First Discussion Topic:
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
