The use of health information technology (HIT) has increased dramatically over the past decade, resulting in the federal government enacting several pieces of legislation such as the Health Insurance

The use of health information technology (HIT) has increased dramatically over the past decade, resulting in the federal government enacting several pieces of legislation such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act of 2009. In a 3-4 page paper, research and discuss the following. Be sure to include a minimum of 3 references.

  • Discuss the financial and health benefits that can be realized by implementing an electronic health record (EHR).
  • Research and explain the estimated cost of implementing an EHR and the estimated cost of managing an EHR over the long run.
  • Discuss current security concerns surrounding HIT and the EHR.
  • Discuss how electronic health records can be used for decision-making and problem-solving.
  • Choose 1 piece of federal legislation (e.g., HIPAA, HITECH Act, Meaningful Use), and discuss the requirements that legislation imposes on the use of HIT and the EHR.

Expert Solution Preview

Introduction:

The use of Health Information Technology (HIT) has brought about a significant transformation in the healthcare industry, enabling healthcare providers to make more informed decisions and provide better care to their patients. The implementation of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) is one of the most significant advancements in HIT with several benefits, however, it present challenges such as implementing it and managing it over the long run. Moreover, EHRs have given rise to security concerns while maintaining patient privacy. This paper will discuss the implementation of EHR, its financial and health benefits, costs, security concerns, and their utilization in decision-making, and problem-solving. Finally, we will look at the legislative requirements imposed by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Financial and Health Benefits of Implementing an EHR:

The implementation of an EHR has brought about several benefits in terms of financial and healthcare standards. EHRs ensure that patients receive coordinated care while reducing inefficiencies in healthcare organizations. EHRs improve healthcare quality in terms of patient safety, reducing medical errors, and ensuring better patient outcomes. Apart from improving the quality of care, EHRs help in reducing healthcare costs, estimated to be about $78 billion annually (Yaraghi et al., 2016).

Costs of Implementing and Managing an EHR:

There are two costs associated with implementing and managing an EHR; the initial implementation cost and the long-term operational costs. The implementation cost is considerably high, with estimates ranging from $15,000 to $70,000 for a small practice to several million dollars for large healthcare networks (Boland et al., 2016). The long-term operational cost includes hardware and software licenses, maintenance cost, and upgrades, and may exceed the initial implementation cost.

Security Concerns Surrounding EHR:

The implementation of EHRs has given rise to concerns about patient data privacy and security. Healthcare organizations need to implement appropriate measures to ensure that patient data is protected from unauthorized access, disclosure, and theft. Several risks include phishing attacks, hacking, and malware attacks, which can compromise patient data (Noumeir et al., 2015).

EHRs for Decision-making and Problem-solving:

EHRs can be used for decision-making and problem-solving by providing relevant information to healthcare providers. EHRs can capture a wide range of patient data, including demographic data, provider notes, diagnostic and lab reports, and medication data. This data can be analyzed to identify trends, improve healthcare outcomes, and personalize patient care.

HIPAA Legislation:

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 establishes national standards for safeguarding the privacy, security, and confidentiality of patient data. The HIPAA sets requirements for the collection, storage, transmission, and use of electronic health information.

Conclusion:

EHRs have revolutionized the healthcare industry, enabling healthcare providers to provide better care to their patients. Implementing EHR comes with substantial costs, but the benefits of EHR outweigh the cost in the long run. While EHRs have brought several benefits, healthcare organizations must ensure that appropriate measures are implemented to protect patient data from unauthorized access and breaches. Finally, compliance with federal legislation such as HIPAA is critical to ensuring patient privacy and data protection while utilizing HIT tools.

Share This Post

Email
WhatsApp
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Reddit

Order a Similar Paper and get 15% Discount on your First Order

Related Questions

HCM Saudi Electronic University Health Sector Transformation Program Discussion

Key objective 2 in the Health Sector Transformation Program within Saudi Vision 2030 is improving the quality and efficiency of health services. Discuss two healthcare quality improvements that have been achieved under the Health Sector Transformation program. Be sure to reference how these improvements were measured. Discuss how key objective

HCM Saudi Electronic University Health Sector Transformation Discussion

The goal of the Health Sector Transformation Program is to reorganize Saudi Arabia’s health sector so that it is a complete, effective, and integrated health system based on the health of the individual and society (including the citizen, the resident and the visitor). The Program is based on the idea

Saudi Electronic University Health Sector Transformation Program Discussion

Key objective 2 in the Health Sector Transformation Program within Saudi Vision 2030 is improving the quality and efficiency of health services. Discuss two healthcare quality improvements that have been achieved under the Health Sector Transformation program. Be sure to reference how these improvements were measured. Discuss how key objective

Saudi Electronic University Health Services & Financial Management Discussion

Unique Aspects of Health Services & Financial Management There are a number of unique factors relating to the health services sector: Compare the two types of accounting functions. Describe how the accounting functions affect operational oversight. How do these unique features affect the financial management of the sector? Expert Solution

discsstion 1

Key objective 2 in the Health Sector Transformation Program within Saudi Vision 2030 is improving the quality and efficiency of health services. Discuss two healthcare quality improvements that have been achieved under the Health Sector Transformation program. Be sure to reference how these improvements were measured. Discuss how key objective

discuustion 2

I’m working on a public health discussion question and need the explanation and answer to help me learn. Key objective 2 in the Health Sector Transformation Program within Saudi Vision 2030 is improving the quality and efficiency of health services. Discuss two healthcare quality improvements that have been achieved under

SEU Entities Involved in Healthcare Privatization Discussion Response

I need reply for this: The goal of the Health Sector Transformation Program is to reorganize Saudi Arabia’s health sector so that it is a complete, effective, and integrated health system based on the health of the individual and society (including the citizen, the resident and the visitor). The Program

SEU Health Sector Transformation Program Discussion Response

I need reply for this: Health Sector Transformation program in Saudi Vision 2030 COLLAPSE Introduction        The Saudi Vision 2030’s Health Sector Transformation Program aims to raise healthcare quality in Saudi Arabia. The initiative has improved healthcare quality in several ways, such as by developing telemedicine services. This paper will discuss

SEU Using the Gestation Demographics SEU Dataset Project

Using the Gestation Demographics SEU dataset that is located in the tabs at the bottom of the Framingham dataset provided, perform the following problems using R Studio or Excel.Create a simple distribution graph (histogram) where we will explore the age of women after giving birth to their first child. Remember

Using the Gestation Demographics SEU datase

This week we are learning about ordinal/categorical, continuous, and dichotomous variables. Using the Gestation Demographics SEU dataset that is located in the tabs at the bottom of the Framingham dataset provided, perform the following problems using R Studio or Excel. Create a simple distribution graph (histogram) where we will explore

Policy and Supply and Demand ppt

Policy and Supply and Demand (125 Points) Various programs to increase employment in the healthcare sector have recently been introduced in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As a result, an increasing number of foreigners have been provided with the opportunity work in the Kingdom. Studies show that 30% of the

reply f 1

Under the Health Sector Transformation Program within Saudi Vision 2030, improving the quality and efficiency of health services is a crucial objective. The program aims to improve healthcare quality by enhancing access to healthcare services, enhancing healthcare financing, improving healthcare governance and management, and increasing healthcare workforce capacity (Ministry of

BMI 502 SIU Impact of Telemedicine in Bowel Disease Literature Review

Literature review article  Topic: Impact of Telemedicine in Inflammatory Bowel Disease  citations using endnote ; paper should contain headings: abstract, introduction, literature review, methodology, discussion and conclusion Expert Solution Preview Introduction: Telemedicine has emerged as a beneficial tool in various fields of medicine. The focus of this literature review article

reply f 2

Health Services and Financial Management  Health services and financial management are two distinct yet overlapping fields of expertise. Health services involve delivering medical services and treatments to maintain or improve a person’s health. At the same time, financial management is the process of identifying, monitoring, and controlling the use of

reply for this

Health Sector Transformation program in Saudi Vision 2030 COLLAPSE Introduction  The Saudi Vision 2030’s Health Sector Transformation Program aims to raise healthcare quality in Saudi Arabia. The initiative has improved healthcare quality in several ways, such as by developing telemedicine services. This paper will discuss two healthcare quality improvements made

reply 4 f

Financial management in any sector include the managing of regular monetary activities including contract negotiations, cash availability for expenses like payroll, and emergency fund maintenance. Financial management at the executive level entails sharing data with the other members of the leadership team so that they may formulate long-term strategies. Large