Technology in Health Care
Technology in health care plays a foreground role in improving the quality of health services, reducing costs, and increasing efficiency in health care delivery. Technology is a necessity in health care that and is cardinal in achievement of health reforms and enhancement of the development of health sector. For instance, the adoption of electronic medical records in the health care system has greatly transformed data management in clinics and health centers. The electronic health records have improved patient’s data accessibility and security. The records have also reduced the administrative costs associated with data management that emanate from paper work operations. Moreover, the records have reduced overreliance on clerical work to ensure increased efficiency in the health care system (Liu, Zhou & Huang, 2006).
Why the Article Was Chosen
The choice of the article was based on the fact that it touches issues of health technology that are relevant in health care. The article highlights how HIPPA and HITECH data requirements can be used in handling patient data to ensure security. The article is centered on the above-mentioned rules to highlight the issues that are related to patient data security, such as effective management of electronic data, protection of the patient, and the legal liabilities associated with improper handling of data. The choice of the article was also based on the fact that it highlights the importance of physician communication between the patients. Moreover, it reveals the impact of HIPPA rules on patient data management and physician communication (Liu, Zhou & Huang, 2006).
Summary of the Article
There is an increasing trend in medical errors that stem from communication issues within the health care system. However, the attention of most stakeholders tends to focus on improving patient health outcomes without improving loopholes in communication. The communication problems in the health care system can be attributed to lack of standardised tools of communication, proper teamwork between the physicians, and effective rules to monitor communication issues (Liu, Zhou & Huang, 2006).
To eliminate the aforementioned cases, there is a need to adopt a standardised communication approach that can enable physicians to reduce the cost of data management; ensure secure text messaging, and improve efficiency in handling data. To attain effective use of text messaging technology, the physicians must use reliable devices that are very secure. The text messaging system should have limited accessibility and be easy in use in order to handle sensitive information (Liu, Zhou & Huang, 2006). The physicians and the users of the text messages should adhere to the rules of HITECH and HIPPA. The rules ensure that text messaging mobile devices comply with the standards of communication in health care system. The rules do not only protect patient information, but also ensure text messaging method used by the physicians simplifies management of patient data. Text messaging technology as a method of electronic data management ensures that physicians use health care information to improve the quality of health care services (Liu, Zhou & Huang, 2006).
The Impact of the Technology
HIPPA-Compliant communication systems will play a significant role in changing communication in health care sector. The system will ensure that texting messaging and other modes of communication in health care uphold patient security and integrity. The physicians will be able to respect patient information rights and enhance data protection. The technology will enable health care organisations to establish effective methods of conducting data inventory. The technology will promote effective use of computer information. It will also enable health sectors to track mobile phone conversations and improve the privacy of portable communication devices that are used in the health care system (Liu, Zhou & Huang, 2006).
Moreover, the approach will play a significant role in improving health care delivery through efficient and effective management of clinical records. HIPPA-Compliant information system will also reduce the cost of data management through proper arrangement of data (Liu, Zhou & Huang, 2006).
Definition of Terms
Action layer is part of the information system that enables data users to execute different actions when using data (Liu, Zhou & Huang, 2006).
Audit stratum collects information that is stored in the auditing database within the information system (Liu, Zhou & Huang, 2006).
Record layer is the section of the information system that records all the applications that are executed within the system (Liu, Zhou & Huang, 2006).
Notification layer is the component within the system that receives alerts or warning messages from the audit layer (Liu, Zhou & Huang, 2006).
Reference
Liu, J. Zhou, Z., & Huang, K. (2006). HIPPAA-Compliant Architecture for securing clinical images. Journal of Digital Imaging, 19(2), 172-180.