Developing an Innovative IT Strategy
The evolving healthcare system has led to various healthcare shortcomings which have thwarted the delivery of quality and safety care to various patients. Informatics has played a more significant role in the diversification of care as well as the approach given to the various healthcare problems. Long-term care facilities are essential in the healthcare industry in the provision of care to the fast-growing population. The adoption of information technology within this setting has however lagged behind since there exist no incentives towards adoption and implementation. The quality of services provided within this settings can be raised with implementation, use and maintenance of better information technology strategies that can see the challenges in the healthcare continuum curbed (Kruse et al., 2017). This article dwells on an innovative information technology strategy applied Bethany Long Term Care facility to meet its needs and solve various quality issues.
Problem statement
Having existed for over 50 years offering long-term care to patients, Bethany has accumulated very many files and patient information that are at risk of distortion and loss thus need for a better technological system that is currents and robust. The files have several setbacks including the need for more time to retrieval, the occupation of bigger space, difficulty in sharing information as well as increased workload in using them in the records department (Kruse et al., 2015). Bethany also anticipates to expand and start a rehabilitative center thus the need for an accommodative system that will contain all the patients’ information. The existence of no electronic health record system and the use of the third party services for scanning and sharing of patient information show a gap that can be sorted with the introduction of a new technology system. Despite the existence of both the third party services as well as the local desktop information technology system, there is a need to incorporate the Electronic Health Record system that will assist in the elimination of the quality issues that have persisted within the facility.
The scope of HIT solution to be acquired
In the incorporation of the Electronic Health Record system, Bethany is required to install computers in various care delivery points. This installation will require facilitation by the information technology experts in conjunction with the computer cooperation for the supply of the gadgets. The technology technicians will also assist in the training of the health staff on the use of the new technology system (Nguyen, Bellucci & Nguyen, 2014). The hospital-based system will then be used to upload various records for the patients for backup and storage purposes. With the use of the electronic health records, the health provider will be able to make electronic documentation, sharing of information as well as retrieving the data for continuous care services. The patient will also be able to access their information through the new Health Information Technology thus facilitating follow up care, adherence to treatment modalities as well as having a good relationship with the care facility.
Stakeholders’ analysis
The board and the top leadership of Bethany forms a critical stakeholder that will be at the forefront to address the quality issues that face the facility. The administration is essential for the supplies of the needed computers systems as well as setting policies that will be followed for the use of technology to improve the services offered (O’Malley et al., 2015). Other internal stakeholders include the staff for the facility who will use the new technology directly to perform their care services. These usages will entail the documentation, drug administration, retrieving information as well as carrying out of research activities. The external stakeholder will involve the human resource department and other technical departments in other nearby facilities for both the sake of installation of the technology as well as sharing of information among the care settings. The information technologists impact the installation via training of the healthcare individuals.
Risk Analysis
The installation and maintenance of the health records call for the facility to incur an additional cost which may constrain the facility concerning finances. The additional staffs required for the training of the staffs will also make the adoption of system costly. Concerning operations, the facility is predisposed to impaired function primarily in the instances where the system gets down or is broken. Besides, the information of the patient might also be accessed by various unauthorized persons via hacking thus breaching the legal and ethical aspects of the system (Ozair et al., 2015).
In the instance where the system is broken down, the facility ought to develop a backup system that can be used as an alternative to the developed technology. Besides, a manual system should also be in place to be a last resort in case of an extensive breakdown. Through collaboration with other sectors and financial institutions, Bethany can receive various funds to sponsor the installation and expansion thus making it less costly for the facility. According to Ozair et al.,( 2015), the information stored in the system can be locked via a username and password system so as not to be accessed by unauthorized individuals.
Conclusion
The existing establishments within Bethany Long Term Care facility require adjustments that will allow for the solution to the healthcare issues facing the facility. By employing the electronic health records, the quality issues and the incorporation of the anticipated rehabilitation center would be sorted. The implementation of the new strategy ought to include all the stakeholders to facilitate the success of the entire plan. At the same time, the facility has a risk of financial constraints, insecurity issues as well as instances of the breakdown of the system to paralyze its services. Through proper planning on funding, placing of a backup system as well as placing of security systems, the risks can be prevented. In the long haul, the adoption of the new Health Information Technology would see the facility enhance its operations to provide quality and safe care to patients.
References
Kruse, C. S., Mileski, M., Alaytsev, V., Carol, E., & Williams, A. (2015). Adoption factors
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Kruse, C. S., Mileski, M., Vijaykumar, A. G., Viswanathan, S. V., Suskandla, U., &
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Nguyen, L., Bellucci, E., & Nguyen, L. T. (2014). Electronic health records implementation: an
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O’Malley, A. S., Draper, K., Gourevitch, R., Cross, D. A., & Scholle, S. H. (2015). Electronic
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Ozair, F. F., Jamshed, N., Sharma, A., & Aggarwal, P. (2015). Ethical issues in electronic health
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