Health information technology as a source of evidence-based practice

¶ … Health Information and Technology

In health care, two of the biggest challenges are quality and ensuring that employees are not becoming burnt out from the working environment. One of the best approaches for addressing these challenges is to use technology to improve communication and collaboration. In a study that was conducted by Hynes (2009), she determined that these tools can achieve these objectives. (Hynes, 2009)

This was accomplished by studying how these changes impacted facilities for the Veterans Administration (VA) hospitals. The results were that the implementation of technology on different levels made staff members more responsive to critical challenges, it reduced the time involved with paperwork and enhanced coordination. When this happened, everyone was able to more effectively focus and create strategies for dealing with them over the long-term. (Hynes, 2009)

However, one of the major obstacles is that there could be resistance from employees. They found that these issues can be overcome by having effective coordination and communication among various staff members and managers during the process. It is at this point when everyone will see the long-term benefits this is providing to them. The way that this can improve organizational practices is to create procedures that will eliminate any kind of redundancies and enhance everybody's ability to coordinate. This is the point where various resources can be streamlined in the process. (Hynes, 2009)

Moreover, Jamal (2009) determined that the use of technology in a health care environment will have an impact on every single aspect of the care that is being provided. Most notably: health records, order entry and decision support. These different factors will lead to positive transformations in the way staff members are able to work with each other and address critical challenges over the long-term. When this happens, they can more effectively coordinate and understand how to deal with issues impacting quality. (Jamal, 2009)

These insights will support the practice by providing a foundation for utilizing technology, how it can transform quality and addressing critical problems. It is at this point when staff members can reduce errors and enhance their ability to understand the patient's condition. This will lead to a transformation in the way they are able to interact and comprehend the best approaches for dealing with them over the long-term. (Jamal, 2009)

Furthermore, Umscheid (2010) found that use of technology in a health care environment will reduce costs, improve their ability to adapt with changes inside the industry and enhance quality / safety. This is because these tools will reduce any kind of overlap in personnel and it will improve staff members' ability to respond to these issues. When this happens, they will be capable of offering the latest treatment options and it can control the expenses for providing these services to cliental. (Umscheid, 2010)

These ideas are showing how the practice will be more flexible in dealing with critical challenges and quickly evolving with them. This is the key for ensuring that it can adjust with new laws and maintain high levels of quality. It is at this point when there will be an increase in demand for these services with the organization offering unique solutions. That is more affordable and it is focused on providing the highest quality to stakeholders. (Umscheid, 2010)