Question

Define interoperability and describe its current impact of within the Healthcare Industry in specific reference to EHR systems. In true Informatics form, please use data/statistics to support your review.

Answer 1

Answer:

Interoperability in health care means the ability of Healthcare information technology exchanges , interprets, and uses data to work together within and across all organizational boundaries which helps to delivery of effective health care for individuals and communities who are in need.

Interoperability in the electronic health records (EHR) system means the ability to allow the electronic sharing of patient information between various EHR sytems and health care providers which helps to  the doctors who can provide care to their patients withour tension and patients who can move in and out of different care facilities.This facility improves the delivery of the health care by doctors by making the right data available at the right time to the right people when they are in need.

After the introduction of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) in 2009 , it makes healthcare providers to switch the patient data from page to electronic health records.

impact of Interoperability: There are so many benefits in the health care system due to Interoperability. They are

--patients past medical history like past symptoms, procedures,allergies and complications are stored in the healthcare systems. Due to the Interoperability , both health care providers and patients can have fully access to patient data which helps doctors to provide quality of care to patients.

-- Interoperability in electronic healthcare system helps doctors and patients to have useful conversations and it leads to better outcomes. this is because more time can be spent on details of patient illness and injury and can plan better treatment for them.

--The patient's confidential data is protected and stay safe is main central part of Interoperability standards.

--Interoperability in health care helps to improve efficiency of doctors and their treatment.

-- the continuity of care and treatment is very improtant to patients either they are in chronic condition or acute situation or they are out of town , Interoperability helps safer trasitions of their information from multiple health service providers and theyy can provide care and leads to better patient outcomes.

--Interoperability useful in sharing of information with accurate details to doctor in timely manner which prevents unnecessary tests and saves time for both doctor and patient.

The Electronic health recordsEHR are maintained by most of the hospitals in united states with 96% as they have federaaly tested and certified EHR programs and Ninefold increases since 2008. Also 80% of office based physicians have certified EHR system.

- in a recent study, physicians spend 33% of thier work hours to do direct clinical work and 49% of their hours in completing clerical tasks and interfacing with the EHR . The physicians spent 2hours on clerical or EHR related tasks for every hour of their clinical work.