What is Healthcare Technology? Medical technology can be understood to describe the methods, tools, and processes through which healthcare and information is delivered and managed, respectively. When people refer healthcare technology advancement, they typically mean innovations in medical and surgical procedures (e.g., joint replacements, gastric sleeves, etc.), medical devices (e.g., EKG machines, CPR simulators, EMA tools, etc.), and new data support systems (e.g., m-health and e-health, telemedicine, EMRs, etc.). They may also refer to new pharmaceutical advancements (new delivery mechanisms, greater potency, etc.). Recent increases in insurance and care delivery costs have forced health policy analysts to focus on cost containment and affordability (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2007). A key concern for policymakers is identifying and addressing the drivers of sustained and rapid rises in healthcare. “Healthcare industry analysis suggests that the development and diffusion of medical technology are key factors in explaining the persistent disparity between health spending and overall economic growth, with some arguing that new medical technology may account for greater than 1/2 of long-term spending” (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2007). Healthcare transactions, from billing to patient records, are known to generate enormous volumes of data that too often use obsolete and inefficient technologies. However, it is well understood that proper application of new technologies can save billions of dollars by eliminating waste, reducing administrative costs and improving healthcare delivery. This supports the argument for government mandated standardization and interoperability supported by public health policy. “Such legislati... ... middle of paper ... ...ll benefits of these innovations be realized” (McClellan, 2003). Potential benefits of improving the U.S. health information technology system are immeasurable. They can be realized if policymakers continue to craft policies that comprehensively address the issues surrounding the use of health information technologies. It is characteristic of the U.S. government to reach for familiar policies and government program that lead to incremental change without considering what is best for a given situation. “Policymakers should maximize market incentives and innovation in this complex and rapidly advancing field, while preserving the legitimate interests of all stakeholders” (Haislmaier, 2006). The Independent Health Records Bank Act is a great example and starting point for planning optimal improvements in the collection, management, and sharing of healthcare data.
The federal government has taken a stance to standardized care by creating incentive programs that are mandated under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) of 2009. This act encourages healthcare providers and healthcare institutions to adopt Meaningful use in order to receive incentives from Medicare and Medicaid. Meaningful use is the adoption of a certified health record system that acquires or obtains specified objectives about a patient. The objectives or measures are considered gold standard practices with the EHR system. Examples of the measures include data entry of vital signs, demographics, allergies, entering medical orders, providing patients with electronic copies of their records, and many more pertinent information regarding the patient (Friedman et al, 2013, p.1560).
Many new technologies are being used in health organizations across the nations, which are being utilized to help improve the quality of health care. Electronic Health Records (EHRs) play a critical role in improving access, quality and efficiency of healthcare ("Electronic health records," 2014). In order to assist in expanding the use of EHR’s, in 2011 The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS), instituted a EHR incentive program called the Meaningful use Program. This program was instituted to encourage and expand the use of the HER, by providing health professional and health organizations yearly incentive payments when they demonstrate meaningful use of the EHR ("Medicare and medicaid," 2014). The Meaningful use program will be explored including its’ implications for nurses, nursing, national policy, how the population health data relates to Meaningful use data collection in various stages and finally recommendations for beneficial improvement for patient outcomes and population health and more.
Melanie Merrifield’s article “Health Technology” seeks to understand the kind of innovations technology has brought to healthcare and how they have helped the health field. Merrifield provides numerous examples of how the innovations being made in health technology have improved patient care. There are examples used, from both the military as well as civilian innovations in technology that is included with Merrifield’s article. The examples in the article include patients being able to leave in three days instead of three months because of minimal invasive surgery; this is one example of how the advances in health technology have helped patients (Merrifield, 2006)
Healthcare professionals associated with medical billing and coding know the progress the technology has made so far. In the last few decades, medical billing and coding has switched from being a paper-based system to a computerized format. Under HIPAA laws, medical practitioners had to develop new software in order to send out electronic bills. With the advent of electronic medical records (EMR), with one touch of a button, doctors, Nurse Practitioners and PAs can gain access to all the care a patient has ever received from every healthcare facility the patients visited previously and can figure out possible illnesses. This enables statistical documentation of the population as a whole as well. EMR can also make the healthcare system more transparent and allow integration with reimbursement data. As the healthcare system changes, this will prevent unnecessary costs and make it easier to get the reimbursements needed to treat a patient.
“An electronic health record (EHR) is a digital version of a patient’s paper chart. EHRs are real-time, patient-centered records that make information available instantly and securely to authorized users.” (healthit.gov) The EHR mandate was created “to share information with other health care providers and organizations – such as laboratories, specialists, medical imaging facilities, pharmacies, emergency facilities, and school and workplace clinics – so they contain information from all clinicians involved in a patient’s care.” ("Providers & Professionals | HealthIT.gov", n.d., p. 1) The process has proved to be quite challenging for providers. As an incentive, the government began issuing payments to those providers who “meaningfully use certified electronic health record (EHR) technology.” (hhs.gov) There are three stages that providers must progress through in order to receive theses financial incentives. Stage one is the initial stage and is met with the creation and implementation of the HER in the business. Stage two “increases health information exchange between providers.” ("United States Department of Health and Human Services | HHS.gov", n.d., p. 1) Stage three will be the continuation and expansion of the “meaningful use objectives.” ("United States Department of Health and Human Services | HHS.gov", n.d., p. 1) The hospital, where I work, initiated the HER mandate many years ago. In this paper, I will discuss the progression and the challenges that my hospital encountered while implementing the EHR mandate.
Administrative Mandates, including the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, ICD-10 and HIPAA 5010, are all part of administrative simplification and the need for systems optimiza...
Advances in technology have influences our society at home, work and in our health care. It all started with online banking, atm cards, and availability of children’s grades online, and buying tickets for social outings. There was nothing electronic about going the doctor’s office. Health care cost has been rising and medical errors resulting in loss of life cried for change. As technologies advanced, the process to reduce medical errors and protect important health care information was evolving. In January 2004, President Bush announced in the State of the Union address the plan to launch an electronic health record (EHR) within the next ten years (American Healthtech, 2012).
Rising medical costs are a worldwide problem, but nowhere are they higher than in the U.S. Although Americans with good health insurance coverage may get the best medical treatment in the world, the health of the average American, as measured by life expectancy and infant mortality, is below the average of other major industrial countries. Inefficiency, fraud and the expense of malpractice suits are often blamed for high U.S. costs, but the major reason is overinvestment in technology and personnel.
The present environments for healthcare organizations contain many forces demanding unprecedented levels of change. These forces include changing demographics, increased customer outlook, increased competition, and strengthen governmental pressure. Meeting these challenges will require healthcare organizations to go through fundamental changes and to continuously inquire about new behavior to produce future value. Healthcare is an information-intensive process. Pressures for management in information technology are increasing as healthcare organizations feature to lower costs, improve quality, and increase access to care. Healthcare organizations have developed better and more complex. Information technology must keep up with the dual effects of organizational complication and continuous progress in medical technology. The literature review will discuss how health care organizations can provide effective care by the intellectual use of information.
The United States health care system is one of the most expensive systems in the world yet it is known as being unorganized and chaotic in comparison to other countries (Barton, 2010). This factor is attributed to numerous characteristics that define what the U.S. system is comprised of. Two of the major indications are imperfect market conditions and the demand for new technology (Barton, 2010). The health care system has been described as a free market in
Healthcare is changing daily and with technology these changes are occurring faster. Health informatics is one of these changes. It combines healthcare, information technology and business. This technology makes it easier for healthcare personnel to access client information and for clients to manage their healthcare.
One of the biggest strengths the United States health care system has is the advanced state of technology (Ridic, 2012). The United States has a relatively high life expectancy that reflects upon the advanced state of its health care technology. More treatment options exist for various diseases, helping to improve, extend and save the quality of life for patients. The United States is a leading country for survival rate among cancer and clinic research. Furthermore, the United States continues to be a leading powerhouse
Topol, Eric. "How Technology Is Transforming Health Care." US News. U.S.News & World Report, 12 July 2013. Web. 15 Feb. 2014.
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “Technology is the practical application of knowledge especially in a particular area.” However, technology continues to change the world daily. For example we use computers to enter data, communicate, or search the web. Technology helps everyone get their job done faster, instead of doing everything by hand. Everyone uses technology in a variety of ways such as replacing an amputation, stimulating muscles, or running tests to diagnose patients. I am going to talk about how technology is being used in Physical Therapy using computers, whirlpools, and ultrasound therapy.
In other words, ICT basically promotes professionalism and reduce human effort as well as reducing the chances of erring. Healthcare simply means preventing, diagnosing and curing ailments that terminate life and reduce lifespan of human and all living things. In other words, the prevention, treatment, and management of illness and the preservation of mental and physical well-being through the services offered by the medical and allied health professions. Information and Communications Technology (ICT) play a vital role in improving health care for humanity. It is efficient in providing, communicating and storing certain information about users and uses. ICT helps in bridging the gap created in health sector and may be used to enhance efficient relationships between the healthcare providers and health researchers. In other words, through the development of databases and other applications, ICT enhances health research and; this provides the capacity to improve health system efficiencies and prevent medical errors. The use of ICT can never be evaluated without