Article on Information Technology in Health-care
NEED OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN HEALTHCARE
·
Executive
Summary
Health
information technology is the area of IT involving the design, creation, use
and maintenance of information systems for the healthcare industry. Advance healthcare
information systems should be used to lower costs, improve efficiency and
reduce error. It also provides better customer care and service. In this
article we will discuss the need and importance of IT in business, the
requirements necessary to implement IT. We will also discuss the benefits
received and the risks involved by applying IT in healthcare.
·
Introduction
Computer and information technology are essential
parts of every business in today’s world. Information technology is a unique
technology that has changed the lives of every person and business throughout
the globe. Every business needs to invest in technology to compete. Technology can
be considered as a cost of running business and an opportunity to do more
business. Nowadays almost all the business is using information technology. Business
cannot grow and survive without IT.
DOES HEALTHCARE NEED INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
Well, there is no reason to say that healthcare
business does not need the IT to compete and to survive as the world has become
global village in my point of view no business will be successful if it is not
implementing IT in its operations, likewise it is the key success factor for
the healthcare as there is new and revolutionary researches going on continuous
basis to diagnose the diseases. We can save more lives through the use of
Information technology. IT plays a very crucial part in saving lives of people.
IMPORTANCE
OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR HEALTHCARE SURVIVAL
The world is developing with the help of
information technology. Healthcare industry has boosted rapidly and information
technology is the key tool for this development. Diseases are stronger than
ever due to which the treatment and the vaccination of these diseases is not
possible. There is hundred and thousands of medicine in market but without the
help of IT the diagnose cure is improper and difficult.
IT is a necessary part in of every industry in today’s world that is not just
helping organizations to increase their business but also to increase revenue
by applying information technology. Adding to healthcare method with an IT
segment that is adjusted to healthcare targets, and is bolstered by stable
business support, will empower healthcare to enhance execution, expand
efficiency, and serve patients all the more viably. Information technology can
be used to eliminate the dangers and to reduce the patient’s pain.
WHAT
IS REQUIRED TO APPLY INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN HEALTHCARE
There are some elements that need to be considering
when applying information technology in healthcare.
·
Initial
costs:
Initial cost is the cost of hardware machines
that are needed for different types of test and operational events some of them
are ECG machine, CT scans Machine, MRI machine etc. In order to run these
machines, different type of software required. Some software’s are low cost and
some are high. These software’s are easily available and are friendly users
that can be easily operated. This Initial costs also composed of training
employees to use these highly equipped machines without which they cannot
operate the system.
·
Ongoing
Costs:
This cost is incurred to run operation for longer
time period. It includes costs of maintaining the hardware and software system.
Other cost can include the cost for the renewal of software. This cost must be
spent to carry out the regular task of health related issues.
·
Upgrading
Costs:
To stay up-to-date with the latest technology and
to keep the system upgraded this cost need to be incurred. Due to lightning
fast advancements in the health sector, most of the technologies and equipment’s
become obsolete. Therefore, in order to cope with the situation the cost needed
for the up gradation of the instruments and equipment’s that are required to
run the system.
·
Opportunity
Costs:
It is the cost of that must be born in order to
choose or get the benefit from another one. Cost analysis must be done before
implementing IT in any system as after the implementation the cost will be
reduced and other benefits will be received. Also some other factors for
example time saving, treating the patient safely etc. can be done by using IT.
Therefore, the opportunity cost must be analyzed to make future decisions.
·
Planning:
Another cost that is needed to carry out certain
tasks or projects is the planning cost. This cost needed to apply information
technology in healthcare for better performance. Planning is required to
implement such a system. A business plan is designed to ascertain different
aspects like costs of Equipment, software, machine and training cost etc.
Planning is one of the most important elements to carry out any specific task.
Without proper planning, one cannot achieve what he is looking for.
·
Designing:
Designing a system which is according to the need
of an institution is as important as the other factors. To architect a design
that suits the need and easy to use is not very common in the healthcare
industry but it is the need of the hour. Designing a custom system that is
according the need and it is done in the planning mode where all the planning
and designing is done. It includes the design of software changes in
infrastructures.
·
Installation:
After planning and designing a system of
information technology that is according to the need, the next phase is Installation
of such a system. Installation is a crucial part in which the actual and
physical part is played. The success of the software is determined in this phase.
After installation of the system employees should be trained according to the
requirements so that the effectiveness of the software could be increased.
·
Training
Training is a crucial part of the whole project.
Without proper training and understanding of the system, it is of no use. Staff
should understand the technology properly so that the patient could be treated
and cured in the most effective manner. Regular training should be conducted to
stay up to date.
HOW
HEALTHCARE CAN USE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Healthcare department can make a communication
system using IT to communicate between Suppliers and their own Store keepers to
improve the flow of Medicines. It is the world of smart phones today. Smart
phone technology can be used to connect IT with smart phones. Apps should be
made to keep the users up-to-date. Proper helping site should be created to
hear from the users in the difficulties they are facing. Using the IT in
healthcare can not only reduce the number of patients but also help them to
cure fast. Moreover the system can be used to save the date of the entire
patient including the diseases they are suffering more. This will make the
whole system up-to-date and efficient.
Benefits of Information Technology in
Healthcare
There are various benefits that
information technology brings into business.
The benefits provided by IT in healthcare
are enormous. It can generate and extend the trust level of the patients on a
particular health facility. The revenues can reach its height. Patients can
view their reports online within no time and efficiently. With high tech
machines the diagnostic of diseases are more easy and fast. The record keeping
of the customers are more reliable and efficient. Proper record can also help
the researchers to find more and reliable solutions to the industry. The
appointments of the patients can be booked online though system. The system
will automatically intimate the physician on the particular date and time. The
continent pro customer system can help the business to flourish at a high pace.
The confidence of the customers builds more than ever before.
Home health care faces several
challenges, such as funding limitations, large geographic distances that make
such resources often more costly for rural patients, and issues of clinical
workforce distribution that impose access barriers to these services. Information
technology can address the problems which are being faced by the healthcare
industry. Many anticipate that IT platforms may lead to patient empowerment and
a transition from a passive role, because the patient is receiving care
services, in which the patient is
informed, has choices, and is involved in the decision-making process.
RISK
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY BRING INTO BUSINESS
Risks that are associated with the IT systems are
Security, Privacy and Confidentiality. IT brings much risk into healthcare. The
security threat that stands with this technology is the biggest one. The data
can be stolen and used with the negative purposes. Some of the risks are
discussed below:
·
Security
risk
Security risk consist of Data Security of
Patients, IT systems are vulnerable to cyber bulling because they involve
several third parties to operate for example insurance companies can have
access to information of Healthcare patients this information can also be
accessed by pharmacies so there is significant data security risk it can be
leaked or hacked by cyber-crime wing. Securing the expensive formulas of
medicines and fluids is also crucial.
·
Privacy
risk
This type of risk is attached to the personal
data of the patients. Patient’s case files can be copied or hacked by the
hackers. The details of the patients can be used for negative purposes.
·
Confidentiality
risk
The confidentiality of the data is another issue.
The data can be used by the third parties for their purposes. The data should
be secured properly and away from every person’s reach so that the risk could
be minimized. Confidentiality is the item that protects the patient’s
privacy. In many website application
patients record data and transfer it to a web server regularly, which is owned
and maintained by third party that give permission to providers to log in and
view their data in this context it is necessary to assure who is authorized to
access all of patients record that is
save in web server.
MAINTAIN
AND MONITOR OF HEALTHCARE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Information system improves the efficiency
and safety of healthcare. Continuous maintenance and monitoring is necessary to
obtain the desired outcomes. System should be monitored properly and at regular
intervals. Experience staff might require maintaining the IT and there should
be continuous training of the staff. Anti-VIRUS should be updated on the
regular basis there must be periodic monitoring and diagnosis of equipment to
forecast and prevent failure. Data should be protecting with due care and
diligence. Passwords should be protected and kept in safe away from the reach
of every person.
CONCLUSION
To make something out of the article we
can say that IT can help in making the healthcare industry strong and more
reliable. The system can improve the delivery of services and can build the
trust of the patient. It can be helpful in saving the lives of people. It can
bring a positive change in the society. Skills of the employees can be
increased by continuous training.
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