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Costs and Benefits of Health Information Technology

Costs and Benefits of Health Information Technology

Costs and Benefits of Health Information Technology

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Complete a Vila Health interactive simulation in which you will practice analyzing the costs and the benefits associated with having the newly acquired rural hospitals switch to the same health information system currently used at the main hospital. Then, develop a cost-benefit spreadsheet and write a 2-3 page executive summary of your findings and recommendations.

Smart phones, tablets, and other devices that can connect to the internet have changed our daily lives and the way we talk to each other. Digital technology has also made big changes to our environment. The field of medicine is a treasure trove of data. Electronic health records (EHRs) are a key component of a digital health care infrastructure that can improve care delivery and payment by facilitating a more comprehensive and streamlined flow of information. Electronic health records make it possible to access data from any location at any time. However, EPIC is not without its flaws. Epic EMR is a feature-rich solution; however, including additional features and capabilities might result in a large increase in the cost of its subscriptions. Large healthcare companies may be able to afford its solutions, but small practices may find it more practical to focus on the functionality they absolutely need to keep costs down. The cost of implementing EPIC is high (Danao, 2023).

Many difficulties and new requirements have arisen as a result of the coronavirus epidemic. One problem is that there isn’t enough PPE available in hospitals, despite the fact that the highly contagious nature of COVID-19 means that clinical staff delivering vital treatment put themselves in danger when coming into close contact with patients. In addition, hospitals have had to increase the velocity and effectiveness of their workflows as workloads have increased due to the large influx of patients. Clinicians are better able to provide safe, compassionate treatment thanks to mobile technology that helps healthcare teams overcome these and other obstacles. Hospitals and other organizations will need to continue developing their mobility plans to optimize their efforts in dealing with the problems provided by the pandemic, as well as the typical obstacles to providing healthcare. The availability of vaccines is encouraging, but healthcare facilities may still do more to enhance their mobile capabilities to better serve their patients and improve results. However, there are obstacles that healthcare companies must overcome in order to adopt mobile tools securely. Anti-microbial device casings, ultraviolet light (UVC) cleaning solutions, and thorough wiping down at shift changes are all ways in which hospitals are attempting to reduce the risk of disease transmission due to the use of shared medical equipment (Holloway, 2021).

 

References

Danao, M. (2023, February 10). Epic EMR review (2023): Features, pricing & more. Forbes. Retrieved April 6, 2023, from https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/software/epic-emr-review/

Links to an external site.

Holloway, C. (2021, February 2). How mobile devices are meeting the soaring need for care. Technology Solutions That Drive Healthcare. Retrieved April 6, 2023, from https://healthtechmagazine.net/article/2021/02/how-mobile-devices-are-meeting-soaring-need-care

Introduction

Note: The assessments in this course build upon the work you have completed in the previous assessments. Therefore, complete the assessments in the order in which they are presented.

Meeting current and future needs means that health care managers must be able to analyze the costs and benefits of implementing new health information systems or taking on new health informatics projects. Cost-benefit analysis is a model that will help managers communicate and justify their projects. It is important for managers to translate the investment of health information technology into a benefit that the organization notices and feels.

This assessment provides an opportunity for you to complete a cost-benefit analysis of a health information system and justify your recommendations for implementation, based on best practices.

Overview and Preparation

Note: Complete the assessments in this course in the order in which they are presented.

The following resources are required to complete the assessment:

Click here to ORDER an A++ paper from our Verified MASTERS and DOCTORATE WRITERS:Costs and Benefits of Health Information Technology

APA Style Paper Template [DOCX].
Use this template for your executive summary.
Cost-Benefit Analysis Spreadsheet [XLSX].
Use this spreadsheet for your analysis.
Vila Health: HIMS Cost Benefit Analysis.
This multimedia simulation will enable you to practice analyzing the short- and long-term costs and the benefits of implementing Vila Health’s existing health information system at one of the newly-acquired rural hospitals.

Leadership at Vila Health has asked for a cost-benefit analysis to address the pros and cons of having the newly acquired rural hospitals switch to the same health information system currently used by Vila Health.

Complete the Vila Health: HIMS Cost-Benefit Analysis interactive simulation. Gather information about the health information system being used by the main hospital. Speak with department heads to obtain their insights, and consider short- and long-term costs and benefits. You may also find it useful to review previous Vila Health simulations.

In addition, use the Capella University Library to explore topics relevant to currently available health information system technology and its costs and benefits.

Requirements
Conduct a cost-benefit analysis to determine the feasibility of the proposed system upgrade. Use the Cost-Benefit Analysis Spreadsheet for your analysis.
Write an executive summary of your findings, recommendations, and rationale for your recommendations.

Note: Remember that you can submit all—or a portion of—your draft executive summary to Smarthinking for feedback, before you submit the final version for this assessment. If you plan on using this free service, be mindful of the turnaround time of 24–48 hours for receiving feedback.

Document Format and Length

Format your executive summary using APA style.

Use the APA Style Paper Template [DOCX]. An APA Style Paper Tutorial [DOCX] is also provided to help you in writing and formatting your executive summary. Be sure to include:
A title page and references page. An abstract is not required.
Appropriate section headings.
Your executive summary should be 2–3 pages in length, not including the title page and references page.
Supporting Evidence

Cite at least two sources of credible scholarly or professional evidence to support your cost-benefit analysis.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Note: The requirements outlined below correspond to the grading criteria in the scoring guide. Be sure that your cost-benefit analysis addresses each point, at a minimum. You may also want to read the HIS Cost-Benefit Analysis Scoring Guide to better understand how each criterion will be assessed.

Identify the components of the health information system.
Consider all system components that should be factored into a cost-benefit analysis.
Identify gaps between current health information technology and future needs.
What effect might forecasted future needs have on present system integration decisions?
Analyze the costs of implementing an upgraded system.
Identify all cost items that should be included in the analysis.
Consider short- and long-term costs.
Consider the relevant issues, objectives, and leadership decisions that should be factored into the analysis.
What additional information could improve the analysis?
Analyze the benefits of implementing an upgraded system.
Identify all cost items that should be included in the analysis.
Consider short- and long-term benefits, as well as the potential benefits to the organization, including patient care.
Consider the relevant issues, objectives, and leadership decisions that should be factored into the analysis.
What additional information could improve the analysis?
Analyze the costs and benefits of not implementing an upgraded system.
Consider the short- and long-term costs and potential benefits to the organization, including patient care.
Consider the relevant issues, objectives, and leadership decisions that should be factored into the analysis.
What additional information could improve the analysis?
Determine the impact of evolving business trends on system upgrade decisions.
What business trends have the potential to drive future health care informatics and IT needs?
How might these trends influence your cost-benefit analysis and project implementation recommendations?
What evidence do you have to support your assertions and conclusions?
Make implementation recommendations based on your cost-benefit analysis.
Justify your recommendations with well-reasoned rationale.
Write clearly and concisely, using correct grammar, mechanics, and APA formatting.
Express your main points and conclusions coherently.
Proofread your writing to minimize errors that could distract readers and make it more difficult for them to focus on the substance of your analysis.
Competencies Measured

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:

Competency 4: Forecast future organizational needs and/or applications of technology based on evolving business trends.
Identify gaps between current technology and future needs.
Determine the impact of evolving business trends on system upgrade decisions.
Competency 5: Analyze current and future system needs and cost-benefit factors to define requirements for system selection.
Identify the components of a health information system.
Analyze the costs of implementing an upgraded system.
Analyze the benefits of implementing an upgraded system.
Analyze the costs and benefits of not implementing an upgraded system.
Make implementation recommendations based on a cost-benefit analysis.
Competency 6: Communicate effectively with diverse audiences, in an appropriate form and style, consistent with applicable organizational, professional, and scholarly standards.
Write clearly and concisely, using correct grammar, mechanics, and APA formatting.

Print

Health Information System Cost-Benefit Analysis Scoring Guide
CRITERIA NON-PERFORMANCE BASIC PROFICIENT DISTINGUISHED
Identify the components of a health information system. Does not identify the components of a health information system. Overlooks components of a health information system important to an accurate cost-benefit analysis. Identifies the components of a health information system. Identifies the components of a health information system. Provides a complete and accurate inventory of all key components.
Identify gaps between current health information technology and future needs. Does not identify gaps between current health information technology and future needs. Identifies gaps between current health information technology and future needs that are unclear or unlikely. Identifies gaps between current health information technology and future needs. Identifies gaps between current health information technology and future needs. Makes astute inferences from a rational assessment of future needs.
Analyze the costs of implementing an upgraded system. Does not analyze the costs of implementing an upgraded system. Provides an incomplete cost analysis that overlooks key considerations. Analyzes the costs of implementing an upgraded system. Analyzes the short- and long-term costs of implementing an upgraded system. Provides a detailed and insightful analysis, and articulates uncertainties or knowledge gaps that could affect investment decisions.
Analyze the benefits of implementing an upgraded system. Does not analyze the benefits of implementing an upgraded system. Provides an incomplete benefit analysis that overlooks key considerations. Analyzes the benefits of implementing an upgraded system. Analyzes the short- and long-term benefits of implementing an upgraded system. Provides a detailed and insightful analysis, and articulates uncertainties or knowledge gaps that could affect investment decisions.
Analyze the costs and benefits of not implementing an upgraded system. Does not analyze the costs and benefits of not implementing an upgraded system. Analyzes some of the costs and benefits of not implementing an upgraded system, but omits significant items that should have been understood through study activities. Analyzes the costs and benefits of not implementing an upgraded system. Analyzes the costs and benefits of not implementing an upgraded system. Also identifies knowledge gaps, unknowns, missing information, unanswered questions, or areas of uncertainty, where further information could improve the analysis.
Determine the impact of evolving business trends on system upgrade decisions. Does not describe evolving business trends. Describes evolving business trends. Determines the impact of evolving business trends on system upgrade decisions. Determines the impact of evolving business trends on system upgrade decisions. Explicitly identifies logical implications and consequence based on an insightful interpretation and synthesis of business trends; draws well-reasoned, logical conclusions supported by relevant and credible evidence.
Make implementation recommendations based on a cost-benefit analysis. Does not make implementation recommendations based on a cost-benefit analysis. Makes implementation recommendations, but the links to the cost-benefit analysis are unclear, questionable, or not well-documented. Makes implementation recommendations based on a cost-benefit analysis. Makes implementation recommendations based on a cost-benefit analysis. Draws rational, fully-justified conclusions from an insightful assessment of long-and short-term project costs, benefits, and risks.

i). Description of genera trends in health technology

Technology remains a fundamental part of the increasing healthcare transformation that impacts nursing practice in various ways. The rise in the use of telemedicine, wearable device for patients and providers to monitor chronic conditions and for fitness, and adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) as well as use of artificial intelligence are some of the trends defining healthcare offering. Our facility leverages the advantages of EHRs and telehealth to enhance care delivery for patients with chronic conditions (Alotaibi & Federico, 2017). Our organization uses telehealth through the EPIC system for charting and communication. The portal allows patients to check their laboratory results, prescriptions and their tailored treatment plans. They can also engage providers and get educational information. Through the app, nurses can monitor patient’s vitals remotely and advise them and physician on particular issues like medication.

ii). Potential Challenge Inherent to the Technology

Through telehealth, providers and patients enhance access to care, saves on cost, and the need for unnecessary hospital visits to the emergency room. However, an inherent challenge associated with telehealth is the possible violation or breaching of data compliance legislations like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) concerning data security. Information stored on patients and providers’ digital and mobile devices like laptops, smartphones and iPads may not be safe as hackers may access patients’ health information and steal vital data (Hansen et al., 2018). Therefore, it is essential to train nurses on the HIPAA compliance as they seek to leverage the benefits that technology offers.

iii). Potential Benefit and Risks Associated with Data Safety, legislation and Patient Care

Telehealth offers potential benefits based on safety, legislation, and patient care. These include increased access to care for patient in remote locations without the need to make physical visits in emergency rooms. Secondly, interoperability enables providers to share data safely through secure systems and make better care decisions, particularly in inter-professional teams. Legislative pieces like the Affordable Care Act (ACA) emphasizes the need for data safety, increased access to healthcare through the use of best technologies and implores providers to focus on value-based care. Risk associated with patient safety, legislation, and patient care linked to telehealth include possible hacking and access to patient information by hackers who may steal the data for personal gains. Using these technologies does not imply that one attains less quality care (Serper & Volk, 2018). In fact, these technologies offer huge benefits to patients and providers irrespective of the inherent risks associated with their deployment in health care settings.

iv). Promising Technology to Influence Healthcare Trends in Nursing Practice

One trend likely to have substantial impact on healthcare technology in nursing practice is telemedicine. Providers use telemedicine to offer care services remotely. Through the technology, they can diagnose, treat, prevent disease and conduct research with the goal of enhancing health. Telehealth allows patients to monitor and access care while away from the physical site. The technology improves significantly patient outcomes, especially for those with chronic conditions and those who cannot access care because of their geographical location (Al-Turjman et al., 2020). The disruptions and devastating effects of the Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) demonstrates the need to invest in technologies like telemedicine, telehealth, and wearable devices to enhance access to care, even in remote locations (Barney et al., 2020). The increased need for interoperability implies that health care system and providers will continue embracing these trends to enhance quality, accessibility, and cost of care, particularly with the increased demand for care due to an aging and diverse population.

References

Alotaibi, Y. & Federico, F. (2017. The impact of health information technology on patient safety.

Saudi Medical Journal, 38(12):1173–1180. doi: 10.15537/smj.2017.12.20631

Al-Turjman, F., Nawaz, M. H., & Ulusar, U. D. (2020). Intelligence in the Internet of Medical

Things era: A systematic review of current and future trends. Computer Communications, 150, 644–660.

Barney, A., Buckelew, S., Mesheriakova, V., & Raymond-Flesch, M. (2020). The COVID-19

Pandemic and Rapid Implementation of Adolescent and Young Adult Telemedicine: Challenges and Opportunities for Innovation. Journal of Adolescent Health, 67(2), 164–171.

Hansen, J., Lazow, M. & Hagedorn, P. (2018). Reducing Interdisciplinary Communication

Failures Through Secure Text Messaging: A Quality Improvement Project. Pediatric Quality and Safety, 3(1), e053. doi: 10.1097/pq9.0000000000000053

Serper, M. & Volk, M. (2018). Current and Future Applications of Telemedicine to Optimize the

Delivery of Care in Chronic Liver Disease. Clinical Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 16(2), 157–161.e8.  DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cgh.2017.10.004