The data management problem within the healthcare industry can be resolved only using the complex approach based on the effective plan which includes such important components as the implementation of electronic health records, the orientation to the development of the health information exchanges, and the focus on the active usage of the improved national data repositories.
It is important to pay attention to the fact that the solution of the data management problem depends on the effective usage of all the mentioned approaches to regulating the process of collecting, analyzing, and managing the data.
In spite of the fact the electronic health records are used by many healthcare providers and there are several methods to implement these systems effectively, the orientation to the health information exchanges and usage of the national data repositories requires the developed plan of actions to achieve the expected positive results and resolve the data management problem.
From this point, the plan for resolving the data management problem is based on three main components. The implementation of the electronic health records within the healthcare industry is the major component which is necessary for resolving the basic problem when the data used by the healthcare providers is collected and stored ineffectively and with references to different software or systems (Khosrow-Pour, 2006).
The electronic health records can make the process of managing the data more organized. The next component is the development of health information exchanges to provide the effective process of sharing the data between healthcare providers.
The realization of this stage in the plan depends on resolving the issues with electronic health records, with the shift to using the same systems, programs, and software, and with questions of privacy and confidentiality (Brooks & Grotz, 2010). The national data repositories as the next component can be used effectively if the government presents the necessary access to the required data for the healthcare providers.
It is possible to determine the outline for implementing the most important component of the plan which the usage of electronic health records. The electronic health records’ implementation should be based on
- the realistic time frames and flexible schedules;
- resolving the problem of the technology acquisition and the work of the server;
- scanning the paper records to form the base;
- developing the Work Flow Analysis design;
- training the employees to use the new system;
- resolving the question of confidentiality, privacy, and security policies in relation to new IT systems;
- monitoring the results of implementation at different stages (McFadden et al., 2006).
The plan can be realized successfully when definite persons are determined to regulate the IT sphere of implementing the program and systems, to control the whole process of the system’s implementation, to train the employees, and to orient the staff to the positive results.
The process of implementing any new system, program or plan is long and complicated, and the role of every participant is significant (Hillestad et al., 2005). However, the accents are made on the activities of those persons who implement the new programs as IT systems and on managers who train the employees to work with these new systems effectively.
Thus, the data management problem can be resolved with references to the plan which includes three major components where the implementation of electronic health records is the basic one.
Those persons who control the implementation of the new systems and approaches are responsible for training the employees in relation to their computer literacy and such aspects as issues of privacy and confidentiality. Moreover, the employees’ feedback is important to regulate the implementation process according to the timetable for different stages of the plan.
References
Brooks, R., & Grotz, C. (2010). Implementation of electronic medical records: How healthcare providers are managing the challenges of going digital. Journal of Business and Economic Research, 8(6), 73-84.
Hillestad, R., Bigelow, J., Bower, A., Girosi, F., Meili, R., Scoville, R., & Taylor, R. (2005). Can electronic medical record systems transform health care? Potential health benefits, savings, and costs. Web.
Khosrow-Pour, M. (2006). Emerging trends and challenges in information technology management. USA: Idea Group Pub.
McFadden, K., Stock, G., Gowen, C., & Cook, P. (2006). Exploring strategies for reducing hospital errors. Journal of Healthcare Management, 51(2), 123-135.