Implementing Health Information Technology to Improve the Process of Health Care Delivery: A Case Study

Abstract

Integration of health information is critical to the provision of effective, quality care in today's fragmented health care system. The increasing prevalence of chronic conditions and the demand for a comprehensive understanding of patient health on the part of providers are driving the need for the integration of health information through electronic health information systems. Two distinct health information systems currently utilized in the health care field include electronic medical records (EMR) and chronic disease management systems (CDMS). The integration of these systems is likely to enable the efficient management of health information and improve the quality of health care as it would provide real-time patient information in a coordinated manner. The lack of real-time information may result in delayed treatment, uninformed decisions, inefficient resource use, and medical errors. Despite their importance and widespread support, these systems have slow provider adoption rates. Our understanding of how health information technology may be used to improve health care is limited by the relative paucity of research on the adoption, integration, and implementation of these 2 types of systems. This paper documents the use of an EMR at Marshfield Clinic, a multidisciplinary group practice in the United States. We review the concomitant use of an EMR for clinical data capture and the implementation of a proprietary CDMS, InformaCare, for care management of chronic diseases. These 2 systems allow providers to deliver health care using evidence-based guidelines that meet the Institute of Medicine's aim of providing safe, efficient, patient-centered, and timely care.

Challenges to Using an Electronic Personal Health Record by a Low-Income Elderly Population

“…Earlier studies on PHRs demonstrated their usefulness in improving the quality of care for patients with chronic illnesses [37], in controlling costs [3], and in reducing health care disparities [38-40]. The accelerated efforts from ICT and health care companies and their partnerships will likely substantially increase the availability and usability of PHRs.…”

Public Health in an Era of Personal Health Records: Opportunities for Innovation and New Partnerships

“…The challenges are not insignificant and at a minimum include being able to articulate the value of PHRs for individuals along the full wellness/sickness spectrum. The value and/or utility of PHRs outside of transaction-based functions (eg, appointment scheduling and medication refills), such as the potential benefits of PHRs for those managing chronic conditions [24], have not been sufficiently researched. However, as we work to increase our understanding of the uses and utility of PHRs, it would also serve the interests of public health to focus on issues related to data liquidity [25], personal health tools and platforms [5], general health literacy and education [26], and the ways in which these approaches and systems work to improve health outcomes and the quality of care as well as influence and streamline public health practice.…”

Factors Affecting in Adoption and Use of Electronic Medical Record Based on Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology in Iran

“…Other studies show that both EMR and electronic health records can significantly reduce the costs of health care, increase the quality of health care services, and eventually improve the community's health status (9). Therefore, due to the importance of EMR, some programs have been developed for its adoption and use in health care industries.…”