I.T System Applications in Health Services Delivery: Clinical Information Systems
Clinical Information Systems (CIS) have thus improved the quality of healthcare
delivery by enabling practitioners to serve loads of customers at a time. CIS heightens
accuracy by minimizing human errors through task automation. CIS delivers vital health
records to users through various care points and integrates diverse information and
multiple health care products in a single information infrastructure. Clinical Information
Systems use algorithms used for error checking and elimination, offering safer and better-
quality healthcare. Moreover, the information deduced from clinical information systems
has proven to be instrumental in research to better healthcare delivery and develop
healthcare delivery. CIS fuels development in the medical field by providing education on
better clinical practices. For example, Clinical Information Systems in ICUs and HDUs
have enhanced access to patient records and speedy care delivery. Due to digital tools,
physicians and caregivers are no longer restricted to geographical spaces when making a
diagnosis. Therefore, they can obtain patient data remotely or from a different workstation
in the healthcare facility. Technological advancement has also enhanced accountability
among health care professionals whose tasks and records are easily traced and accessed. In
conclusion, CIS has significantly contributed to the medical space by improving safety and
quality. The impact is incredibly tremendous in accessing patient and medical personnel
data, remote and on-site monitoring of patients, and drug prescriptions. The various
technology tools influence the medical field and create a stepping stone for future
developments (Wakefield et al., 2007).
Technology Diffusion and Federal Regulation
The federal government faces constant difficulty balancing state provisions and
technological diffusion because of cost, safety, benefit, and risk issues. The health care
market competition is also growing, creating a myriad of challenges that the federal
government needs to focus on. The most crucial point is the safety of the health care
delivery while technology diffusion takes off. Therefore, the federal government follows
policies that assist in establishing a balance during technology diffusion. The policies help
address healthcare quality, which is closely linked to healthcare delivery safety. In
addition, policies provide a guide and solution to potential technological deficiencies and
prevent technological gaps during healthcare delivery. With the support of the Quality
Health Care Act of 1986, the federal government can gather information on health care
personnel and take legal action against them where appropriate. Furthermore, the data
collected is accessible to the public, thus making them aware of their interactions within
their medical institutions to assure patient safety. In addition to that, the Agency in charge
of Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) carries out studies on outputs effectiveness
alongside the suitability of medical care services besides its procedures. The AHRQ is
particular in supporting research on specific clinical conditions alongside their treatment
approaches, thus enhancing the effectiveness of the studied conditions. The practice plays
a crucial role in heightening the safety of health care delivery. Some of the vital
components of the AHRQ are the initiation of clinical guidelines and analysis of research
findings with adherence to the developed clinical guidelines. Lastly, to solve the safety
issue, the federal government applies research and policy development that covers
documentation, examination, and prescription while settling for a desirable consequence to
ensure maximum safety in health care delivery (Simpson & Cooner, 2021).
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References
Simpson, E., & Cooner, A. (2021, November 16). How To Regulate Tech: A Technology
Policy Framework for Online Services.6Center for American Progress.
https://www.americanprogress.org/article/how-to-regulate-tech-a-technology-
policy-framework-for-online-services/
Wakefield, D. S., Halbesleben, J. R. B., Ward, M. M., Qiu, Q., Brokel, J., & Crandall, D.
(2007). Development of a Measure of Clinical Information Systems Expectations
and Experiences.6Medical Care,645(9), 884–890.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/40221520
