Healthcare informatics became its own profession after 1991, when the Accredited Standards Committee X12N Insurance subcommittee was created. At this time, the ASN started to develop the widespread standards that would be used for health facilities to use and maintain an interactive communication system that stored claims, administrative, and financial information. Since there was a growing need for a universal type of technology that facilities in the country could use, there was no denying that the need for a new specialist who could choose, manage, and train clinical staff on these systems were created. This is where the role of the Health Information Manager was born. Here is how information in widespread health information systems is used in the medical sector:

Used For Higher Quality Care

When technology is used to not just treat the patient but also to facilitate communication and to store patient data, it is easy to see just how much health information technology can contribute to delivering a higher quality of care. Whether this means that the clinical team is more informed or the administrative team can stay on top of appointments and claims. One of the biggest roles of informatics within health care is finding a way for hospitals, clinics, provider’s offices, and other facilities to deliver patient-centered care. This gives the patient the power to take control over their own care by accessing their electronic medical records or using a secure system where they can communicate with their doctors and nurses.

What Do Information Systems Do with Patient Data?

The entire field of Health Information Management revolves around an electronic system that becomes a portal where patient data and even things like training materials or pamphlets is stored, acquired, shared, and used by clinicians or the patients themselves. Within the system itself, patients have access to provide the clinical staff with important and relevant health information. Doctors and clinical staff who are authorized to send treatment information to patients currently in care. The system itself facilitates the availability of the important information sent by either party to ensure the right information is being transmitted and the medical team is being updated when necessary.

Storing and Sharing Electronic Medical Records

A huge focus has been placed on the shift from paper medical records to electronic health records. One of the primary reasons for that focus is because the Federal government has mandated that all facilities must make the transition and have their systems fully implemented by 2018. There is a penalty for providers who have not implement a certified technology successfully.

Going Beyond Health Records

Since certified systems that store electronic health records are becoming mandatory, providers and clinics are investing in health information technology even if they don’t know it. By making all records related to a patient’s medical history and treatment electronic, clinical facilities are essentially going digital. Many are taking it a step further to digitalize medical billing and administrative tasks for quicker insurance claims processing. The industry has been in need of a major revolution for quite some time. While many doctors who were stuck in their ways didn’t appreciate being mandated to get digital, those who got past the implementation of new systems see how useful these information systems can be. Healthcare informatics, when used properly, can improve safety of care outcomes, patient participation, and public health on a larger scale.

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