Navigating Clinical Information Systems: Types and Benefits
“Navigating clinical information systems: types and benefits”
Deanna Winters
Nursing Informatics
1 March 2013
Abstract A clinical information system is an umbrella term for different systems that can increase the productivity of healthcare, enhance patient safety and decrease health care related cost. By putting together different tools we create a clinical information system. In today’s world with the increase in poly-pharmacy, chronic conditions and co-morbidities taking into account people are living longer it is the time that a technology overhaul is due. The integration of different systems will assist in providing effective quality care. Clinical information systems provide numerous benefits and will revolutionize the way nursing care is delivered.
Introduction
The use of clinical information systems is becoming ever more popular since it was mandated that all Americans will have an electronic health record by 2014. Having experience in computerized and non - computerized facilities it is evident of the pros and cons of each. The U.S. healthcare system has been given a strategy to reduce medical errors, increase quality of care and save the healthcare system billions of dollars. The strategy to accomplish this is through the implementation of clinical information systems. The first tool discussed is the electronic medication administration record and barcode technology. Koshy (2005) gave the following statistic regarding medication errors. “Medication errors cause 7,000 deaths each year, with the cost of morbidity and mortality at 77 billion dollars per year” (Koshy, 2005). Thus showing the need for an improved system regarding medications. The second tool discussed is the electronic health record. The introduction of this system not only increases continuity of care but will also help with follow up care after hospital discharge and that will decrease the amount of hospital readmissions. “EMR’s lead to cost and time resource benefits for
Deanna Winters
Nursing Informatics
1 March 2013
Abstract A clinical information system is an umbrella term for different systems that can increase the productivity of healthcare, enhance patient safety and decrease health care related cost. By putting together different tools we create a clinical information system. In today’s world with the increase in poly-pharmacy, chronic conditions and co-morbidities taking into account people are living longer it is the time that a technology overhaul is due. The integration of different systems will assist in providing effective quality care. Clinical information systems provide numerous benefits and will revolutionize the way nursing care is delivered.
Introduction
The use of clinical information systems is becoming ever more popular since it was mandated that all Americans will have an electronic health record by 2014. Having experience in computerized and non - computerized facilities it is evident of the pros and cons of each. The U.S. healthcare system has been given a strategy to reduce medical errors, increase quality of care and save the healthcare system billions of dollars. The strategy to accomplish this is through the implementation of clinical information systems. The first tool discussed is the electronic medication administration record and barcode technology. Koshy (2005) gave the following statistic regarding medication errors. “Medication errors cause 7,000 deaths each year, with the cost of morbidity and mortality at 77 billion dollars per year” (Koshy, 2005). Thus showing the need for an improved system regarding medications. The second tool discussed is the electronic health record. The introduction of this system not only increases continuity of care but will also help with follow up care after hospital discharge and that will decrease the amount of hospital readmissions. “EMR’s lead to cost and time resource benefits for
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