Information technology in healthcare: A discussion
Implementing policy on informatics had significant impacts both in clinical and non-clinical areas of healthcare. From the patient’s perspective, policies have led to improved data security and privacy by mandating the use of secure mechanisms for the sharing and storage of health information. It improves patient safety and quality, while also giving them more control of their data.
Policies have helped to improve resource utilization by optimizing workflow processes that are enabled through comprehensive electronic medical records systems. These systems have enabled healthcare providers to decrease paperwork costs and increase efficiency when delivering their services.
Policy has been a key element in improving communication among providers within an organization. Health Level Seven (HL7) is a standardization effort that establishes standards regarding how patient information should be shared among different software systems in an organisation or between multiple institutions.
They are continually evolving in order to address changing healthcare expectations and needs.