Healthcare information technology (IT) has been a part of healthcare for more than 30 years, used to document patient and clinician data. Today, health IT delivers more than just records management. It’s a tool that allows clinicians and patients to be connected worldwide with quick access to vital, lifesaving information.
The U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), said the future of health IT provides an opportunity to further improve the quality, efficiency and cost of healthcare.
As leaders, nurses who earn doctorate of nursing (DNP) degrees must stay one step ahead of the fast changes in technology to ensure patients are safeguarded and the nursing staff is knowledgeable. By evaluating healthcare information systems, DNP-educated advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) can continue to provide effective care while integrating the newest technology into healthcare.
Brenda Aubin, RN, BSN, said learning about and using technology is no longer a choice. IT must be used through the continuum of care. Aubin, the clinical integration manager at Amplion Clinical Communications, said everyone on the nursing team must embrace technology.
“Technology is no longer just a tool that makes it easier for clinicians to do their jobs. As healthcare increasingly becomes more consumer-driven, technology is becoming more of a vehicle for engaging patients and their families and helping them connect with their caregivers,” she said.
Using Healthcare Information Technology in a Care System
In general, health IT is another way to describe the management of healthcare information between clinicians, patients, healthcare administrators, insurance companies and government entities. Despite the widely known benefits of using IT in healthcare systems, implementation has been slow in some parts of the United States.
In a 2015 white paper, the AHRQ found four interconnected factors that allow leaders to effectively implement IT in a healthcare system:
A culture with a strong commitment to health IT
Frequently, the commitment must begin from the top leadership, including DNP-educated nurses, who focus on evaluating healthcare information systems for the betterment of the healthcare unit.
Access to high-functioning IT tools
IT tools that support quality improvements are the key to measuring, tracking, analyzing and sharing healthcare information to be used to reduce costs and improve the patient experience.
A staff that has skills with IT tools
Staff members who understand how to extract and analyze IT data are essential to putting the information into practice and making quality improvements.
An understanding of the practice processes and workflows
By understanding the workflows and processes, leaders can better use the collected information to make quality changes.
Common Uses of Healthcare Information Technology
Health IT has been used sporadically for decades in the form of electronic medical records (EMRs), which are digital versions of patient charts and medical histories from a single provider. In 2014, the federal government disbursed more than $19 billion in incentives for hospitals to use EMRs. Since then, the number of providers using EMRs skyrocketed.
As of 2016 (the most recent data), more than 95 percent of all eligible hospitals have demonstrated “meaningful use of certified health IT,” the HHS’s Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) said.
In addition to EMRs, health IT is commonly used in other areas of healthcare:
- Electronic health records (EHR)
EHRs have a similar function to EMRs but EHRs refer to records kept on the patient’s overall health from a multitude of providers. The ONC said EHRs “go beyond standard clinical data collected in the provider’s office and are inclusive of a broader view on a patient’s care.”
- Patient portals
Patient portals allow patients to access their EMRs, EHRs and other pertinent information such as lab results, immunization records, prescription records and information about recent medical visits. Some portals also allow patients to download information and request new prescriptions or prescription refills.
- E-prescribing
Electronic prescribing, or e-prescribing, allows providers to use electronic tools to write and submit prescriptions. When used in conjunction with EMRs and EHRs, providers can better determine the best prescriptions for treatments. One study linked e-prescriptions to better health outcomes in diabetic patients.
- Patient scheduling
Patient scheduling is considered an essential step in providing care, but studies show effective scheduling is lacking. A 2016 survey by the AHRQ found 10 percent of adults said they frequently have difficulties getting timely appointments with providers.
DNPs and Healthcare Leaders Using Health Information Technology
While nursing leaders are increasingly using health IT in clinical practice, a lot remains to be accomplished. Barriers that include capital costs, inadequate staff training and unfamiliarity of the benefits of health IT have hindered progress in some areas, the AHRQ said. To increase the use of IT for quality improvements, the AHRQ made the following recommendations:
- Share samples of exemplary use of health IT to inspire staff
- Develop and refine high-functioning IT tools
- Empower staff with the knowledge, guidance and tools to maximize the use of IT
- Expand the availability of financial incentives for IT use.
Healthcare leaders say DNP-prepared nurses can take on advanced roles in IT through a DNP curriculum that examines and evaluates the importance of technology in nursing leadership. In 2012, Jason T. Shuffitt, DNP FNP-BC, recommended that DNP education programs develop “innovative and creative ways of integrating healthcare informatics throughout the curriculum.” His recommendations resonate today.
“These clinicians are on the front line of care delivery and must have not only the knowledge and skills necessary to provide competent and quality clinical care but also the ability to manage care effectively in an information-centric and ever evolving complex healthcare system,” he said in the Online Journal of Nursing Informatics.
APRNs considering advancing their careers with a DNP degree have an opportunity to utilize a DNP curriculum that includes coursework in healthcare information systems, leadership and safety initiatives. Duquesne University’s online DNP program allows APRNs to delve into health IT and other topics for a well-rounded education.
About Duquesne University’s Online DNP Program
Duquesne University’s online DNP program prepares graduates to take part in evaluating healthcare information systems for positive changes in patient outcomes. The DNP curriculum builds on existing knowledge and experience for a comprehensive education focused on developing technological innovation for the future of nursing.
The 100 percent online coursework of the DNP program provides an opportunity for APRNs to work toward an advanced degree while maintaining career and family responsibilities. For more information, visit the university’s online DNP program website.
- https://www.ahrq.gov/professionals/prevention-chronic-care/improve/health-it/index.html
- https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/special-topics/health-information-technology/index.html
- https://pcmh.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/attachments/Using Health IT Technology to Support QI.pdf
- https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/ehr-incentives-climb-19b
- https://dashboard.healthit.gov/quickstats/pages/FIG-Hospitals-EHR-Incentive-Programs.php
- https://www.healthit.gov/buzz-blog/electronic-health-and-medical-records/emr-vs-ehr-difference/
- https://www.healthit.gov/providers-professionals/faqs/what-patient-portal
- https://www.healthit.gov/buzz-blog/tag/eprescribing/