A clinical information system (CIS) is a computer-based system that is
meant to store, gather, and alter clinical data on patients (Intensive
Care NSW, 2016). The purpose of a CIS is to integrate, collect, store
and manage data from different resources to support healthcare
management (Intensive Care NSW, 2016). There are many benefits
of having a CIS in every healthcare facility. It helps improve
communication between various health professionals caring for each
patient. It provides all the information clinicians need to make
decisions, it makes it easier for patients to have x-rays and scans, it
encourages quality improvement and it allows for better clinical
research (Talking Healthtech, 2021). An electronic medical record
(EMR) is a form of a CIS. An EMR contains information about a
patient’s health, including test results, treatments and past medical
history (Talking HealthTech, 2021). A CIS has a positive influence on
healthcare delivery because it offers a form of automation that paper
records can not do and it helps with checking for errors and giving
physicians easier access to patient data.
Second Discussion Topic
With all of the technological advancements that have been seen in
the healthcare industry, it does come at a large cost for most
facilities. When a facility is thinking about implementing a CIS into
their center the costs that they will need to worry about is that
hardware, EHR software, implementation assistance, training and
ongoing network fees and maintenance (Health IT, 2014). Even
though technology does make everything easier in healthcare, the
cost of it should be better regulated to give all facilities access. Not
only do these technological advancements help the facility and
physicians, but it also benefits the patients. These technologies open
the door for patients to have access to a patient portal where they
can request medication refills, appointments, make online payments
and have access to lab or test results.
References:
How much is this going to cost me? HealthIT.gov. (2014, November
12). Retrieved April 14, 2022,
from https://www.healthit.gov/faq/how-much-going-cost-me
Intensive Care NSW. (2016, May 10). Clinical information system.
Intensive Care NSW. Retrieved April 14, 2022,
from https://aci.health.nsw.gov.au/networks/icnsw/patients-and-
families/equipment/clinical-information-system
Talking HealthTech. (2021, January 10). What is a clinical information
system (CIS)? Talking HealthTech. Retrieved April 14, 2022,
from https://www.talkinghealthtech.com/glossary/clinical-
information-system-cis
