Abstract
Health information technology (HIT) is the application of information processing involving computer software and hardware that deals with retrieval, sharing, storage, and use of healthcare information for decision-making and communication. Patient safety and the avoidance and prevention of adverse outcomes from healthcare processes are critical in healthcare. HIT provides several opportunities for transforming and improving healthcare, like reducing human errors and enhancing practice efficiencies. There has been an accelerated adoption and development of healthcare information technology with testes evidence about the impact of health information technology on patient safety.
Impact of information technology and data analysis on improving patient outcomes
Technology has become an integral part of medicine in the current healthcare sectors. The right technology can improve quality, increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve quality. Technology facilitates communication between clinicians to improve patient outcomes. Communication failures are among the most common factors leading to adverse effects. HIT and data analysis can help to reduce errors by maintaining and compiling all of the patient’s data into one accessible record. Correct data analysis and HIT can reduce medical errors. An extensive range of drug-reference information can be accessed easily on handheld devices, and healthcare givers can quickly access databases, textbooks, and medical references online, improving patient outcomes. Technology has contributed to patient-centered care by promoting communication between clinicians and patients via online portables, email, and text messages. Self-monitoring and patient convenience is improved by accessing online medical records.
Nurse’s role in utilizing information technology and data analysis to improve patient outcomes
Nurses contribute to utilizing HIT and data analysis to improve patient outcomes in several ways. First, they can adopt standardized, evidence-based risk assessments in clinical practice and collaborate with technology departments to ensure that the electronic health records represent the evaluations, patient outcomes, and corresponding interventions (Booth et al., 2021). Linking evidence-based interventions to assessment data in electronic health records will enable patients to receive evidence-based care during clinical encounters. Additionally, nurses can create a culture of shared decision-making to ensure that healthcare staff members actively participate and engage other departments in information technology usage and data analysis to improve patient outcomes.
The necessity for protecting patient privacy
Patient confidentiality protects the patient and others (Tariq, 2022). Some diseases, like mental illness and sexually transmitted diseases, have stigmas attached to them. A patient’s societal reputation can be harmed if their medical condition is shared publicly. Sharing patients’ data can hinder treatment, affect prognosis, and harm others. Protecting patient data prevents discrimination. Keeping healthcare records private ensures that the healthcare team, support staff, and relatives do not judge patients by their illnesses but provide equal services. Moreover, confidentiality builds patient trust, which is everything in healthcare. When patients are provided a safe space, they freely seek care and are honest about their symptoms which can prevent the spread of certain conditions.
Guidelines to avoid misuse of data
Data misuse is using healthcare information in ways that are not intended (Sham, 2022). To avoid data misuse, the healthcare organization should clearly state the purpose of processing the data to ensure correct usage and access only. Data collected should be documented in intent and detailed in privacy information resources to ensure authorized access only. Data should be regularly reviewed, and the processing and documentation should be updated to avoid misuse. Lastly, individual consent should be obtained before processing data for alternative outcomes.
Conclusion
The above document emphasizes the need for patient safety which is a broad topic in healthcare. Technology advancements can prevent adverse effects by facilitating information sharing, automating tasks, intercepting errors, reducing variation in practice, improving clinical decision-making, and managing workforce shortages. Although sufficient training should be provided to optimize technology, patient safety should be encouraged, and optimizing technology based on user feedback is needed to enhance patient safety.
References
Booth, R. G., Strudwick, G., McBride, S., O’Connor, S., & Solano López, A. L. (2021). How the nursing profession should adapt for a digital future. The BMJ, p. 373, n1190. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n1190
Sham, S. (2022, March 10). What Is Data Misuse? Okta, Inc. https://www.okta.com/blog/2020/06/data-misuse/#:~:text=What%20Is%20Data%20Misuse%3F
Tariq, R. A. (2022, September 26). Patient Confidentiality. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519540/#__NBK519540_ai__
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