Strategic IT Infrastructure for a Health Care Setting

QUESTION

Strategic IT Infrastructure for a Health Care Setting
Resources

• Strategic IT Infrastructure for a Health Care Setting Scoring Guide.

This is the final component.

At this time, you have completed various parts of planning and implementing a new information management system into a health care setting (a hospital). The main focus of this assignment is to see if you have an overall understanding of how these parts work together to complete the project which the hospital is asking.

In this assignment, integrate all of the components of your project into one comprehensive packet. Imagine that you are presenting this packet to the governing board of the hospital. In addition, write a summary that demonstrates your overall understanding of the process and steps that you went through. Use the following as a guideline:

• How does the new integrated system secure information? This includes looking at laws, regulations, patient rights, employee rights, and barriers to security.
• How is information utilized and managed using the new integrated system? For example, how is it used in day to day functions?
• Evaluate your overall plan. This includes strategies used, recommendations for education and training, return on investment and improvement of quality of care.
• Identify and analyze the common—and unique—technological solutions provided for the health care information management.

Include the following in your final assignment:

• Integrate the comments provided to you by your instructor.
• Add headers, appendices, table of contents, reference page, and so on as appropriate.

Once you are done, review the Strategic IT Infrastructure for a Health Care Setting course project description to ensure you have met the expectations of this assignment.

ANSWER

Strategic IT Infrastructure for a Health Care Setting: Comprehensive Integration

Introduction

In this comprehensive packet, we present the final components of planning and implementing a new information management system in a health care setting. This packet aims to provide a holistic view of the project, demonstrating an overall understanding of how the various parts work together. The following sections will address the system’s security measures, information utilization and management, evaluation of the overall plan, and an analysis of common and unique technological solutions for health care information management.

Securing Information in the Integrated System

The new integrated system ensures the security of information through adherence to laws, regulations, patient rights, employee rights, and overcoming barriers to security (Ozair et al., 2015). Compliance with laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) ensures patient confidentiality, data integrity, and availability. Robust access controls, encryption, and authentication mechanisms safeguard patient records from unauthorized access. Employee rights are respected by implementing appropriate privacy policies, providing training on data protection, and ensuring strict access control based on roles and responsibilities.

Information Utilization and Management

The new integrated system facilitates efficient utilization and management of information in day-to-day functions. It streamlines processes, enabling real-time access to patient data, electronic health records (EHRs), and medical imaging. Clinicians can securely retrieve and update patient records, review test results, order prescriptions, and track medication administration. Integration with medical devices and smart systems enhances data accuracy and efficiency. Advanced analytics tools enable data-driven decision-making, identification of trends, and predictive analytics for early disease detection and intervention.

Evaluation of the Overall Plan

The overall plan for implementing the new integrated system demonstrates a strategic approach to enhance patient care and operational efficiency. Key strategies include thorough planning, stakeholder engagement, robust project management, and comprehensive training and education. The involvement of key stakeholders from various departments ensures the system meets the needs of different users (National Academies Press (US), 2003). Extensive training programs are recommended to ensure staff competency and user adoption. Continuous monitoring and feedback mechanisms are essential to assess the system’s performance, identify areas for improvement, and optimize workflow processes.

Return on investment (ROI) is a crucial aspect of the overall plan. The integrated system is expected to yield long-term cost savings by reducing paperwork, streamlining processes, minimizing errors, and improving resource allocation (Menachemi & Collum, 2011c). It is anticipated that the system will enhance quality of care through improved coordination, enhanced patient safety, reduced medical errors, and faster access to critical information. The implementation of evidence-based clinical decision support systems further contributes to improved quality outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Common and Unique Technological Solutions

The health care information management system incorporates both common and unique technological solutions. Common solutions include the adoption of electronic health records (EHRs), computerized physician order entry (CPOE) systems, and interoperability standards such as HL7 and FHIR. These technologies facilitate seamless data exchange, interoperability, and collaborative care across different health care settings.

Unique technological solutions in the integrated system encompass emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and Internet of Things (IoT). AI and ML algorithms can assist in diagnosing diseases, predicting patient outcomes, and optimizing treatment plans. IoT devices enable remote patient monitoring, real-time data collection, and integration with wearable devices for continuous health monitoring. These innovative solutions have the potential to revolutionize health care delivery and improve patient outcomes.

Conclusion

The comprehensive packet presented here outlines the key components of the new integrated information management system in a health care setting. By ensuring robust security measures, optimizing information utilization and management, and evaluating the overall plan, the system aims to improve quality of care, operational efficiency, and patient satisfaction. The incorporation of common and unique technological solutions further enhances the system’s capabilities, enabling data-driven decision-making and leveraging emerging technologies for improved health outcomes. Through careful planning, stakeholder engagement, and continuous evaluation, the hospital can successfully implement this strategic IT infrastructure, transforming the way health care is delivered and experienced.

References

Menachemi, N., & Collum, T. H. (2011c). Benefits and drawbacks of electronic health record systems. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 47. https://doi.org/10.2147/rmhp.s12985 

National Academies Press (US). (2003). The Core Competencies Needed for Health Care Professionals. Health Professions Education: A Bridge to Quality – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK221519/ 

Ozair, F. F., Jamshed, N., Sharma, A., & Aggarwal, P. (2015). Ethical issues in electronic health records: A general overview. Perspectives in Clinical Research, 6(2), 73–76. https://doi.org/10.4103/2229-3485.153997