Information Systems in Healthcare – Discussion Post
Discuss the roles of federal, state, and local public health agencies in the development of standards for informatics in healthcare.
Begin a discussion on the various local, state, and federal agencies and their influence in standardizing nursing informatics.
As you will see, many organizations are currently involved in regulating informatics. Do a little research and tell us what you find. Be sure to cover all three levels: Federal, state, and local! What roles do each of these agencies play and how to they affect the standardization of informatics? What specific ideas or tools have they created and why do these ideas and tools assist in preventing poor patient outcomes? Do you see any potential issues with these where human error can play a factor? If so, please provide examples.
Please Note:
This assignment must be at least a 200 word body. Include in text citations in APA format. Please use APA Format for references and citations. A minimum of one scholarly source is required.
DUE: 4/11/2020 at 10PM, Eastern standard time.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
Federal, state, and local public health agencies play crucial roles in the development of standards for informatics in healthcare. These agencies work together to ensure that standardized nursing informatics practices are implemented effectively and consistently across different levels of the healthcare system. In this discussion, we will explore the roles and influence of these agencies, the specific ideas or tools they have created, how they contribute to preventing poor patient outcomes, and potential issues related to human error.
Answer:
At the federal level, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) is a key agency involved in the development of informatics standards in healthcare. The ONC’s primary role is to promote the adoption and use of health information technology (HIT). They have created the Health IT Certification Program, which certifies electronic health record systems and other health IT products, ensuring their interoperability and security. Additionally, the ONC establishes standards for health information exchange, such as the Consolidated Clinical Document Architecture (CCDA), to facilitate the seamless sharing of patient data between healthcare providers.
State health departments also play a significant role in standardizing nursing informatics. They are responsible for implementing federal standards within their respective states and tailoring them to local needs. State agencies collaborate with local public health departments, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders to develop and enforce policies and regulations related to informatics. For example, many states have implemented mandatory electronic health record systems for healthcare providers to improve data collection and reporting.
Local public health agencies, such as county or city health departments, contribute to the standardization of informatics by ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations at the grassroot level. They may provide guidance and support to healthcare providers and facilities within their jurisdictions to ensure the use of standardized informatics practices. Local health agencies also collect and analyze health data to identify local health trends and inform public health interventions.
The creation of ideas and tools by these agencies helps in preventing poor patient outcomes. For instance, the development of health information exchange standards by the ONC allows healthcare providers to access comprehensive patient information promptly, which can help prevent medication errors, duplicate testing, and adverse events. Similarly, state and local health agencies create electronic reporting systems that streamline the collection and analysis of health data, enabling early detection and response to disease outbreaks.
However, human error can still become a factor in the use of informatics. For example, in the context of health information exchange, errors in data entry or patient identification can lead to incorrect information being shared among providers, potentially affecting patient care. Similarly, issues related to system usability or improper training can contribute to user errors and compromise patient safety.
In conclusion, federal, state, and local public health agencies play vital roles in the development and standardization of informatics in healthcare. Through collaboration and the creation of ideas and tools, these agencies contribute to preventing poor patient outcomes. However, it is crucial to address potential issues related to human error to ensure the effective and safe use of informatics in healthcare.
