According to Islam et al. (2018), clinical information systems (CISs)
“are computer systems that provide immediate access to current
patient data regarding clinical notes, medication history, laboratory
reports, images, and reports either directly or via data networks.”
CISs are a part of a healthcare facility and facilitates in patient care
by providing clinicians with the appropriate information necessary to
best treat their patients. An effective CIS provides hospitals with
other ways to reduce cost, while improving workflow and other
clinical procedures. Effective CISs also work well with electronic
health records systems in providing clinicians more information
about their patients in a direct and easily accessible way (Islam et al.,
2018). Proper exchange of information between CISs and other
health information systems allow healthcare professionals to better
make decisions when establishing treatment plans for their patients.
b I consider safety to be the most important area of focus when it
comes to technology diffusion in healthcare delivery. The
Committees on Patient Safety and Quality Improvement and Practice
Management (2015) states that the benefit of healthcare information
technology is to be able to effectively communicate patient
information to decrease risk of harm to the patients. Furthermore,
the article continues that there is potential to improve patient safety
using IT features like “medication alerts, clinical flags and reminders,
better tracking and reporting of consultations and diagnostic testing,
clinical decision support, and the availability of complete patient
data” (Committee, 2015). Improved patient safety facilitates hospitals
financially as well. Patients are more likely to seek services from
facilities that are reputable in quality care due to safety, thus
improving the organization’s competitiveness in their current market.
References
Committee on Patient Safety and Quality Improvement & Committee
on Practice Management. (2015). Patient safety and health information
technology. The American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists. Retrieved April 12, 2022, from
https://www.acog.org/-
/media/project/acog/acogorg/clinical/files/committee-
opinion/articles/2015/01/patient-safety-and-health-information-
technology.pdf
Islam, M.M., Poly, T. N., & Li, Y. (2018). Recent advancement of
clinical information systems: Opportunities and challenges. Yearbook
of Medical Informatics, 27(1). Doi: 10.1055/s-0038-1667075
