical schemes.

They usually labor in hospitals or self-governing medical assistance organizations, and may examine, standardize, or handle equipment established in the provision they work in. Conclusion The employment rate under the medical field is expected to grow more than the normal profession through 2012, because of an increasing health services industry. Elevating chances will originate in out-patient care foundation, health practitioners and doctor’s working places, and in residence healthcare services. Workers with fine administration and business expertise and understanding in the healthcare industry will have the utmost opportunities.

However, job availability in hospitals are predicted to elevate at a slower speed than in other specialization areas because of the hospitals’ focus on substitute care areas and to more guarded budgets. But, hospitals will still utilize the uppermost number of health services. The finest job opportunities in hospitals will go to them with great competence experience. Employment is increasing fastest in residence healthcare agencies and in practitioners’ workplace, due to a number of hospital benefits that are moving offsite because of developing technologies. Healthcare Information Technology Essay Paper

Skilled experience in a line of work will give managers with more opportunities. Employees working in these fields will be obtainable with an elevated concentration on preventive care, financial responsibility, forces of cost suppression, and will concentrate on civilizing the public health. Healthcare companies offer hospitals and organizations, and particular sector (physician employing, emergency, handled care deal talks, and data management schemes) with a variety of management services.

Health and medical career opportunities then will have employment chances with these institutions. Works Cited: “Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering Technology”. 2008. Sloan Career Cornerstone Center. April 16, 2008. <http://www. careercornerstone. org/engtech/disciplines/bioet. htm>. “Health Information Manager Job Description”. 2008. Migrant Clilnicians Network. April 16, 2008. <http://www. migrantclinician. org/clearinghouse/view. php? file_id=418&>. “Medical and Health Services Management Careers, Jobs and Training Information”.

2008. Career Overview – Career Information and Job Search Guide. April 16, 2008. <http://www. careeroverview. com/medical-health-manager-careers. html>. “Medical Records and Health Information Technicians”. 2008. US Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics. April 16, 2008. <http://www. bls. gov/oco/ocoS103. htm>. “Prepare for a Career in Today’s Fastest Growing Field”. 2008. DeVry University – We major in careers. April 16, 2008. <http://www. devry. edu/programs/health_information_technology/career. jsp>. Healthcare Information Technology Essay Paper

HITECH Legislation

In order for organizations to receive the incentives offered through the HITECH legislation, they must be able to demonstrate that they are using the technology in meaningful ways. The following criteria for meaningful use must be evident to qualify for EHR incentives (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2012). The technology must:

Improve quality, safety, and efficiency, and reduce health disparities

Engage patients and families

Improve care coordination

Improve population and public health

Ensure adequate privacy and security protections for personal health information

For this Discussion you consider the impact of the meaningful use criteria of the HITECH legislation on the adoption of health information technology.

To prepare: NURS 6051 Transforming Nursing & Healthcare Through Information Technology Discussion Essays

Review the Learning Resources on the HITECH legislation and its primary goals. Healthcare Information Technology Essay Paper

Reflect on the positive and negative impact this legislation has had on your organization or one with which you are familiar.

Consider the incentives to encourage the use of EHRs. Focus on the definition of meaningful use and how it is measured.

Reflect on how the incentives and meaningful use impact the quality of patient care.

Find an article in the Walden Library dealing with one of the criteria to qualify for meaningful use and how it has been successfully met.

By Day 3

Post a description of how HITECH legislation has positively or negatively impacted your organization. Address how its related incentives influence the adoption of health information technology in health care and impact the quality of patient care. Provide a summary of the article you identified and explain how it demonstrates the ability of health information technology to meet the requirements of meaningful use.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.

By Day 6

Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days using one or more of the following approaches:

Ask a probing question, substantiated with additional background information, evidence or research. Healthcare Information Technology Essay Paper

Share an insight from having read your colleagues’ postings, synthesizing the information to provide new perspectives.

Offer and support an alternative perspective using readings from the classroom or from your own research in the Walden Library.

Validate an idea with your own experience and additional research.

Make a suggestion based on additional evidence drawn from readings or after synthesizing multiple postings.

Expand on your colleagues’ postings by providing additional insights or contrasting perspectives based on readings and evidence.

Week 10 discussion – NURS 6051 Transforming Nursing & Healthcare Through Information Technology Discussion Essays

Security of Health Care Records

With the increase of health information technology used to store and access patient information, the likelihood of security breaches has also risen. In fact, according to the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ):

In the United States, there was a whopping 97% increase in the number of health records breached from 2010 to 2011… The number of patient records accessed in each breach has also increased substantially, from 26,968 (in 2010) to 49,394 (in 2011). Since August 2009, when the US government regulated that any breach affecting more than 500 patients be publicly disclosed, a total of 385 breaches, involving more than 19 million records, have been reported to the Department of Health and Human Services. Healthcare Information Technology Essay Paper

A large portion of those breaches, 39%, occurred because of a lost, stolen, or otherwise compromised portable electronic device—a problem that will likely only get worse as iPads, smartphones, and other gadgets become more common in hospitals. (CMAJ, 2012, p. E215).

Consider your own experiences. Does your organization use portable electronic devices? What safeguards are in place to ensure the security of data and patient information? For this Discussion you consider ethical and security issues surrounding the protection of digital health information.

To prepare: NURS 6051 Transforming Nursing & Healthcare Through Information Technology Discussion Essays

Review the Learning Resources dealing with the security of digital health care information. Reflect on your own organization or one with which you are familiar, and think about how health information stored electronically is protected.

Consider the nurse’s responsibility to ensure the protection of patient information. What strategies can you use?

Reflect on ethical issues that are likely to arise with the increased access to newer, smaller, and more powerful technology tools.

Consider strategies that can be implemented to ensure that the use of HIT contributes to an overall culture of safety. Healthcare Information Technology Essay Paper

By Day 3

Post an analysis of the nurse’s responsibility to protect patient information and the extent that HIT has made it easier or more difficult to protect patient privacy. Comment on any security or ethical issues related to the use of portable devices to store information. Assess the strategies your organization uses to safeguard patient information and how these promote a culture of safety. Describe an area where improvement is needed and one strategy that could address the situation.

By Day 6

Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days using one or more of the following approaches:

Ask a probing question, substantiated with additional background information, evidence or research.

Share an insight from having read your colleagues’ postings, synthesizing the information to provide new perspectives.

Offer and support an alternative perspective using readings from the classroom or from your own research in the Walden Library.

Validate an idea with your own experience and additional research.

Make a suggestion based on additional evidence drawn from readings or after synthesizing multiple postings.

Expand on your colleagues’ postings by providing additional insights or contrasting perspectives based on readings and evidence.Healthcare Information Technology Essay Paper

Week 11 discussion

Health Literacy

In order to effectively manage their own health, individuals need to have competencies in two areas—basic literacy and basic health literacy. What is the difference? Basic literacy refers to the ability to read, even simple language. Health literacy is defined as, “the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions” (National Coalition for Literacy, 2009). Unfortunately, according to a Department of Education report on health literacy, only 12% of adults aged 16 and older are considered to have a proficient level of health literacy (U.S. Department of Education, 2006). Acquiring health literacy skills has become more complicated with the explosion of online health information, some credible and some misleading.

In this Discussion, you focus on how to help individuals find credible information on the Internet and develop strategies nurses can use to increase the health literacy of their patients.

To prepare: NURS 6051 Transforming Nursing & Healthcare Through Information Technology Discussion Essays

Think about the nurse’s role in improving the health literacy of patients. Healthcare Information Technology Essay Paper

Consider the many ways patients access health information, including blogs, social media, patient portals, websites, etc.

Reflect on experiences you have had with patients who self-diagnose using online medical sources.

Using the Internet, the Walden Library, or other trustworthy sources, identify a resource that you could introduce to patients to help them evaluate the credibility of health information found online.

What are some strategies you could employ to improve the health literacy of patients?

By Day 3

Post your assessment of the nurse’s role in improving the health literacy of patients. Then, identify the resource you would recommend to patients for evaluating online health information and why it would be beneficial. Describe additional strategies for assisting patients in becoming informed consumers of online health information.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.

By Day 6

Respond to at least two of your colleagues NURS 6051 Transforming Nursing & Healthcare Through Information Technology Discussion Essays on two different days using one or more of the following approaches:

Ask a probing question, substantiated with additional background information, evidence or research.

Share an insight from having read your colleagues’ postings, synthesizing the information to provide new perspectives.

Offer and support an alternative perspective using readings from the classroom or from your own research in the Walden Library.

Validate an idea with your own experience and additional research.

Make a suggestion based on additional evidence drawn from readings or after synthesizing multiple postings.

Expand on your colleagues’ NURS 6051 Transforming Nursing & Healthcare Through Information Technology Discussion Essays postings by providing additional insights or contrasting perspectives based on readings and evidence. Healthcare Information Technology Essay Paper