Nature of Health Information the Term Paper

Evidence of improved access and cost effectiveness should soon follow. Over the next two decades, e-health could deliver patient, provider, and planner/manager interactions for all aspects of health care (Detmer, 2000, p. 181). Detmer continued on to state that this could be a positive move from seeking out errors and problems to information systems whose processes prevent many adverse outcomes. When the problem becomes one of error and miscommunication, one needs to do all that is necessary in order to correct the problem. McKnight et al. continued to report how physicians and nurses both report how there were problems with having updated information both web based as well as written copy (McKnight et al., 2002).

A question that also comes to mind is the concern of training or lack there of. Not only should all current systems of information and resources be overhauled, there is also a need to train individuals on how to use all available resources properly. To understand aspects of using Health Information Technology (HIT) for quality improvement, some of its features need elaboration. The initial goal for computer systems is simply to automate earlier paper- or telephone - based interactions considered essential. Once accomplished, the pathway for new process and features has been paved (Detmer, 2000, p. 182).

From here, the only possible outcome is growth and improvement. The first step is recognizing the problem. Poor information retrieval sources as well as out of date information has proven to be an obstacle.Now there are ideas for advancement and improvement. Large steps will need to be taken in the form of training and ongoing education. One thing not really research was the actual training that was acquired to use the different retrieval sources in the first place. This could prove to be an issue that was to long over looked. Responsibility is also imperative in the process of maintaining information. There should be a designations made of specific individuals that are responsible for all databases being updated. This may actually be a situation where outsourcing may become necessary if there is not a way to do it internally. A plan should be constructed that will allow for all users of any given retrieval source to take classes that will give proper training in those information sources that one would use. One hopes that once all end users have been trained, and there has been someone designated to maintain the system to keep it accurate and check for errors, a large percentage of the information issue should dissipate, and over time become non-existent.

References

Detmer, D.E. (2000, July 6). Information technology for quality health care: a summary of United Kingdom and United States experiences. Quality in Health Care, 9, pp. 181-189.

McKnight, L.K., Stetson, P.D., Bakken, S., Curran, C., & Cimino, J.J. (2002, 2002). Perceived Information Needs and Communication….....