Health Services and Information System

Question: Discuss about theHealth Services and Information System. Answer: Introduction: Upon the intention of the City Hospital to implement the first phase of the new medical record solution that is electronic, a SWOT analysis has been done to help in the process of planning for the new technological dispensation in health care. Again, an evidence-based solution that ensures successful implementation shall be proposed and a suggestion of an issue to be deliberated upon as well. Strengths. It helps in safeguarding the confidentiality of patient information. The system is secure because there are security measures like use of PINs and passwords. It lowers the loss of information. Electronic medical records are secured through cloud computing as opposed to paper which gets lost in fires and theft. Clear communication among professionals is enhanced. Because impediments like poor handwritings are avoided. Also, patient data is centralized hence easily accessible. It restrains medical errors. Here, clinicians are linked to care plans, treatment sheets, protocols and others reducing. It improves the provision of services. Since the method is swift, time is managed hence many activities, and prompt attention is given improving patient care. Saves time, ensures originality of data, improves data storage and reduces costs. (Ben-Assuli Leshno, 2013) Weaknesses. A high cost of adoption in the installations and hiring training staff. It limits interoperability among health workers since the exchange of vital information about patients is stored in a computer. It needs an intense training of staff. For each employee to understand the use, they have to be taught for long. There is a disparity in software packages. Different vendors provide different software hence confusion during the adoption of each method. There is no standard system of documentation as many EMRs are in the market. Vulnerable to Cyberterrorism, and may lead to medical errors (Seo, Kim, Kim, 2011). Opportunities. It elevates health practice that is proactive through the use of recommendations that are evidence-based. It improves capabilities of reporting health information through patient outcomes. There are high checks and balances to ensure quality from patient admission to discharge. There is patient satisfaction due to the quality of care received (Carter, 2015). There is support in making decisions since references can be done at any time. Threats. It endangers the patient-provider relations because there is limited touch and it can act as a proxy. There is a probability of failure of systems which may cause total loss of data or halt normal hospital activities like accessing essential patient details. Utilisers may resist its implementation due to the sophistication and cost. Patients may perceive it as a threat to privacy due to hackers and viruses. The public may view EMR investments as costly and evade taxes and incentives (Dobrzykowski Tarafdar, 2016). The use of power supplies that are uninterrupted and standby full-scale power facilities lowers the risk of data loss due to sudden electric malfunctions. Additionally, integrate level power systems that can alert in case there is an unanticipated danger like viruses. Adoption of these measures can ensure efficiency and successful use of EMR and have been proved in the United States and Malaysia ("Electronic medical records in ophthalmology," 2013). A suggestion for consideration is the constitutional proposition regarding the patient and provider information safety as far as EMR is concerned (Frize, 2012). For instance, the Security Act on patient information in Australia. In conclusion, the strengths and opportunities in the SWOT analysis outweigh the weakness and threats proving the need for implementation of this noble course towards better and safe health care system. References Ben-Assuli, O. Leshno, M. (2013). Using Electronic Medical Records in Admission Decisions: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis.Decision Sciences,44(3), 463-481. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/deci.12018 Carter, D. (2015). Records access and management on the closure of medical practice.Med J Aust,203(2), 109-110. https://dx.doi.org/10.5694/mja15.00258 Dobrzykowski, D. Tarafdar, M. (2016). Linking Electronic Medical Records Use to Physicians Performance: A Contextual Analysis.Decision Sciences. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/deci.12219 Electronic medical records in ophthalmology. (2013).Saudi Journal Of Ophthalmology,27(2), 71-72. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sjopt.2013.04.001 Frize, M. (2012). Electronic Medical Records (EMRs): Patient Safety and Ethical Considerations.Ethics In Biology, Engineering And Medicine,3(1-3), 3-8. https://dx.doi.org/10.1615/ethicsbiologyengmed.2013006933 Seo, H., Kim, H., Kim, J. (2011). A SWOT Analysis of the Various Backup Scenarios Used in Electronic Medical Record Systems.Healthc Inform Res,17(3), 162. https://dx.doi.org/10.4258/hir.2011.17.3.162