A health information system (HIS) refers to a system designed to manage healthcare data. This includes systems that collect, store, manage and transmit a patient’s electronic medical record (EMR), a hospital’s operational management or a system supporting healthcare policy decisions.
Health information systems also include those systems that handle data related to the activities of providers and health organizations. As an integrated effort, these may be leveraged to improve patient outcomes, inform research, and influence policy-making and decision-making. Because health information systems commonly access, process, or maintain large volumes of sensitive data, security is a primary concern.
Advantages of Health Information System
Organized & Coordinated Treatment Process
Health Information System is a technology-driven system that makes the process of sharing protected health information (PHI) between organizations and providers really hassle-free. Also, because of this system, patients are able to get seamless and coordinated treatment from healthcare providers. Especially, the patients whose diagnoses need cross-specialty treatment coordination and substantial medical information management get the maximum benefits from HIS. And above all, it improves the delivery of the care and outcomes of the patients.
Betterment in Patient Care
By collecting and saving patient’s information, including diagnosis reports, medical history, allergy reactions, vaccinations, treatment information plans, test results, etc., Health Information Systems provide the healthcare providers a complete and orderly framework that helps them interact with their patients in a better way and eventually deliver care to them in a more efficient way.
Circumvention of Medical Errors
As Health Information Systems maintains less paperwork and makes everything computerized and automated, you get the error-free reports and information. As a result, various medication errors can be avoided and patients’ safety can be ensured.
Time Saving
Other than saving money, Health Information Systems help in saving time as well. By making all the patients’ information computerized and personal activities automated, HIS saves a significant amount of time in making patient care coordinated and hospital management seamless.
Improved Patient Satisfaction
By adding value to the clinical process Health Information Systems don’t only make the daily job of healthcare providers and administration easy but also improves the satisfaction level of the patients. The patients can rely on your service, and when you become a reliable name in your sector, you get more patients and get a great return on investment.
EXAMPLES OF HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Health information systems can be used by everyone in healthcare from patients to clinicians to public health officials. They collect data and compile it in a way that can be used to make healthcare decisions.
Examples of health information systems include:
Electronic Medical Record (EMR) and Electronic Health Record (EHR)
These two terms are almost used interchangeably. The electronic medical record replaces the paper version of a patient’s medical history. The electronic health record includes more health data, test results, and treatments. It also is designed to share data with other electronic health records so other healthcare providers can access a patient’s healthcare data.
Practice Management Software
Practice management software helps healthcare providers manage daily operations such as scheduling and billing. Healthcare providers, from small practices to hospitals, use practice management systems to automate many of the administrative tasks.
Master Patient Index (MPI)
A master patient index connects separate patient records across databases. The index has a record for each patient that is registered at a healthcare organization and indexes all other records for that patient. MPIs are used to reduce duplicate patient records and inaccurate patient information that can lead to claim denials.
