Question

Understanding the concept of health informatics and the use of technology in healthcare is important to any role in the field of health information management.

In a minimum 2-page summary:

• Discuss the evolution of healthcare informatics
• Define health informatics using the concepts of data, information, knowledge, and wisdom
• Describe automated healthcare delivery systems
• Identify selected types and levels of computer-related personnel, including roles related to health information management
• Differentiate between computer literacy, information literacy, and healthcare informatics
• Summarize your understanding of the role of health informatics in health information management and healthcare.

Answer 1

      Que:1    

         The field of healthcare informatics standards started in the late 1960s. One of the earliest efforts took place under the jurisdiction of ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials). Standards for laboratory message exchange, properties for electronic health record systems, data content, and health information system security were among the first healthcare informatics standards that ASTM developed. The field of health informatics, as we know it now, emerged when computer technology became sophisticated enough to manage large amounts of data. There were earlier experimentations in the field of dentistry, but it wasn’t until the 1960’s that health informatics began to standardize as a field of study.

             According to HIMSS, Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, the first standards for healthcare data reporting were established by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). These include standards for “laboratory message exchange, properties for electronic health record systems, data content, and health information system security.”

          Initially, a need for a standard in a specific area was often identified by a clinical specialty group or by a professional or trade association. For example, the American College of Radiology and National Electrical Manufacturers Association identified a need in 1985 for a non-proprietary data interchange protocol, digital image format, and file structure for biomedical images and image-related information, now the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) standard. The National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) is another group that created a successful standard focused on a very specific niche area of health care – transactions between community pharmacies, payers, and pharmacy benefits managers. The Logical Observations Identifier, Names and Codes (LOINC) database is used widely by commercial labs and government agencies and has been provided at no cost on the Worldwide Web since 1995.¹⁷

         The first electronic medical record appeared soon after and new nomenclature for specific disciplines and services took shape. The subspecialty of bioinformatics was introduced in the late 1970’s as the study of biological data, including DNA. Meanwhile, professional associations and government entities worked to further define the format for patient registration, orders, observation, discharge, insurance claims, and financial transaction messages.

           Clinical information systems professionals have the challenge of achieving interoperability between various formats in order to ensure information availability across all areas of the healthcare enterprise. However, in the final analysis, many health organizations have no choice but to opt for custom programming solutions to integrate dissimilar systems. There is tremendous opportunity for individuals who have the knowledge and training to continue evolving and improving the standards for both technology and patient care. The future belongs to the creative and analytical informaticist who can serve as a liaison between the information technology team and clinicians. Understanding both sides of the health informatics equation is a must to engender collaboration and champion new initiatives.

Que:2

          The health informatics model consists of three essential parts: data, information and knowledge. These elements are arranged in a hierarchy, with data at the base of the model providing the basis for establishing information and leading in turn to the potential generation of knowledge.

        Data is exactly the raw data. Charts, graphs, raw survey data, cost data. If data hasn’t been touched, analyzed, or processed, it’s still in its “raw” form. Data includes uninterpreted items, often referred to as data elements. An example might be a person’s weight. Without additional data elements such as height, age, overall well-being it would be impossible to interpret the significance of an individual number.

Information exists in standalone facts that aren’t necessarily related to the whole. For instance, a chart illustrating the increasing prevalence of a disease would be raw data. The statement “This disease (what) affects children (who) more than adults.” You don’t know how or why and there aren’t any clear conclusions as to how you should proceed in order to mitigate the problem, but you know the problem itself exists

Knowledge is built on a formalization of the relationships and interrelationships between data and information. A knowledge base makes it possible to understand that an individual may have a calculated BMI that is over 30 and not be obese. At this time, several automated decision support systems included a knowledge base and a set of rules for applying the knowledge base in a specific situation. For example, the knowledge base may include the following information. A fever or elevated temperature often begins with a chill. At the beginning of the chill the patient’s temperature may be normal or even sub-normal but in 30 minutes it is likely the patient will have spiked a temp. A rule might read: if a patient complains of chills, then take the patient’s temperature and repeat in 30 minutes.

         Finally, wisdom is being able to take something you know and understand why it’s true. Continuing with our example, if you’re able to conclude that this disease is most common among school-aged children entering their first year in public school, and you realize that it’s spreading from child to child, you might be able to look further into the issue and realize why this disease is spreading. Once you know why, you can create data-based strategies to help combat the problem

Que 3

         Automation is defined as the use of control systems and information technologies to reduce the need for human work in the production of goods and services. Automation has transformed nearly every industry from finance to transportation making manufacturing easier, delivery efficient, documentation and calculations simpler and allowing more people to live a good life. More choices and low costs are the hallmarks of all the benefits that have come about from automation. Healthcare, however, has followed the course slowly and perhaps, most differently.
The U.S has one of the most expensive health care systems in the world, and it has led people to assume that it must be perfect as well. Simply put, people believe that more expensive healthcare would lead to better health or life expectancy. Which is not really the case. On the contrary, the healthcare industry until now did not incorporate process integration automation the way automobile and computer production did. The most that happened in health care until now was physicians embracing new diagnostic or treatment technologies. Currently, however, the scene in the health industry is changing. New innovations and the consumer’s demand for a more engaging and connected experience are pushing the industry to implement accelerated changes. Digital technologies are the ‘new wonder drug’ in health care. These techniques include mobile apps, wearable sensors, predictive diagnostics and Telemedicine amongst others. It’s due to automation that these innovative, accessible, efficient and cheaper forms of health care have come into being. Traditional innovators of health care like hospitals, pharmaceutical firms, and medical technology companies are now realizing the benefits of automation and investing in it fast.

Que:4

Health information management (HIM) is the practice of acquiring, analyzing, and protecting digital and traditional medical information vital to providing quality patient care. It is a combination of business, science, and information technology.

HIM professionals are highly trained in the latest information management technology applications and understand the workflow in any healthcare provider organization from large hospital systems to the private physician practice. They are vital to the daily operations management of health information and electronic health records (EHRs). They ensure a patient’s health information and records are complete, accurate, and protected.

Health information management (HIM) professionals work in a variety of different settings and job titles. They often serve in bridge roles, connecting clinical, operational, and administrative functions. These professionals affect the quality of patient information and patient care at every touch point​in the healthcare delivery cycle. HIM professionals work on the classification of diseases and treatments to ensure they are standardized for clinical, financial, and legal uses in healthcare. Health information professionals care for patients by caring for their medical data.

Having skilled HIM professionals on staff ensures an organization has the right information on hand when and where it is needed while maintaining the highest standards of data integrity, confidentiality, and security. As technology advances, the role of the HIM professional expands. The HIM professional’s duty is to adapt to new methods of capturing healthcare information, storing that information, and easily accessing it electronically. Their role is important in order to maintain organized and accurate electronic data that allows daily healthcare routines to carry on smoothly with the new technological advancements.

Health information technology (HIT) refers to the framework used to manage health information, and the exchange of health information in a digital format. Professionals who work in HIT are focused on the technical side of managing health information, working with software and hardware used to manage and store patient data. HIT professionals are usually from information technology backgrounds, and provide support for EHRs and other systems HIM professionals use to secure health information. As technology advances, HIT professionals are necessary to ensure the electronic data HIM professionals manage is maintained and exchanged accurately and efficiently