Using Information Technology to Improve Health Quality and Safety in Community Health Centers

Abstract

Problem-Community health centers (CHCs) face a unique set of challenges and can learn much from each other as they prepare for the adoption of health information technology (HIT).Purpose-This paper presents a research agenda aimed at providing information CHCs will need to successfully implement HIT.Key Points-Community health centers must be able to evaluate whether an investment in HIT is the best way to achieve improvements in health outcomes for their communities given the limited resources and high demands they face. Community health centers need better information to guide them in selecting and implementing information technology that will result in improved health quality and safety. Guidance in optimal use of the system, particularly in the effective use of data made available through electronic health records, is needed to realize health care goals. Community health centers need to be active participants in HIT developments in their communities to ensure that their patients benefit from technological advancements that improve health care. Keywordselectronic health records; health information technology; community health centers; health care quality; health care safety Community health centers (CHCs), like many other health care settings, are expanding their use of information technology to improve health care and health outcomes for their patients. Health information technology (HIT) has been defined as "the application of information processing involving both computer hardware and software that deals with the storage, retrieval, sharing, and use of health care information, data, and knowledge for communication and decision-making." 1 It is considered fundamental to improving the quality of health care. 2 At our organization, the Institute for Urban Family Health, we implemented a fully integrated electronic health record (EHR) and practice management system at our primary care practice sites four years ago. Drawing on our experience using EHRs and our review of the medical literature on the impact of HIT on the quality and safety of patient care at CHCs and other primary care sites, we have developed a set of research questions for the CHC community to consider as it moves forward in the implementation of HIT. STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR HEALTH QUALITY AND SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS How Do CHCs Determine Whether an Investment in HIT will help?As HIT proliferates throughout the country, we must assess the extent to which it will achieve expected goals. The health care system does not have sufficient resources to engage in this expensive new technology without tracking its return on investment-not only financially, but NIH Public Access

The acceptance of radiographers to use Non-fluoroscopy Guided Positioning and the influence of leadership: a survey research

“…This study has several practical implications. Since previous studies found that training of the staff is critical in adopting a new system (Calman et al, 2007), and more specifically determines if fluoroscopy is used to position the patient (Dierckx et al, 2005), results of this study are remarkable. Approximately two thirds of the participants did not attend an external training.…”

Primary care for limited English-speaking patients and parents

“…), websites, and additional resources pertinent to the patient's language needs. In studying HIT at community health centers in New York City, Calman, Kitson, and Hauser () noted that computerized support, such as electronic medical records and clinical decision support, can generate appropriate material from multilingual patient education databases. This streamlines the process for providers to supply their patients with language appropriate materials during the office visit.…”

Human factors guidance to prevent healthcare disparities with the adoption of EHRs

“…In fact, it has been suggested that information technology must play a central role in the redesign of the health care system, if substantial improvement in healthcare quality is to be achieved (1). There is also a growing interest in understanding the potential role of health IT in addressing healthcare disparities (2)(3)(4). In order to adequately and appropriately evaluate the potential of health IT to address healthcare disparities, health IT adoption and utilization barriers must be evaluated and understood.…”

“…(1) subjects who are representative of the target population of EHR users, (2) representative tasks, and (3) measures of efficiency, effectiveness and subjective satisfaction.…”