Question

Patient portals and other Internet-based applications are often used in health care in the United States. These systems rely upon the commercial use of an Internet connection. Some areas cannot afford Internet or may have a cultural or religious objection to significant use of Internet applications as resources for the population being served. Discuss how this may affect the health care organization that is required to update processes in order to meet regulatory requirements?

Answer 1

The use of patient portal and other internet -based applications are very important to gain information about the diagnosis of health condition and development of suitable treatment plans.It help to empowering individuals and communities with timely and understndable health related information.The patient portal fewer the unnecessary visits to the patient. moreover the patient can communicate with the doctor and reduce the medical errors.It can make patient records,lab test result ,history of immunization,allergies,discharge information, monitor patient condition, and reporting through a connected device can keep the doctors and staff informed and up to date as patient are treated.The use of internet also support various health related activities beyond the direct provision of care.

The cultural or religeous objection to use internet applications negatively affect the health care organization,it is a barrier for data collection ,processing,reporting and use of the information necessary for improving health service effectively through better management at all level of health service.The patient need to visit the hospital all the time for the health checkup and followup.sometimes the health care provider may find difficult to get the information about the disease condition.especially in case of emergency.Patient portal can be important to assess their own medical information.it is important to encourage the use of technology to reduce the overall cost health care service and to make it more effective.Due to the objection to use of internet affect the health care organization to meet their regulatory requirements .There are many rules and regulations and laws that related to healthcare organization to practice, that is-Health care quality improvement act ,medicare ,medicaid ,childrens health insurance program ,Hospital readmission reduction program , Health insurance portability and accountability act, these rules set national standards regarding protected health information and medical record protection .Nowadays electronic health records are used to promote the quality of health care.So it is important to use the patient portal to assess the secure personal health information and meet the regulatory requirements.